“Hurt So Bad” Turns 60 – Little Anthony & Brooke Moriber Deliver a Soul-Meets-Country Duet for the Ages
A sweeping, emotional duet from two powerhouse voices breathes new life into a timeless ballad
Playlist & Sync-Ready: The Cinematic New Duet
“Either an old soul or a product of my environment, growing up in a home where my parents exposed me to so much music of the 50s and the 60s, I’ve loved Little Anthony forever. This new version of ‘Hurt So Bad’ with Brooke Moriber is stunning. The haunting intro draws the listener in, and when followed by newcomer Moriber’s exquisite, yet sorrowful vocals, there’s no turning back. Little Anthony still shines, with all the emotion this song has always evoked. Be ready to hit the repeat button, this is pure gold.” – Patti McClintick / Think Country
“It’s so exciting to bring back one of the greatest songs of all time with rising star Brooke Moriber! The song is iconic and has a very unique flavor and sound! Little Anthony put his own spin on the song, like always! I truly enjoy this dynamic duo!” – Brandon Morrell / The Backstage Pass Podcast
“Little Anthony retains his operatic gravitas that made the original a big hit. Brooke Moriber’s haunting voice reaches through the speakers and grabs you. A magical pairing.” – Matt Bailey / The Music Universe
“Having recently duetted with “Little” Anthony , I know firsthand that he’s still at the top of his game. I’m so excited that “Hurts So Bad” is getting a new life. To hear him singing it 60 years later is double-super cool and when you add Brooke’s vocals, it takes on a whole new personality. Congratulations to you, both!” – T. Graham Brown / LIVE WIRE, SiriusXM Prime Country Channel 58
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the beloved classic “Hurt So Bad” – a song that was a Top 10 hit for Little Anthony & The Imperials in 1965 – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Little Anthony returns with an epic new version of the ballad that made him a household name. This time, he transforms it into a stirring duet with acclaimed pop-country singer and Broadway alum Brooke Moriber, creating a cross-generational blend of soul and country that feels both fresh and timeless.
Produced by Fred Mollin — the veteran producer behind acclaimed recordings for Johnny Mathis, Kris Kristofferson, Billy Ray Cyrus, Natalie Cole, and Dan Hill‘s “Sometimes When We Touch,” as well as award-winning film and television work — this reimagined take on “Hurt So Bad” transforms the iconic track into a heartfelt conversation between two people watching each other move on while still longing for a second chance. Featuring lush instrumentation and soaring vocal harmonies, the duet captures the raw vulnerability of heartbreak while honoring the emotional intensity of the original.
The Imperials’ original “Hurt So Bad” was noted for its dramatic, pleading style, and Moriber and Little Anthony channel that spirit in a contemporary way. The result is a recording that feels at once nostalgic and new – as if the song itself has matured over 60 years, gaining even more emotional depth.
Recorded across some of Nashville’s most storied studios – including Sound Stage Studios and Zoomar Studios – “Hurt So Bad” brings together a world-class team of musicians and engineers. The production features contributions from Larry Paxton (bass), Greg Morrow (drums & percussion), Dale Herr, Kerry Marx, Justin Roller (guitars), Pat Coil (keyboards), and a sampled orchestra arranged by Larry Hall. The track was engineered and mixed by Dave Salley, with overdubs by Bryce Roberts, and mastered by Steve Fallone at Sterling Sound in NYC. The rich, polished Nashville production underpins the duet’s powerful vocals, seamlessly fusing Little Anthony’s classic soul tone with Brooke’s country-pop prowess.
Vocal arrangements were a true collaboration between Brooke Moriber and Little Anthony (Jerome Gourdine), blending the rich nostalgia of the original recording with a fresh emotional urgency. In call-and-response fashion, the two artists turn the song’s narrative into a dialogue – a conversation between past and present lovers. With lyrics that still cut deep decades later, the track includes unforgettable lines like:
“Why don’t you stay and let me make it up to you
I’ll do anything you want me to…”
And the signature refrain that made the original iconic:
“Come back, it hurts so bad
Don’t make it hurt so bad
I’m begging you please…”
This moving duet is more than just a tribute; it’s a testament to the timeless power of music to connect hearts across generations. Little Anthony’s soulful pleas and Brooke’s clear, impassioned vocals showcase how great songs transcend genres and eras. Their rendition of “Hurt So Bad” has the warmth of 1965 and the polish of 2025, appealing to fans old and new. The artists are eager to share this collaboration live – with hopes of performing it on legendary stages.
“Hurt So Bad” by Brooke Moriber x Little Anthony is available now on all streaming platforms. Listen now and experience how two distinctive voices, decades apart in age, can meet in the middle to revive a classic.
Listen/download now: https://vyd.co/HurtSoBad
About Little Anthony:
Little Anthony (Jerome Gourdine) is a legendary R&B/soul vocalist who has captivated audiences for over six decades with his unmistakable falsetto and heartfelt performances. As the frontman of Little Anthony & The Imperials, he rose to fame in the late 1950s and ’60s with timeless hits like “Tears on My Pillow,” “Goin’ Out of My Head,” “Hurt So Bad,” and “I’m On the Outside (Looking In). His emotive vocal style helped shape the sound of doo-wop and soul, and his influence spans generations – earning him (and the Imperials) an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. Even today, Little Anthony continues to perform and record, proving that true musical artistry is timeless. The new “Hurt So Bad” duet finds him in prime form, bringing his decades of experience and passion to a song that has been a touchstone of his career.
About Brooke Moriber:
Brooke Moriber is a singer-songwriter and native New Yorker who has paved an unconventional path into Country music. After getting her start at a young age performing on Broadway (she landed the role of Young Cosette in Les Misérables at age 8), Brooke turned to songwriting as a teenager to cope with a life-altering challenge – she was diagnosed with a rare eye disease where she lost her sight for four years. When the disease went into remission after a difficult battle, she felt music had helped heal her and knew she wanted to tell her own stories. Brooke began traveling to Nashville, immersing herself in the songwriting community. Praised for her “clarion voice” (Associated Press), she released her first single “Cry Like A Girl” independently and later signed with Nashville’s Reviver Records to further develop her artistry.
In recent years, Brooke’s music has been making waves in the country scene. Her songs have been featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday Country (tracks like “Half A Heart,” “Little Bit Of You,” “Down to Nothing”) and Country Christmas playlists (“All I Want for Christmas is You”), as well as on SiriusXM’s Velvet channel, CMT’s online platform, the Music Choice network, and the MusicRow Country Breakout radio chart. Hailed as a “stellar songwriter and a powerhouse vocalist” (Country Swag) and “a force to be reckoned with in Country music” (Celeb Secrets Country), Brooke has shared the stage with a diverse range of artists – from country stars like Scotty McCreery, Dylan Scott, and The Castellows, to pop/rock icons like Cyndi Lauper and The Gin Blossoms, and fellow rising artists such as Caroline Jones.
Beyond her recording work, the former Broadway star turned country sensation is also the creator and host of the bi-monthly “Nashville in New York (NINY)” songwriters round series. In this series, Brooke brings a taste of Nashville to the Big Apple, curating intimate acoustic shows that blend established hitmakers with emerging talent. Notably, at a recent NINY show at The Bitter End in NYC, she performed alongside Little Anthony himself (marking a special meeting of musical eras) and rising country artist Charly Reynolds. Previous NINY nights have showcased talents such as American Idol alum Brennley Brown, songwriting legend Kara DioGuardi, viral star Calista Clark, folk icon Terre Roche, and members of the Six One Five Collective, among many others. The series has also featured top industry hosts like radio personality Kelly Ford and multi-platinum songwriter Sam Hollander, underscoring Brooke’s growing reputation as a connector in the music community.
When she’s not bringing Nashville to New York (or even Denver and beyond, via special editions of NINY), Brooke is hard at work in the studio. She has been collaborating with some of the industry’s top writers and producers – including Todd Lombardo and Craig Alvin (known for their work with Kacey Musgraves), Karen Kosowski (Mickey Guyton), David Pittenger (GAYLE, Parmalee), and Sol Philcox-Littlefield – to craft new music. This dedication to her craft, combined with her compelling personal journey and commanding vocal talent, has cemented Brooke Moriber as an artist on the rise and a star to watch in Country music.
For more information, follow Brooke at her website and socials:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Linktr.ee