I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)

"I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)" is a 1931 popular song.

The music was written by Fred E. Ahlert, the lyrics by Roy Turk. The song was published in 1931. It had three periods of great popularity: in 1931, right after its publication; in 1946; and in 1961[1] into 1962.

In 1931, the biggest-selling version was either by Russ Columbo[1] or by Wayne King;[2] both versions and recordings by Benny Krueger's orchestra (with a vocal by Smith Ballew) and by Kate Smith all had significant popularity.[1]

In September 1943, Frank Sinatra sang this song on the radio series A Date with Judy.

In 1946, three versions, by Tommy Dorsey's orchestra (with a vocal by Stuart Foster), by Frank Sinatra, and by Skinnay Ennis, all contended for popularity.[1]

In 1961, a US hit recording was issued by Linda Scott. It reached a peak position #12 in 8 weeks on the Billboard chart;[3][4] The song has been recorded by many artists (ranging from country-blues legends like Moon Mullican and Jerry Lee Lewis to Dean Martin) and is now a standard.

  1. ^ a b c d Gardner, Edward Foote (2000). Popular Songs of the 20th Century: Chart Detail & Encyclopedia, 1900-1949. St. Paul, Minnesota: Paragon House. ISBN 1-55778-789-1.
  2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1999). Joel Whitburn Presents a Century of Pop Music. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research. ISBN 0-89820-135-7.
  3. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2000-11-01). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (7th Rev. ed.). New York: Watson-Guptill Publications. ISBN 978-0-8230-7690-1.
  4. ^ Lonergan, David (2004-01-28). Hit Records 1950-1975. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-5129-0.