Cruel to Be Kind
Nick Lowe
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Oh I can't take another heartache Though you say you're my friend, I'm at my wit's end You say your love is bonafide, but that don't coincide With the things that you do And when I ask you to be nice, you say You've gotta be cruel to be kind, in the right measure Cruel to be kind, it's a very good sign Cruel to be kind, means that I love you, baby (You've gotta be cruel) You gotta be cruel to be kind Well I do my best to understand dear But you still mystify and I want to know why I pick myself up off the ground To have you knock me back down, again and again And when I ask you to explain, you say You've gotta be cruel to be kind, in the right measure Cruel to be kind, it's a very good sign Cruel to be kind, means that I love you, baby (You've gotta be cruel) You gotta be cruel to be kind Well I do my best to understand dear But you still mystify and I want to know why I pick myself up off the ground To have you knock me back down, again and again And when I ask you to explain, you say You've gotta be cruel to be kind, in the right measure Cruel to be kind, it's a very good sign Cruel to be kind, means that I love you baby (You've gotta be cruel) You gotta be cruel to be kind (Cruel to be kind), oh in the right measure (Cruel to be kind), it's a very very very good sign (Cruel to be kind), it means that I love you, baby (You've gotta be cruel) You gotta be cruel to be kind (Cruel to be kind), oh in the right measure (Cruel to be kind), yes it's a very very very good sign (Cruel to be kind), it means that I love you, baby (You've gotta be cruel) You gotta be cruel to be kind (Cruel to be kind), oh in the right measure (Cruel to be kind), yes it's a very very very good sign (Cruel to be kind), it means that I love you
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Written by: Ian Robert Gomm, Nicholas Orain Lowe
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Artist"Cruel to Be Kind" is a song by British pop-rock musician Nick Lowe. He is known for his calculatedly quirky and sardonic songwriting, which is perfectly encapsulated in this song.
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Release DateThis popular track was released in 1979 as a single and is arguably Nick Lowe’s most recognizable and celebrated song.
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Album AppearanceIt was featured on Lowe's second album "Labour of Lust" which was a major commercial success.
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Song InspirationThe song has its roots in Lowe’s previous band, Brinsley Schwarz – a more mellow, country-rock version of the song was recorded by the band in the early '70s.
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Chart Performance"Cruel to Be Kind" is Lowe's biggest hit, reaching number 12 in the United States, number 10 in Canada, and number 12 in Lowe's native United Kingdom.
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LyricsThe lyrics are a play on the phrase "You've got to be cruel to be kind" – ostensibly a contradiction but when you think about it, it makes sense in a tough-love sort of way. The chorus has a catchy, singable melody that offsets the slightly caustic lyrics.
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Music VideoThe music video for this song is pretty famous, showing scenes from Nick Lowe’s actual wedding to Carlene Carter.
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ReceptionCritics hailed the song as a gem of New Wave rock, with its simplistic structure, catchy rhythm and Nick Lowe’s laid back vocal delivery.
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CollaborationsThe harmonies on the track are sung by none other than blues legend, Huey Lewis.
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LegacyDespite not reaching number one, "Cruel to Be Kind" remains one of the defining songs of the late '70s power pop movement. It has been covered by various artists and continues to receive regular airplay.
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Movie AppearanceThe song was featured in the 1996 movie "10 Things I Hate About You." The band in the movie performs "Cruel to Be Kind" at the prom.
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Citation
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