Tell Me Why (Genesis song)

"Tell Me Why" is a song by English rock band Genesis. It first appeared as the seventh track on their 14th studio album, We Can't Dance (1991), and was issued as a single in Europe in 1992 and in the United Kingdom on 8 February 1993 by Virgin Records. It was the last Genesis single featuring Phil Collins on vocals before leaving the group in March 1996.

"Tell Me Why"
Single by Genesis
from the album We Can't Dance
B-side	Live versions of: "Dreaming While You Sleep" "Turn It On Again" "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" "Mama" "The Brazilian" "Invisible Touch"
Released	1992 (1992)
Length	5:00
Label	Virgin
Songwriter(s)	Tony Banks Phil Collins Mike Rutherford
Producer(s)	Genesis Nick Davis Robert Colby (live tracks only)
Genesis singles chronology
"Never a Time" (1992) "Tell Me Why" (1992) "Invisible Touch (Live)" (1992)
Music video
"Tell Me Why" on YouTube

Background

A royalty from the single was donated to the Bosnian Save the Children and Red Cross charities. This was in keeping with the lyric of the song, which expressed disdain for hypocrisy about food and shelter ("You say there's nothing you can do / Is there one rule for them and one for you?").

Reflecting the emerging trend for CD singles, "Tell Me Why" was issued as two separate discs in the UK. Both editions came in digipaks with identical artwork, and were backed by a live version of "Dreaming While You Sleep." The first CD featured a 1992 version of "Turn It On Again" as an exclusive track, while the second included a full performance of "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" from the 1987 Invisible Touch tour.

In Europe the live B-sides were "Mama", "The Brazilian" (both from the Invisible Touch tour) and the single version of "Invisible Touch."

Unlike its four predecessors, the single was not a commercial success, barely breaching the UK Top 40.

The working title of "Tell Me Why" was originally "Rickenbacker" after the 12-string Rickenbacker guitar used by Mike Rutherford on the song. Rickenbackers are known for their distinct "ringing" sound.

Track listings

• CD single

1. "Tell Me Why" – 4:58
2. "Dreaming While You Sleep" (live) – 7:55
3. "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" (full version live – Wembley, 3 July 1987) – 9:33

• 7-inch single

1. "Tell Me Why" – 4:58
2. "Invisible Touch" (live) – 5:18

Personnel

• Tony Banks – keyboards
• Phil Collins – vocals, drums, percussion
• Mike Rutherford – 12-string guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar

Charts

Chart (1992–1993)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[1]	110
France (SNEP)[2]	27
Germany (GfK)[3]	51
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[4]	36
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[5]	37
UK Singles (OCC)[6]	40
UK Airplay (Music Week)[7]	32

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
Europe	1992	7-inch vinyl	Virgin	[3]
United Kingdom	8 February 1993	7-inch vinyl CD1 cassette		[8]
	15 February 1993	CD2		[9]

References

1. Scott, Gavin. "25 Years Ago This Week: December 13, 1992". blogspot.com.au. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
2. "Genesis – Tell Me Why" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
3. "Genesis – Tell Me Why" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
4. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 50, 1992" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
5. "Genesis – Tell Me Why" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
6. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
7. "Top 50 Airplay Chart" (PDF). Music Week. 27 February 1993. p. 14. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
8. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 6 February 1993. p. 27.
9. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 13 February 1993. p. 17.