Why
The Cats
Why by The Cats (released in 1969) appeared in 17 of the 27 editions of the NPO Radio 2 Top 2000. Its highest chart entry was position 842 in 2006. The song first appeared on the list in 1999 and last appeared on it in 2016.
Chart history
All positions by edition
| Edition | Position |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1792 |
| 2015 | 1507 |
| 2014 | 1295 |
| 2013 | 1369 |
| 2012 | 1554 |
| 2011 | 1247 |
| 2010 | 977 |
| 2009 | 957 |
| 2008 | 1020 |
| 2007 | 1065 |
| 2006 | 842 |
| 2005 | 1211 |
| 2004 | 1103 |
| 2003 | 1133 |
| 2002 | 1252 |
| 2001 | 1108 |
| 1999 | 1060 |
More by The Cats
- One Way Wind best position 198
- Lea best position 361
- Scarlet Ribbons best position 493
- Marian best position 534
- Rock 'n Roll best position 677
- Where Have I Been Wrong best position 715
- Times Were When best position 1028
- Vaya Con Dios best position 1083
How the song fared
On average, Why was at position 1205.4 in the 17 editions in which it was on the list. Its lowest chart entry was position 1792 in 2016. It reached the top 10 0 times and the top 100 0 times. The longest consecutive run was 16 editions (up to and including 2016). The biggest rise came in 2006: from position 1211 to position 842 (+369). The biggest fall came in 2012: from position 1247 to position 1554 (-307). In 2025, the song was not on the list; it was last on it in 2016.
Compared with all songs
In total, 4,925 different songs have appeared in the Top 2000. With 17 editions, this song shares that score with 129 other songs, and 1,188 songs were on the list in more editions. There are 2,233 songs that have ever ranked higher than position 842.
Also released in 1969
131 other songs from 1969 are in the Top 2000. The highest chart entries:
- Pastorale – Ramses Shaffy & Liesbeth List best position 6
- Space Oddity – David Bowie best position 38
- You Can't Always Get What You Want – The Rolling Stones best position 46
- Gimme Shelter – The Rolling Stones best position 53
- Here Comes The Sun – The Beatles best position 66
- Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond best position 71
Neighbours in the 2016 list
In 2016, this song was at position 1792. Rape Me (Nirvana) was at position 1791, one place higher; Hero (Enrique Iglesias) was at position 1793, one place lower.
Frequently asked questions
How often was Why by The Cats in the Top 2000?
Why was on the list in 17 of the 27 editions (1999 to 2025), first in 1999 and most recently in 2016.
What is the highest position of Why in the Top 2000?
The highest chart entry was position 842 in 2006.
How high was Why in the 2025 Top 2000?
The song was not on the list in 2025.