Carly Simon - Why (12" Extended Version)
- 12 INCH VINYL
- May 29
- 2 min read
Carly Simon's collaboration with Chic on the 1982 track Why was recorded for the soundtrack to the American sex comedy film Soup For One.
Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic composed Why specifically for the film and invited Simon to perform the vocals.
It marked a notable genre shift for her — from her typical guitar-based singer-songwriter style to a reggae-tinged, post-disco sound.
Simon had emerged in the early 1970s as a distinctive voice in American pop, blending confessional songwriting with melodic sophistication.
Her debut solo album in 1971, featuring the hit That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be, set the tone for a career defined by introspective lyrics and emotional candour.
Her third album, No Secrets (1972), included the chart-topping You're So Vain — a cultural phenomenon featuring backing vocals by Mick Jagger that fuelled public fascination with her private life.
Born into privilege in New York City — her father Richard L. Simon co-founded the publishing house Simon & Schuster — Simon grew up surrounded by art and intellect. But she also battled a stammer and self-doubt, issues she later discussed openly.
Her marriage to James Taylor in 1972 created a high-profile singer-songwriter pairing. Their relationship, both professionally fruitful and personally tumultuous, became a recurring thread in Simon’s lyrics.
By the time Why was recorded, Simon had released 10 studio albums and scored 10 Top 30 hits on the US Billboard Hot 100 — including the worldwide smash Nobody Does It Better, from the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me.
Why was recorded at the famed Power Station Studios in New York City, engineered by Bob Clearmountain (later associated with the peak of the CD loudness wars through his work with Red Hot Chili Peppers), and mastered at Atlantic Studios.
The instrumental backing was performed by Chic’s core lineup: Rodgers on guitar, Edwards on bass, and Tony Thompson on drums. Additional vocals on the extended 12" remix were provided by Chic vocalists Alfa Anderson and Luci Martin. The B-side of the 12-inch single featured an instrumental version by Chic.
Although Why did not appear in the Soup for One film, it became the soundtrack’s most successful single, reaching number 10 on the UK Singles Chart and gaining popularity in European clubs.
The song’s influence has grown over time. Wham! covered it during their farewell concert The Final in 1986. In 1989, it resurfaced on the Ibiza scene, becoming a Balearic classic. It re-entered the UK charts in 1990, peaking at number 56.
That same year, A Tribe Called Quest released a CJ Mackintosh remix of Bonita Applebum, heavily sampling Why. In 1999, British dancehall artist Glamma Kid interpolated the track in his single Why, which reached number 10 in the UK.
All in all, Why stands as a significant entry in Carly Simon’s prolific catalogue — and a highlight of Chic’s magnificent legacy too.
Year: 1982 Label: WEA Cat No: K 79300T
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