Why Does Love Do This to Me explained

Why Does Love Do This to Me
Cover:The Exponents, Why Does Love Do This To Me, single cover.jpg
Type:single
Artist:the Exponents
Album:Something Beginning with C
B-Side:Sadness
Recorded:Christmas 1990[1]
Studio:Airforce (Auckland, New Zealand)
Label:PolyGram New Zealand, Mercury
Producer:The Exponents with Paul Streekstra
Prev Title:Brand New Doll
Prev Year:1987
Next Title:Who Loves Who the Most
Next Year:1991

"Why Does Love Do This to Me" (alternatively spelt "Why Does Love (Do This to Me)") is a song by New Zealand pop band the Exponents. It was released in 1991 and is among the Exponents' most successful and best known songs.

History

Having moved to London in 1987, the single was the band's first release upon returning to New Zealand and changing their name from the Dance Exponents to the Exponents. The song was written by Jordan Luck in London in 1989, with the group returning to New Zealand in November 1990 and signing to PolyGram Records New Zealand.[2]

The song proved popular, peaking at number three on the New Zealand Singles Chart, charting for 29 weeks. Its singalong chorus made the single a hit and helped make the Exponents a popular live band in the 1990s. The single was also released in Australia in 1993 but did not chart.[3]

The song's music video was directed by Kerry Brown. It features the band playing the song in several iconic New Zealand landscapes, including a steamy thermal area, a bush road and by a cliffside.[4]

In 2001, the song was ranked at number 47 on the APRA Top 100 New Zealand Songs of All Time list, as voted by APRA's members. The song was included on Nature's Best 2, a compilation album of songs number 31 to number 65 from the list.[5] At the 1992 New Zealand Music Awards, the track was awarded Single of the Year.[6]

"Why Does Love Do This to Me" is also known as a singalong anthem played during rugby games in New Zealand. Popularised during the 2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, the song has become a stadium staple at New Zealand rugby events.[7] [8]

The track is on the Exponents' 1992 studio album Something Beginning with C and also gives its name to the band's 2011 greatest hits album . The 2013 deluxe edition of Something Beginning with C includes the original UK demo version of the song.[9]

Track listings

New Zealand 7-inch and cassette single (Mercury 868174-1/4)

  1. "Why Does Love Do This to Me" (3:25)
  2. "Sadness"

Australian CD single (Mercury 868177-2)

  1. "Why Does Love Do This to Me" (Craig Parteils remix)
  2. "Nameless Girl"
  3. "Sometimes"
  4. "Why Does Love Do This to Me" (video mix)

Personnel

Charts

Year-end charts

External links

Notes and References

  1. Something Beginning with C. The Exponents. 1992. New Zealand CD album liner notes. Mercury Records. 512 210-2.
  2. Book: Shute, Gareth. NZ Rock, 1987-2007. 2008. Random House New Zealand. New Zealand. 978-1-86979-000-4. 29–33.
  3. Web site: The Exponents discography. The Exponents. 30 May 2013.
  4. Web site: THE EXPONENTS. WHY DOES LOVE DO THIS TO ME. The Film Archive. 30 May 2013.
  5. Web site: APRA Top 100 New Zealand Songs Of All Time. Christchurch City Libraries. 29 May 2013.
  6. Web site: 1992 Winners. NZ Music Awards. 30 May 2013.
  7. Web site: Brown. Russell. He might be crazy, but he's not dumb. Hard News. 19 September 2007 . Public Address. 30 May 2013.
  8. News: Baillie. Russell. Wrong song for rugby singalong. NZ Herald. 30 May 2013. 1 April 2010.
  9. Web site: Something Beginning With C (Deluxe). January 1992 . iTunes. 30 May 2013.
  10. Web site: End of Year Charts 1991. Recorded Music NZ. 3 December 2017.