Tell Me Why

Album: A Hard Day's Night (1964)
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Songfacts®:

  • John Lennon, whose parents separated when he was 3 years old, has said that the lyrics were about children whose parents split up. Apparently, he didn't put a great deal of effort into the song, staing: "They needed another upbeat song, and I just knocked it off." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • This was performed in The Beatles movie A Hard Day's Night. It was The Beatles first movie, and the group was not yet popular in America when the deal was signed to make it. Before filming began, The Beatles became huge and the movie did very well.
  • John and Paul sang lead vocals, but Lennon was double-tracked to create a 3 part harmony.
  • This was recorded on Thursday, February 27, 1964. Take 8 was used. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Ben - Cheverly, MD

Comments: 28

  • Steven from Lancaster, Pa.Tell Me Why is definitely a very underrated Beatles song. The fact that Lennon "just knocked it off" is a testament to how truly great the band was. And as David from CA pointed out the song swings as well as rocks which makes this song so cool.
  • George from Vancouver, CanadaI hear, from my own history (true) a girlfriend who uses tears to try to add veracity to her lies.
  • Jim from West Palm Beach, FlI like the shift in key from the brief opening into the chorus. Really sets the tone of the song.
  • Les from Joplin, MoThis is my favorite Beatles tune too! Unfortunately, it was never released as a single so never charted and I discovered it only just recently. My former fave was "All My Lovin,'" which amazingly also failed to reach the Top 40 both times it was released. Like "Michelle," "It Won't Be Long" and "Back in the USSR," great songs which also never charted, this tune is definitely infectious and yes, very underrated indeed.
  • Megan from Stevenson, AlOk...I have to say this is MY ALL TIME FAVORITE BEATLE SONG EVER!!! Best album too! xD
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyA popular title for a song; Bobby Vinton, The Belmonts, The Crew-Cuts, Gale Storm, Elvis Presley, Neil Young, & Matthew Southern Comfort all have released records with the title of "Tell Me Why"!!!
  • K from Nowhere, OnJohn and Paul come in early a lot of the time. You can really tell when they sing "tell me why", because the T is split.
  • Mem from Melbourne, Australiagreat song & great to sing along to
  • Clubber Lange from Ocean Gate, NjAwesome tune, but you know John was totally biting "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" with this one.... "Tell me Whhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyy".....
  • John from Dallas, TxAlthough, arguably, not really one of their best, I've always liked this one a lot. It's a crank 'em up AM radio-sounding recording that's just infectious. It seems to harken back to the Doo-Wop era sound with the chord changes Lennon used. Interesting, since The Beatles didn't go there but one other time that I can think of and that would be on "This Boy".
  • Reed from New Ulm, MnBenjamin from Cheverly,MD-------I agree 100%!
    The Beatles churned out ALOT of great tunes [understatement]---but this one is right up there with "And Your Bird Can Sing" and "I Saw Her Standing There" just to name two.
    ..and to think that Lennon just 'knocked it off' in about 15 minutes is just too cool. What a true songwriter he really was.
  • Daevid from Glendale, Caalso, dear Nessie-Japan: excuse me?...a weak point in Lennons' vocal----on the contrary, John steamrolls his way through that vocal with such conviction; it's almost unreal! John Lennon had no weak points! and as far as the falsetto?...that's one of the nuances in the song that make it so great. oh, and while you're at it, pay close attention to the three-part harmony in that song------these guys are tight!
  • Daevid from Glendale, CaPlease forgive me Forrest from Rochester, but i have to say give this one a careful listen once again on a big sound system and you may change your mind.
    my personal feeling is that this one could possibly be one of the greatest "swing" tunes of all time! really and truly one of the best from John,Paul,George & Ringo.
  • Ken from Louisville, KyTo answer an earlier question, "Tell Me Why" was one of the songs the group did in the "concert" part of the film, near the end. If you look closely in the audience in the theater, you'll find a 13 year old Phil Collins! He was a child actor then, hired as an extra to be an audience member.
  • Yunasa from South Pasadena, CaMuhahaha... I do suppose I am the youngest. (TEN!) Mmm, yes. My parents were playing all sorts of rubbishy music on the computer, and then suddenly "A Day In The Life" came up. I told them to play it again. And again... (:
  • Forrest from Rochester, MnAre you all crazy? This is by far the noisiest, least tuneful song on A Hard Day's Night and one of the worst songs of the Beatlemania years.
  • Ivette from Los Angeles, CaI luv The Beatles n i luv this song A Hard Day's Night is my fav movie i wish i was around during these times oh well The Beatles rock!!!!!!
  • Krissy from Boston, MaI am 14. What part of the movie is this song in ?
  • Rachel from Round Rock, Txi'm 15 and this is one of my favorite songs from the Beatles' early years
  • Tom Mccafferty from Burnaby, CanadaI also like Neil Young's song with this title.

  • David from Youngstown, OhThis is an underrated Beatles' song, but when you sing so many excellent ones, it's hard to put a spotlight on every song. Nessie is 100 percent correct about John's falsetto although I believe I can also hear Paul and George attempting it on the one line as well. When released in the United States, this was on Capitol's Something New release. Of course the title is hysterical because many of the songs were previously released either as singles or on the Hard Days Night! soundtrack.
  • Ken from Louisville, KyActually on the verses, John was double-tracked on the first line, while the next line would be sung by John, Paul and George in 3-part harmony.
  • Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, ScYeah it's a great song, and it's under-rated. Liliana I'm a huge beat.es fan as well, and i'm 16. Who's your favorite? What's your favorte beatles song?
  • Nessie from Sapporo, JapanA good one, but it highlights the weakness of John's top vocal end. That falsetto's gotta go.
  • Benjamin from Cheverly, MdThis is one of the best beatles songs
  • Chris from Milwaukee, Wiyes i am 15, and this song is good, i am surprised there are no other comments here for this song either.
  • Alan from City, MiAwesome tune! Very underrated!!
  • Liliana from Huntley, Ili can't believe there are no commentents for this song. the first time i heard it i loved it but didn't know it was from the beatles. then i found out and went of course it's the beatles, it's awesome. by the way im 15, any other teens here?
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