"Nothing but a Heartache" is a song originally released on the Deram Records label in 1968 by The Flirtations. Written by Wayne Bickerton and Tony Waddington - the team who'd be responsible for The Rubettes successs in the 1970s - "Nothing But a Heartache" just missed the UK Top 50 with a #51 peak. However the track became a Top 40 hit in the US, reaching #34 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1] in May 1969.
The song was used on a television advertising campaign for KFC in the United Kingdom along with several other Northern Soul records including Frank Wilson's "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)" and Marlena Shaw's "California Soul".[2] A promotional film for the song featuring the group was shot at Tintern Abbey in Wales.
"Nothing but a Heartache" was one of the songs covered on the Detroit Cobras album Tied & True in 2007.[3] It was also covered in 2007 by the UK dance act Freemasons.[4] This version was 'mashed up' by Dutch dance DJ Pytski with "Umbrella" by Rihanna. Although this mashup was quite popular in clubs, it was not released commercially due to legal reasons. Southside Johnny covered this song on his album "Into The Harbour".[5]
Nothing but a Heartache - a documentary film (currently in production) about the Northern Irish scooter scene.[6]