Why ( Annie Lennox song ) - wikipedia Why ( Annie Lennox song ) `` Why '' Single by Annie Lennox from the album Diva B - side `` Primitive '' Released March 28, 1992 Format 7 '' CD Maxi - Single Recorded July 1991 Genre Soul pop adult contemporary Length 4 : 53 Label BMG Arista Songwriter ( s ) Annie Lennox Producer ( s ) Stephen Lipson Annie Lennox singles chronology `` Put a Little Love in Your Heart '' ( 1988 ) `` Why '' ( 1992 ) `` Precious '' ( 1992 ) `` Put a Little Love in Your Heart '' ( 1988 ) `` Why '' ( 1992 ) `` Precious '' ( 1992 ) `` Why '' is the first solo single by the Scottish singer Annie Lennox, released in 1992. It was taken from her debut solo album Diva and reached no. 5 in the United Kingdom. In the United States, `` Why '' peaked at no. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 and no. 6 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Contents 1 Music video 2 Track listings 2.1 7 '' single 2.2 CD maxi 3 Charts 4 DJ Sammy version 4.1 Formats and track listing 4.2 Charts 5 Other versions 6 References 7 External links Music video The music video was directed by Sophie Muller and was filmed during the shoot for the Diva album cover. The video shows Lennox sitting in front of a vanity mirror staring and marveling at herself before slowly putting on makeup. By the middle of the video, Lennox is fully made up and in the outfit she wore on the Diva album cover. The rest of the video consists of shots of Lennox posing for the cameras along with in - between shots of her singing the song. The video won Lennox an award for Best Female Video at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards. Track listings 7 '' single Side A : `` Why '' ( Single Version ) ( 4 : 53 ) Side B : `` Primitive '' ( 4 : 17 ) CD maxi `` Why '' ( Single Version ) ( 4 : 53 ) `` Primitive '' ( 4 : 20 ) `` Why '' ( instrumental ) ( 4 : 54 ) `` Primitive '' programmed by Marius de Vries Charts Chart ( 1992 ) Peak position Australia ( ARIA ) 17 Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) 11 Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) 7 Canada Adult Contemporary ( RPM ) Europe ( European Hot 100 Singles ) Germany ( Official German Charts ) 12 Ireland ( IRMA ) 5 Italy ( Hit Parade ) Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) 6 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) 8 New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) 15 Norway ( VG - lista ) 6 Spain ( PROMUSICAE ) 11 Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan ) 10 Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade ) 6 UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 5 US Billboard Hot 100 34 US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) 6 US Alternative Songs ( Billboard ) 12 Chart ( 2008 ) Peak position Denmark ( Tracklisten ) 6 DJ Sammy version `` Why '' Single by DJ Sammy featuring Britta Medeiros from the album The Rise Released June 2005 Recorded 2003 Genre Trance, dance Label Ministry of Sound / Data Songwriter ( s ) Annie Lennox Producer ( s ) Martin Eyerer Oliver Laib DJ Sammy featuring Britta Medeiros singles chronology `` Rise Again '' ( 2004 ) `` Why '' ( 2005 ) `` L'bby Haba '' ( 2006 ) `` Rise Again '' ( 2004 ) `` Why '' ( 2005 ) `` L'bby Haba '' ( 2006 ) In 2005 `` Why '' was covered by Spanish producer DJ Sammy with vocals by German singer Britta Medeiros. `` Why '' is the second single from the album The Rise. The music video features DJ Sammy in a room with a mixboard that he uses to create three holographic women that sing the song. Formats and track listing These are the formats and track listings of major single - releases of `` Why ''. USA CD single `` Why '' ( Radio Edit ) -- 4 : 00 `` Why '' ( Candlelight Mix ) -- 4 : 25 `` Why '' ( Extended Mix ) -- 6 : 44 `` Why '' ( Phunk Investigation Remix ) -- 5 : 55 `` Why '' ( Breeze & Styles Remix ) -- 6 : 17 `` Why '' ( DJ Sammy 's Extended Mix ) -- 7 : 10 `` Why '' ( Parker & Hanson Remix ) -- 7 : 58 `` Why '' ( Andrew McCensit Remix ) -- 7 : 58 `` Why '' ( Phunk Investigation Dub ) -- 9 : 21 Germany CD single `` Why '' ( Radio Edit ) `` Why '' ( Sammy Extended ) `` Why '' ( Parker & Hanson Remix ) `` Cheba '' Australia CD single `` Why '' ( Radio Edit ) `` Why '' ( Club Mix ) `` Why '' ( Sammy 's Extended Mix ) `` Why '' ( Parker & Hanson Mix ) UK CD single `` Why '' ( Radio Edit ) -- 3 : 28 `` Why '' ( Club Mix ) -- 6 : 43 `` Why '' ( Breeze & Styles Remix ) -- 6 : 19 `` Why '' ( Phunk Investigation Remix ) -- 5 : 55 `` Why '' ( Parker & Hanson Mix ) -- 8 : 46 `` Why '' music video Charts Chart ( 2005 ) Peak position Australia ( ARIA ) 29 Germany ( Official German Charts ) 64 Ireland ( IRMA ) 16 UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 7 Other versions The song was interpreted by Amii Stewart and Dee Dee Bridgewater on the 1994 Italian song festival. In 2001, Neal Schon performed an instrumental version on the album Voice. The song was also covered by Kelly Clarkson, live on her 2005 Hazel Eyes Tour. This song has also been covered by Keith Caputo on Died Laughing Pure. In March 2008 the song was covered by Italian singer Silvia Aprile on X-Factor Italy stage. The studio version of Aprile 's cover was later included in the Italian X-Factor compilation. In August 2009, the song was covered by David Rose. Also, the song was covered in September 2009 by European singer Lara Fabian on her new album `` Every Woman In Me '' and by Canadian artist Allison Crowe on her 2010 album Spiral. It was also covered live in January 2010 by Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and Annie Clark of St. Vincent at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. At Christmas season 2010 it was covered by Patrice Pike in a live recording Sudden Light : Christmas at the Carillon with Conspirare ( Craig Hella Johnson and Company of Voices ). In July 2011, the song was covered by singer / songwriter Kevin Caffrey. Ukrainian singer Ani Lorak covered the song in May 2012. The song was also covered in the Finale of The Voice and was released on iTunes in June 2013 by contestant Michelle Chamuel. References Jump up ^ Whitburn, Joel ( 2002 ). Top Adult Contemporary : 1961 - 2001. Record Research. p. 144. Jump up ^ http://www.mvdbase.com/video.php?id=16391 Jump up ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG7I4oniOyA Jump up ^ Discogs.com - Lennox CD maxi single info Jump up ^ `` Australian-charts.com -- Annie Lennox -- Why ''. ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Austriancharts.at -- Annie Lennox -- Why '' ( in German ). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Annie Lennox -- Why '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Top RPM Singles : Issue 2006. '' RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Top RPM Adult Contemporary : Issue 1964. '' RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Hits of the World '' ( PDF ). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Offiziellecharts.de -- Annie Lennox -- Why ''. GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` The Irish Charts -- Search Results -- Annie Lennox ''. Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` HitParadeItalia - Lennox, Annie '' ( in Italian ). Hit Parade Italia. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Nederlandse Top 40 -- week 18, 1992 '' ( in Dutch ). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Dutchcharts.nl -- Annie Lennox -- Why '' ( in Dutch ). Single Top 100. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Charts.org.nz -- Annie Lennox -- Why ''. Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Norwegiancharts.com -- Annie Lennox -- Why ''. VG - lista. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ Fernando Salaverri ( September 2005 ). Sólo éxitos : año a año, 1959 -- 2002 ( 1st ed. ). Spain : Fundación Autor - SGAE. ISBN 84 - 8048 - 639 - 2. Jump up ^ `` Swedishcharts.com -- Annie Lennox -- Why ''. Singles Top 100. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Swisscharts.com -- Annie Lennox -- Why ''. Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Annie Lennox : Artist Chart History ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Annie Lennox Chart History ( Hot 100 ) '' Billboard. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Annie Lennox Chart History ( Adult Contemporary ) '' Billboard. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Annie Lennox Chart History ( Alternative Songs ) '' Billboard. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Danishcharts.com -- Annie Lennox -- Why ''. Tracklisten. Retrieved 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ DJ Sammy at discogs.com Retrieved 11 September 2007. Jump up ^ `` Australian-charts.com -- DJ Sammy -- Why ''. ARIA Top 50 Singles. Jump up ^ `` Musicline.de -- DJ Sammy Single - Chartverfolgung '' ( in German ). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Jump up ^ Search for Irish peaks Jump up ^ `` Official Singles Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Jump up ^ `` Kevin Caffrey - Why ''. YouTube. 2011 - 07 - 20. Retrieved 2012 - 01 - 12. External links Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Annie Lennox Studio albums Diva Medusa Bare Songs of Mass Destruction A Christmas Cornucopia Nostalgia Compilations The Annie Lennox Collection Singles `` Put a Little Love in Your Heart '' ( with Al Green ) `` Why '' `` Precious '' `` Walking on Broken Glass '' `` Cold '' `` Little Bird '' `` Love Song for a Vampire '' `` No More `` I Love You 's '' '' `` A Whiter Shade of Pale '' `` Waiting in Vain '' `` Something So Right '' `` Pavement Cracks '' `` Into the West '' `` A Thousand Beautiful Things '' `` Wonderful '' `` Dark Road '' `` Sing '' `` Many Rivers to Cross '' `` Shining Light '' `` Pattern of My Life '' `` Full Steam '' ( with David Gray ) `` Universal Child '' `` God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen '' `` The Holly and the Ivy '' `` I Put A Spell On You '' `` Summertime '' Other songs `` Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye '' `` Step by Step '' `` Angel ' 97 '' Video and DVD Totally Diva Live in Central Park The Annie Lennox Collection Related articles Discography Eurythmics Glasgow Caledonian University The Tourists The Catch DJ Sammy DJ Sammy Loona Do Studio albums Life Is Just a Game Heaven The Rise Compilations DJ Sammy at Work ( In the Mix ) Singles `` Life Is Just a Game '' `` You 're My Angel '' `` Prince of Love '' `` Golden Child '' `` Magic Moment '' `` In 2 Eternity '' `` Heaven '' `` Sunlight '' `` The Boys of Summer '' `` Rise Again '' `` Why '' `` L'bby Haba '' `` Everybody Hurts '' `` Feel the Love '' `` Animal '' `` Look for Love '' `` Shut Up and Kiss Me '' Ivor Novello Awards -- Best Song Musically and Lyrically 1960s She 's Leaving Home ( 1968 ) 1970s Where Do You Go To ( My Lovely ) ? ( 1970 ) Something ( 1971 ) Do n't Let It Die ( 1972 ) Without You ( 1973 ) Daniel ( 1974 ) Streets of London * ( 1975 ) Do n't Cry for Me Argentina ( 1978 ) Baker Street ( 1979 ) 1980s The Logical Song ( 1980 ) Woman in Love ( 1981 ) Memory ( 1982 ) Have You Ever Been in Love ( 1983 ) Every Breath You Take ( 1984 ) Against All Odds ( 1985 ) Nikita ( 1986 ) Do n't Give Up ( 1987 ) Something Inside So Strong ( 1988 ) They Dance Alone ( 1989 ) 1990s The Living Years ( 1990 ) Sacrifice ( 1991 ) The Whole of the Moon ( 1992 ) Why ( 1993 ) If I Ever Lose My Faith in You ( 1994 ) Think Twice ( 1995 ) Common People ( 1996 ) Too Much Love Will Kill You ( 1997 ) Paranoid Android ( 1998 ) Believe ( 1999 ) 2000s Strong ( 2000 ) Babylon ( 2001 ) Walk On ( 2002 ) The Other Side ( 2003 ) Leave Right Now ( 2004 ) Dry Your Eyes ( 2005 ) Suddenly I See ( 2006 ) Elusive ( 2007 ) Love Is a Losing Game ( 2008 ) One Day Like This ( 2009 ) 2010s The Fear ( 2010 ) Becoming a Jackal ( 2011 ) The A Team ( 2012 ) Next to Me ( 2013 ) Strong ( 2014 ) Take Me to Church ( 2015 ) Was n't Expecting That ( 2016 ) * Awarded as The Best Song Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Why_(Annie_Lennox_song)&oldid=782744333 '' Categories : 1990s ballads 1992 singles 2005 singles Annie Lennox songs DJ Sammy songs MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video Songs written by Annie Lennox Pop ballads Song recordings produced by Stephen Lipson 1992 songs Arista Records singles Hidden categories : CS1 Italian - language sources ( it ) Use dmy dates from January 2013 Use British English from January 2013 Articles with hAudio microformats Singlechart usages for Australia Singlechart usages for Austria Singlechart usages for Flanders Singlechart usages for Canadatopsingles Singlechart called without artist Singlechart called without song Singlechart usages for Canadaadultcontemporary Singlechart usages for Germany2 Singlechart usages for Ireland2 Singlechart usages for Dutch40 Singlechart usages for Dutch100 Singlechart usages for New Zealand Singlechart usages for Norway Singlechart usages for Sweden Singlechart usages for Switzerland Singlechart usages for UKsinglesbyname Singlechart usages for Billboardhot100 Singlechart usages for Billboardadultcontemporary Singlechart usages for Billboardalternativesongs Singlechart usages for Denmark Singlechart usages for Germany Singlechart usages for UK Talk Contents About Wikipedia Español Italiano Nederlands Polski Edit links This page was last edited on 28 May 2017, at 22 : 41. 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Question: who wrote the song why sung by annie lennox
Answer: Annie Lennox