Brenda Holloway, “Every Little Bit Hurts” | Throwback Vibez

In the 125^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Every Little Bit Hurts” by Brenda Holloway.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! In the 125^th  edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Every Little Bit Hurts”, performed by Brenda Holloway.

Theme & Lyrics

“Every little bit hurts / Every little bit hurts.” Hmm, why Brenda Holloway, why? “Every night I wonder why / You treat me cold / You won’t let me go.” Yep, just as I suspected – those pesky matters of the heart! “Every Little Bit Hurts” is the biggest hit of the Motown singer/songwriter, peaking at no. 13 on the pop charts.  Notably, on her 2005 Unplugged album, Grammy-winning R&B superstar Alicia Keys covered this 1964 classic.  “Every Little Bit Hurts” appears on Holloway’s album of the same title, fittingly – it is that epic of a soul cut.

Soulfulness is the key word when characterizing “Every Little Bit Hurts.” This is not a cutesy, tongue-in-cheek vintage soul cut, something some early Motown cuts are renowned for, particularly from female artists. Brenda Holloway sings beautifully, but also packs a punch vocally. Her instrument is dynamic, , perfectly adorning the lush backdrop, which includes gospel-tinged piano and lush strings.  Listening to “Every Little Bit Hurts,” you can hear the pain.  She asserts, “My love is strong for you / I’d do wrong for you,” but does not get the same energy from him, evidenced by the lyrics, “I can’t take this / Loneliness you’ve given me / I can’t go on / Giving my life away.” She has a point.  That said, the fact that she begs is bothersome:

“Oh, come back to me

Darling, you’ll see

I can give you all the

Things that you wanted before

If you will stay with me.”

Final Thoughts

Love is a five-letter word that begins with a B and ends in an itch.  We know and understand this far too well, worldwide.  That said, Brenda Holloway does a magnificent job of capturing this on the track.  “Every Little Bit Hurts” sounds like the 1960s, but its theme remains relevant AF.  Word.

Brenda Holloway • Every Little Bit Hurts • Motown • 1964

Brenda Holloway, “Every Little Bit Hurts”: Throwback Vibez No. 125 (2022) [: Brent Faulkner, Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash, Motown, The Musical Hype]