Hurts So Good

Last updated

"Hurts So Good"
Hurts So Good Single.jpg
Single by John Cougar
from the album American Fool
B-side "Close Enough"
ReleasedApril 1982 (1982-04)
Studio Cherokee, Los Angeles [1]
Genre Pop rock [2]
Length3:39 [1]
Label Riva
Songwriter(s) John Mellencamp, George Green
Producer(s) John Mellencamp, Don Gehman [1]
John Cougar singles chronology
"Ain't Even Done with the Night"
(1981)
"Hurts So Good"
(1982)
"Jack & Diane"
(1982)
Music video
"Hurts So Good" on YouTube

"Hurts So Good" is a song by American singer-songwriter John Mellencamp, then performing under the stage name "John Cougar". The song was a number two hit on the Billboard Hot 100 [3] for the singer/songwriter. It was the first of three major hit singles from his 1982 album American Fool . The others were "Jack & Diane" and "Hand to Hold On To," which were all released in 1982. The song was also a critical success with Mellencamp, winning the Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male at the 25th Grammy Awards on February 23, 1983.

Contents

Background and recording

"Hurts So Good" was written by Mellencamp and George Green, Mellencamp's childhood friend and occasional writing partner. The song was first conceived, Mellencamp claims, when he had uttered the phrase "hurt so good.” Mellencamp repeated the lines to Green, and they finished the song very quickly. [4] In 2004, Mellencamp expounded on the writing of "Hurts So Good" in an interview with American Songwriter magazine: "George Green and I wrote that together. We exchanged lines back and forth between each other and laughed about it at the time. Then I went and picked up the guitar, and within seconds, I had those chords." [5]

The song was recorded at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, California and was engineered by Don Gehman and George Tutko. Backing Mellencamp were Larry Crane and Mike Wanchic (guitars, backing vocals), Kenny Aronoff (drums), George "Chocolate" Perry (bass) and Dave Parman (backing vocals). [1]

Reception

Cash Box said that "steady 4/4 snare work and choppy fuzz tone guitar chords kick off this steel-edged pop/rocker." [2]

Music video

Much of the video was filmed in Medora, Indiana, a small town located approximately 20 mi (30 km) southwest of Seymour, Indiana, where Mellencamp was born and raised.

Charts

The song hit number one on Billboard's Hot Tracks mainstream rock chart. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 on August 7, 1982, and, although it failed to make number one, it spent 16 weeks in the top 10, the longest time for any song in the 1980s. It was kept off the top spot by "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor. [6] The song was listed at #83 on Billboard's Greatest Songs of All Time. [6]

The single was also a hit in Canada reaching #3 on RPM magazine's Top 50 Singles chart. [7] It reached number five in Australia and South Africa [8]

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [17] Platinum100,000^
United States (RIAA) [18] Gold1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack & Diane</span> 1982 single by John Mellencamp

"Jack & Diane" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter John Mellencamp, then performing as "John Cougar." Described by critics as a "love ballad", this song was released as the second single from Mellencamp's 1982 album American Fool, and was chosen by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) as one of the Songs of the Century. It spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982 and is Mellencamp's most successful hit single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If (Bread song)</span> 1971 single by Bread

"If" is a song written by American singer-songwriter David Gates in 1971. Originally popularized by his group Bread, "If" charted at No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 when released as a single in 1971 and No. 6 in Canada. It also spent three weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. Easy Listening chart, and one week at the top of the Canadian AC chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turn Around, Look at Me</span> Song written by Jerry Capehart and Glen Campbell

"Turn Around, Look at Me" is a song written by Jerry Capehart and Glen Campbell, though Campbell is not officially credited.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Under the Boardwalk</span> 1964 single by the Drifters

"Under the Boardwalk" is a pop song written by Kenny Young and Arthur Resnick and recorded by the Drifters in 1964. It charted at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on August 22, 1964. The song has since been covered by many other artists, with versions by Bette Midler, Sam & Dave, the Tom Tom Club, the Rolling Stones, Billy Joe Royal, The Beach Boys, Bruce Willis, Bad Boys Blue, John Mellencamp and Lynn Anderson all charting in the United States or overseas. The song ranked number 487 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004 and number 489 in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(I've Been) Searchin' So Long</span> 1974 single by Chicago

"(I've Been) Searchin' So Long" is a song written by James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VII (1974). The first single released from that album, it reached number 9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It also hit number 8 on the Adult Contemporary chart. In Canada, the song peaked at number 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who Loves You (song)</span> 1975 single by The Four Seasons

"Who Loves You" is the title song of a 1975 album by The Four Seasons. It was composed by Bob Gaudio and Judy Parker and produced by Gaudio. It reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Mellencamp discography</span> Cataloging of published recordings by John Mellencamp

The following is a comprehensive discography of John Mellencamp, an American singer-songwriter. During Mellencamp's career in the recording industry, he has released 24 studio albums, two live albums, four compilation albums, and 71 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good Timin' (Jimmy Jones song)</span> 1960 single by Jimmy Jones

"Good Timin'" was a number-one single in the UK Singles Chart during 1960, written by Fred Tobias and Clint Ballard Jr., and performed by Jimmy Jones. In the U.S., the follow-up to "Handy Man" went to number three on Billboard Hot 100 chart and number eight on the R&B chart. The song extrapolates the historical encounters between David and Goliath and between Columbus and Isabella as reason enough for a boy to meet a girl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Longer</span> 1979 single by Dan Fogelberg

"Longer" is a song written and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg and released in 1979 by Full Moon Records and Epic Records. The song can be found on Fogelberg's 1979 album Phoenix. It was also included on his 1982 greatest hits album as well as various other retrospective and compilation recordings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When Will I Be Loved (song)</span> 1960 single by the Everly Brothers

"When Will I Be Loved" is a popular song written by Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers, who had a US top-ten hit with it in 1960. Linda Ronstadt covered the song in 1975, and her version was an even bigger hit in the US, peaking at No. 2. Vince Gill also covered it in 1994 on the soundtrack of the film 8 Seconds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Need a Lover</span> 1978 single by Johnny Cougar

"I Need a Lover" is the debut single by John Mellencamp, first released in 1978 under the stage name "Johnny Cougar". A music video for the song directed by David McMahon was released the same year, also being Mellencamp's first music video. The song was covered by Pat Benatar a year later and also had a hit with it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lonely Ol' Night</span> 1985 single by John Cougar Mellencamp

"Lonely Ol' Night" is a rock song written and performed by singer-songwriter John Mellencamp. It appeared on his 1985 album Scarecrow and was released as the album's lead single, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached number 1 on the Top Rock Tracks chart, staying at the top spot for five weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crumblin' Down</span> 1983 single by John Cougar Mellencamp

"Crumblin' Down" is a rock song co-written and performed by John Mellencamp, released as the lead single from his 1983 album Uh-Huh. It was a top-ten hit on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Canadian pop charts, and it reached #2 on the US Mainstream Rock charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.</span> 1986 single by John Cougar Mellencamp

"R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.", subtitled "A Salute to 60's Rock", is a rock song written and performed by John Mellencamp. It was the third single from his 1985 album Scarecrow and a top-ten hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Top Rock Tracks charts, peaking at number 2 and number 6 respectively. In Australia, the single effectively became a double-A side when the B-side "Under the Boardwalk" received significant airplay and both tracks were listed together on the singles chart, reaching #18.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paper in Fire</span> 1987 single by John Cougar Mellencamp

"Paper in Fire" is a song by American rock singer John Mellencamp, released on August 15, 1987 as the first single from his ninth studio album The Lonesome Jubilee.

"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. It 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So in to You</span> Song by the Atlanta Rhythm Section

"So in to You" is a 1977 hit single by the Atlanta Rhythm Section. It was the first release from their sixth studio LP, A Rock and Roll Alternative.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherry Bomb (John Mellencamp song)</span> 1987 single by John Mellencamp

"Cherry Bomb" is a song by American rock singer John Mellencamp. It was released as the second single from Mellencamp's ninth studio album, The Lonesome Jubilee (1987). "Cherry Bomb" is a nostalgic song that reflects on Mellencamp's teenage years hanging out at the Last Exit Teen Club. The single was released in the United States in October 1987, backed with the B-side "Shama Lama Ding Dong".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)</span> 1964 song performed by Marvin Gaye

"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" is a song recorded by American soul singer Marvin Gaye from his fifth studio album of the same name (1965). It was written in 1964 by the Motown songwriting team of Holland–Dozier–Holland, and produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier. The song title was inspired by one of the actor and comedian Jackie Gleason's signature phrases, "How Sweet It Is!"

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Other Guy (song)</span> 1983 single by Little River Band

"The Other Guy" is a song by Australian soft rock band Little River Band. It was released in February 1983 as the third and final single from the band's 1982 Greatest Hits album. The song also introduced the band's new lead vocalist, John Farnham, who replaced Glenn Shorrock.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 The Best That I Could Do 1978–1988 (CD liner). John Mellencamp. US: Mercury Records. 1997. p. 9. 314 536 738-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. 1 2 "Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. April 24, 1982. p. 10. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 8th Edition (Billboard Publications), page 418.
  4. White, Timothy (1997). "Who's to Say the Way a Man Should Spend His Days: The First Two Hundred Years of the John Mellencamp Story". The Best That I Could Do 1978–1988 (CD liner). John Mellencamp. US: Mercury Records. p. 6. 314 536 738-2.
  5. Mellencamp, John (January 1, 2005). "John Mellencamp". American Songwriter (Interview). Interviewed by Paul Zollo.
  6. 1 2 "The Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs". Billboard.com.
  7. 1 2 "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  8. 1 2 "Acts M". SA Charts 1965–1989. Springbok Radio/Radio Orion. Retrieved May 15, 2015 via rock.co.za.
  9. Hung, Steffen. "John Cougar - Hurts So Good". charts.nz. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  10. Whitburn, Joel (June 1991). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990. Record Research. ISBN   0-89820-089-X.
  11. "Top 100 Singles". Cash Box. July 24, 1982 via tropicalglen.com.
  12. "National Top 100 Singles for 1982". Kent Music Report. January 3, 1983. Retrieved January 22, 2023 via Imgur.
  13. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . St Ives, N.S.W., Australia: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  14. "Top 100 Hits of 1982/Top 100 Songs of 1982". musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  15. "Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles". Cash Box. December 25, 1982. Archived from the original on July 11, 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2019 via tropicalglen.com.
  16. "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  17. "Canadian single certifications – John Cougar Mellancamp – Hurts So Good". Music Canada . Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  18. "American single certifications – John Mellencamp – Hurts So Good". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved August 3, 2023.