“Hurt So Bad” is today’s classic song of the day and it was a hit for two different artists in two different decades.
The song was written by the team of Teddy Randazzo, Bobby Weinstein, and Bobby Hart. Teddy was a songwriter and producer responsible for tunes like “Goin’ Out of My Head,” “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle,” and “Pretty Blue Eyes.” The first Bobby worked with Teddy on most of those tunes. The second Bobby, Bobby Hart, was most famously part of a songwriting duo with Tommy Boyce, responsible for “(Theme From) The Monkees,” “Last Train to Clarksville,” “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” “Come a Little Bit Closer,” and, as a performing duo with Mr. Boyce, “I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight.”
“Hurt So Bad” was first recorded by Little Anthony and the Imperials as a follow-up to their previous single, “Goin’ Out of My Head.” Released as a single in late December of 1964, it peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 early in 1965.
A decade and a half later, Linda Ronstadt recorded a harder-edged cover of “Hurt So Bad” for her Peter Asher-produced Mad Love album. Released as a single in March of 1980, Ms. Ronstadt’s version peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on the Cash Box Top 100. The song became Ms. Ronstadt’s final top ten single as a solo artist.
And, for your viewing pleasure, here’s Linda Ronstadt singing “Hurt So Bad” live for an HBO special (Linda Ronstadt in Concert) first broadcast on August 24, 1980. It’s today’s daily bonus video of the day and, boy, does that lady have some pipes. (And, yes, that’s Russ Kunkel on drums and Danny Kortchmar on guitar.)
Hmm, guess I entered an alternate universe where the Lettermen never did a perfectly fine version of Hurts So Bad that also charted well