“Everybody Hurts” is a song originally released by R.E.M. in 1993. After the 2010 Haiti earthquake disaster, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown contacted producer Simon Cowell, asking him to produce a song to raise money for the victims of the earthquake. Cowell gathered 21 artists for this charity song including Mariah Carey, Rod Stewart, Jon Bon Jovi, Kylie Minogue, and Robbie Williams. “We are all working hard to make this single a success and to raise lots of money for Helping Haiti,” Simon Cowell said. “We have a short time to do this and the people in Haiti need as much help as we can give them as soon as possible.”
The song was released as a single on February 7, 2010, with proceeds being split between The Disasters Emergency Committee and The Sun's Helping Haiti Appeal. “Everybody Hurts” broke records in the United Kingdom after selling more than 453,000 copies in its first week, going straight to number one on the country's Official Singles Chart.
| Song | Remix | Run time |
|---|---|---|
| Everybody Hurts | Alternative Mix |
5:35 |
The official music video for “Everybody Hurts” focused on footage of the 2010 Haiti earthquake tragedy's victims and didn't feature Mariah. Director Joseph Kahn later made available the director's cut of the clip, which features all singers — including Mariah — singing in front a black background.
When the day is long
And the night
The night is yours alone
When you're sure you've had enough
Of this life, well hang on
Don't let yourself go
Cause everybody cries
And everybody hurts sometimes
Sometimes everything is wrong
Now it's time to sing along
When your day is night alone
If you feel like letting go
When you think you've had too much
Of this life, well hang on
Cause everybody hurts
Take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts
Don't throw your hand
Don't throw your hand
If you feel like you're alone
No, you are not alone
If you're on your own
In this life
The days and nights are long
When you think you've had too much
Of this life to hang on
Everybody hurts sometimes
Everybody cries
Everybody hurts sometimes
And everybody hurts sometimes
So, hold on
No, you are not alone
Written by B. Berry, P. Buck, M. Mills, M. Stipe.
Produced by Steve Robson and John Shanks.
