This tune was originally recorded with the voice of Neil Sedaka, but his record label refused to release it because it wasn’t recorded in their studio. RCA , so Neil offered it to Gene Pitney.
He took the existing track and replaced Neil’s lead vocal with his. Everything else remained the same including Neil on piano. Gary Chester plays drums on this track. I like the big added drum roll fills, which sounds like tympani drums.
Great jazz bassist, Milt Hinton is also on this track.
Gene Pitney (1940-2006) had many hits including Town without Pity, The man who shot Liberty Valance and more.
He also wrote Rubber Ball, Hello Mary Lou and He’s a Rebel for The Crystals.
It hurts to be in love, was written by Howard Greenfield and Helen Miller. It was one of many songs written in the Brill Building, 1619 Broadway, NYC.