It was written in 1965 by Gary Geld and Peter Udell,[1] and has been recorded many times by artists ranging from Ruby & the Romantics to Rosemary Clooney.

Chad Allan & the Expressions, who later became The Guess Who, also recorded the song in 1965 on their Canadian LP Hey Ho (What You Do to Me!).

[5] In June 1966 a version by Ruth Lewis, produced by Udell and Geld, was released as a single by RCA Victor records.

[8] The Carpenters recorded "Hurting Each Other" with instrumental backing from L.A. sessions musicians from the Wrecking Crew,[9] towards the end of 1971.

Some footage of Richard and Karen performing the backup vocals can be seen on Jerry Dunphy Visits the Carpenters, when news anchor Jerry Dunphy went to Karen and Richard Carpenter's house and interviewed them and their parents about their life.