Why by Vernon "Smiley" Garfield: A Forgotten Gem That Still Hits Right in the Feels
Let’s be real here—sometimes an album just sneaks up on you. You’re scrolling through some random playlist, and suddenly this smooth-as-butter voice pulls you in like it’s got a hook tied around your heart. That’s exactly what happened to me with Why, Vernon "Smiley" Garfield’s 1988 pop ballad masterpiece from Germany. Yeah, I know, not many people are out there raving about Kondor Records releases these days, but trust me, this one deserves a second listen.
First off, can we talk about the title track, “Why”? It opens with this gentle piano melody that feels like stepping into a warm bath after a long day. Then Smiley’s vocals come in—soft, sincere, almost whispering at times—and boom, you’re hooked. The lyrics hit hard too; they’re simple yet so relatable. Like, haven’t we all asked ourselves “why” at some point when life throws us curveballs? C. Hofmann’s words paired with N. Heilmann’s music create this perfect storm of emotion. By the time Fred Kolb’s production kicks in fully, adding layers of strings and subtle synths, you’re already floating away somewhere between nostalgia and melancholy. Honestly, it’s kinda magical.
And then there’s “Why (Saxophonversion).” Okay, so maybe calling it a standout is stretching things a bit, but hear me out. There’s something oddly comforting about hearing the same song reimagined with a saxophone taking center stage. It’s cheesy as hell, sure, but also kinda charming. Dietmar Wassermann co-produced this version, and while it might feel like elevator music to some, for me, it brought back memories of lazy Sunday afternoons spent staring out windows thinking about nothing and everything all at once. Weirdly enough, that little sax riff stuck in my head for days.
What makes Why special isn’t flashy production or groundbreaking innovation—it’s how damn human it feels. This album doesn’t try to blow your mind; instead, it quietly seeps into your soul. It’s the kind of record you’d stumble across in a thrift shop, toss onto your turntable, and realize halfway through that you’ve been sitting still, completely absorbed.
Here’s the thing though: listening to Why now feels almost bittersweet. In today’s world of TikTok hits and algorithm-driven playlists, would something this understated even stand a chance? Maybe not. But hey, maybe that’s why it matters more than ever. So if you’re looking for something different—something real—give this old-school German ballad a shot. Who knows? You might find yourself asking “why” you didn’t discover it sooner.
Oh, and fun fact: rumor has it Smiley got his nickname because he always smiled during recording sessions. If that ain’t wholesome, I don’t know what is.
