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

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he Inspired

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he InspiredSong Writing

Before he was the champ, Ali released an album called I Am The Greatest!, but his musical influence is best heard in the songs he inspired.

Pete Anderson

Pete AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Pete produced Dwight Yoakam, Michelle Shocked, Meat Puppets, and a very memorable track for Roy Orbison.

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining Victims

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining VictimsSong Writing

Just like Darrin was replaced on Bewitched, groups have swapped out original members, hoping we wouldn't notice.

Paul Williams

Paul WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

He's a singer and an actor, but as a songwriter Paul helped make Kermit a cultured frog, turned a bank commercial into a huge hit and made love both "exciting and new" and "soft as an easy chair."

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."