Love It or Leave It: Hurting Each Other

[Rick Henry]

Vote in the poll... and then let us know your thoughts on the song "Hurting Each Other" which was a huge hit in 1972 from the album "A song For You".

[YesterdayOnceMore]

I said "it's okay" cause this is not one of my all time favorites. I like it - I like most everything Carpenters did - mostly because of the WAY they did it - but this just isn't my choice pick. I like the way it begins - the simple intro of it with Karen Singing and Richard playing - and I really enjoy the harmonies on this one - on the chorus.....but I just think there were many other outstanding songs that they did, that were musically and lyrically better than this one. Richard and Karen both really accentuate that accent of theirs on this one, in my opinion - on words like "why" sounding more like "whiaaah" , and cry sounding more like "criiiaaahhh." It's almost trademark Carpenters - at least to serious aficionados. One thing I DO really dig a lot on this tune is the drums. Great fills and riffs in this tune.

[timo]

I love it! It 's one of my absolutely favorite songs of the C's. I also understand Tim's point of view - I think as a composition it's a "kissing cousin" of You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling - but Karen's vocals and the harmonies just kill me!

[Rick Henry]

I also voted "It's Okay".

It's a fine song and done in impeccable style as all Carpenters songs are done. Although, for me the song just doesn't completely capture my interest. I choose "A Song For You", "Road Ode" and "Goodbye To Love" from the album.

[wisejester7]

"I Love It" is the way I voted. I like the way the song builds up to " ... tell me why then. OH, why should it be that We go on Hurting Each Other ..."

[beaner]

Actually, with me, it's a little more than just okay but I wouldn't say I love it either. It is one of the first songs I would play over and over of theirs so that has always stuck with me.

I would also say that the drums give me the push for why I really like it.

Beaner

[ps11932]

The element of "Hurting Each Other" that would move it into the love it category for me, is that the lyrics capture the puzzling fact that in my closest and dearest relationships I sometimes say or do hurtful things- sometimes out of carelessness or acting/speaking without thinking, but occasionally on purpose, with the intent of causing damage. Maybe sometimes I take good things (relationships) too much for granted, maybe this shows the frailty of the human spirit and the fact that there is always the potential for harm- but any way, it is a good reminder that I need to nurture and strengthen my closest friendships rather than undermine them in any way, and this song always reminds me of that.

[Rick Henry]

Nov 7, 2008 16:15:45 GMT -5 ps11932 said:

The element of "Hurting Each Other" that would move it into the love it category for me, is that the lyrics capture the puzzling fact that in my closest and dearest relationships I sometimes say or do hurtful things- sometimes out of carelessness or acting/speaking without thinking, but occasionally on purpose, with the intent of causing damage. Maybe sometimes I take good things (relationships) too much for granted, maybe this shows the frailty of the human spirit and the fact that there is always the potential for harm- but any way, it is a good reminder that I need to nurture and strengthen my closest friendships rather than undermine them in any way, and this song always reminds me of that.

I agree O.E. the lyric in this song has always been very powerful.

[enigma]

I placed it in the love it Catagory I just love Karens vocals on this as well as the arrangemwnt i do not seem to tire of this song as I do alot of their well known popular songs always an enjoyable listen for me

[carpentersgermany]

I agree on many things you already mentioned..

How I feel about "Hurting each other" is quite similar to how I feel about "Only Yesterday".. I just love the beginning, the verse in general, but I don't really like the chorus that much.. That's why I voted "It's okay".

Like O.E. and Rick said, the lyrics are very very meaningful and apt.
Last year we compiled a CD for a friend of ours.. I dedicated "Hurting each other" to that friend because it was very fitting to her situation back then. She was very touched by the lyrics and the music..

[smoothie2]

Nov 7, 2008 16:15:45 GMT -5 ps11932 said:

The element of "Hurting Each Other" that would move it into the love it category for me, is that the lyrics capture the puzzling fact that in my closest and dearest relationships I sometimes say or do hurtful things- sometimes out of carelessness or acting/speaking without thinking, but occasionally on purpose, with the intent of causing damage. Maybe sometimes I take good things (relationships) too much for granted, maybe this shows the frailty of the human spirit and the fact that there is always the potential for harm- but any way, it is a good reminder that I need to nurture and strengthen my closest friendships rather than undermine them in any way, and this song always reminds me of that.

I also had these same thoughts with this one, just about every time I hear it.
I voted that I love it I think primarily because of such meaning, although I love Karen's voice the way she starts out softly and then puts out great energy into. Drums and piano manage to seal up a great package.