Nazareth made this song a hit, but it was originally released by the Everly Brothers on their 1960 album A Date With The Everly Brothers. Like their heartbreak hit from 1957, "Bye Bye Love," it was written by Boudleaux Bryant. Young love is hot with passion, but it burns you when it's hot. The guy in this song has just made this discovery, which is a revelation of sorts - all those singing the praises of love are fools who will soon be burned, as love is just a lie made to make you blue.
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. The group is from Scotland and had three UK hits under their belts when they released "Love Hurts" late in 1974. Surprisingly, it tanked, but in April 1975 it became a hit in South Africa, prompting their label, A&M, to release it in America. It took a while, but radio stations in Texas started playing the song, and others around the country gradually followed suit. It reached its peak position of #8 in March 1976. In the UK, the song finally made the chart in 1977, peaking at #77. Nazareth's Stateside success was short lived: "Holiday" reached #87 in 1980, and "Love Leads To Madness" went to #105 in 1982, but none of their other songs charted there.
The album version runs 3:52, with a guitar solo by Manny Charlton that is not on the 3:03 single.
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