The Cut That Always Bleeds
| "The Cut That Always Bleeds" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Conan Gray | |
| from the album Kid Krow | |
| Released | 20 March 2020 |
| Recorded | 2019 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:52 |
| Label | Republic |
| Songwriter | Conan Gray |
| Producer | Dan Nigro |
| Lyric Video | |
| Conan Gray - The Cut That Always Bleeds (Lyric Video) on YouTube | |
"The Cut That Always Bleeds" is a song by American singer-songwriter Conan Gray released on March 20, 2020. It is part of his debut album, Kid Krow. It serves as the 6th track on the official track-list, in front of lead single "Checkmate" and behind "Fight or Flight."[1] A live version of the song recorded during Found Heaven On Tour was released on March 20, 2025, for the album's 5th anniversary on Kid Krow, Decomposed (5 Year Anniversary).
Background and release
Gray has expressed that he was a really low point in his life while writing and expressing the song.[1] Conan says that he was at such a point in the relationship where there wasn't any point in continuing, but every time he left and got over that person, they came back and ruined them again. Then disappear and the whole process repeats itself over and over again. It was as if the person would keep reopening the same half-healed wound, making it bleed non-stop.[2]
The song is often characterized and named as a 'Melodramatic break-up ballad."[3] When Gray revealed the track listing for the record on 9 January 2020, many people were eager to hear "The Cut That Always Bleeds," some called the title "deep sounding" and that they believed the song will be a "sad bop."[4] The song remained an underrated track up until late 2023, where it resurfaced in the internet and became one of Conan's classics even up to today's date, with 670 Millions streams on Spotify, it amasses more than 450 thousand daily streams and its one of Gray's most streamed songs up to August 2026.[5] Following the success of the song, Conan has added it to all his live set-lists since Found Heaven On Tour.[6]
Conan stated in a 2025 interview for his album Wishbone, "I think it's so special. I think it's so cool. It's nice, because you feel like all of a sudden these song that didn't get- it wasn't understood in the same way at the moment, has a whole new life, and it made me feel like these songs still have value even if they're old." Gray also speaks "When I look back at my discography now, I think of all these different songs where I'm like, 'I hope people catch that one one day, that one was always good.' [...] 'The Cut That Always Bleeds' was one of my favorites songs when I wrote it, and it was really validating, boosted my ego."[7]
Critical reception
Krista Marina Apardian from Ones to Watch states that "The Cut That Always Bleeds" is a song that "demands your attention." She also says that the track "teases as at a release until the last chorus," in which the song "opens up with full drums and warm background noise."[8] On a similar note, Isabel Corp from A Grrrl's Two Sound Cents believes that the track is "the album's biggest highlight", stating that it "encapsulates the cycle of a toxic relationship that works like a broken clock, and each stage of grieving."[9]
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified Units/Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[10] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[11] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[12] | Silver | 400,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[13] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
References
- 1 2 The Cut That Always Bleeds by Conan Gray on Apple Music, 2020-03-20, retrieved 2026-08-23
- ↑ Hernandez, Brenda (2026-03-05). "Breaking Down "The Cut That Always Bleeds" by "Conan Gray" Line by Line | Beyond Romance". Medium. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
- ↑ Bryant, Toby (2020-03-20). "ALBUM REVIEW: Conan Gray bares all on debut 'Kid Krow'". CelebMix. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
- ↑ "conan gray (@conangray) on X". X (formerly Twitter). 2020-01-09. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
- ↑ "Conan Gray - Spotify Top Songs". kworb.net. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
- ↑ "Conan Gray Live Debuts 5 Tracks at Tour Kickoff". setlist.fm. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
- ↑ Capital Buzz (2025-08-15). Conan Gray Breaks Down Every Song On 'Wishbone' | Making The Album. Retrieved 2026-08-23 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Ones To Watch". Ones to Watch. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
- ↑ Corp, Isabel (2020-03-22). "Album Review: Conan Gray "Kid Krow" - A Grrrl's Two Sound Cents". Retrieved 2026-08-23.
- ↑ "2024 Accreditations - Singles.pdf" (PDF). Dropbox. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
- ↑ "Single Certification Search – RadioScope". Retrieved 2026-08-23.
- ↑ "BRIT Certified Awards". BPI Membership Community. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
- ↑ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 2026-08-23.