"Tell Me Why" | |
---|---|
Single by Marie Knight | |
Released | 1956 |
Genre | Rhythm and blues |
Writer(s) | Titus Turner |
"Tell Me Why" is a popular song, written by Titus Turner in 1956. It is a slow, strong rhythm and blues ballad, and has a melody reminiscent of "Just a Closer Walk With Thee".
The first hit version was by Marie Knight, a black R&B singer, on the Mercury's subsidiary label, Wing. It was a local hit in the New Orleans and Texas. When it attracted attention, it went on to become a moderate hit for Gale Storm and The Crew-Cuts in 1956 and later for Elvis Presley in 1966. Presley recorded the track in 1957, but it was not released at that time. It reached #33 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a gold record.