It Hurts to Be in Love

Gene Pitney

About It Hurts to Be in Love

"It Hurts to Be in Love" is a song written by Howard Greenfield and Helen Miller which was a Top Ten hit in 1964 for Gene Pitney. The song was one in a long line of successful "Brill Building Sound" hits created by composers and arrangers working in New York City's Brill Building at 1619 Broadway. Although not characteristic of Pitney's pop sound, as heard in "Town Without Pity" and "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance," Allmusic noted that "It Hurts to Be in Love" "was about as close as any of his major hits came to straight-ahead rock & roll. "The opening of the song is extremely similar to "Monkey Time" by Major Lance (and written by Curtis Mayfield.) "It Hurts to Be in Love" was originally intended to be sung by singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka, but Sedaka's record label at the time, RCA Victor, refused to release Sedaka's new recording because he had not recorded it in their studios, as stipulated by his contract. Sedaka attempted another recording of this song in RCA's studios, but the results were unsatisfactory. Howard Greenfield and Helen Miller, the song's co-writers, offered it to Gene Pitney instead, and he took the existing musical track, replacing Sedaka's lead vocal track with Pitney's own. Everything else was Sedaka's, including his own arrangement and backing vocals, piano-playing, and usual female backup singers. Pitney ended up with a top ten hit in the Billboard Hot 100 for himself and his record label, Musicor, in 1964. The personnel on the original recording included Artie Kaplan on saxophone, Bill Suyker, Charles Macy, and Vinnie Bell on guitar, Milt Hinton on bass, Artie Butler on organ, Gary Chester on drums, and Toni Wine on backing vocals. 


Year:
2002
2:31
93 
#1

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It hurts to be in love, when the only one you love
Turns out to be someone who's not in love with you.
It hurts to love her so
When deep down inside you know,
She will never want you, no matter what you do

And so you cry a little bit (hurts to be in love)
Oh die a little bit (hurts to be in love)
Day and night, night and day
It hurts to be in love this way

How long can I exist?
Wanting lips I've never kissed
She gives all her kisses to somebody else.
She thinks I'm just a friend
Though it hurts, I must pretend
The only way to keep her, is to keep it to myself

And so I cry a little bit (hurts to be in love)
Oh I die a little bit (hurts to be in love)
Day and night, night and day
It hurts to be in love this way

And so I cry a little bit (hurts to be in love)
Oh I die a little bit (hurts to be in love)
Day and night, night and day
It hurts to be in love this way

It hurts to be in love, day and night, night and day
It hurts to be in love. Night and day, day and night
It hurts to be in love, day and night, night and day

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Gene Pitney

Gene Francis Alan Pitney (February 17, 1940 – April 5, 2006) was an American singer-songwriter, musician, and sound engineer. Through the mid-1960s, he enjoyed success as a recording artist on both sides of the Atlantic and was among the group of early 1960s American acts who continued to enjoy hits after the British Invasion. more »

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Written by: HOWARD GREENFIELD, HELEN MILLER

Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Songwriting
"It Hurts to Be in Love" was originally written by Howard Greenfield and Helen Miller.
Initial Intentions
The song was initially intended for Neil Sedaka. He even recorded his own version, but it wasn’t released due to contractual issues.
Gene Pitney's Involvement
After Sedaka couldn't release his version, Gene Pitney's manager, Aaron Schroeder decided to give Pitney the song, changing the arrangement and lyrics slightly.
Released Date
Gene Pitney's version of the song was released in 1964.
Chart Performance
The song reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was Pitney’s fourth top ten hit in the U.S.
International Success
It was also a big success in Canada. It reached number two on the Canadian singles chart.
Cover Version
It was later covered by numerous artists, including Marc Almond, who reached number 11 in the UK singles chart with his version in 1982.
Neil Sedaka's Version
In 1979, Neil Sedaka finally released his original version of the song on his album "The Many Sides of Neil Sedaka".
Song Popularity
Despite being over 50 years old, "It Hurts to Be in Love" is still enjoyed by fans of classic pop and rock around the world.
Distinction
The song is one of Gene Pitney's most recognizable and enduring hits, providing an example of his dramatic, emotive singing style.
Radio Play
The song continues to receive significant airplay on Oldies and Adult Standards radio stations.

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    It Hurts to Be in Love

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1964

    Billboard #7


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