"Don't Know Why" is a song written and composed by American singer-songwriter Jesse Harris that originally appeared on his 1999 album, Jesse Harris & the Ferdinandos. A cover of the song later appeared on Norah Jones' debut studio album, Come Away with Me (2002), and was released as her debut single on January 28, 2002.
Jones' version of "Don't Know Why" peaked at number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was a critical success, winning three Grammy Awards in 2003 for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards. "Don't Know Why" was also successful abroad, reaching number five in Australia, number six in Croatia, and number 24 in New Zealand. The song was ranked number 459 in Blender magazine's "500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born".
Jones' piano-playing has been compared to that of Floyd Cramer, having a "style and grace, a musical maturity not found in many keyboard players today."
Music video A music video directed by Anastasia Simone and Ian Spencer was filmed in February 2002 and released later that year. It features Norah Jones performing the song on a gray beach at sunrise, on a rocky pier, and at a beach rental stand accompanied by a wooden piano while undersea images are projected onto the walls.
Track listings UK CD single "Don't Know Why" – 3:05 "Lonestar" – 3:05 "Peace" – 3:51
Dutch CD single "Don't Know Why" – 3:05 "Cold Cold Heart" – 3:38
French CD single "Don't Know Why" – 3:05 "Lonestar" – 3:07
Australian CD single "Don't Know Why" "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" "Lonestar" "Peace"
UK CD single (2003) "Don't Know Why" – 3:05 "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" – 3:16 "Crazy" (live) – 3:29
Credits and personnel Credits are lifted from the Come Away with Me album booklet.
Recording Recorded at Sorcerer Sound (New York City) and Allaire Studios (Shokan, New York) Mixed at Sear Sound (New York City) Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City)
Personnel
Jesse Harris – writing, acoustic guitar, electric guitar Norah Jones – vocals, piano, production Lee Alexander – bass guitar Dan Rieser – drums Arif Mardin – production, mixing Jay Newland – production, mixing, engineering Mark Birkey – assistant engineering Ted Jensen – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts +Chart (2002–2003)PeakpositionCroatia (HRT)6
+ Chart (2022)PeakpositionJapan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)20
Year-end charts +Chart (2002)PositionUS Adult Contemporary (Billboard)38US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)25US Triple-A (Billboard)5
+Chart (2003)PositionAustralia (ARIA)77US Billboard Hot 10097US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)7US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)25
+Chart (2012)PositionSouth Korea Foreign (Circle)98
+Chart (2013)PositionSouth Korea Foreign (Circle)80
Certifications
Release history +RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesJanuary 28, 2002Triple A radioBlue NoteUnited KingdomMay 13, 2002CDParlophoneUnited StatesJune 24, 2002Hot adult contemporary radioBlue NoteAugust 5, 2002Contemporary hit radioAustraliaFebruary 24, 2003CDParlophoneUnited Kingdom (re-release)September 1, 2003
References
External links "Don't Know Why" reviewed by Ted Gioia (Jazz.com)