Wondering Why Explained

"Wondering Why" is a song by American country rock band The Red Clay Strays, released on March 9, 2022 as the second single from their debut studio album Moment of Truth (2022). A sleeper hit, it found success after going viral on the video-sharing app TikTok in late 2023 and is the band's first song to reach the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at number 93^[1] and peaking at number 71.

Background

The Red Clay Strays' guitarist Drew Nix and lead singer Brandon Coleman, along with songwriter Dan Couch, were inspired to write the song by the notion that the band's commitment to success in music had taken a toll on their romantic partners. According to Nix, "We were like, 'Our women have the short end of the stick of this. I wonder why they even like us.'"^[2]

Self-released in March 2022,^[3] "Wondering Why" began receiving wider exposure when a video of the Red Clay Strays performing a live version was posted on TikTok on September 3, 2023. The song soundtracked over 60,000 clips on TikTok by the end of 2023 and 71,000 TikTok videos in January 2024. Its popularity has also led to many singers posting their own covers of the song on the platform. In June 2024, it had amassed over 100 million streams on Spotify.^[4]

Composition

Described as a "bluesy", the song depicts an unlikely romantic relationship between an upper-class woman and working-class man.^[5]

Critical reception

Jessica Nicholson of Billboard gave a positive review, writing that Brandon Coleman's "gruff, impassioned vocal shines here as always, bolstered by the group's exemplary musicianship."

Charts

Chart (2023–2024)! scope="col"

Peak position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[6]	52
US Billboard Hot 100[7]	71
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[8]	18
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[9]	10

Notes and References

1. Web site: Zellner . Xander . Hot 100 First-Timers: The Red Clay Strays Arrive With Viral Single ‘Wondering Why’ . . 8 June 2024 . January 18, 2024.
2. Web site: Nicholson . Jessica . Chartbreaker: There's No 'Wondering Why' The Red Clay Strays Are Positioned For Their Biggest Year Yet . Billboard . 8 June 2024 . January 18, 2024.
3. Web site: Zellner . Xander . 10 First-Timers on Billboard’s Charts This Week: Travis Kelce, Jason Kelce, The Red Clay Strays & More . Billboard . 8 June 2024 . November 21, 2023.
4. Web site: The Red Clay Strays Spotify.
5. Web site: Nicholson . Jessica . 6 Must-Hear New Country Songs: ERNEST, Alexandra Kay, Shaboozey & More . Billboard . 8 June 2024 . October 30, 2023.
6. Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of January 13, 2024. Billboard. June 8, 2024.
7. Billboard Hot 100: Week of January 20, 2024. Billboard. June 8, 2024.
8. Web site: Hot Country Songs: Week of May 11, 2024 . . June 8, 2024.
9. Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of May 11, 2024 . . June 8, 2024.