Only Love Can Break A Heart

Album: Only Love Can Break A Heart (1962)
Charted: 2
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Songfacts®:

  • "Only Love Can Break A Heart" was written by the songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, the duo behind Pitney's previous hit, "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance." Bacharach and David penned a few more hits for Pitney, including "Twenty-Four Hours From Tulsa" before discovering their longtime muse: Dionne Warwick.
  • This was Pitney's biggest hit in the US. In an ironic twist, it was kept out of the #1 spot by a song that he had written himself: "He's A Rebel," which was a hit for The Crystals.
  • The whistling that occurs before the first verse and during the ending was done by Pitney himself. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jerro - New Alexandria, PA, for above 3
  • Margaret Whiting and Bobby Vinton had some success on the Adult Contemporary chart with their renditions. Whiting hit #4 in 1967, while Vinton peaked at #46 in 1977. That same year, Dionne Warwick recorded a cover on the compilation album Only Love Can Break A Heart. Glen Campbell also recorded it for his 1999 album, My Hits and Love Songs.

    Country singers fared better. Sonny James' version peaked at #2 on the Country chart in 1972, and Kenny Dale had his biggest hit on the tally when his cover landed at #7 in 1979.
  • In this song, a guy has cheated on his girl and is asking - no, begging - for forgiveness. His argument: Only love can break a heart, so only love can mend it again. It's a stretch, but you get the sense that she just might fall for it. Gene Pitney (who died at 66 in 2006) had a high, almost angelic voice, so you want to believe him when he sings it.
  • Burt Bacharach and Hal David wrote this song specifically for Gene Pitney to sing. Instead of making a demo, they just played it for him on a piano.
  • Burt Bacharach wrote about the song in his memoir Anyone Who Had A Heart: "The melody doesn't sound like something I would have written without having first seen the lyrics, and the song has a very odd structure. Hal must have given me the line, 'Last night I hurt you, but darling remember this,' because the hook, which is almost like the chorus, comes in four bars after the song starts. It's an unusual form but that never bothered me so long as it made sense."

Comments: 10

  • Danl from Salem, Oregongreatsongs says this song was written for a film, "The Young and The Restless", but I'm not seeing anything concerning any such film in 1962, and the TV series of that name did not exist until 1973, so not sure where they sourced that info.
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaGreat tune and lyrics.
  • Terry M from Tacoma Wa.What a great voice this man had. You need to find a compilation album of his hits to appreciate his talent.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn August 26th 1962, "If I Didn't Have A Dime (To Play the Jukebox)" by Gene Pitney entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #99; and on October 7th, 1962 it peaked at #58 {for 1 week} and spent 7 weeks on the Top 100...
    The week it peaked at #58, the record's A-side, "Only Love Can Break A Heart", was at #13 on the Top 100, and three weeks later it would peak at #2 {for 1 week}...
    Both songs were from his 2nd studio album, "Only Love Can Break A Heart", and the album also produced two more Top 100 hits; "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance" {peaked at #4} and "Half Heaven - Half Heartache" {reached #12}...
    R.I.P. Gene Francis Alan Pitney {1940 - 2006}.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn May 29th 1977, Bobby Vinton's covered version of "Only Love Can Break A Heart" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart for a two week stay, peaking at #99.
  • Mavis from Morehead, KyAbsolutely love Gene Pitney. Can't believe he's gone. He will surely be missed. He was such a great singer.
  • Ravindra from Delhi, Indiareally it is a nice song,when i listen this song i get emotional, sweet for the brain and ear.
  • Ravindra from Delhi, IndiaWhen I was on the way to London, I listened to this song [only love can]on board in Air India flight, realy I listen the song throughout my journey for more than 6 hours. Before that I heard a little about Pitney but not listen a song for once. Realy nice song, nice singer.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyGreat song; I also really liked the flip side, 'If I Didn't Have A Dime {To Play The Jukebox'...
  • Doug from Gold Coast, AustraliaGene Pitney died in his sleep on Wednesday, April 4th, 2006 while on tour in Wales, UK. He had just performed his last concert that evening.
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