Kahan told Billboard: "'Hurt Somebody' is about the paralyzing fear of not being able to cut loose ends – even if it's ultimately for the greater good. Ending things can be painful, and 'Hurt Somebody' illuminates the inner dialogue of trying to stomach the weight of that decision."
A duet version with American singer Julia Michaels was released on January 12, 2018.
Nic Kelly from Project U said: "It has that instantly addictive feeling to it. It's simple, understated and melodically perfect."
Mitch Mosh from Atwood Magazine, in a review of the EP, wrote: "Originally released as a solo performance, Michaels' presence adds new perspective, harmony and vision to an already-intense song about the fear of cutting loose ends." It was featured in the 2018 movie The Darkest Minds.
Hurt Somebody
Noah Kahan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm afraid to be lonely
Nobody told me
It's harder than I thought to tell the truth
It's gonna leave you in pieces
All alone with your demons
And I know that we need this
But I've been too afraid to follow through
Hold me close and I won't leave
'Cause it hurts when you hurt somebody
So much to say but I don't speak
And I hate that I let you stop me
'Cause it hurts when you hurt somebody
Don't know where the time went
Stuck in the wrong mindset
And I let the rules bend
When I know that all along they're made to break
Ayy-hey, you got me searching for reasons
To keep me from leaving
At night I have trouble breathing
I give myself another chance to stay, ayy
Hold me close and I won't leave
'Cause it hurts when you hurt somebody
So much to say but I don't speak
And I hate that I let you stop me
'Cause it hurts when you hurt somebody, mm
One day before you know it, you will see
All of the pain and all the irony, yeah
You'll feel the stinging and you'll think of me
'Cause it hurts when you hurt
Hold me close and I won't leave
'Cause it hurts when you hurt somebody
So much to say but I don't speak
And I hate that I let you stop me (oh)
Hold me close and I won't leave (I won't leave)
'Cause it hurts when you hurt somebody (yeah)
So much to say but I don't speak
And I hate that I let you stop me
'Cause it hurts when you hurt somebody (somebody)
Noah Kahan's song Hurt Somebody is an emotive portrayal of the challenging and often painful process of opening up to someone you care for. The opening lines of "Taking it slowly, I'm afraid to be lonely, nobody told me" presents a sense of vulnerability and apprehension. The singer is hesitant to reveal what is hiding in his heart, mindful of the profound impact it could have on his relationship.
Throughout the song, Noah Kahan reflects on the fact that the truth can prove to be a stumbling block in relationships. The lyrics "It's harder than I thought to tell the truth, it's gonna leave you in pieces, all alone with your demons" suggests that the truth can also lead to a deep sense of isolation, forcing the individual to deal with their emotions alone. However, despite the pain that the truth may bring, Kahan acknowledges that it is necessary to confront it to build a genuinely meaningful connection.
The chorus of the song, "Hold me close and I won't leave 'cause it hurts when you hurt somebody, so much to say but I don't speak, and I hate that I let you stop me" reinforces the idea that being honest and truthful with loved ones is not easy, but the pain of hurting their feelings or causing damage to the relationship with a little white lie can be even more substantial. Ultimately, the song is a profound portrayal of the difficulties and risks that come with intimacy, and the sometimes painful sacrifices we make when we care deeply for someone.
Line by Line Meaning
Taking it slowly
Proceeding with caution
I'm afraid to be lonely
Fear of being alone
Nobody told me
Lack of knowledge or guidance
It's harder than I thought to tell the truth
Truth-telling is a difficult task
It's gonna leave you in pieces
Truth can hurt and break a person
All alone with your demons
Facing inner struggles alone
And I know that we need this
Acknowledging the importance of the relationship
But I've been too afraid to follow through
Fear holding one back from committing to the relationship
Hold me close and I won't leave
Desire for emotional and physical connection
'Cause it hurts when you hurt somebody
Pain of causing harm to someone else
So much to say but I don't speak
Struggle to express oneself
And I hate that I let you stop me
Regret for missed opportunities
Don't know where the time went
Lost track of time
Stuck in the wrong mindset
Trapped in negative thinking
And I let the rules bend
Compromise of values
When I know that all along they're made to break
Awareness of the fragility of rules
Hey, you got me searching for reasons
Desire to understand and make things work
To keep me from leaving
Fear of losing the relationship
And that I have trouble breathing
Feeling suffocated or anxious
I give myself another chance to stay
Commitment to keep trying
One day before you know it, you will see
Future realization of the situation
All of the pain and all the irony
Suffering and unexpected twists of fate
You'll feel the stinging and you think of me
Memory of hurt caused to the other person
'Cause it hurts when you hurt
Realization of the pain caused to others
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Noah Kahan, Scott Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kaylamorales7117
Just gonna sit here till you become famous
It's gonna happen I can feel it
(2019) LETSSS GOOOO
(2020) here we are y'all. 2020. middle of a pandemic, i hope you are all doing well :))
(2022) it's 12:54 am and this song randomly came to mind after years. life has been one hell of am adventure, if someones reading this i hope you're well and staying safe :)
@Zinkx.
Lyrics:
Taking it slowly
I'm afraid to be lonely
Nobody told me
It's harder than I thought to tell the truth
It's gonna leave you in pieces
All alone with your demons
And I know that we need this
But I've been too afraid to follow through
Hold me close and I won't leave
Cuz it hurts when you hurt somebody
So much to say but I don't speak
And I hate that I let you stop me
Cuz it hurts when you hurt somebody
Don't know where the time went
Stuck in the wrong mindset
I let the rules bend
When I know that all along they're made to break
You got me searching for reason
To keep me from leaving
And that I have trouble breathing
I give myself another chance to stay
Hold me close and I won't leave
Cuz it hurts when you hurt somebody
So much to say but I don't speak
And I hate that I let you stop me
Cuz it hurts when you hurt somebody
One day before you know it you will see
All of the pain and all the irony
You'll feel the sting and then you'll think of me
Cuz it hurts when you hurt
Hold me close and I won't leave
Cuz it hurts when you hurt somebody
So much to say but I don't speak
And I hate that I let you stop me
Hold me close and I won't leave
Cuz it hurts when you hurt somebody
So much to say but I don't speak
And I hate that I let you stop me
Cuz it hurts when you hurt somebody
@Kobaaa.
Nobody is going to talk about how perfect 1:27 sounds?? Ok..
@crazydragy4233
Ikr?! It's my favorite part. Its SO GOOD UHG!
@paigecowan622
ye lol
@heatherkoolaid
Genius
@rose-pz1is
it's so satisfying
@guccigang4610
That’s happened way to many time to me it’s bad 😂
@kaylamorales7117
Just gonna sit here till you become famous
It's gonna happen I can feel it
(2019) LETSSS GOOOO
(2020) here we are y'all. 2020. middle of a pandemic, i hope you are all doing well :))
(2022) it's 12:54 am and this song randomly came to mind after years. life has been one hell of am adventure, if someones reading this i hope you're well and staying safe :)
@giantschick21
So bittersweet! You want the artist to have success but you don’t want the bandwagon fans that are there and gone. But you’re so right- this song is going to be big and Noah is going to be famous
@annie-yb5yx
I know and I totally want to but at the same time I don't cuz he is like my little secret lol
@kaylamorales7117
R3THS3 ikr