For the love of rock
Vol III, Issue 6 – Love hurts (15 Mar 2018)
Name of song– Love hurts
Band- Nazareth
Album- Hair of The Dog
Writer– Boudleaux Bryant
Release year– 1974
Chart records
# 1 – Belgium/Canada/Netherlands/Norway/South Africa
# 2- Denmark
# 3- Euro hit 50
# 4- New Zealand
# 6- Sweden
# 8- Australia
# 8- Billboard Hot 100
# 11- Austria
# 30- Germany
# 41- UK Singles Chart
Similar artists– Rainbow, UFO, Slade, Sweet, Uriah Heep
Love hurts
Reviewers- Bikash Shrestha/Nirab Kayastha
Nazareth are a prototype seventies hard rock band hailing from Scotland. They have been a source of inspiration for many of the rockers of yesterday and today. Formed by Dan McCafferty (Vocals), Manny Charlton (Guitars), Pete Agnew (Bass) and Darrell Sweet (Drums) in 1968 in Scotland, they moved to England in 1970 looking for their musical prospectus. They gained the rock enthusiast’s attention from their early albums and reached the pinnacle in mid seventies with their sixth album “Hair of The Dog”. Although they are most well known for this amazing power ballad “Love hurts” from this album, this song would perhaps be an exception to their main roots. Despite various line-up changes, they are still thankfully touring the world.
“Love hurts” is the single from their album “Hair of The Dog” produced in 1975. This album is their most successful album till date, and the major contribution to this album’s success undoubtedly goes to the song “Love hurts.” It would be a surprise to many rock enthusiasts that this song is actually a cover version. It was originally written by Boudleaux Bryant and recorded by The Everly Brothers in 1960. The song was covered by Roy Orbison in 1961 who made it more famous. The song has been covered by various artists like Jim Capaldi, Cher, The Who, Joan Jett to name a few. However, none could ever beat Nazareth’s version. And no doubt, this version charted all over the world and became Nazareth’s most successful as well as most well known single.
The song is a simple tragic ballad describing the extremes to where love can lead; and the theme provided is that one has to be strong if one is in love. The song is perhaps one of the early power ballads with all the four members of the band contributing significantly to concoct a wonderful end product. No doubt, Dan McCafferty’s poignantly sharp and tearing voice is the pinnacle of the song. The song begins with a simple power chord by Manny Charlton and silently thunderous bass by Pete Agnew. Immediately, lightening percussion by Darrell joins in. When Dan’s voice comes in, you can literally feel the emotions going into your vessels. He could not contribute more to make this song so beautiful. He has maintained the highs and lows of the song so smoothly in a mature way; however, the emotions are just overflowing in a truly magical manner. In between, Manny Charlton’s lead solo comes into play. The howling slide guitar is equally captivating, melodious and powerful, and at the same time, an absolutely marvelous juxtapose to Dan’s vocals. The painfully emotional voice, the haunting power chords and sharp but enticing slide guitar solo, silently thunderous bass and deepening cymbals and hard hitting drums; What else do you need? Overall, nobody could do more justice to this power ballad than Nazareth.
Yes, Nazareth are actually a truly seventies rock band but they became most well known for the electric cover version of The Everly Brother’s song “Love hurts.” Yes, it is true love hurts but it is so lovely that you just can’t stop loving…… “Love hurts!”
Happy listening!!
Resources– Wikipedia.org, Allmusic.com
Video link- https://youtu.be/xs_PB2DxaeA
Love hurts
Love hurts, love scars,
Love wounds, and mars,
Any heart, not tough,
Or strong, enough
To take a lot of pain,
Take a lot of pain
Love is like a cloud
Holds a lot of rain
Love hurts, ooh ooh love hurts
I’m young, I know,
But even so
I know a thing, or two
I learned, from you
I really learned a lot,
Really learned a lot
Love is like a flame
It burns you when it’s hot
Love hurts, ooh ooh love hurts
Some fools think of happiness
Blissfulness, togetherness
Some fools fool themselves I guess
They’re not foolin’ me
I know it isn’t true,
I know it isn’t true
Love is just a lie,
Made to make you blue
Love hurts, ooh, ooh love hurts
Ooh, ooh love hurts
I know it isn’t true,
I know it isn’t true
Love is just a lie,
Made to make you blue
Love hurts, ooh ooh love hurts
Ooh ooh love hurts
Ooh ooh…
Lyrics link – http://www.lyricsfreak.com/n/nazareth/love+hurts_20098532.html