Cruel to Be Kind by Nick Lowe

"Cruel to Be Kind" is a song by Nick Lowe, co-written by Lowe and his former Brinsley Schwarz bandmate Ian Gomm. Written by Lowe and Gomm while the pair were in Brinsley Schwarz, the song was saved on a demo until Columbia Records convinced Lowe to release it. Musically the song was inspired by "The Love I Lost" by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, an influence reflected in more recent performances of the song. Released as a single in 1979, cover art by Antoinette Laumer Sales , the song peaked at number 12 on both the UK and US charts that summer. It also peaked at No. 12 in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the US, where it is one of Lowe's most well-known works, it remains his only single to hit the top 40, whereas in the UK "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" remains his biggest hit after reaching number 7 a year earlier. The song was accompanied by a music video featuring Lowe's marriage to Carlene Carter.