"The First Cut is the Deepest" is a 1967 song written by Cat Stevens, originally released by P.P. Arnold and went to number 18 in the United States and was released by Stevens himself for his second studio album New Masters. In 1977, Rod Stewart released his version and went to number 1 in the United Kingdom and number 21 in the United States and New Zealand. In 2003, Sheryl Crow released her version for her greatest hits album The Very Best of Sheryl Crow. It went to number 14 in the United States, number 37 in the United Kingdom, number 22 in Scotland and number 19 in New Zealand.