“Love Hurts” is a song written and composed by the American songwriter Boudleaux Bryant. First recorded by the Everly Brothers in July 1960, the song is also well known from a 1974-75 international hit version by the Scottish hard rock band Nazareth.
The original Everly Brothers version runs 2:23 and is delivered in their distinctive, pleasing harmonies. The Nazareth version is 3:03, with sandpaper vocals by lead singer Dan McCafferty screamed out as if he’s falling into the pit of despair.
Knowing how well Love Hurts did, it is perhaps surprising to learn that it was never meant to go out as a single. It was not even meant to be an album track. The song was attempted during a session where they recorded b-sides for the coming singles from their new album. Without the pressure of needing to come up with a hit or solid album track, unusual things can happen – perhaps even covers of old country-folk tracks?
The track may have been intended as a single B-side, but when they heard how powerful it was, it ended up as an A-side. That’s how it was released in all territories – as a standalone, lead single track.
When the single took off in America, the record company saw the track as a chance to give the planned Hair of the Dog album a boost and opted to include it in place of Guilty (a Randy Newman track). The only studio album that features Nazareth’s version of Love Hurts is the US edition of Hair of the Dog. In that regard, it should be noted that the album version runs 3:52, with a guitar solo by Manny Charlton that is not included on the 3:03 single.
A later recording by Nazareth, featuring the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, peaked at No. 89 in Germany.
The lyrics of the song were changed for Nazareth’s 1975 album, where the original line “love is like a stove/it burns you when it’s hot” was changed to “love is like a flame/it burns you when it’s hot”.
“Love Hurts” – Single by Nazareth from the album Hair of the Dog.
Released November 8, 1974
Songwriter Boudleaux Bryant
Charted No.8 US, No.41 UK, No.8 Australia, No.1 Canada, No.1 Netherlands, No.28 Belgium, No.30 West Germany.
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