Hard to Beat

Last updated

"Hard to Beat"
Hard-Fi - Hard to Beat.jpg
Single by Hard-Fi
from the album Stars of CCTV
B-side
Released20 June 2005 (2005-06-20) [1]
Genre alternative rock, dance-rock, post-punk revival
Length
  • 4:34 (album version)
  • 4:14 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s) Richard Archer
Producer(s)
  • Wolsey White
  • Richard Archer
Hard-Fi singles chronology
"Tied Up Too Tight"
(2005)		"Hard to Beat"
(2005)		"Living for the Weekend"
(2005)
Alternative covers
Hard-Fi - Hard to beat (Promo).PNG
Alternative cover

"Hard to Beat" is the third single from English indie rock group Hard-Fi, from their album Stars of CCTV . Despite being released as the third single, it was Hard-Fi's first of two top-10 singles, reaching number nine in the United Kingdom after being released on 20 June 2005. In the United States, the song was released as the second single from Stars of CCTV on 18 April 2006, following "Cash Machine". It gained the band some prominence in the US by entering the US Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart at number 39 a month after release. It later peaked at number 34.

Contents

History

This was the band's favourite song to perform live, as lead singer Richard Archer said, "'Hard to Beat' is going crazy at the moment. We were in Bristol yesterday and I was wondering if my voice was going to last on tour, but the crowd sings it for me, so that's going well. But the most fun playing is probably 'Unnecessary Trouble', that's always a good laugh, and 'Living for the Weekend' is the last number, so is a high energy one, but after last night, Hard To Beat." [2]

B-side "Stronger" was originally performed by Richard Archer's previous band Contempo. [3]

On 22 June 2023, to mark 18 years since the song's release, Hard-Fi released a Spotify playlist called "Still Hard to Beat". It is made up of songs which inspired "Hard to Beat" and includes "Red Alert" by Basement Jaxx, "Pump Up the Jam" and "Music Sounds Better with You". [4]

Chart performance

The track entered the UK Singles Chart at number nine, its peak position, and stayed on the chart for 27 nonconsecutive weeks.

Music videos

There are two music videos: the first one, with the band performing in a diner, was directed by Scott Lyon and the other one, created for the US, was directed and edited by George Vale with help from Merlin Bronques on some of the stills.

The one earning more airplay is the one directed by Scott Lyon. Shot on 20 April 2005, it was mostly filmed in Cheekees disco in Staines, where a party is shown going on. The since-closed Cheekees disco was somewhere that members of the band would visit frequently, but a remark by Archer caused a minor riff with the owner. In a newspaper article, Archer described the disco as being "like a bad wedding," which offended the owner. In defence, Archer said "But everyone likes a bad wedding so I don't see what the problem is; it was more of a complement." [5]

For the video directed by Scott Lyon, there was an opportunity for fans to be in the video as crowd members. Those interested in attending had to send off a photo of themselves. [6]

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [18] Gold400,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Usage in the media

"Hard to Beat" was used by Sky Sports as the theme for its pay-per-view channel, PremPlus. The "Hard to Beat" Axwell Mix has become very popular, even more so at times, than the original version, it has gained large airplay in clubs. Archer himself said "It's odd being in a club and your track is played. What I like about remixes is that they show us stuff that we could have put in and lets us think "we should try that next time" it helps teach us."

During a live performance of Cinderella on Musicool, which was reworked in a modern day setting, the song "Hard to Beat" was featured among other songs such as "Genie in a Bottle" by Christina Aguilera and "I Predict a Riot" by Kaiser Chiefs.

A remix of "Hard to Beat" by London Elektricity headlined the release of Hospital Records' "Weapons of Mass Creation 3" LP in April 2007.

The song is featured in the PlayStation 2 video game, SingStar Rocks! .

This song was used frequently during worldwide broadcasts of the 2008 Summer Olympics, as well as during broadcasts of the 2005 Ashes series, and the English Super League.

This song was also used on the Nine Network's The Footy Show in Australia, as well as the Seven Network's coverage of the 2009 V8 Supercars Nikon GP and the Nine Network's coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerk It Out</span> 2002 single by Caesars

"Jerk It Out" is a song by Swedish rock band Caesars. It was released in 2002 as the lead single from their album Love for the Streets; it is also featured on the follow-up Paper Tigers in remixed form. The song was an international success following a re-release in 2005, reaching number eight on the UK Singles Chart and peaking at number 70 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let There Be Love (Oasis song)</span> 2005 single by Oasis

"Let There Be Love" is a song by English rock band Oasis from their sixth studio album, Don't Believe the Truth (2005). Written by Noel Gallagher, it is the third and the last Oasis song to feature Liam and Noel on lead vocals, the first being "Acquiesce" and the second being "Put Yer Money Where Yer Mouth Is". It was released on 28 November 2005 as the third and final single from the album in the United Kingdom and as the second single in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Please Stay (Kylie Minogue song)</span> 2000 single by Kylie Minogue

"Please Stay" is a song by Australian singer and songwriter Kylie Minogue for her seventh studio album, Light Years (2000). The song was written by Minogue, Richard Stannard, Julian Gallagher, and John Themis and was produced by Stannard and Gallagher. Festival Mushroom Records and Parlophone released the song as the fourth single from Light Years on 11 December 2000. "Please Stay" is a disco song with a strong Latin pop influence. The song received generally positive reviews from music critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Next Best Superstar</span> 2005 single by Melanie C

"Next Best Superstar" is a song by English singer Melanie C. The track was written by Adam Argyle and produced by Greg Haver for her third solo album, Beautiful Intentions (2005). The song features thumping drums and new wave guitars and talks about the fickleness of fame resulting from manufactured genre shows such as the music competition Pop Idol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somebody Told Me</span> 2004 single by the Killers

"Somebody Told Me" is a song by American rock band the Killers. It was released as the second official single from the group's debut studio album Hot Fuss (2004), and was written by band members Brandon Flowers, Mark Stoermer, Dave Keuning and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Brandon Flowers said: "This is the story of trying to meet someone in a club." It is written in the key of B-flat minor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ride a White Horse</span> 2006 single by Goldfrapp

"Ride a White Horse" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp. The song was written by Alison Goldfrapp, Will Gregory and Nick Batt for Goldfrapp's third album Supernature (2005). The song was inspired by the disco era nightclub Studio 54.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Move Your Feet</span> 2002 single by Junior Senior

"Move Your Feet" is a song by Danish pop duo Junior Senior from their debut studio album, D-D-Don't Don't Stop the Beat (2002). The song, originally released in June 2002 in the duo's native Denmark, was issued worldwide in 2003 and became Junior Senior's biggest hit, reaching No. 4 in Denmark, No. 3 in the United Kingdom, and No. 20 in Australia. A music video for the song, directed by British art collective Shynola, was created using low-resolution pixel art. The song was sampled in Nicki Minaj's 2023 song "Everybody".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disease (song)</span> 2002 single by Matchbox Twenty

"Disease" is the first single released from American rock band Matchbox Twenty's third album, More Than You Think You Are. The track was co-written by Matchbox Twenty lead singer Rob Thomas and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger. Released on September 30, 2002, the song peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100. "Disease" was one of two songs written by Thomas and presented to Jagger while he was producing his solo album Goddess in the Doorway, alongside "Visions of Paradise". Jagger returned "Disease" to Thomas, saying, "It sounds like you. It's your song."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interstate Love Song</span> 1994 single by Stone Temple Pilots

"Interstate Love Song" is a single by American rock band Stone Temple Pilots. Released in September 1994, the song was released as the third single from the band's second studio album, Purple. One of the band's biggest hits, "Interstate Love Song" reached number one on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart on September 17, 1994, replacing the band's previous single "Vasoline". The song stayed at number one for 15 weeks, a record at the time, and gave the Stone Temple Pilots 17 consecutive weeks at number one. It also peaked at number two on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and in Iceland as well as number 20 in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plush (song)</span> 1993 single by Stone Temple Pilots

"Plush" is a 1993 song by American rock band Stone Temple Pilots, released in August 1993 as the second single from their debut album, Core. It became their first single to top the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart; it went on to become that listing's number-one song of 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cosmic Girl (song)</span> 1996 single by Jamiroquai

"Cosmic Girl" is the second single from British funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai's third studio album, Travelling Without Moving (1996). The song was released in the United Kingdom on 25 November 1996 via Sony Soho Square and in the United States in 1997 via Work Group. It achieved great chart success, peaking at No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart. The song also reached No. 3 in Italy, No. 4 in Iceland, and No. 10 in Finland. The accompanying music video was directed by Adrian Moat and filmed in Spain. The B-side to the single is an instrumental, "Slipin' 'N' Slidin'", a song originating from another Jamiroquai track called "Mr Boogie", which was a live-only song. "Slipin 'N' Slidin'", just like "Mr Boogie", also has a vocal version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Relight My Fire</span> 1979 single by Dan Hartman

"Relight My Fire" is a disco song written and released by American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer Dan Hartman as the title track from his 1979 album of the same name. It was also performed by Costa Anadiotis' band Café Society in 1984 and British boy band Take That in 1993, five months before Hartman died.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Greatest View</span> 2002 single by Silverchair

"The Greatest View" is a song by Australian rock band Silverchair, released on 28 January 2002 as the first single from their fourth studio album, Diorama. This is one of three songs which made it onto the album which Daniel Johns recorded using his Rickenbacker 12 string.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Hard</span> 1990 single by Pet Shop Boys

"So Hard" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released in September 1990 as the lead single from their fourth studio album, Behaviour (1990). The song is about "two people living together; they are totally unfaithful to each other but they both pretend they are faithful and then catch each other out". It peaked at No. 4 in the United Kingdom and reached the top three in at least seven European countries, including Finland, where it reached No. 1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bawitdaba</span> Single by Kid Rock

"Bawitdaba" is a song by American singer Kid Rock from his fourth studio album, Devil Without a Cause (1998). Serviced to US rock radio in February 1999, "Bawitdaba" helped push the success of the album. It has since become one of Kid Rock's most popular songs, receiving critical praise and entering the top 10 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, as well as on the New Zealand Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Four to the Floor</span> 2004 single by Starsailor

"Four to the Floor" is a song by British band Starsailor. The song was released as the third and final single from the band's second album, Silence Is Easy (2003), and became a hit, peaking at number one in France and Wallonia, number five in Australia, and number 24 in the United Kingdom. The Thin White Duke remix of the song was ranked number 70 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004 in Australia. As of July 2014, it was the 84th best-selling single of the 21st century in France, with 333,000 units sold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Archer</span> British musician

Richard Archer is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is the lead vocalist, guitarist, principal songwriter and main composer of indie rock band Hard-Fi. Hard-Fi have produced several top 10 hits and two No. 1 albums. The influence of Archer's hometown of Staines is often evident in his lyrics. He fronted a band called Contempo from 1997 until 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crying at the Discoteque</span> 2000 single by Alcazar

"Crying at the Discoteque" is a song by Swedish band Alcazar from their debut studio album, Casino (2000). The track samples Sheila and B. Devotion's 1979 hit "Spacer". Alexander Bard produced the song and can be heard in the middle of this song. Released in April 2000, "Crying at the Discoteque" became Alcazar's first international hit single the following year, reaching number one in Hungary and the top 10 in Flanders, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Switzerland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free to Decide</span> 1996 single by the Cranberries

"Free to Decide" is a song by Irish rock band the Cranberries, released as the second single from their third studio album, To the Faithful Departed (1996), on 1 July 1996. The song achieved minor chart success in Europe but became a top-10 hit in Canada, peaking at number two on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. In the United States, it peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number eight on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. In 2017, the song was released as an acoustic version on the band's Something Else album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Now That I Own the BBC</span> 1994 song by Sparks

"Now That I Own the BBC" is a song by American pop and rock duo Sparks, which was released in Europe in 1995 and the UK in 1996 as the third and final single from their sixteenth studio album Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins (1994). The song was written and produced by Ron Mael and Russell Mael, with additional production by Linus Burdick.

References

  1. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . 18 June 2005. p. 35.
  2. ↑ Hard Fi Interview – INTERVIEWS – I Like Music
  3. ↑ "Dom Dalley (contempo) on Myspace". Myspace.
  4. ↑ https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5Yembn74IxSwMfXGoAG5am?si=k1_Kvl0hRbWi6iAptC4r5g
  5. ↑ "YouTube" – via YouTube.[ dead YouTube link ]
  6. ↑ video Archived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ Hard to Beat (UK CD1 liner notes). Hard-Fi. Necessary Records, Atlantic Records. 2005. HARD03CD, 5050467 8525 2 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ Hard to Beat (UK CD2 liner notes). Hard-Fi. Necessary Records, Atlantic Records. 2005. HARD03CDX.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. 1 2 3 "Hard-Fi – Hard to Beat" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  10. ↑ Hard to Beat (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). Hard-Fi. Necessary Records, Atlantic Records. 2005. HARD03T.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ↑ Hard to Beat (European maxi-CD single liner notes). Hard-Fi. Necessary Records, Atlantic Records. 2005. 5050467 9496 2 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ↑ Hard to Beat (Australian CD single liner notes). Hard-Fi. Necessary Records, Atlantic Records. 2005. 5101158252.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ↑ "Hard-Fi – Hard to Beat" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  14. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  15. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  16. ↑ "Alternative Airplay" . Billboard . 8 July 2006. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  17. ↑ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2005" (PDF). UKChartsPlus . Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  18. ↑ "British single certifications – Hard-Fi – Hard to Beat". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 25 November 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.