Love Hurts (Cher album)

Last updated

To promote the album, Cher did several performances worldwide. In North America she promoted the album on Late Night with David Letterman . She also made a special appearance on the ABC program In Concert on June 21, 1991, [5] where she performed "Love Hurts", "Love and Understanding", "Save Up All Your Tears" and "A World Without Heroes". This particular performance was highly criticized because Cher lip-synced all songs from the album, veering from the ABC show's premise to showcase "honest" live rock. [6] [7] Later, during an interview, Cher defended her lip-syncing [8] and In Concert offered her a chance to reappear (with her band plugged in and playing) later in 1991, but the performance never happened. [6]

Cher also promoted the album in some European countries. In the UK she performed "Love and Understanding", "Save Up All Your Tears" and "Could've Been You" on Top of The Pops , on Wogan performed "Love and Understanding" and "Save Up All Your Tears", and on Aspel and Company performed "Could've Been You". Cher also performed "Save Up All Your Tears" in Australia during the Dame Edna Show and with Dame Edna performed "I Got You Babe".

The album received further promotion from her third headlining Love Hurts Tour, which started on April 15, 1992, in Berlin, Germany. The tour was set to start on March 21, 1992, in Copenhagen, but due to illness, the European concerts were rescheduled, except for the UK dates. Later dates on the North American leg of the tour were also rescheduled twice. [9] [10] [11] Cher performed "Love and Understanding", "Save Up All Your Tears", "Love Hurts" and "Fires Of Eden" on her tour.

Singles

"The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" was released as the albums lead single in Europe on April 1, 1991. Previously released as a single in 1990 from the film Mermaids soundtrack in the US only. When the song was released internationally in 1991, it became a major hit reaching number one in many European countries including the UK. "Love and Understanding" was released as the album's lead single elsewhere on June 3, 1991. The song was moderate hit, reached the top 10 in countries such as the UK and Austria, [12] While peaking inside the top 20 in the US, Canada and Germany. [13]

"Save Up All Your Tears" was released as the third single from the album and has reached top 40 on various charts worldwide, including the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. “Love Hurts” was released as the fourth single from the album and barely missed the top 40 in the UK. [14] Could've Been You” was released as the fifth single from the album and barely missed the top 30 in the UK. [15] It also peaked within the top 75 in Germany. [16] When Lovers Become Strangers” was released as the fifth and final single from the album. It went on to peak in the top 40 in Canada. [17] The song also peaked in the top 10 on the Canadian Adult Contemporary and the top 20 on the US adult contemporary. [18] [19]

Critical reception

Love Hurts
Cher - Love Hurts.png
Cover used for international and digital releases
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 18, 1991 [1]
Recorded1989–1991
Studio
Genre
Length
  • 43:55 (North American version)
  • 46:45 (International version)
Label Geffen
Producer
Cher chronology
Heart of Stone
(1989)
Love Hurts
(1991)
Greatest Hits: 1965–1992
(1992)
Alternative cover
Cher-Love Hurts-Frontal.jpg
Cover used for North American edition and some original international editions
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [20]
Chicago Tribune Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [21]
Entertainment Weekly B+ [22]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [23]
NME 1/10 [24]

Reviews of the record were mixed. On one hand, some critics proclaimed that "Love Hurts" was the most mature material Cher had tackled in years. Also, critics said "Love Hurts" was a step up from Heart of Stone , and Cher . [25]

Billboard for example, said that "With a few exceptions, the overall musical direction is more straight-forward rock'n'roll this time, which is the perfect environment for her unique vocal style." [26] AllMusic also said that "The result, however, is particularly formulaic, with Cher's vocals sounding largely uninspired and the production and backing musicians content to be obvious." [20]

But on the hand, some critics derided the album. One critic went as far as to claim that "The only song worth listening to is A World Without Heroes, on an otherwise uninspired album". [25]

Commercial performance

Unlike Heart of Stone and Cher , Love Hurts received less attention in North America yet it was still certified Gold in the US and Platinum in Canada, for reaching the sales of 500,000 and 100,000 copies in those territories, respectively. In European and Oceanian countries, as well as in Australia and New Zealand, the album was very successful, and peaked at number one in four countries: Austria, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom. In the UK the album debuted at number one and remained there for six consecutive weeks. After ending its reign at the top, the album remained in the top three for five more weeks and became the 2nd best selling female album of the year after Tina Turner . [27] It was certified multi-platinum and eventually sold more than 1 million copies. [28]

Release history

Track listing

Love Hurts track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Save Up All Your Tears"4:00
2."Love Hurts" (1991 version)Zito4:19
3."Love and Understanding"Warren
  • Warren
  • Guy Roche
4:44
4."Fires of Eden" Peter Asher 3:43
5."I'll Never Stop Loving You"
  • Rock
  • Zito
3:57
6."One Small Step" (with Richard Page)
Asher3:28
7."A World Without Heroes" Steve Lukather 3:09
8."Could've Been You"
  • Arnie Roman
  • Bob Halligan Jr.
Asher3:30
9."When Love Calls Your Name"
Asher3:32
10."When Lovers Become Strangers"Warren
  • Warren
  • Roche
4:46
11."Who You Gonna Believe"
  • Gerald Marquez
  • Kevin Chalfant
  • Joe Marquez
  • Steve Fontano
Zito4:47
12."The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" (Oceanian and European bonus track) Rudy Clark Asher2:51

Notes

Personnel

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for Love Hurts
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [57] Platinum70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria) [58] Platinum50,000*
Canada (Music Canada) [59] Platinum100,000^
Germany (BVMI) [60] Platinum500,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ) [61] Platinum15,000^
Norway65,670 [62]
Sweden (GLF) [63] Platinum100,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [64] Platinum50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [65] 3× Platinum1,000,000 [66]
United States (RIAA) [67] Gold600,000 [3]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>Lets Talk About Love</i> 1997 studio album by Celine Dion

Let's Talk About Love is the fifteenth studio album and fifth English-language album by Canadian singer Celine Dion, released on 14 November 1997 by Sony Music. The follow-up to the commercially successful Falling into You (1996), Let's Talk About Love showed a further progression of Dion's music. Throughout the project, she collaborated with Barbra Streisand, the Bee Gees, Luciano Pavarotti, Carole King, George Martin, Diana King, Brownstone, Corey Hart, and her previous producers: David Foster, Ric Wake, Walter Afanasieff, Humberto Gatica, and Jim Steinman. The album includes Dion's biggest hit, "My Heart Will Go On". Written by James Horner and Will Jennings and serving as the love theme for James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster film, Titanic, "My Heart Will Go On" topped the charts around the world and is considered to be Dion's signature song.

<i>The Seeds of Love</i> 1989 studio album by Tears for Fears

The Seeds of Love is the third studio album by British pop rock band Tears for Fears, released on 25 September 1989 by Fontana Records. It retained the band's epic sound while incorporating influences ranging from jazz and soul to Beatlesque pop. Its lengthy production and scrapped recording sessions cost over £1 million. The album spawned the title hit single "Sowing the Seeds of Love," as well as "Woman in Chains," and "Advice for the Young at Heart", both of which reached the top 40 in several countries.

<i>Heart of Stone</i> (Cher album) 1989 album by Cher

Heart of Stone is the nineteenth studio album by American singer-actress Cher, released on July 10, 1989 by Geffen Records. As of January 1991, the album has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide. The album was supported by Cher's 1989–1990 Heart of Stone Tour.

<i>Cross Road</i> (album) 1994 greatest hits album by Bon Jovi

Cross Road is the first official greatest hits album by American rock band Bon Jovi, released on October 11, 1994, by Mercury Records. The album contains hits from all previously released albums from their debut, Bon Jovi (1984) to Keep the Faith (1992). The album also features two new tracks: the hit singles "Always" and "Someday I'll Be Saturday Night", as well as a new, updated rendition of "Livin' on a Prayer" entitled "Prayer '94" available only on the North American versions.

<i>R.</i> (R. Kelly album) 1998 studio album by R. Kelly

R. is the third solo album by American singer R. Kelly, released as a double album on November 10, 1998, by Jive Records. It marked the first time Kelly worked with other producers as opposed to producing the entire album himself. Its cover artwork uses the same image of Kelly from his 1993 debut 12 Play, only in silhouette form against a red and black background.

<i>Believe</i> (Cher album) 1998 studio album by Cher

Believe is the twenty-second studio album by American singer and actress Cher, released on October 22, 1998, by WEA and Warner Bros. Records. Following the commercial disappointment of her previous studio album It's a Man's World (1995), her record company encouraged her to record a dance-oriented album, in order to move into a more mainstream sound. Cher started working on the album in the spring of 1998 with British producers Mark Taylor and Brian Rawling at the Dreamhouse Studios in London. The album was dedicated to her former husband Sonny Bono, who had died earlier that year.

<i>Cher</i> (1987 album) 1987 studio album by Cher

Cher is the eighteenth studio album by American singer-actress Cher, released on November 10, 1987 by Geffen Records. The album has been certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA and Gold in Australia by ARIA and the UK by BPI.

<i>Unforgettable... with Love</i> 1991 studio album by Natalie Cole

Unforgettable … with Love, also known as simply Unforgettable, is the twelfth studio album by American singer Natalie Cole. Released on June 11, 1991, the album includes covers of standards previously performed by her father, Nat King Cole. It was also her debut for Elektra Records, after being given her release from EMI Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Save Up All Your Tears</span> 1988 single by Bonnie Tyler

"Save Up All Your Tears" is a song written by Desmond Child and Diane Warren, and originally released by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. The song was subsequently covered by other artists including Robin Beck, Cher, Freda Payne and Bonfire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)</span> 1963 single by Merry Clayton

"It's in His Kiss" is a song written and composed by Rudy Clark. It was first released as a single in 1963 by Merry Clayton that did not chart. The song was made a hit a year later when recorded by Betty Everett, who hit No. 1 on the Cashbox magazine R&B charts with it in 1964. Recorded by dozens of artists and groups around the world in the decades since, the song became an international hit once again when remade by Cher in 1990.

<i>Greatest Hits: 1965–1992</i> 1992 greatest hits album by Cher

Greatest Hits: 1965–1992 is the first European compilation album by American singer-actress Cher, released on November 9, 1992, by Geffen Records. The album reached the top 10 in several European countries and topped the UK Albums Chart for 7 non-consecutive weeks where it became the best-selling album by a female artist of 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Hurts Tour</span> 1991–92 concert tour by Cher

The Love Hurts Tour was the third solo concert tour by American singer-actress Cher. The tour supported her twentieth studio album, Love Hurts. The tour reached Europe and North America. It played in arenas and followed the previous Heart of Stone Tour.

<i>Lisa Stansfield</i> (album) 1997 studio album by Lisa Stansfield

Lisa Stansfield is the fourth solo studio album by British singer Lisa Stansfield, released by Arista Records on 21 March 1997. It was her first new studio album since 1993's So Natural. Stansfield co-wrote most songs for the album with her husband Ian Devaney. The tracks were produced by Devaney and Peter Mokran. Lisa Stansfield garnered favourable reviews from music critics and was commercially successful, reaching number two in the United Kingdom and receiving Gold certification. In the United States, it spawned four number-one singles on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs. Lisa Stansfield was rereleased as a deluxe 2CD + DVD set in Europe in November 2014.

<i>My Love: Essential Collection</i> 2008 greatest hits album by Celine Dion

My Love: Essential Collection is the third English-language greatest hits album by Canadian recording artist Celine Dion. It was released by Columbia Records on 24 October 2008 as the follow-up to her previous English-language compilation, All the Way... A Decade of Song (1999). In the album's liner notes, she dedicated this collection of songs, recorded between 1990 and 2008, to her fans who supported her throughout the years. My Love: Essential Collection was released as a single disc, consisting of Dion's most successful singles, including: "My Heart Will Go On", "Because You Loved Me", "The Power of Love" and "It's All Coming Back to Me Now". The two-disc edition, entitled My Love: Ultimate Essential Collection, has been further expanded to include more hits and rare songs that have not previously appeared on her albums. Both editions include one new track, "There Comes a Time". The album wasn't released in Japan because Sony Music Entertainment decided to issue a different compilation there, Complete Best.

<i>Burlesque</i> (soundtrack) 2010 soundtrack album by Christina Aguilera and Cher

Burlesque: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack album to the film of the same name, released by Screen Gems, Inc and RCA Records on November 19, 2010. The soundtrack consists of ten songs sung by the film's stars, American singers Christina Aguilera and Cher; Aguilera sang eight of the tracks, while Cher performed the remaining two. The album is inspired by jazz music style, in style with Aguilera's fifth studio album Back to Basics (2006), but contrasting to her then-recent release Bionic (2010), which was recorded concurrently with Burlesque. Burlesque served as Cher's first album since the release of Living Proof nine years earlier.

<i>Under the Mistletoe</i> 2011 studio album by Justin Bieber

Under the Mistletoe is the first Christmas album and second studio album by Canadian singer Justin Bieber, released on November 1, 2011, by RBMG/Island Def Jam Music Group. The album features fifteen tracks, including seven original songs co-written by Bieber, along with cover versions of Christmas carols and standards. Fellow artists Usher, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, and the Band Perry all make guest appearances on the album.

<i>Closer to the Truth</i> 2013 studio album by Cher

Closer to the Truth is the twenty-fifth studio album by American singer and actress Cher. It was released on September 20, 2013, by Warner Bros. Records. Opting to re-establish her music career, she began planning the project in 2011, shortly after her appearance in the movie Burlesque and the conclusion of her residency show at Caesars Palace. Work continued into 2012 and 2013. While the album was initially planned to be pop rock-oriented, Closer to the Truth ultimately became a prominently dance-inspired record. As executive producer, she enlisted longtime collaborator Mark Taylor to work alongside new producers such as Paul Oakenfold, Billy Mann, Timbaland and MachoPsycho to achieve Cher's desired sound.

<i>A Perfect Contradiction</i> 2014 studio album by Paloma Faith

A Perfect Contradiction is the third studio album by English recording artist Paloma Faith, released by Sony Music Entertainment on 10 March 2014. Musically, the album is a pop album, with elements of R&B, jazz, soul, Motown and disco. The album received mixed reviews; it spawned six singles; "Can't Rely on You", "Only Love Can Hurt Like This", "Trouble with My Baby", "Ready for the Good Life", "Leave While I'm Not Looking" and "Beauty Remains"; the first two of these charted within the top 10 in the United Kingdom and "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" topped the charts in Australia.

<i>Sorry Im Late</i> 2014 studio album by Cher Lloyd

Sorry I'm Late is the second studio album by English recording artist Cher Lloyd. It was released on 27 May 2014, by Epic Records, Syco Music, and Mr. Kanani. Lloyd herself co-wrote five songs on the album, working with new producers and songwriters such as Beth Ditto and Tove Lo. It is her last album released through Epic and Syco. Primarily a pop record, Sorry I'm Late also contains influences of dancehall and hip-hop.

<i>Heart Break</i> (Lady Antebellum album) 2017 studio album by Lady Antebellum

Heart Break is the seventh studio album by American country pop trio Lady Antebellum. It was released on June 9, 2017, through Capitol Records Nashville. The album serves as the "spiritual follow-up" to 2010's Need You Now and is their first release since 2014's 747, with its three-year gap being the longest between two albums by the group to date.

References

  1. 1 2 Flick, Larry (June 1, 1991). "Scorching Summer for New Releases" (PDF). World Radio History. Billboard. p. 10. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  2. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . April 4, 1992. p. 17.
  3. 1 2 Ask Billboard: Twice Is Nice, Twice, for Adele
  4. "Cher | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts .
  5. Burlingame, Jon (1991-06-07). "Rock-concert show premiers on ABC". Star-Banner.
  6. 1 2 Kaplan, Michael (1991-11-15). "A Little Late-Night Music". Entertainment Weekly.com. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  7. Gundersen, Edna (1991-06-25). "Cher's lip-synced 'live' performance". USA Today.
  8. Williams, Jeannie (1991-06-28). "Lip-sync criticism sets Cher off". USA Today.
  9. "Cher Postpones Opening". The New York Times. 1992-05-28. Retrieved 2009-12-01.
  10. "Cher Postpones Shows". The New York Times. 1992-05-30. Retrieved 2009-12-01.
  11. "Cher's Shows Rescheduled". The New York Times. 1992-06-09. Retrieved 2009-12-01.
  12. "Cher Singles Discography". Ö3 Austria Top 40 . Austriancharts.at at Hung Medien. 1965–2005. Retrieved 2010-01-30.
  13. "Cher Singles Discography". Media Control Charts . Musicline.de. 1966–2002. Archived from the original on 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2010-01-30.
  14. "Cher | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2021-08-29.
  15. "Cher | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2021-08-29.
  16. "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 2021-08-29.
  17. Canada, Library and Archives (2013-07-17). "Image : RPM Weekly". www.bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 2021-08-29.
  18. Canada, Library and Archives (2013-07-17). "Image : RPM Weekly". www.bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 2021-08-29.
  19. "Cher". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-08-29.
  20. 1 2 "allmusic ((( Love Hurts > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))". AllMusic . Retrieved 2009-02-04.
  21. DeKnock, Jan (1991-08-08). "Home Entertainment: Recordings". Chicago Tribune . p. 7.
  22. Farber, Jim (1991-06-14). "Love Hurts Review". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 2009-11-08.
  23. Rosenbluth, Jean (1991-07-14). "In Brief". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 2023-01-21.
  24. Wells, Steven (1991-07-06). "Long Play". NME . p. 30. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  25. 1 2 "Love Hurts : By Eliud". justplaincher.net. Archived from the original on 2010-11-27. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  26. "Love Hurts". geocities.com. Archived from the original on 2009-08-05. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  27. "Love Hurts UK Charts". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 2009-04-05.
  28. "DIANE WARREN WINS UK EMI MUSIC AWARD" (PDF). Music & Media, page 4. July 4, 1992.
  29. "Jimmy Scott, songwriter".
  30. "Cher – Love Hurts (CD, Album)". Discogs. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  31. "Australiancharts.com – Cher – Love Hurts". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  32. "Austriancharts.at – Cher – Love Hurts" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  33. "RPM 100 Albums". RPM . 17 July 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  34. "Top European Singles and Albums, page 24" (PDF) (in German). Music & Media. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  35. "Dutchcharts.nl – Cher – Love Hurts" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  36. "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  37. Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Cher". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 46.
  38. "Cher - Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment . Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  39. "European Top 100 Albums, page 21" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  40. "European Top 100 Albums, page 26" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  41. "Charts.nz – Cher – Love Hurts". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  42. "Norwegiancharts.com – Cher – Love Hurts". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  43. "Swedishcharts.com – Cher – Love Hurts". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  44. "Swisscharts.com – Cher – Love Hurts". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  45. "Cher | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  46. "Cher Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  47. "Jahreshitparade Alben 1991" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  48. "European Top 100 Albums, page 24" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  49. "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  50. "Top Selling Albums of 1991". RIANZ. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  51. "Topp 40 Album Sommer 1991" (in Norwegian). VG-lista. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  52. "Swiss Year-end Charts 1991". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  53. "Najlepiej sprzedające się albumy w W.Brytanii w 1991r" (in Polish). Z archiwum...rocka. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  54. "European Top 100 Albums, page 17" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  55. "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  56. "Najlepiej sprzedające się albumy w W.Brytanii w 1992r" (in Polish). Z archiwum...rocka. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  57. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1996 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  58. "Austrian album certifications – Cher – Love Hurts" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  59. "Canadian album certifications – Cher – Love Hurts". Music Canada.
  60. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Cher; 'Love Hurts')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  61. Cher in The Complete New Zealand Music Charts
  62. "Year-end sales info from Dagbladet archive search" . Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  63. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17.
  64. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Love Hurts')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  65. "British album certifications – Cher – Love Hurts". British Phonographic Industry.
  66. "DIANE WARREN WINS UK EMI MUSIC AWARD" (PDF). Music & Media, page 4. July 4, 1992.
  67. "American album certifications – Cher – Love Hurts". Recording Industry Association of America.