Annie Lennox – Why

Annie Lennox’s “Why” is an emotional song about heartbreak, confusion, and the unanswered questions that often follow the end of a relationship. The narrator struggles to understand what went wrong while still feeling deeply connected to the person she has lost. Lennox’s controlled yet vulnerable vocal performance gives the song its powerful sense of sadness and honesty.

Released in 1992 on Diva, “Why” was part of Lennox’s first solo album after her successful work with the Eurythmics. The song helped establish her as a solo artist and became one of her most recognizable recordings. Its elegant arrangement, gentle piano, and restrained rhythm allow the lyrics and vocals to remain the focus.

The song continues to resonate because it presents heartbreak in a realistic way. It does not offer easy answers or a simple resolution; instead, it captures the lingering pain of wondering why love ended. “Why” remains one of Annie Lennox’s signature songs and an enduring example of emotionally direct pop music.

Annie Lennox Why Lyrics

Why...
Why...

How many times do I have to try to tell you
That I'm sorry for the things I've done, ooh. ooh, ooh
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 told 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 is 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 never read
These are the words I 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 feel
You don't know what I feel