"Hurt" is a pop ballad written by Christina Aguilera, Linda Perry and Mark Ronson for Aguilera's third studio album, Back to Basics (2006). The song's lyrical content describes how one deals with the loss of a loved one, and it has received praise from pop music critics. Aguilera premiered the song at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards and was released as the album's second single in late 2006.
 

Release

Originally Aguilera did not want "Hurt" to be the second single from Back to Basics. Prior to this decision, "Candyman" was planned as the second single and even was confirmed by Aguilera during several different interviews. However, RCA felt that, with the holiday season coming up, it would be safer to release "Hurt", as it would become a big holiday power ballad, comparable to how Aguilera's "Beautiful" performed commercially back in late 2002.

"Hurt" was released to radio airplay in the United States on September 18, 2006. The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at #100 in the October 14, 2006 edition. The single would peak on the Hot 100 at #19 in mid-December. "Hurt" had its biggest success on Adult Contemporary radio, where it reached #6 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. Aguilera promoted the single during the holidays by performing on the TV special Christmas at Rockefeller Center, on November 29, 2006 on NBC.