"Why You Treat Me So Bad" is a song co-written and recorded by Jamaican reggae artist Shaggy featuring American rapper Grand Puba. It was released in 1995 by Virgin Records as the third single from his third studio album, Boombastic (1995), and contains elements from "Mr. Brown" by Bob Marley. The song entered the top 20 in Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Critical reception Larry Flick from Billboard magazine commented in his review of the single, "As astute programmers have known for some time, there is way more to Shaggy than his top 10 hit 'Boombastic'. Fun and fresh changes in tempo and the distinctive vocal styles of Shaggy and Grand Puba complement one another. Get up and play it."Flick, Larry (17 February 1996). "Singles: Pop". Billboard. Volume 107. Issue 35. Another Billboard editor, Paul Verna, remarked that the song benefits from Puba's "off-kilter musings, buzzes madly and bounces like aural Jello".Verna, Paul (2 September 1995). "Album Reviews: Reggae". Billboard. Volume 107. Issue 35. Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel viewed it as "nasty fun for those who can get past the misogyny."Campbell, Chuck (28 July 1995). "Morissette's 'Pill' Is Easy To Swallow". Knoxville News Sentinel. In his weekly UK chart commentary in Dotmusic, James Masterton said, "It will probably struggle to become as big a hit as his past few efforts, featuring less of the humour that made "Boombastic" such a commercial hit."
Heidi Siegmund Cuda from Los Angeles Times felt that Shaggy "rounds out" his reggae repertoire with "such likable dance-hall treats", as the "lovelorn" "Why You Treat Me So Bad?". A reviewer from Music Week wrote, "Mr Boombastic returns with a mid-tempo hip hop swayer with a jazzy swingtime flavour and a cameo from New York rapper Grand Puba. It's more laid back than his last release and should give Shaggy another hit." James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update declared it as a "'Why must you treat me so bad?' girls pushed terrific funky ragga rap jolter". Al Weisel of Rolling Stone found that the "funky grind" of the song "demonstrate an equal fluency in contemporary mainland rhythm."Weisel, Al (7 September 1995). "Recordings". Rolling Stone.
Track listings
US CD single 1 (1995) "Why You Treat Me So Bad" (radio mix) "Why You Treat Me So Bad" (club mix) "The Train Is Coming" (film version featuring Ken Boothe) "Demand the Ride"
US CD single 2 (1995) "Why You Treat Me So Bad" (Salaam clean radio remix) – 4:19 "Why You Treat Me So Bad" (Sting radio remix) – 4:04 "Demand the Ride" – 4:00 "Big Up" (featuring Rayvon) – 3:36
US cassette single (1995) "Why You Treat Me So Bad" (radio mix) – 3:51 "Why You Treat Me So Bad" (club mix) – 3:53
UK and Australasian CD single (1996) "Why You Treat Me So Bad" (radio mix) "Why You Treat Me So Bad" (Soul Inside mix) "Why You Treat Me So Bad" (club mix) "Why You Treat Me So Bad" (LP version)
UK cassette single (1996) and European CD single (1995) "Why You Treat Me So Bad" (radio mix) "Why You Treat Me So Bad" (Soul Inside mix)
Charts +Chart (1996)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA) 93Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 41Europe (European Dance Radio) 6Europe (European Hit Radio) 26Italy (Musica e dischi) Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Shaggy". 21Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade) 8UK Airplay (Music Week) 31UK Club Chart (Music Week) 58
Release history +RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United States1995VirginUnited Kingdom1 January 1996United States12 March 1996Rhythmic contemporary radio
References