The original lineup was notable for having three guitars and no bass player, creating a distinctive, layered sound. Kimble Rendall left in 1982 before the release of their first single, Leilani, and went on to become a noted music video director. He was effectively replaced by bassist Clyde Bramley. Radalj was not happy with Rendall's departure or Faulkner's increasing influence, and left the band himself, to be replaced by one-time Fun Things guitarist Brad Shepherd. This line-up released the band's break-through first album, Stoneage Romeos, in 1984.
In 1998, the band officially split but reformed for occasional concerts in subsequent years. A full-fledged reunion came in 2004, when they released Mach Schau and began touring again. The band received another boost when Come Anytime (from 1989's Magnum Cum Louder) was used as the theme song to the Australian TV show Thank God You're Here.
Discography:
Stoneage Romeos (1984), Mars Needs Guitars! (1985), Blow Your Cool! (1987), Magnum Cum Louder (1989), Kinky (1991), Crank (1994), Blue Cave (1996), Mach Schau (2004), Purity of Essence (2010)
Compilations:
Electric Soup (1992), Gorilla Biscuit (1992), Electric Chair (1998), Armchair Gurus (1998), Bite The Bullet (1998), Ampology (2000)
Why?
Hoodoo Gurus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And grooving-out to 'You Am I'
"Well, Hi!"
I´m cornered and I'm hoping
For once your mouth ain't open wide
Oh, My! My! My! My!
Tell me why
Tell me why
You always have to lie?
What is that strange aroma
That tells me you´re not bona-fide?
Oh, why, why, why, why?
It´s always necessary
To get you´re stories verified.
Oh why... Why, why, why?
Tell me why you can´t look me in the eye?
Tell me why you always have to lie?
Tell me why, 'cause it´s pointless to deny!
Please tell me why?
So help me,
Your friends are getting fewer.
Have you considered suicide? (You might try)
Your cookie has to crumble
And you´ll be eating humble pie in the sky by-and-by.
Tell me why you can´t look me in the eye?
Tell me why you always have to lie?
Tell me why 'cause it´s pointless to deny!
Tell me why you don´t just curl up and die?
Tell me why?
The Hoodoo Gurus's song "Why?" is a sarcastic and cynical commentary about a relationship gone sour. The song is addressed to a person who is known for their habit of lying and talking too much. The singer is drinking gin, listening to the band You Am I, and wishes this person would just be quiet for once. The lyrics suggest that this person is not trustworthy and needs to verify their stories. The singer is frustrated with their constant lies and asks why they can’t look him in the eye or tell the truth.
The song then takes a dark turn, with the singer suggesting that the person's friends are getting fewer and they might consider suicide. The line "your cookie has to crumble and you'll be eating humble pie in the sky by-and-by" is a condemnation of the person's behavior, suggesting they will eventually get what they deserve. The chorus is repeated throughout the song, with the singer asking over and over again why this person can't just tell the truth.
Overall, "Why?" is a scathing critique of a person who is unreliable and dishonest. The song is an ironic take on a breakup song, with the singer being fed up with the lying and deception of the other person in the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I´m drinking "Mother's Ruin"
I am drinking gin
And grooving-out to 'You Am I'
I am enjoying the music of 'You Am I' and dancing
"Well, Hi!"
Hello!
I´m cornered and I'm hoping
I am stuck in a difficult situation and hoping for a way out
For once your mouth ain't open wide
I hope that you will not start talking too much for once
Oh, My! My! My! My!
Expressing surprise or shock
Tell me why
Asking for an explanation
You can't look me in the eye?
Why are you avoiding eye contact?
You always have to lie?
Why can't you tell the truth?
What is that strange aroma
I detect an unusual smell
That tells me you´re not bona-fide?
It gives me the impression that you are not genuine
Oh, why, why, why, why?
Expressing frustration or confusion
It´s always necessary
It is always important
To get you´re stories verified.
To confirm the truth of what you are saying
Oh why... Why, why, why?
Expressing frustration or confusion
Tell me why you can´t look me in the eye?
Asking for an explanation for why there is no eye contact
Tell me why you always have to lie?
Asking for an explanation for why there is deception
Tell me why, 'cause it´s pointless to deny!
Asking for an explanation and pointing out the futility of denying the truth
Please tell me why?
Asking for an explanation
So help me,
I swear
Your friends are getting fewer.
You are losing friends
Have you considered suicide? (You might try)
A sarcastic comment suggesting the person should consider suicide because of their actions or behavior
Your cookie has to crumble
Your situation will eventually fall apart or end badly
And you´ll be eating humble pie in the sky by-and-by.
And you will have to face the consequences of your actions
Tell me why you can´t look me in the eye?
Asking for an explanation for why there is no eye contact
Tell me why you always have to lie?
Asking for an explanation for why there is deception
Tell me why 'cause it´s pointless to deny!
Asking for an explanation and pointing out the futility of denying the truth
Tell me why you don´t just curl up and die?
Asking for an extreme explanation and expressing frustration or anger
Tell me why?
Asking for an explanation
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVE FAULKNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind