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The Manhattans, Hurt: Throwback Vibez ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐ŸŽถ No. 151 (2023) [๐Ÿ“ท: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sony Music Entertainment; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]In the 151st edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on โ€œHurtโ€ by the Grammy-winning soul collective, The Manhattans. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐ŸŽถ! Throwback Vibez ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐ŸŽถ is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesnโ€™t necessarily mean that theyโ€™re ancient โ€“ no fossils ๐Ÿฆด! All genres of music are welcome. In the 151st edition of Throwback Vibez ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐ŸŽถ (2023), we recollect and reflect on ๐ŸŽต โ€œHurtโ€, performed by ๐ŸŽ™ The Manhattans

The Manhattans, The Manhattans [๐Ÿ“ท: Sony Music Entertainment]โ€œEven though youโ€™ve taken your love from me / Baby, I want you backโ€ฆโ€ WOO! When it comes to ๐Ÿ’ฟ The Manhattans, the eponymous 1976 album by ๐Ÿ† Grammy-winning R&B collective, ๐ŸŽ™ The Manhattans, the song that, rightfully, receives the most attention is ๐ŸŽต โ€œKiss and Say Goodbyeโ€.  โ€œKiss and Say Goodbyeโ€ was the sole no. 1 hit of The Manhattans career, and the first of two top-10 hits.  However, their  gold-certified album has another fantastic single, ๐ŸŽต โ€œHurtโ€, that received far less fanfare. โ€œHurt,โ€ sadly, was NOT a pop โ€˜hitโ€™ for the group, spending just two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at a modest no. 97. The single did perform better on the R&B songs chart, peaking at no. 10. Despite a lack of commercial success, โ€œHurtโ€ marks one of many stellar songs from the New Jersey collectiveโ€™s collection.

So, what makes the โ€œHurtโ€ feel, rather, sound, so good? Itโ€™s the lush, warm sounds of 1970s Philly soul, baby! ๐ŸŽ› Bobby Martin produces this cover.  Yes, you read right; โ€œHurtโ€ is a cover.  Written by ๐ŸŽผ โœ Al Jacobs and Jimmie Crane, ๐ŸŽ™ Roy Hamilton was the first to release it, back in 1954 ๐Ÿคฏ. Even so, the HIT version of โ€œHurtโ€ arrived courtesy of ๐ŸŽ™ Timi Yuro in 1961 โ€“ 15 years before The Manhattans version.  While ๐ŸŽ™ Gerald Alston and company arenโ€™t credited with the definitive take, this soul-driven rendition is gorgeous. Itโ€™s the expressive lead vocals, coupled with rich vocal harmonies that help make it special.  Of course, lyrics about a love lost that you desire back, as well as the promise, โ€œIโ€™ll never hurt you,โ€ goes a long way to make a successful song too. Simply put on ๐ŸŽต โ€œHurtโ€, Alston asserts, โ€œLike no-one else could do / I would never, never hurt you.โ€ PERIOD!


๐ŸŽ™ The Manhattans โ€ข ๐Ÿ’ฟ The Manhattans โ€ข ๐Ÿท Sony Music Entertainment โ€ข ๐Ÿ—“ 1976

The Manhattans, Hurt: Throwback Vibez ๐Ÿ•ถ๏ธ๐ŸŽถ No. 151 (2023) [๐Ÿ“ท: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sony Music Entertainment; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]

 


the musical hype

the musical hype (Brent Faulkner) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.