Love Hurts

Album: Light Grenades (2006)
Charted: 113
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Vocalist Brandon Boyd discussed this song in a video interview. Said Boyd: "It's almost a little bit of a cliché. It is talking about the idea of love and find love and having it be purity and having it not be tainted by your misperceptions, misconceptions, expectations and transcending the sort of more worldly aspects of the love experience."
  • This became a hit two years after the release of its accompanying album Light Grenades. The interest in the track was ignited by KROQ Los Angeles identifying the song as one they thought their audience would enjoy and giving it some spins. After several other modern rock stations followed suit, Incubus' record company jumped into action. KROQ music director Lisa Worden explained to Billboard magazine: "'Love Hurts' was always a song we thought could be a hit, but we pounded those earlier singles and we needed a break. A couple months ago in one of those brutal music meetings, we brought 'Love Hurts' back and by far it was the best song we heard. We're like, 'We don't care that it's old. We're putting it on,' and the song immediately started reacting."
  • This climbed to the top of Billboard's Modern Rock tally on its 17th week on the chart.

Comments: 3

  • Bey from UsaReally nice song. Thanks
  • Charlie from Las Vegas, NvThis song inspired me to name the family cat Incubus (Inka-puss, a.k.a. Inky).

    No, really!
  • Mike from Glendale, AzGreat song. Like Mike's work on it. "Tonight we drink to you..."
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in Rock

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in RockSong Writing

We ring the Hell's Bells to see what songs and rockers are sincere in their Satanism, and how much of it is an act.

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."