Nazareth – Love Hurts

“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.

Released as single by Nazareth in 1974, charted #15 in UK and #8 in US.

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.

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Nazareth Love Hurts

Nazareth - Love Hurts • TopPop03:50

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.

This song has been performed by:
Dan McCafferty – lead vocals
Manny Charlton – guitar
Pete Agnew – bass
Darrell Sweet – drums

Current members
Pete Agnew – bass, backing vocals (1968–present)
Jimmy Murrison – guitars (1994–present)
Lee Agnew – drums, backing vocals (1999–present)
Carl Sentance – vocals (2015–present)

Past members
Dan McCafferty
Darrell Sweet
Manny Charlton
Zal Cleminson
Billy Rankin
John Locke
Ronnie Leahy
Linton Osborne

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