"I Wonder Why" is a doo-wop song, written by Melvin Anderson with lyrics by Ricardo Weeks.

The song was first recorded by Dion and the Belmonts.

Buddy Holly died in a plane crash along with Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper.

Dion DiMucci was supposed to be on the plane, but when he heard about the $36, he gave his seat to Ritchie.

Another version of the story is that Ritchie Valens won a coin toss with Tommy Allsup (Guitarist for Buddy Holly and the Crickets) to get a seat on the plane.