It Hurts to Be in Love (album)

Background

Following the success of Hartman's two disco-orientated albums Instant Replay and Relight My Fire, from 1978 and 1979 respectively, as well as their singles, Hartman changed musical direction with the release of It Hurts to Be in Love. The album which moved away from the disco scene with a more melodic pop-rock sound, with country music-like tones. Hartman returned to the musical style that was first heard on his Images album from 1976. Although the album contained a commercial, radio-friendly sound, the album was not a success and took Hartman's solo career further away from the limelight. It failed to chart in America. Despite this, two of the three singles from the album saw some chart action. The leading single "It Hurts to Be in Love" was a cover of a song written by Howard Greenfield and Helen Miller which was an American Top Ten hit for Gene Pitney in 1964. The single peaked at #72 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #48 on the Dance Music/Club Play Singles Chart. The second single, "Heaven in Your Arms", peaked at #86 on the Billboard Hot 100, whilst the third and final single "All I Need" failed to chart in the Top 100 of the Billboard Hot 100 but did bubble under at #110 on the Bubbling Under the Hot 100 Chart. It also peaked at #41 on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks Chart.

The album was produced by Hartman, mixed by Neil Dorfsman, whilst Hartman wrote nine of the ten tracks. "It Hurts to Be in Love" was written by Howard Greenfield and Helen Miller, whilst Hartman co-wrote "My Desire" with Morgan Ames. The album was recorded at The Schoolhouse, mixed at Power Station and mastered at Sterling Sound. The Schoolhouse was Hartman's own home studio in Connecticut.

The album's front cover photography was shot by Jerry King Musser, who also produced the video to the "Heaven in Your Arms" single. Both were friends all through high school in Harrisburg. For Hartman's unofficial fan site, Musser stated "When Danny began his solo career I did a few things for him. I did the photograph on his album ("It Hurts To Be in Love") (it's a close up, the image is tilted, with a lot of grain). I actually can't remember the title of the album. Also, I did a "music video" for one of his songs long before MTV. In our own ways, we were exploring who we were back then. Ultimately, Danny made it big and I went on to doing a lot of work in independent film and design."

For the launch of the It Hurts to Be in Love album, Blue Sky issued a press release on Hartman and the album. In the release, Hartman spoke of the album and stated "I felt it was time to do the things that were truly me. This music is closer to me because it has more romantic sensitivity than I've allowed myself to show in past productions. I'm really pouring it all out. I guess you could say there's more Dan Hartman in there than any other record I've done. My music is spontaneous and provides an outlet for emotional release and expression, while my studio allows me to write, arrange and record my own songs within that same space. The result is music that comes straight from my heart - I can capture more feeling that way." Hartman spoke of the album's creation, including certain tracks. "Usually I'll lay down a rhythm track, without verses-or lyrics. I don't like to just fill in the blanks then, but to create as I proceed, much like a painter working in oils. It's much more spontaneous that way. For instance, "Pick It Up" started with a different title, but as I worked with it I heard other things in there, eventually leading to what the song is now. "Positive Forces" was similarly chameleon-like. Ideally, this is music created to play live." In addition the release revealed "To that end, Dan switched his usual method of operation for this LP, and instead of using players to overdub their parts, had a 4-piece band play on all the tracks. The result is one of a strong band sound on all the tracks, one that will easily translate into a live situation." Hartman added "It sounded more complete that way; sort of a return to the Edgar Winter Group feeling. Instead of overdubbing several times, we went for the most natural sounding takes, and usually, the first take wound up being the one we used."

Blue Sky, in the release, described the album; "The hard work and experience that helped to create such smash hits as "Free Ride" and "Instant-Replay" have culminated in an album that contains' searing ballads, flashes of farfisa organ and the insistent back-beat of ska. Dan Hartman's multi-instrumental prowess, first discovered on a 1971 demo tape submitted to Blue Sky Records President Steve Paul and exposed to the public with the Edgar Winter Group, was put to its fullest potential when Dan came up with the songs for "It Hurts to Be in Love". Now, with the release of "It Hurts to Be in Love", Dan Hartman further expands his musical parameters while still sounding like the individual Dan Hartman." Hartman himself concluded "I'm absorbed by the elements of 1980's pop music. The new album shows how aware I've become, and how I think others have become as well, with the personal needs for love. People are happy in love, and people are hurt by love, and in that way it does talk about my personal life and feelings too."

In 1986, Portuguese singer Paulo Gonzo recorded a version of "My Desire" for his album of the same name. He also recorded another Dan Hartman song for the album, titled "Steamrollin'". The My Desire album was only released in Portugal.

Release

The album was issued via Blue Sky on vinyl, with distribution and manufacturing by CBS Records. The album was issued mainly in America only, but also in the Netherlands, whilst Epic Records issued the album in Venezuela. A cassette version was also issued in America. To date, the album has never been released digitally or on CD, and has remained out-of-print since its original release. It remains the only Dan Hartman studio album (discounting compilations) to not have a CD release.

Later in 1981, April Music issued a compilation of Hartman's music, simply titled Dan Hartman, although often referred to as April Music. The album featured various previous material and included four tracks from It Hurts to Be in Love; "I Still Remember," "All I Need," "Pick It Up" and "Positive Forces".

Singles

It Hurts to Be in Love

Heaven in Your Arms

Personnel