Why Do Birds Sing?

Why Do Birds Sing?
Studio album by
ReleasedApril 30, 1991 (1991-04-30)
Recorded1990
GenreFolk rock
Length42:20
LabelReprise
ProducerViolent Femmes, Michael Beinhorn
Violent Femmes chronology
Debacle: The First Decade
(1990)
Why Do Birds Sing?
(1991)
Add It Up (1981-1993)
(1993)
Singles from Why Do Birds Sing?
  1. "American Music"
    Released: 1991
  2. "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me"
    Released: 1991
  3. "Used to Be"
    Released: 1991
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic
New Noise Magazine
Pitchfork7.9/10

Why Do Birds Sing? is the fifth studio album by Violent Femmes, released on April 30, 1991. It was the band's last album with original drummer Victor DeLorenzo, who left two years later to devote his time to acting, and was produced by Michael Beinhorn, best-known then for his work with Red Hot Chili Peppers on Mother's Milk and The Uplift Mofo Party Plan.

The album featured the single "American Music," which rose to number 2 on Billboard's Modern Rock chart during the week of May 18, 1991, and became a staple of the band's live shows.