Why Don't They Understand
{{Infobox song
| name = Why Don't They Understand
| type = single
| artist = George Hamilton IV
| album =
| B-side = Even Tho'
| released = {{Start date|1957|10}}
| recorded =
| genre = Traditional pop
| length = {{Duration|m=2|s=30}}
| label = ABC-Paramount
| writer = Jack Fishman, Joe "Mr Piano" Henderson
| producer =
| prev_title = High School Romance
| prev_year = 1957
| next_title = Now and for Always
| next_year = 1958
}}
"Why Don't They Understand" is a song written by Jack Fishman and Joe Henderson, which became a hit when recorded by George Hamilton IV. It reached number 10 on the U.S. pop chart, number 22 on the UK Singles Chart, and number 18 in Canada in 1958.{{cite web|title=George Hamilton IV, "Why Don't They Understand" Chart Positions|url=http://musicvf.com/song.php?title=Why+Don%27t+They+Understand%3F+by+George+Hamilton+IV&id=17375|access-date=September 7, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://chumtribute.com/58-02-24-chart.jpg| title=CHUM Hit Parade - February 24, 1958}}
The single was arranged by Don Costa.{{cite web|title=George Hamilton IV, "Why Don't They Understand" Single Release|website=Discogs |url=https://www.discogs.com/George-Hamilton-IV-Why-Dont-They-Understand-Even-Tho/release/1322956|access-date=September 7, 2018}}
Other charting versions
- Bobby Vinton released a version which reached number 23 on the adult contemporary chart and number 109 on the U.S. pop chart in 1970.{{cite web|title=Bobby Vinton, "Why Don't They Understand" Chart Positions|url=http://musicvf.com/song.php?title=Why+Don%27t+They+Understand+by+Bobby+Vinton&id=104669|access-date=September 7, 2018}}
Other versions
- Glen Mason released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1957 single "Crying My Heart Out for You".{{cite web|title=Glen Mason, "Crying My Heart Out for You" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/r4334|access-date=September 7, 2018}}
- Victor Silvester and His Ballroom Orchestra released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1958 single "The Story of My Life".{{cite web|title=Victor Silvester and His Ballroom Orchestra, "The Story of My Life" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/db4088|access-date=September 7, 2018}}
- Lem Winchester released a version of the song on his 1960 album With Feeling.{{cite web|title=Lem Winchester, With Feeling|website=AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/with-feeling-mw0000031620|access-date=September 7, 2018}}
- The Anita Kerr Singers released a version of the song on their 1963 album Tender Words. It was produced by Chet Atkins.{{cite web|title=The Anita Kerr Singers, Tender Words|website=Discogs |year=1963 |url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Anita-Kerr-Singers-Tender-Words/release/3027147|access-date=September 7, 2018}}
- Bobby Goldsboro included it on his 1964 album The Bobby Goldsboro Album.
- Wink Martindale released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1964 single "Big Buildin'".{{cite web|title=Wink Martindale, "Big Buildin" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/4516597|access-date=September 7, 2018}}
- Dave Berry released a version of the song on his 1965 EP Can I Get It from You.{{cite web|title=Dave Berry, Can I Get It from You|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/dfe8625|access-date=September 7, 2018}}
- Petula Clark released a version of the song on her 1965 album The World's Greatest International Hits! It was produced by Tony Hatch.{{cite web|title=Petula Clark, The World's Greatest International Hits!|website=Discogs |year=1965 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Petula-Clark-The-Worlds-Greatest-International-Hits/release/5758287|access-date=September 7, 2018}}
- Cliff Richard released a version of the song on his 1965 EP Why Don't They Understand.{{cite web|title=Cliff Richard, Why Don't They Understand|website=Discogs |date=February 1965 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Cliff-Richard-Why-Dont-They-Understand/release/3288917|access-date=September 7, 2018}}
- Patty Duke released a version of the song on her 1966 album Patty Duke's Greatest Hits.{{cite web|title=Patty Duke, Patty Duke's Greatest Hits|website=Discogs |year=1966 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Patty-Duke-Patty-Dukes-Greatest-Hits/release/11194634|access-date=September 7, 2018}}
- Don Spencer released a version of the song as a single in 1966, but it did not chart.{{cite web|title=Don Spencer, "Why Don't They Understand" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/pof006|access-date=September 7, 2018}}
- Frankie Avalon released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1969 single "For Your Love". It was produced by Jimmy Bowen.{{cite web|title=Frankie Avalon, "For Your Love" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/0826|access-date=September 7, 2018}}
- The Williams Brothers released a version of the song on their 2002 compilation album Andy & David.{{cite web|title=The Williams Brothers, Andy & David|website=AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/andy-david-mw0000223432|access-date=September 7, 2018}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{George Hamilton IV}}
{{Bobby Vinton}}
{{Frankie Avalon}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Why Don't They Understand}}
Category:George Hamilton IV songs
Category:Wink Martindale songs
Category:Dave Berry (musician) songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Chet Atkins
Category:Song recordings produced by Tony Hatch
Category:Song recordings produced by Jimmy Bowen
{{1950s-single-stub}}