Burning The Ground Exclusive
As Pride Month comes to a close, I can’t think of a better record to finish my “Soundtrack Of Pride” series than Bronski Beat’s “Why?”
Released in 1984, “Why?” followed the band’s stunning debut single “Smalltown Boy,” and together the two songs form one of the most powerful one-two punches in LGBTQ+ pop history. Where “Smalltown Boy” tells the painful story of leaving home to survive, “Why?” turns that pain outward. It asks the question directly. Why the hate? Why the fear? Why should anyone have to hide who they are or who they love?
Jimmy Somerville’s voice is one of the great voices of the 1980s. Fragile one moment, fierce the next, he could turn a dance record into a protest song without losing the beat. “Why?” is pure Hi-NRG fire, but it is also angry, wounded, and unafraid. The record moves with urgency, driven by sharp synths, pounding percussion, and that unmistakable cry in Somerville’s vocal. It is a song built for the dance floor, but it refuses to be background music.
The charts also showed just how far Bronski Beat’s message traveled. “Why?” reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart and topped the UK Airplay chart, while also finding success across Europe, Australia, and the U.S. dance charts. “Smalltown Boy” had already made an even bigger impact, reaching No. 3 in the UK and No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. For music this direct, this emotional, and this openly queer to travel that far in 1984 still feels remarkable.
That was the power of Bronski Beat. They were not hiding behind suggestion or coded language. Steve Bronski, Larry Steinbachek, and Jimmy Somerville made music that spoke openly about gay life at a time when that was still a radical act in pop music. Their debut album, The Age Of Consent, carried its message right in the title, referring to the unequal age of consent laws in the United Kingdom at the time. This was pop music with a purpose.
My limited edition UK 12” single makes this release even more special because the flip side contains the 12″ version of “Smalltown Boy.” Having “Why?” and “Smalltown Boy” together on one 12” feels almost too perfect. One song is the escape. The other is the confrontation. One is the heartbreak of being pushed away. The other is the demand to be seen, heard, and respected.
“Smalltown Boy” remains one of the most moving LGBTQ+ anthems ever recorded. Its story of rejection, loneliness, and the search for a place to belong has touched generations of listeners. Even now, four decades later, it still feels deeply personal. It is not just a song about leaving. It is a song about surviving.
“Why?” is just as important. It reminds us that Pride is not only a celebration. It is also a protest. It is history. It is memory. It is the sound of people refusing to disappear.
For the final entry in this year’s “Soundtrack Of Pride,” Bronski Beat feels essential. These songs are not just dance classics. They are documents of their time, and they still speak loudly today. They remind us why the dance floor mattered, why visibility mattered, and why music could become a lifeline.
Pride has always had a soundtrack. Sometimes it is joyful. Sometimes it is defiant. Sometimes it hurts. Bronski Beat gave us all of that, wrapped in synths, rhythm, and one of the most unforgettable voices pop music has ever known.
Happy Pride, and as always, thank you for listening.
SIDE A:
Why? (Remix) 5:11
Engineer [Mixing Engineer] – Julian Mendelsohn
Mixed By [Uncredited] – Laz, Steve
SIDE B:
Smalltown Boy (12″ Version) 9:02
Cadillac Car 3:52
Engineer [Mixing Engineer] – Harvey Goldberg
Guitar – Steve*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart | “Why?” Peak Position |
“Smalltown Boy” Peak Position |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 10 | 8 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | N/A | 2 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 3 | 1 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 31 | 9 |
| Europe (Airplay Top 50) | 4 | N/A |
| Europe (Europarade Top 40) | 4 | 3 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | 5 | 15 |
| France (SNEP) | 8 | 8 |
| Germany Airplay Top 15 | 10 | N/A |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 6 | 4 |
| Italy (Musica e dischi) | 5 | 1 |
| Italy (Discografia Internazionale) | N/A | 2 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 2 | 1 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 6 | 1 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 11 | 5 |
| South Africa (Springbok Radio) | 7 | N/A |
| Spain Airplay | 2 | N/A |
| Spain (AFYVE) | 10 | N/A |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 7 | 2 |
| UK Airplay Top 20 | 1 | N/A |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 6 | 3 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | N/A | 48 |
| US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard) | 27 | 1 |
| US Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard) | 20 | 4 |
| US Cash Box Top 100 | N/A | 32 |
| West Germany (GfK) | 5 | 3 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Forbidden Fruit – BITEX 2, Forbidden Fruit – 882 014-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition
Country: UK
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Design [Sleeve Design] – Robert McAulay
- Engineer [Recording Engineer] – Dominick Maita
- Keyboards – Laz*, Steve*
- Mastered By – Aaron Chakraverty*
- Music By – Bronski Beat
- Producer – Mike Thorne
- Programmed By – Laz*
- Vocals – Jimmy*
- Words By – Jimmy*
- Written-By – Somerville*, Steinbachek*, Bronski*
NOTES:
Why?: Dedicated To The Memory Of Drew Griffiths.
“SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION WHY? REMIX WITH BONUS TRACK SMALLTOWN BOY”
Recorded at R.P.M. Studios, New York
Why?: Mixed at The Town House, London
Cadillac Car: Mixed at Right Track Recording, New York
Mastered at The Master Room, London
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Phono Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Cleaning Solution: Turgikleen Record Cleaning Solution
Scanner: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
PLEASE READ
There are two 24-Bit links; if one does not work, try the other
**24-bit FLAC Only Available For SIX Days!
Password: burningtheground
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Paul! I knew you’d be serving up a dish of Bronski Beat for our Pride Month dessert!! I have the OG 12” shown here as well as the OG 12” for the incredibly sounding “Smalltown Boy”. Why MCA didn’t push the 45 is beyond me. We never received a 7” promo or stock copy in the mail, so I had to edit my club 12” for radio play, and it wasn’t as good as the 5:04 mix used in this video, which I believe is the best of all the poor edits issued. Still, the 9 minute version is one… Read more »
no tiene nada que ver con este tema pero fallecio Victor Willis la voz de Village People otra gran perdida en apenas unos dias.
Absolutely incredible selection! I had no idea there was a single that paired Why? AND Smalltown Boy… blown away. Both of these tracks transcend anything and everything. They are just great music. I don’t think I have the words to really express it. I think the combination of your great write up Paul and everyone’s comments really paints a beautiful story here. Both tracks just sound perfect – what a joy to listen too. The hype sticker on the front cover made me laugh where it says in small letters ‘and bonus track Smalltown Boy’ like it’s no big deal!!… Read more »
Thank you, JP. I had the same reaction when I first came across this pressing. “Why?” backed with the 12″ version of “Smalltown Boy” feels almost too good to be true. And yes, that hype sticker is priceless, as if “Smalltown Boy” is just a casual little bonus track thrown in for good measure.
Both songs really do transcend their time. They are powerful, emotional, beautifully produced, and still sound perfect today. I’m so glad this one connected with you, and thank you for being part of the conversation.
Wow! What a great find! Both songs are so powerful, both lyrically and musically. I’ve heard so many cover versions of “Smalltown Boy” over the years, including Goth and Metal versions, and that powerful melody always shines through. But Jimmy Somerville’s voice still makes both songs absolutely hauntingly beautiful. His voice on Communards’ “Reprise” speaks directly to your soul, and his interpretation of “To Love Somebody” IMHO outshines the original by the Bee Gees!
Thank you, Axel. I agree, that melody in “Smalltown Boy” is so strong that it seems to survive almost any interpretation, but nothing quite touches the original for me. Jimmy’s voice carries so much emotion, and it gives both songs their lasting power. I also love that you mentioned “Reprise” and “To Love Somebody.” His voice has that rare ability to make a song feel deeply personal, even when you have heard it a hundred times before.
Smalltown Boy is one of the best and most perfect produced Maxi-Singles of all time! Thanx a lot for uploading this together with “Why”!
Thank you, Martin. I completely agree, the 12″ version of “Smalltown Boy” is perfection. Everything about it works, the production, the atmosphere, Jimmy’s voice, and that emotional pull that never fades. Having it paired with “Why?” on this release makes the single even more special.
Nice 12″ single. They are so many different versions. Mine has “Why” on the A side and “I feel love” on the B side.
Thank you, Pierre. Yes, there are quite a few variations of this 12″ out there. Yours is a great one too, especially with “I Feel Love” on the B-side. Bronski Beat really knew how to make a 12″ single feel essential, no matter which configuration you found.
I still have your UK 12” rip transfer of Why? This UK 12” Limited Edition release is very special with Smalltown Boy on the flipside.
Thanks Paul 🙂
That’s awesome, Mark. I’m really glad you still have that one. The earlier UK 12″ I shared of “Why?” was dedicated to the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in 2016 and featured the “Extended Version” of “Why?” along with the “Extended Version” of “Cadillac Car”.
As a little help, here are the official German chart positions for both songs:
Why?, HP 5 (29.10.1984)
Smalltown Boy, HP 3 (20.08.1984, 27.08.1984, 17.09.1984)
Thank you
Your write-up absolutely nailed it Paul! This single is a real one-two punch. And I like how you mentioned the song Why? reminds us Pride is a protest and it is history. I think a lot of people have the idea it’s just a celebration. These to back-to-back anthems certainly help flesh out the true story. Thank you Paul for another great meticulous transfer and for all that you do!!
Thank you, Retro Hound. I really appreciate that. I agree, “Why?” and “Smalltown Boy” together really do tell a fuller story. Pride is absolutely a celebration, but it is also protest, history, survival, and remembrance. Bronski Beat captured all of that so powerfully, and it felt like the right way to close out the series. Thank you for being here and for always listening.
Thank you, Paul, for all the great tracks you posted in support of Pride Month!
Thank you, David. It was truly a joy putting this series together. Pride Month gave me the perfect reason to revisit some powerful records, and I’m so glad you enjoyed the selections.
Thank you, Paul. How to end SoP? Yes,100% with Bronski Beat. You couldn’t have found a better ending. An energetic track with a serious message, brought to life by Jimmy’s powerful voice.It’s great that you own that rare 12″ and sharing it with us. It’s hard to find on Discogs.
Thank you, Toxicaudio. I agree, Bronski Beat felt like the only way to close out SoP properly. “Why?” has that perfect mix of dance floor energy and serious message, and Jimmy’s voice just cuts right through everything. I was very happy to find this rare 12″, especially with the 12″ version of “Smalltown Boy” on the flip. It is one of those records that feels important to share.
As you said, from the very beginning, Bronski Beat chose in their lyrics to not tone down their message. It is right there in first few lines, “to kiss his lips.” I wonder how much pushback the song received from London Records, and it shows how courageous the band members were not to relent. The back cover dedication credits mentions it was dedicated to Drew Griffiths, a gay playwright who had been murdered earlier in 1984, the same year this song was released.
Thank you, SynthPapa. That is such an important point. Bronski Beat were direct right from the start, and that alone took real courage in 1984. I have often wondered the same thing about how much pushback they may have received, because nothing about these songs feels softened for mass acceptance. The dedication to Drew Griffiths gives the record even more weight, and it is another reminder that this music was coming from a very real place of grief, anger, and defiance.
Such a sublime way to end Pride Month, Paul! Your write-up is spot on with a beautifully written description of both tracks! When I was in college, the radio stations received promotional copies of each song. Due to our strict radio format, these records didn’t fit in with the programming. I did manage to sneak them in during my Saturday night shift though. They deserved to be heard and pay attention to. Jimmy Somerville’s words and voice touched me on a profound level. Plus the production was stellar Hi-NRG that was euphoric in every way! The band I thought was… Read more »
Thank you, Jeff. What a wonderful memory. I love that you managed to sneak those records into your Saturday night shift, because you are right, they absolutely deserved to be heard. Bronski Beat created music that moved bodies while also conveying truth, anger, hurt, and hope. Jimmy’s voice still stops me in my tracks. I also agree with you completely. Pride does not end when June ends. These songs still matter because the fight for living openly and loving freely is not yet finished. That is why closing the series with Bronski Beat felt so right. Thank you for being… Read more »
Perfect storm here: exceptional songwriting with powerful messages, vocals, art, production, engineering help to create a masterpiece! Appropriate finale to the Pride Month posts, thank you!
Thank you, Raymond. I could not agree more. Bronski Beat really did capture that perfect storm, music you could dance to, but also music that made you think and feel. Ending the series with “Why?” and “Smalltown Boy” felt absolutely right. Both songs still carry so much power after all these years.