Hurt Somebody

Album: Hurt Somebody (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Hurt Somebody" was written by Noah Kahan in Nashville with Scott Harris. The New York songwriter has co-penned many of Shawn Mendes' tracks, including the singles "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back," "Treat You Better" and "In My Blood." Harris also co-wrote The Chainsmokers' hit tune "Don't Let Me Down."
  • The song was recorded with Joel Little in Los Angeles. The New Zealand producer is best known for being Lorde's collaborator on her debut album, Pure Heroine, and for helming Khalid's "Young, Dumb and Broke" single.
  • Kahan told Billboard the song is about the "paralyzing fear" of being unable to free himself from a broken relationship "even if it's ultimately for the greater good." The singer understands the pain of breaking up and in "Hurt Somebody" he gives light to the "inner dialogue of trying to stomach the weight of that decision."
  • The solo version of the song was released on September 15, 2017, as the lead single from Noah Kahan's EP of the same name. A duet version with American singer-songwriter Julia Michaels was released on January 12, 2018.
  • The song became Kahan's first international hit, peaking at #14 in Australia and also reaching the charts in several European countries. The following year, it was included on Kahan's debut album, Busyhead. His next album, I Was / I Am, was released in 2021 and didn't get much attention, but his 2022 song "Stick Season," the title track to his next album, wallpapered TikTok and earned him a huge following.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.