THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

535-The Mills Brothers-You Always Hurt the One You Love.

1944-It has never charted in the UK. There was no UK chart until 1952.

Best Bit-At 1.16. Some song titles become so famous, that they actually become a cliche.

The Mills Brothers (see also best songs 960) originated from Piqua, Ohio, United States, and were active for 54 years between 1928-1982. The four brothers who made up the quartet, and whom had been born in to a family of nine were, Donald (1915-1999, lead tenor,) Herbert (1912-1999, tenor,) Harry (1913-1982, baritone,) and John Jr. (1910-1936, guitar, double bass, and vocals.)The Mills Brothers recorded over 2000 songs. and sold over 50 million records during their career, although in the UK, their only chart entry is ‘The Glow Worm,’ which reached Number 10 in 1952. It was a completely different story in America where they charted with 63 top 40 singles between 1931-1968, including five Number 1’s, one of which was this song. There have also been 58 official Album releases, including compilations, they also made 20 film appearances between 1932-1956.

‘You Always Hurt the One You Love’ was co-written by Allan Roberts (1905-1966) who wrote the lyrics, and Doris Fisher (1915-2003) who wrote the music. The song has been covered dozens of times down the years, with the first recording being this one by The Mills Brothers. Doris Fisher was the daughter of the German born songwriter, and Tin Pan Alley music publisher Fred Fisher (1875-1942) and the sister of Dan, and Marvin, who were also songwriters.

Doris Fisher and Allan Roberts collaborated on many songs together including ‘Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall,’ (see also best songs 702) and ‘That Ole Devil Called Love.’ In 1945 the pair were signed to a seven year contract with ‘Columbia Pictures,’ but after marrying and starting a family Fisher retired from music in 1947, with Roberts continuing with new partner Robert Allen (1927-2000,) to provide music for 20 films. Another song of note written by Doris Fisher, in collaboration with her father Fred, in 1940 was ‘Whispering Grass,’ which would become a UK Number 1 in 1975, when recorded by Windsor Davies and Don Estelle.

‘You always break the kindest heart with a hasty word you can’t recall, so if I broke your heart last night. it’s because I love you most of all.’