Why

Annie Lennox · The Annie Lennox Collection [2009]

How many times do I have to try to tell you

That I'm sorry for the things I've done

But when I start to try to tell you

That's when you have to tell me

Hey...this kind of trouble's only just begun

I tell myself too many times

Why don't you ever learn to keep your big mouth shut

That's why it hurts so bad to hear the words

That keep on falling from your mouth

Falling from your mouth

Falling from your mouth

Tell me...

Why

Why



I may be mad

I may be blind

I may be viciously unkind

But I can still read what you're thinking

And I've heard it said too many times

That you'd be better off

Besides...

Why can't you see this boat is sinking

(This boat is sinking this boat is sinking)

Let's go down to the water's edge

And we can cast away those doubts

Some things are better left unsaid

But they still turn me inside out

Turning inside out

Turning inside out



Tell me...

Why

Tell me...

Why



This is the book I've never read

These are the words I've never said

This is the path I'll never tread

These are the dreams I'll dream instead

This is the joy that's seldom spread

These are the tears...

The tears we shed

This is the fear

This is the dread

These are the contents of my head

And these are the years that we have spent

And this is what they represent

And this is how I feel

Do you know how I feel?

'Cause I don't think you know how I feel

I don't think you know what I feel

I don't think you know what I fear

You don't know what I fear

Why - Annie Lennox

Annie Lennox's 'Why' stands as a defining track from her solo career, blending soulful vocals with a polished pop production that characterizes her discography. Originally released on the 1990 album 'Diva', the song exemplifies her ability to merge R&B influences with mainstream pop, showcasing her distinctive vocal range and emotional delivery. The recording became a staple of her live performances and later appeared on the 2009 compilation 'The Annie Lennox Collection', cementing its status within her body of work. As a key piece of her catalogue, the song reflects the era's shift toward more mature, introspective pop ballads while maintaining the commercial appeal that defined her early success. It remains a significant example of her solo artistry, distinct from her work with Eurythmics.