"Hurt," the second single from Christina Aguilera's already gold album Back to Basics, is one weeper of a ballad. From the slow opening to a soft piano all the way to the spine-tingling bridge, "Hurt" chronicles the pain and regret one can feel after losing someone they love. But what's great about the song is it's so much more than the standard, stock loved-and-lost ballad.
"Seems like it was yesterday when I saw your face/You told me how proud you were, but I walked away/If only I knew what I knew today." I'm already welled up with tears as prolific songwriter Linda Perry and Aguilera have created a song that is both truthful and heartbreaking. It's not just about death, but also about what happened before. "I'm sorry for blaming you/ For everything I just couldn't do/ And I've hurt myself by hurting you," she sings as you hear the heartrending emotion in her voice.
What can you do when you lose someone? And not only do you have to deal with the grief of their death and missing them terribly, but also the haunting guilt you feel for what you've done to them or not forgiving them for what they've done to you. There is no time left - they're gone. And now it's just you and your "hurt."
Linda and Christina really turn up the heat at the bridge where the hard percussion and the disquieting violins rev up Christina's better-than-ever power-belting vocals as she roars "If I had just one more day/ I would tell you how much that I've missed you since you've been away/ Ooh, it's dangerous/ It's so out of line to try and turn back time."
The song doesn't get officially released until October 23, but it's already gaining a ridiculous number of spins on radio - faster even, than Fall competitor Beyonce's "Ring The Alarm," which has actually been out longer. "Hurt" seems to be poised for another top 10 run similar to that of Aguilera's current single "Ain't No Other Man," which, months after its release, is still gaining airplay spins according to Mediabase.
Even Chuck Taylor of Billboard magazine raves "The force of her vocal as she relates the pain of moving past a relationship in ruins is daunting, with a melody and lush production that carries this potential Grammy Award contender into the clouds."
Listen to the song. It'll make you cry.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Gabriel Pratts
Hey guys!! I agree. The song "Hurt" is very nice, heartbreaking song. The song goes with what is going on right now with the war and with all these killings in America. A perfect time... Plus, Christinas voice is so beautiful in this song and she could sing....
2 - Jose
this songe is gerat and it needs to get all the preace that it could get is amesing.
3 - gentletouchee
boring..will flop.
And her album is just gold..hohumm career. It looks like the wannabes are flopping.
4 - A.L. Harper
Who decided that Christina Aguilera was talented? Don’t give me that “she has such great range” shite! The occasional bout of vocal epilepsy followed by lyrical diarrhoea is not talent, that’s an illness and Christina needs to be treated. She is a talentless bore, who only wants fame. She and others like her (i.e. Mariah Carey and Beyonce Knowles) should be eliminated from pop music to save it for those with real talent and something genuine to contribute. Something not decided by or in a committee.
Damn I needed to say that!
5 - Chris Evans
Uhh...considering it was just released a few weeks ago--gold is golden.
Not sure what crack you're smoking.
6 - nate
its a really good song, it will defiantly get all the grammys. Billboard gave it a good review too. AWESOME vocals. Haters keep hating, Back to Basics is a awesome album
7 - Hurt''song,video'' of the year
The song is great it remainds me of Christina's Grammy vining song ''Butiful'' but this one is way better it probably is going to win Gramy's for sure the song is just great
8 - nisi
A.L Harper- Who decided Christina Aguilera is talented?
Are you insane or simply a Britney fan? Anyone who knows anything about good music would agree she has an amazing voice and what she does with it is creative, innovative and beautiful. Back to Basics is by far one of the best albums I've heard in a long time.
Hurt is a deep and soulful song, which deserves every bit of praise it's getting. Haters can hate on her for her style, opinions, etc. But everyone knows, haters and lovers, that she is the best vocalist of our generation.
'Nuff said.
9 - Pako
I just can't understand why haters can't just respect others opinions...as well as they want theirs to be respected, they should respect...movin' on, I have just bought back to basics without being a fan of this girl and i gotta say she's great, Lord...I loved this song...so touching and marvelously sung.
10 - Julia
Who decided that Christina Aguilera was talented? Don't give me that "she has such great range" shite! The occasional bout of vocal epilepsy followed by lyrical diarrhoea is not talent, that's an illness and Christina needs to be treated. She is a talentless bore, who only wants fame. She and others like her (i.e. Mariah Carey and Beyonce Knowles) should be eliminated from pop music to save it for those with real talent and something genuine to contribute. Something not decided by or in a committee.
Damn I needed to say that!
It seems you're trying to argue the point that because she's a singer, as opposed to a singer/songwriter (someone who is in complete and utter control of their art and career), that means she has no talent--which honestly doesn't make any sense.
1.) On both Stripped and Back to Basics Christina co-wrote almost all of the songs.
2.) Even if she never DID write a single lyric or melody in her entire life--how that means she has no talent is beyond me.
Saying a singer who just sings has no talent is like saying an actor who just acts has no talent--as opposed to an actor who acts, writes, produces, and directs every movie they're in. Singing itself is a miracle of a talent alone and anyone who ever HAS been a singer knows how difficult it is and what a gift it is to be able to sing as great as Christina does. And not just in terms of the "range" you're referring to, but the WAY she sings. The way she interprets the songs, the way she performs, the way she wraps her voice around the lyrics. Have you ever heard "Walk Away"? How you can say that isn't talent...I'm not quite sure.
Yes, she has people that work around her to promote her career commercially. ANY major artist has that. ANY. Including legends and icons. It's just the nature of art. Art will always coincide with commerce. But that is not enough evidence to deny this girl has talent.
11 - Meekobeeko
Chrisina is one of the best vocalist in history! she has the fullest, most beautiful tone to her voice! She is such a powerful vocalist that really feels the song to its core! One of the best songs in history in my opinion! It always sends chills to my spine and always makes me cry!
A GRAMMY FRONT RUNNER IN THE MAKING!
12 - Bianca
Hurt is one of the most beautiful ballads ever created, when I first heard it it really gave me chills.
The lyrics is perfectly done. And so was the melody and arrangement of the music. But above else, Christina's powerful and emotional voice is so great. This is a sure grammy winning song.
13 - vincent soriente
christina has one of the most powerful voices of are time! i give her a ton of respect by not letting record labels force you to do the typical club beat or video game sound.. christina came out with a sound that introduces you people to jazz just like she says back to the basics and yes she did go back to the basics..iam also so sick and tired of people comparing christina and britney they are two seprate people. christina has the most powerful classic voice thats out there today. britney spears is one of the greatest dancers out now for female next to madonna. and in the words of celine dion '' CHRISTINA'S VOICE IS AMAZING''
14 - gentletouchee
Yes,weeks/month ago and still gold,flop.An album sells big on its first week and if it cannot sustain it,will flop,unless she comes up with a hit single bigger than the first. And despite the hype of her 1st single, it only managed top 10.That after joining the bandwagon of poptarts going the slutty image route.
The poster of this review is simply stating a lie, when he said that this is bigger than Beyonce's 2nd single, Ring the alarm, because Ring the Alarm is getting a lot of airplay,measured in Audience Impression which is counted most in Billboard's Hot 100,and it is also in itunes top 10 consistently, which is counted twice than radio airplay. so tell me about your review!
15 - reggie von woic
God i hate how she looks now.
oh and about the song...i'm sure its doing swell outside the charts.
16 - danté peterson
christina is a sl*@
now that i have your attention...
Talent seems to be the question around here and christina's got it -- so does beyoncé BUT what matters most is longevity. christina may not be at the top of the charts right 'now' but she sure is NOT at the bottom--in fact, very far from it.
Let's appreciate her more and not take her talents for granted before the era of this pop music will end it's cycle. pop music right now are sounds of justin timberlake, christina, jessica, beyoncé, they're fronting the music industry again for an amazing comeback.
see people... here's how it is -- it's a CYCLE what is considered "pop"ular music. before this, 'pop' music was punk(eg., alexisonfire), before THAT was rap (eminem, nelly, fifty) now it's back to good ol aguilera, timberlake, beyoncé music. What is my point exactly? to enjoy this type of music before pop becomes punk again or even worse rap music!
So wow, if you're still reading all this--you are awesome!
thank you aguilera and everyone else, making us enjoy music and life!
The End
17 - James
Omg, I love Christina so much!!! Every single song on Back to Basics is amazing!!! The very first time i heard "Hurt" I was like on the floor about to just cry my eyes out it was so beautiful. If she does not win a grammy this year, then people don't know what true talent and what music is.
18 - Derek
Christina will take the Grammys by storm next year. And the fact that her album went gold after a couple of weeks is really good. "Hurt" is an amazing song and so are all the other songs on the album.
19 - Kewlguy
OMG so many haters out there...all of you haters are just jealous that you cant sing like Christina. "Hurt" is a great song and I love listening to it. I'm sure she will get a grammy. I'm so proud of how Christina has grown into a true and unique artist. Even though I must admit that I miss her "Stripped" days...I am happy for her. She is finally happy and is with somebody who loves her. I cant wait to see what Christina has in store for all of us!
20 - Eatacookie
Like her voice but don't care too much for the song.
21 - dhenyz
"Hurt" is an amazing and powerful ballad! Her rendition was very soulful and emotional. Christina is indeed an astonishing artist. Her Back to Basics album is astounding as well. While other singers i.e. Justin Timberlake, Beyonce Knowles etc...are concentrating more on RnB, Hip-hop, it's a good thing to know that christina is paying tribute to jazz, soul and blues legends which eventually inspired her to become a singer. It really demonstrates a positive influence to those belonging in the music industry. Furthermore, in this modern times Christina is presenting us with an album that reminds us of how jazz, blues and soul are great and that should not be forgotten. I truly salute her.
It is also devastating to know that those anti-Christina's are trying to pull her down. They often say that she doesn't have the talent which is very pointless. And that her album is boring. I mean what do you call a girl possessing a 4 octave voice? and can sing just any type of songs...maybe in three years we'll hear her doin opera too! Please be illuminated. Always suspend ur judgments first, u need to back it up with facts because facts do not leave a room for unreasonable doubts.
I'm hoping with my earnest desire that Christina will received tons of Grammy's this time because she deserves it...great album, great songs, great voice and great performance...what more can u ask for?
Thank you and God bless!!!
22 - dhenyz
"Hurt" is an amazing and powerful ballad! Her rendition was very soulful and emotional. Christina is indeed an astonishing artist. Her Back to Basics album is astounding as well. While other singers i.e. Justin Timberlake, Beyonce Knowles etc...are concentrating more on RnB, Hip-hop, it's a good thing to know that christina is paying tribute to jazz, soul and blues legends which eventually inspired her to become a singer. It really demonstrates a positive influence to those belonging in the music industry. Furthermore, in this modern times Christina is presenting us with an album that reminds us of how jazz, blues and soul are great and that should not be forgotten. I truly salute her.
It is also devastating to know that those anti-Christina's are trying to pull her down. They often say that she doesn't have the talent which is very pointless. And that her album is boring. I mean what do you call a girl possessing a 4 octave voice? and can sing just any type of songs...maybe in three years we'll hear her doin opera too! Please be illuminated. Always suspend ur judgments first, u need to back it up with facts because facts do not leave a room for unreasonable doubts.
I'm hoping with my earnest desire that Christina will received tons of Grammy's this time because she deserves it...great album, great songs, great voice and great performance...what more can u ask for?
Thank you and God bless!!!
23 - sean
hurt will do well at the grammy's and on the charts.her album will get a huge boust of sales when the hurt video is released to mtv,this is the album of the year people not justin's.christina has the best voice out right now and she is the most versitle with her voice, music and look.like her or not she is the most amazing and astonishing singer out today.
24 - Laura
This is a very powerful song. Christina just continues to get better and better.
25 - Casey
Christ. I see the haters have arrived. *rolls eyes*
Great review, as usual, Chris. I play the song multiple times, and I picked up her album. Damn, she's fabulous. ;)