About the song
“You Always Hurt the One You Love” is a timeless pop standard that has captivated audiences for decades. With lyrics by Allan Roberts and music by Doris Fisher, the song was first brought to life by the Mills Brothers. Their recording, released by Decca Records as catalog number 18599, climbed to the top of the Billboard charts in 1944, marking the beginning of the song’s enduring legacy. The Mills Brothers’ version dominated the Billboard Best Seller chart for 20 weeks, peaking at number one, and also reached number five on the Harlem Hit Parade. The flip side of this hit record, “Till Then,” also charted in the top 10, making it a notable two-sided success.
The song’s poignant lyrics and heartfelt melody struck a chord with listeners, leading to numerous renditions by a variety of artists over the years. In 1945, Sammy Kaye’s version, featuring vocals by Billy Williams, also became a hit, reinforcing the song’s popularity. Throughout the years, “You Always Hurt the One You Love” has been interpreted by a diverse array of musicians, each bringing their unique style to the classic tune. Notable artists who have covered the song include Moon Mullican with Cliff Bruner, Connie Francis, whose version reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart in 1959, Fats Domino, The Impressions, Molly Nilsson, George Maharis, Frankie Laine, Richard Chamberlain, Peggy Lee, Maureen Evans, Michael Bublé, Kay Starr, Hank Thompson, Ringo Starr, and Clarence “Frogman” Henry. Henry’s rendition became a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961.
The song’s versatility and emotional depth have made it a favorite among performers and audiences alike. It has even found its way into popular culture, featured prominently in the 2010 film *Blue Valentine*, where it was performed by actor Ryan Gosling. Additionally, the song appeared in a memorable parody version by Spike Jones.
“You Always Hurt the One You Love” has also made appearances in television, such as in the “Angel” episode “Rm w/a Vu.” In this episode, the song is heard twice, adding an eerie and nostalgic atmosphere to the scenes where it plays.
This enduring classic continues to resonate with new generations, proving that its emotional core and melodic charm are truly timeless. The song’s ability to convey deep, often bittersweet emotions has cemented its place as a beloved standard in the world of popular music.
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Lyrics
“Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.
We’d, we’d like to dispense with the-uh, it so
Happens that we
Just happen to have a couple of arrangements along with us. And, uh,
Remember, your elders
Are sitting all around you.
We would like to, uh, do, as one of our encores, a very
Lovely song. This,
If we may digress for a minute,
is not from a motion picture-it is
from a show called “Carousel”, it’s
A very lovely
Tune called “If I Loved You.”
If I loved you, time and again I would try to say
All I’d want you to know
If I loved you, words wouldn’t come in an easy way
’round in circles I’d go
Longin’ to tell you but, afraid and shy,
I’d let my golden chances pass me by
Soon you’d leave me, off you would go in the mist of day
Never, never to know
How I love you, if I loved you
Soon you’d leave me, off you would go in the mist of day
Never, never to know
How I love you, if I loved you