Hard to Handle (song)

Last updated
"Hard to Handle"
Song by Otis Redding
from the album The Immortal Otis Redding
ReleasedJune 1968
Recorded1967
Genre
Length2:17
Label Atco
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Steve Cropper
Official audio
Hard To Handle (Official Lyric Video) on YouTube

"Hard to Handle" is a 1968 song written by American soul singer Otis Redding along with Al Bell and Allen Jones. Originally recorded by Redding, it was released in 1968 as the B-side to "Amen" (shortly after the singer's sudden death in 1967). The song also appears on the 1968 album The Immortal Otis Redding . Redding's version reached number 38 on the Billboard R&B chart and number 51 on the pop chart. [2]

Contents

American rock band the Black Crowes covered the song for their 1990 debut album, Shake Your Money Maker , reaching number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 with their rendition.

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [3] Silver200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

The Grateful Dead version

Hard To Handle was performed by the Grateful Dead about 90 times between March 1969 and August 1971 with Piegpen (Ronald McKeran) taking the lead vocals. It was subsequently performed only twice, on December 30 and 31, 1982, with Etta James taking the vocals and support from the Tower of Power horns.

The Black Crowes version

"Hard to Handle"
HardtoHandle.jpg
Single by the Black Crowes
from the album Shake Your Money Maker
B-side
ReleasedAugust 13, 1990 (1990-08-13)
Genre Hard rock [4]
Length3:08
Label Def American
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) George Drakoulias
The Black Crowes singles chronology
"Jealous Again"
(1990)		"Hard to Handle"
(1990)		"Twice As Hard"
(1990)

American rock band the Black Crowes covered the song for their 1990 debut album, Shake Your Money Maker . Two versions of the song exist: the original album version and the hit single remixed with an overdubbed brass section, available on the 30th Anniversary edition of Shake Your Money Maker. [5] The album version was first released as a single in the United Kingdom in August 1990 and was issued in the United States later the same year.

The song peaked at number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number one on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, and number 45 on the UK Singles Chart. Following the success of the band's first top-40 hit, "She Talks to Angels", the song re-entered the Hot 100 and peaked at number 26 in August 1991, becoming the Black Crowes' highest position on the chart. The same month, the song was re-released in the UK and reached a new peak of number 39.

Track listings

US 7-inch and cassette single (1990) [6] [7]

A. "Hard to Handle" (album version) – 3:08
B. "Waitin' Guilty" – 3:02

International 7-inch and cassette single (1990) [8] [9]

A. "Hard to Handle" (album version) – 3:06
B. "Jealous Again" (acoustic version) – 4:37

UK 12-inch single and Japanese maxi-CD single (1990) [10] [11]

  1. "Hard to Handle"
  2. "Jealous Again" (acoustic version)
  3. "Twice As Hard" (live at the Paradiso, June 5, 1990)
  4. "Stare It Cold" (live at the Paradiso, June 5, 1990)

UK CD single (1990) [13]

  1. "Hard to Handle"
  2. "Jealous Again" (acoustic version)
  3. "Twice as Hard" (remix)

UK 7-inch single (1991) [14]

A. "Hard to Handle" (album version)
B. "Sister Luck" (live at the Greek Theatre)

UK 7-inch picture disc (1991) [15]

A. "Hard to Handle" (album version)
B. "Stare It Cold" (live at the Greek Theatre)

UK 12-inch single (1991) [16]

A1. "Hard to Handle"
B1. "Dreams" (live at the Greek Theatre)
B2. "Stare It Cold" (live at the Greek Theatre)

UK CD single (1991) [17]

  1. "Hard to Handle"
  2. "Sister Luck" (live at the Greek Theatre)
  3. "Stare It Cold" (live at the Greek Theatre)

Japanese mini-CD single (1991) [18]

  1. "Hard to Handle"
  2. "Jealous Again" (acoustic version)

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [27] Silver200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history and formats for "Hard to Handle"
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United KingdomAugust 13, 1990
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • cassette
 Def American [28]
August 28, 199012-inch picture disc [29]
United States1990
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • cassette
JapanNovember 25, 1990Maxi-CD [30]
May 25, 1991Mini-CD [31]
United KingdomAugust 12, 1991
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
 [32]

Other versions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rush (Big Audio Dynamite II song)</span> 1991 single by Big Audio Dynamite II

"Rush" is a song by English band Big Audio Dynamite II from their fifth album, The Globe (1991). A longer version of "Rush", entitled "Change of Atmosphere", had previously appeared on the group's 1990 album Kool-Aid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wicked Game</span> 1989 single by Chris Isaak

"Wicked Game" is a song by American rock musician Chris Isaak, released from his third album, Heart Shaped World (1989). Released as a single in July 1989, it became a sleeper hit after being featured in the 1990 David Lynch film Wild at Heart, starring Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern. Lee Chesnut, an Atlanta radio station music director who loved David Lynch films, began playing the song, and it quickly became an American top-10 hit in March 1991, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100. Internationally, the single became a number-one hit in Belgium and reached the top 10 in several other nations.

"From a Distance" is a song by American singer-songwriter Julie Gold, initially penned in 1985. Gold's friend Christine Lavin introduced the song to Nanci Griffith, who first recorded it for her 1987 album Lone Star State of Mind. A successful cover version by Bette Midler was released in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Want That Man</span> 1989 single by Debbie Harry

"I Want That Man" is a song by American singer Deborah Harry. The song was released as the lead single from her third solo album, Def, Dumb & Blonde, and was the first record Harry released in which she reverted to using Deborah as her name instead of Debbie. "I Want That Man" became a hit in several territories, reaching number two in Australia and on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It also became a top-20 hit in Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anything but Down</span> 1999 single by Sheryl Crow

"Anything but Down" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow. Released as the third single from her third studio album, The Globe Sessions (1998), it fared better than its predecessor "There Goes the Neighborhood" in the United States, reaching number 49 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Triple-A chart. The song also reached number 11 in Canada and number 19 in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Are You Ready (AC/DC song)</span> 1991 single by AC/DC

"Are You Ready" is a song by Australian rock band AC/DC. It is featured on the band's 1990 album The Razors Edge. A live version of the song recorded on the tour of the same name appeared on one of AC/DC's two live albums of 1992, Live: 2 CD Collector's Edition. The song peaked at number one in New Zealand, becoming the band's only number-one hit there, and has been certified gold for sales exceeding 5,000. The song also peaked at number 16 on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, number six in Ireland, number 14 in Finland, and number 18 in Australia. Music & Media magazine called the song "the best example of a rhetorical question". "Are You Ready" was used as the official theme for WWE SmackDown on Fox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Remedy (The Black Crowes song)</span> 1992 single by the Black Crowes

"Remedy" is a song by American rock band the Black Crowes from their second album, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion (1992). It appears as the second track on the album. "Remedy" reached number one on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart in May 1992 and stayed there for 11 weeks. On the Billboard Hot 100, the song peaked at number 48. It also reached number 24 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's highest-charting single in the United Kingdom, and entered the top 10 in New Zealand and Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roam</span> 1989 single by the B-52s

"Roam" is a song by American new wave band the B-52s released as the fourth single from their fifth studio album, Cosmic Thing (1989). The vocals are sung by Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson. The B-52's worked with a co-writer, Robert Waldrop, who penned the lyrics. Released as a single in 1989, "Roam" peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and entered the top 10 in Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strong Enough (Sheryl Crow song)</span> 1994 single by Sheryl Crow

"Strong Enough" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow from her debut album, Tuesday Night Music Club (1993). The song reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks, number three in Australia, and number one in Canada, becoming her second chart-topper there following "All I Wanna Do". In Australia, the song received a double-platinum certification for sales and streams exceeding 140,000 units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunshine on a Rainy Day</span> 1990 single by Zoë

"Sunshine on a Rainy Day" is a song by British pop singer and songwriter Zoë, released by M&G and Polydor as the first single from her debut album, Scarlet Red and Blue (1991). The song, written by Zoë and Youth, received positive reviews from music critics, reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart in September 1991. It also charted within the top 40 in Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden and Zimbabwe, where it reached number-one. Three different music videos were produced to promote the single, one of them was filmed in India and another for the US market. In 2008, Zoë re-recorded the song with her folk band Mama. This version is available on their debut CD, Crow Coyote Buffalo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It Takes Two (Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock song)</span> 1988 single by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock

"It Takes Two" is a song by New York City hip hop duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock that became a top-40 single and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Since it was released in 1988 by Profile Records, the song has been covered and sampled by several recording artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Be Tender with Me Baby</span> 1990 single by Tina Turner

"Be Tender with Me Baby" is a song by recording artist Tina Turner. Written by Albert Hammond and Holly Knight and produced by Dan Hartman, it was released as a single from Turner's seventh solo studio album, Foreign Affair (1989), in October 1990. Released as a single in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and continental Europe only, it reached number four in Portugal, number 18 in Ireland, number 28 in the UK, and number 35 in the Netherlands. The accompanying music video depicts Turner performing the track at a 1990 concert at Woburn Abbey during her Foreign Affair Tour as an encore, and the seven-minute live version was also included on the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Wanna Fall in Love</span> 1990 single by Jane Child

"Don't Wanna Fall in Love" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Jane Child. Released in January 1990 as the second single from her first album, Jane Child, the single went to number 2 for three consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 from April 14 to April 28, 1990. In addition, a new jack swing remix of the song was produced by Teddy Riley and reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart and number 11 on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hush (LL Cool J song)</span> 2004 single by LL Cool J

"Hush" is the second single from American rapper LL Cool J's 10th studio album, The DEFinition (2004). Produced by 7 Aurelius, who provides additional vocals, the song was released on September 7, 2004, by Def Jam Recordings. "Hush" charted at number 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 11 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart, and number 14 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. The single became a top-10 success in the United Kingdom, where it debuted and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart in February 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shining Star (INXS song)</span> 1991 single by INXS

"Shining Star" is a song by Australian rock band INXS, released as the only single issued from the band's first live album, Live Baby Live (1991), on 21 October 1991. It is the one new studio track recorded for the album. Upon the song's release, it peaked at No. 21 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, No. 27 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the group's ninth top-40 single in the latter country. In the United States, it peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and No. 14 on the Album Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She Talks to Angels</span> 1991 single by the Black Crowes

"She Talks to Angels" is a song by American rock band the Black Crowes. It is the eighth track on their first album, Shake Your Money Maker (1990), and was the fourth single released from the album in 1991. The song reached number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number one on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, and number 21 in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sting Me</span> 1992 single by the Black Crowes

"Sting Me" is a song by American rock band the Black Crowes. It is the opening track on the band's second studio album, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, and was released in 1992 as its second commercial single. The song reached number one on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, where it remained for two weeks, and was the second of four singles from the album to top the Album Rock chart. A music video was also filmed for the song, featuring the band performing at a marijuana legalization rally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jealous Again (song)</span> 1990 single by the Black Crowes

"Jealous Again" is the debut single of American band the Black Crowes, released as the lead single from their 1990 debut album, Shake Your Money Maker. The song reached number 75 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number five on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks charts. It also charted in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom throughout 1990 and 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It Hit Me Like a Hammer</span> 1991 single by Huey Lewis and the News

"It Hit Me Like a Hammer" is a song by American rock band Huey Lewis and the News, released in 1991 by EMI USA as the second single from their sixth album, Hard at Play (1991). The song was co-written by band leader Huey Lewis and songwriter/producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange. The song peaked at No. 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming their final top-40 hit in the US, and No. 9 on Canada's RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. The single release contains a remix of the song with a saxophone solo that did not appear on the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Want to Be with Nobody but You</span> 1990 single by Absent Friends

"I Don't Want to Be with Nobody but You" is a song originally recorded by Dorothy Moore for her 1976 album Misty Blue. It was written by Eddie Floyd, who recorded his own version in 2008 for the album Eddie Loves You So. Australian band Absent Friends covered the song for their 1990 debut album, Here's Looking Up Your Address, featuring Wendy Matthews on lead vocals and Peter Blakeley on backing vocals.

References

  1. 1 2 Cartwright, Garth (2015). "Otis Redding - "Hard to Handle". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die. New York: Universe. p. 227.
  2. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 486.
  3. ↑ "British single certifications – Otis Reading – Hard to Handle". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  4. ↑ Kemp, Mark (2004). "The Black Crowes". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp. 75–76. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  5. ↑ "'Shake Your Money Maker' 30th Anniversary Box Set". theblackcrowes.com. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  6. ↑ Hard to Handle (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). The Black Crowes. Def American Recordings. 1990. 7-19245.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ↑ Hard to Handle (US cassette single cassette notes). The Black Crowes. Def American Recordings. 1990. 19245-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ Hard to Handle (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). The Black Crowes. Def American Recordings. 1990. DEFA 6, 878 132–7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ↑ Hard to Handle (UK cassette single sleeve). The Black Crowes. Def American Recordings. 1990. DEFAM 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ Hard to Handle (UK 12-inch single sleeve). The Black Crowes. Def American Recordings. 1990. DEFA 612, 878 133-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ↑ Hard to Handle (Japanese maxi-CD single liner notes). The Black Crowes. Def American Recordings. 1990. PHCR-8004.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ↑ Hard to Handle (UK 12-inch picture disc sleeve). The Black Crowes. Def American Recordings. 1990. DEFAP 612.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ↑ Hard to Handle (UK CD single liner notes). The Black Crowes. Def American Recordings. 1990. DEFAC 6, 878 133–2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ↑ Hard to Handle (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). The Black Crowes. Def American Recordings. 1991. DEFA10, 868 838-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ Hard to Handle (UK 7-inch picture disc sleeve). The Black Crowes. Def American Recordings. 1991. DEFAP 10, 868 840-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ↑ Hard to Handle (UK 12-inch single sleeve). The Black Crowes. Def American Recordings. 1991. DEFA 1012, 868 839-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ↑ Hard to Handle (UK CD single liner notes). The Black Crowes. Def American Recordings. 1991. DEFAC10, 868 839-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ↑ Hard to Handle (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). The Black Crowes. Def American Recordings. 1990. PHDR-21.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  20. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9091." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  21. ↑ "The Black Crowes – Hard to Handle" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  24. ↑ "The Black Crowes Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  25. ↑ "The Black Crowes Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  26. ↑ "The Year in Music 1991: Top Album Rock Tracks". Billboard . Vol. 103, no. 51. December 21, 1991. p. YE-41.
  27. ↑ "British single certifications – Black Crowes – Hard To Handle". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  28. ↑ "New Singles". Music Week . August 11, 1990. p. 27.
  29. ↑ "New Singles". Music Week. August 25, 1990. p. 23.
  30. ↑ "ジェラス・アゲイン | ブラック・クロウズ" [Jealous Again | Black Crowes] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  31. ↑ "ハード・トゥ・ハンドル | ブラック・クロウズ" [Hard to Handle | Black Crowes] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  32. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. August 10, 1991. p. 19.
  33. ↑ "Tony Joe - Tony Joe White | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic .
  34. ↑ "All Funked Up – Snafu | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  35. ↑ "BBC - Radio 1 - Keeping It Peel - 28/08/1975 Snafu".
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.