“Love Hurts,” a song synonymous with heartbreak and longing, boasts a rich history and numerous interpretations. But the question remains: who wrote the song “Love Hurts”? The answer takes us back to the summer of 1960 and the prolific songwriting talent of Boudleaux Bryant. While often collaborating with his wife, Felice Bryant, Boudleaux penned “Love Hurts” as a solo endeavor, showcasing his individual songwriting prowess. This song, with its simple yet powerful message about the pain of love, would go on to become a classic, recorded by a diverse range of artists across genres and generations.
The story of “Love Hurts” begins with the Everly Brothers, for whom the Bryants were primary songwriters. Phil and Don Everly were keen to release it as a single. However, a dispute with their manager and publisher, Wesley Rose, prevented them from recording the track at the time. Despite being written with the Everlys in mind, “Love Hurts” found its initial release elsewhere.
The Everly Brothers, Phil and Don Everly, were initially intended to record 'Love Hurts', written by Boudleaux Bryant.
Roy Orbison stepped in to record “Love Hurts” as the B-side to his hit single, “Running Scared.” Released in 1961, Orbison’s rendition, characterized by heavy orchestration, initially played second fiddle to its A-side counterpart in most markets. Interestingly, in Australia, “Love Hurts” resonated strongly with radio audiences, gaining significant airplay. This popularity led Monument Records to re-release the record as a double A-side, propelling “Love Hurts” to a Top 5 hit in Australia, demonstrating the song’s inherent appeal even in its early days.
The Everly Brothers finally had their chance to record “Love Hurts” in 1965. They included it on their album “Rock ‘n’ Soul,” delivering a version that many consider definitive, perfectly suited to their signature harmonies. Their rendition highlighted the song’s core emotionality and solidified its reputation as a truly exceptional piece of songwriting.
In Americana music circles, the version of “Love Hurts” by Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris holds a special place. Recorded in 1973 for the album “Grievous Angel” and released posthumously after Parsons’ death, their duet became deeply associated with both artists. Emmylou Harris has revisited the song on multiple occasions, further cementing its legacy within the Americana genre and showcasing its enduring appeal for heartfelt duets.
However, for mainstream audiences, “Love Hurts” is perhaps best recognized through Nazareth’s power ballad interpretation. Released as a single in 1974, Nazareth transformed the song into a rock anthem, achieving significant commercial success. It became a Top 10 hit in the United States and reached number 1 in five countries, including an astounding 14 weeks at the top in Norway, spending 61 weeks on their charts in total. Interestingly, it didn’t perform as strongly in the UK initially, only reaching number 41.
Adding another layer to the song’s diverse history, Jim Capaldi, known as the drummer for Traffic, released a surprisingly upbeat pop version of “Love Hurts.” This rendition defied genre expectations and became a Top 5 hit in the UK, proving the song’s versatility and ability to transcend musical boundaries. As Rolling Stone noted, Capaldi’s version conveyed a “sense of pain very different from Roy Orbison’s,” highlighting the song’s adaptability to various emotional registers.
Beyond these prominent versions, “Love Hurts” has been covered by a vast array of artists, including Cher, Rod Stewart, Don McLean, Joan Jett, Heart, and Jennifer Warnes, amongst many others. This extensive list of performers underscores the song’s timeless quality and universal theme of love’s painful side.
In conclusion, while many artists have brought their unique styles to “Love Hurts,” the songwriting credit belongs to Boudleaux Bryant. His solo creation has journeyed through various genres and artists, consistently proving its strength as a song that resonates deeply with listeners. From its initial intended release with the Everly Brothers to its global success with Nazareth and its Americana heart with Parsons and Harris, “Love Hurts” remains a testament to the enduring power of a well-crafted song exploring the bittersweet nature of love.
