"Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" is a song by American electronica musician Moby. It was released on October 11, 1999, as the fourth single from his fifth studio albumPlay. It became a hit in several regions, including German-speaking Europe and the United Kingdom.
Background and composition
"Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" was originally written by Moby in 1992 in an iteration that Moby would describe as "really bad techno... Just mediocre, generic techno."[2] Years later, Moby revisited the song, reproducing it as a considerably slower and more "mournful and romantic" song, which he eventually included on his fifth studio album, Play after being encouraged to do so by his manager, Eric Härle.[2] The track is based on the samples from the Banks Brothers' "He'll Roll Your Burdens Away" (1963).[3][unreliable source?]
Release
"Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" was released on October 11, 1999, by Mute Records as the fourth single from Play.[4] The single peaked at number 16 on the UK Singles Chart.[5] It also reached the top 10 on the charts of several other European territories, including Austria,[6] Switzerland,[7] and Germany, where it reached number three, its highest peak chart position.[8] At the time, Moby felt that the single's success in Germany was "as far as any success for Play was gonna go."[2]
On October 16, 2000, "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" was re-released as a double A-side single with a remix of "Honey" featuring American R&B singer Kelis, reaching number 17 on the UK Singles Chart.[9][10][11]
Music video
The music video for "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" was directed by Filipe Alçada, Hotessa Laurence, and Susi Wilkinson.[12] It is completely animated and features the character Little Idiot, who is also featured on the "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" single cover. The video depicts Little Idiot and his pet dog coming down from the Moon to Earth and traveling through a variety of locations, before eventually climbing back to the Moon on a ladder.
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
References
^Harrington, Jim (2015). "Moby - "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die. New York: Universe. p. 783.
^Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad? (UK CD1 liner notes). Moby. Mute Records. 1999. CDMUTE230.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad? (UK CD2 liner notes). Moby. Mute Records. 1999. LCDMUTE230.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad? (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Moby. Mute Records. 1999. 12MUTE230.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad? / Honey (UK cassette single sleeve). Moby. Mute Records. 2000. CMUTE255.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad? / Honey (UK CD1 liner notes). Moby. Mute Records. 2000. CDMUTE255.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad? / Honey (UK CD2 liner notes). Moby. Mute Records. 2000. LCDMUTE255.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad? (Australian CD single liner notes). Moby. Mute Records, Mushroom Records. 2000. MUSH019232.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
