If It Doesn't Hurt

Last updated
"If It Doesn't Hurt"
Single by Nothing More
from the album Carnal
ReleasedJanuary 19, 2024
Studio Burbank, California
Length2:59
Label Better Noise Music
Songwriters
Producers
  • Fulk
  • Cervini
Nothing More singles chronology
"You Don't Know What Love Means"
(2022)
"If It Doesn't Hurt"
(2024)
"House on Sand"
(2024)
Music video
"If It Doesn't Hurt" on YouTube

"If It Doesn't Hurt" is a song by American rock band Nothing More. It is the lead single and third track from their seventh album Carnal . It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in June 2024.

Contents

Recording and release

The song was the first demo recorded with producer Drew Fulk for Carnal, serving as a test of the band's working chemistry. The track was later released as the album's lead single and became the band's first number-one song at radio. [1] Vocalist Jonny Hawkins recorded his vocals for the song using a $20,000 microphone previously used by artists including Will Smith and possibly Beyoncé. He described it as having a certain "magic juju". [2]

The song was released digitally on January 19, 2024. [3] The music video was directed by Orie McGinness, [4] who has worked with Bad Omens and Spiritbox. [5] It focuses on the song's lyrical themes and emotional intensity. [6] The song was described by Distorted Sound as a quick fan favourite among the band's listeners following its release. [7]

Background

Hawkins said the song is about "gaslighting, manipulation, narcissistic deceit and betrayal". It was written while he was "trapped" and is now sung "while free". [4] He described it as a message for people in toxic relationships. [5] In a 2024 interview, Hawkins said that circumstances surrounding a late-2021 domestic incident involving his former partner inspired the band's song. He said that the public reaction and media coverage had a significant personal and professional impact on him and others associated with the band. [8]

Composition and lyrics

The track was described as heavy and hard-hitting, combining melodic passages with unclean vocals. Distorted Sound noted that the song blends soulful and sinister elements to reflect emotional ambiguity. [7] In a review of Carnal, Blabbermouth described the song as taking a more pop‑oriented approach while retaining rock elements. It noted the heavy guitars, driving beats, and singable melodies that contribute to a radio‑friendly sound. [9]

Reception

In a review of Carnal, Distorted Sound highlighted the song as a fan favourite and noted that it gained wider exposure after being featured during WWE's WrestleMania XL, [7] while AllMusic called it a "fist-pumping" single. [10]

Media coverage

The song was featured on the segment of Loudwire Nights "Chuck's Fight Club" in March 2024, where it was discussed alongside The Plot in You's "Closure". Listeners were invited to vote on which song would be played later that week. [11]

Commercial performance

It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart on June 29, 2024, their second song to do so. [12]

Personnel

Credits are adapted from Apple Music. [13]

Nothing More

Additional Credits

Charts

References

  1. "Nothing More, 'Carnal' - Track By Track". Rock Sound . June 28, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  2. Armstrong, Chuck (April 16, 2024). "Nothing More's Jonny Hawkins Admits Faith Is Definitely a Huge Influence on His Music". Loudwire . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  3. wookubus (January 18, 2024). "Nothing More Launch "If It Doesn't Hurt" Music Video". ThePRP. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Glover, Nao (January 19, 2024). "Nothing More unleashes music video for new single, 'If It Doesn't Hurt'". HM Magazine . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Nothing More Announce North American Co-Headline Tour With Wage War". BraveWords . January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  6. "Nothing More Share Music Video For New Single If It Doesn't Hurt". BraveWords . January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 Cosgrove, Jo (June 28, 2024). "Album review: Carnal – Nothing More". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  8. Schaffner, Lauryn (April 18, 2024). "Nothing More's Jonny Hawkins Addresses Domestic Charges in New Interview". Loudwire . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  9. Erickson, Anne (June 28, 2024). "Nothing More - Carnal". Blabbermouth . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  10. Staff, TiVo. "Carnal Review by TiVo Staff". AllMusic . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  11. Childers, Chad (March 11, 2024). "Better New Song – The Plot in You's 'Closure' vs. Nothing More's 'If It Doesn't Hurt' – Chuck's Fight Club". Loudwire . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  12. 1 2 Rutherford, Kevin (June 21, 2024). "Nothing More Returns to No. 1 on Mainstream Rock Airplay Chart With 'If It Doesn't Hurt'". Billboard . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  13. "If It Doesn't Hurt - Single – Nothing More". Apple Music.
  14. "Rock & Alternative Airplay" . Billboard . July 6, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  15. "Rock & Alternative Airplay Songs – Year-End 2024" . Billboard . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  16. "Mainstream Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2024" . Billboard . Retrieved January 15, 2026.