10 Shocking Reasons Why Paloma Faith's 'Only Love Can Hurt Like This' Still Dominates The Charts (Updated 2025)

Despite its 2014 release, Paloma Faith's heartbreaking anthem "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" remains a global phenomenon, experiencing a massive resurgence in popularity as of December 2025. This soulful pop ballad, a masterclass in tragic romance and vocal delivery, continues to resonate deeply with a new generation discovering its raw emotional power through platforms like TikTok and viral covers.

The song’s enduring appeal lies in a perfect storm of classic songwriting genius, a flawless Motown-inspired production, and the current emotional landscape of music listeners. We dive deep into the origins, the incredible talent behind the track, and the shocking reasons this decade-old song is still topping streaming charts and influencing Paloma Faith’s latest career moves, including her 2024 album *The Glorification of Sadness* and her 2025 television appearances.

The Architects of Heartbreak: Paloma Faith and Diane Warren

The success of "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" is a testament to the collaboration between two powerhouses: the unique British voice of Paloma Faith and the legendary American songwriter Diane Warren. This unexpected pairing resulted in a track that feels both timeless and deeply personal.

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Paloma Faith's Biography and Profile

• Full Name: Paloma Faith Blomfield
• Born: 21 July 1985 (Age 40 as of 2025)
• Place of Birth: Hackney, London, England
• Occupation: Singer-songwriter, Actress, Voice Coach
• Musical Style: Soul, Pop, Jazz, Cabaret
• Studio Albums: Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful? (2009), Fall to Grace (2012), A Perfect Contradiction (2014), The Architect (2017), Infinite Things (2020), The Glorification of Sadness (2024)
• Notable Awards: Brit Award for British Female Solo Artist (2015)
• Recent Activity (2025): Contestant on the reality television show *The Celebrity Traitors*.

The Diane Warren Legacy: A Hit Machine

Diane Warren, the sole writer of the song, is one of the most prolific and successful songwriters of all time. She had the song ready, waiting for the right voice, and found it in Faith’s distinctive, soulful delivery. Warren's contribution provides the song with an undeniable topical authority, linking it to a lineage of classic, emotionally resonant power ballads.

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Warren's incredible catalogue of hits, which collectively define the sound of modern heartbreak, includes:

• "Un-Break My Heart" (Toni Braxton)
• "Because You Loved Me" (Celine Dion)
• "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (Aerosmith)
• "If I Could Turn Back Time" (Cher)
• "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" (Starship)
• "Have You Ever?" (Brandy)
• "Blame It On The Rain" (Milli Vanilli)

This pedigree ensures that "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" is not just a passing pop hit, but a masterfully crafted piece of music designed for longevity and emotional impact.

Five Reasons for the Song's Timeless Resurgence

"Only Love Can Hurt Like This" was released as the second single from Paloma Faith's third studio album, *A Perfect Contradiction*, in 2014. While its initial success was significant, peaking at No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 1 in Australia, its current global streaming popularity is what truly makes it a phenomenon.

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1. The Motown-Inspired Production and Style

The song’s sound is a deliberate throwback to the classic Motown and sixties-style soul ballads, giving it a nostalgic and timeless quality. Produced by AC Burrell and Kyle Townsend, the arrangement features dramatic strings, a powerful drum beat, and soaring background vocals that evoke the emotional intensity of artists like Dusty Springfield and Aretha Franklin. This classic structure makes it instantly recognizable and deeply moving, appealing across generations.

2. The Universal and Tragic Lyric Meaning

The lyrics capture the agonizing contradiction of being drawn back to a relationship that is fundamentally destructive. Paloma Faith describes herself as a "tragic romantic," and the song perfectly encapsulates the dark side of love—the pain that only a deep connection can inflict. Phrases like "Only love can hurt like this" and "Must be a sickness, got me feeling like this" resonate with anyone who has experienced genuine heartbreak, making it the ultimate emotional release song.

3. The Unstoppable Power of TikTok

The song has found a massive new audience through a viral trend on TikTok, a platform that often revives older tracks. The raw, dramatic nature of the song makes it perfect for emotional lip-syncs, cinematic transitions, and storytelling videos about heartbreak and betrayal. This viral traction, especially among younger users, has propelled the track's streaming numbers to new peaks in 2024 and 2025, proving its enduring relevance.

4. High-Profile Global Media Usage

The track’s initial chart success in Australia was directly linked to its use in a high-profile television advertisement for the drama series *Winners & Losers*. More recently, its dramatic flair has made it a favorite for covers and performances, such as the widely viewed rendition by Filipina singer Sarah Geronimo in December 2023, which further boosted its international profile and search engine visibility.

5. The Paloma Faith 2024/2025 Career Connection

Paloma Faith’s continued relevance has kept the spotlight on her back catalogue. Her 2024 album, *The Glorification of Sadness*, and her high-profile appearance on *The Celebrity Traitors* in 2025, have driven fans—both old and new—to revisit her most iconic hits. "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" serves as a foundational track, representing the soulful, tragic-romantic persona that defines her career, making it an essential listen for anyone discovering her newest work.

The Enduring Legacy of a Perfect Contradiction

The album *A Perfect Contradiction* was a pivotal moment for Paloma Faith, featuring other notable tracks like "Can't Rely On You" (produced by Pharrell Williams), "Mouth to Mouth," and "Other Woman," but "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" remains the definitive breakout single.

Its critical and commercial success—including a Platinum certification in the UK and a 4x Platinum certification in Australia—solidified Faith's status as a major international artist. The song is a powerful example of how classic songwriting principles, when paired with a unique contemporary voice, can create a timeless piece of music that transcends trends and decades. The emotional intensity, the Motown homage, and the heartbreaking lyrics ensure that this song will continue to be the soundtrack to global heartbreak for years to come.