Harder Than You Think

Last updated
"Harder Than You Think"
Public Enemy - Harder Than You Think.jpg
Single by Public Enemy
from the album How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul?
ReleasedAugust 13, 2007 (vinyl)
August 18, 2012 (digital download)
Genre Hip hop
Length4:10(album version)
3:10 (UK radio edit)
Label SLAMjamz Records
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Gary G-Wiz
Public Enemysingles chronology
"Amerikan Gangster"
(2007)		"Harder Than You Think"
(2007)		"Say It Like It Really Is"
(2010)

"Harder Than You Think" is the first single from Public Enemy's 20th anniversary album How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul? released in 2007. It was produced by Gary G-Wiz.

Contents

The song attained popularity during late summer 2007, and became Public Enemy's highest-charting single on the UK Singles Chart in August 2012. The track borrows from Shirley Bassey's 1972 track "Jezahel", [1] a cover of the song "Jesahel" by the Italian prog rock band Delirium. On November 25, 2023, the authors of ''Jesahel'' (Ivano Fossati and Oscar Prudente) together with Universal Music Group sued Public Enemy for plagiarism, since Fossati and Prudente are not recognized as co-authors of "Harder Than You Think" [2] [3]

Music video

The music video was directed by David C. Snyder, and was uploaded unofficially onto YouTube on August 3, 2007.

Following the use of "Harder Than You Think" to soundtrack the UK's Channel 4 coverage of the Summer 2012 Paralympics, a music video including clips from the Channel 4 trailer for the Summer 2012 Paralympics was produced by HWIC Filmworks (founded by John Delserone and David C. Snyder, who directed the original video). [4] [5]

A version of the video was also produced for the Dehasse Radio Edit, a dance version of the track remixed for the 2012 re-emergence of the track in the UK charts.

Use in media

The song was featured in Eric Koston's segment in the 2007 skateboarding video "Fully Flared". The song and its beat were used by ESPN for the 2011 Big East men's basketball tournament. The song is also featured on the soundtrack of the video game Skate 2 . The song was later featured heavily in a Fall K-Mart ad as of September 2011. It is also one of the lead songs in the commercials for ESPN's broadcasting of the Winter X Games. The song featured prominently towards the end of the BBC Four 2011 documentary "Public Enemy: Prophets Of Rage" which was screened as the fourth episode of the channel's "Black Music Legends Of The 1980s" series. It also appeared in the trailer for the 2012 film Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap and was also the only track to feature on its soundtrack album which did not appear in the actual film. The song is also featured at the opening of the 2012 film End of Watch . In 2021 it's been used in the NBA commercial about Martin Luther King, Jr Day called "We Must Learn". It is also featured in The Redeem Team documentary film released by Netflix in 2022. The song is also featured in the 6th episode of Succession's fourth season as Kendall walks out to make a speech. [6] In 2023, the song is featured again in the biographical film Gran Turismo during the film's final race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Paralympics

In the United Kingdom, it was used as the soundtrack in both the 90-second long trailer [7] [8] and as the theme tune to Channel 4's coverage of the 2012 Summer Paralympics. [9] The song subsequently experienced a surge in sales, peaking at number 4 and thereby becoming Public Enemy's first Top 10 single in the UK and their highest-charting single ever in the nation. A review for The Independent said of its re-release in the UK: "Following its prominent use in Channel 4's Paralympics coverage, great lost 2007 single 'Harder Than You Think' had a sales surge that carried it into the UK Top Five, giving the band their biggest hit to date. It'd be a thrilling piece of work in any era, Chuck delivering a typically apocalyptic call to arms over a backing track which uses a horn sample from Shirley Bassey's 'Jezahel', but to hear it blasting from the radio in the second decade of this century is beyond beautiful." [10] The song also serves as the theme tune to the British TV show The Last Leg , which was originally a show that ran alongside the 2012 Paralympics, but later spun off as an independent show.

The song was also used as the theme tune to Channel 4's coverage of the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia; the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; the 2018 Winter Paralympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea and the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Track listing

12" vinyl [11]
  1. "Harder Than You Think" (Clean Mix)
  2. "Harder Than You Think" (Instrumental)
  1. "Amerikan Gangster" (Dirty Mix)
  2. "Amerikan Gangster" (Clean Mix)
  3. "Amerikan Gangster" (Instrumental)
2012 digital download [12]
  1. "Harder Than You Think" (UK Radio Edit) - 3:10
Other versions [13]
  1. "Harder Than You Think" (Album Version) - 4:10
  2. "Harder Than You Think" (Remix) - 4:38
  3. Harder Than You Think (Dehasse Radio Edit) - 3:18
  4. Harder Than You Think (Dehasse Club Mix) - 5:59

Chart performance

Chart (2012)Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA) [14] 23
UK Singles (OCC) [15] 4
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) [16] 1
UK Indie (OCC) [17] 1

Certifications

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

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
United Kingdom August 13, 2007 [11] 12" vinylSLAMJamz
August 18, 2012 [12] Digital download

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public Enemy</span> American hip hop group

Public Enemy is an American hip hop group formed by Chuck D and Flavor Flav on Long Island, New York, in 1985. The group rose to prominence for their political messages including subjects such as American racism and the American media. Their debut album, Yo! Bum Rush the Show, was released in 1987 to critical acclaim, and their second album, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988), was the first hip hop album to top The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics' poll. Their next three albums, Fear of a Black Planet (1990), Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black (1991) and Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age (1994), were also well received. The group has since released twelve more studio albums, including the soundtrack to the 1998 sports-drama film He Got Game and a collaborative album with Paris, Rebirth of a Nation (2006).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utah Saints</span> English electronic music group

Utah Saints are an English electronic music duo consisting of members Jez Willis and Tim Garbutt. The band had three top-ten and another five top-40 singles on the UK Singles Chart in the 1990s, as well as number-one dance tracks in the UK and US. They were notable for pioneering use of sampling technology, in particular, their practice of manipulating samples from mainstream pop, rock, R&B and soul songs and combining them with contrasting dance beats, using the samples in a new context. The band wrote, produced and mixed all of their own music. The duo were joined on stage by additional musicians when they played live from 1991 to 2001. They were one of the first electronic groups to play as a live collective and supported both the Shamen and U2 live at 10 stadium shows. Since then the duo have performed live sets themselves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hybrid (British band)</span> British band

Hybrid is a British electronic music duo consisting of Mike and Charlotte Truman. The group was formed in 1995 by Mike Truman, Chris Healings, and Lee Mullin. At the time they were primarily known as a breakbeat collective, although they overlapped considerably with progressive house and trance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger</span> 2001 song by Daft Punk

"Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" is a song by French duo Daft Punk, released in October 2001 as the fourth single from their second studio album Discovery. A live version of "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" was released as a single from the album Alive 2007 on 15 October 2007. This version won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in 2009. In October 2011, NME placed it at number 132 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Think We're Alone Now</span> 1967 single by Tommy James and the Shondells

"I Think We're Alone Now" is a song written and composed by Ritchie Cordell that was first recorded by Tommy James and the Shondells. It was a major hit for the group, reaching number 4 on the US Hot 100 in April 1967. It finished at No. 12 on Billboard magazine's year-end singles chart for 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public Enemy discography</span> Cataloging of published recordings by Public Enemy

The discography of Public Enemy, an American hip hop group, consists of 15 studio albums, two live albums, four compilation albums, two remix albums, one soundtrack album, four video albums, 39 singles, four promotional singles and 39 music videos. The group released their debut studio album, Yo! Bum Rush the Show, in February 1987; it peaked at number 125 on the United States Billboard 200. The album spawned the singles "Public Enemy No. 1" and "You're Gonna Get Yours". Public Enemy released their second studio album, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, in April 1988. The album peaked at number 42 on the Billboard 200. It has since sold 1.3 million copies in the US, earning a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Four of the album's singles charted on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart: "Bring the Noise", "Don't Believe the Hype", "Night of the Living Baseheads" and "Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos". The former three, along with the single "Rebel Without a Pause", also charted in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Time (Melanie C song)</span> 2007 single by Melanie C

"This Time" is a song by British singer-songwriter Melanie C. It was released as the fourth and final international single from the album, This Time, released in the United Kingdom the same week the Spice Girls re-united for the world tour in Los Angeles, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Get Along (Without You)</span> 2007 single by Hard-Fi

"Can't Get Along (Without You)" is a single from indie band Hard-Fi, taken from their second album Once Upon a Time in the West. It was released on 4 November 2007. Richard Archer has said that he thought it to be one of his best songs and TV presenter Tim Lovejoy said that it was one of the best records he had ever heard. However, despite all this, the single only managed to reach #45 in the UK Singles Chart which made it their worst charting single to date until June 2011 where "Good For Nothing" peaked six places lower at 51. On the other hand, the single has had an unexpected success in Peru reaching #1 in its second and third week.

<i>And I Love You So</i> (Shirley Bassey album) 1972 studio album by Shirley Bassey

And I Love You So is a 1972 album by Shirley Bassey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Written in the Stars (Tinie Tempah song)</span> 2010 single by Tinie Tempah

"Written in the Stars" is a song recorded by English rapper Tinie Tempah featuring American singer Eric Turner. It was released on 19 September 2010, through Disturbing London and Parlophone. It was written alongside Charlie Bernardo and producer iSHi, and is the third single from Tinie Tempah's debut studio album Disc-Overy (2010). Musically, the song has been described as pop, pop rap, and rap rock, with lyrics addressing overcoming hardship and finding success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paradise (Coldplay song)</span> 2011 single by Coldplay

"Paradise" is a song by the British rock band Coldplay, released on 12 September 2011 as the second single from their fifth album, Mylo Xyloto. The song received its radio debut at 7:50 a.m. on The Chris Moyles Show on 12 September 2011. According to Coldplay's official website, the single was not initially chart eligible in the United Kingdom, because it was available on iTunes as an "instant grat" when pre-ordering the album. Following the release of the album on 30 October 2011, the song became chart eligible in the UK and entered the UK Singles Chart at number 14, before taking the number 1 spot on its tenth week, becoming the band's second number-one single after "Viva la Vida" in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The One That Got Away (Katy Perry song)</span> 2011 single by Katy Perry

"The One That Got Away" is a song by American singer-songwriter Katy Perry from her second studio album, Teenage Dream (2010). The song was produced by Dr. Luke and Max Martin, both of whom also co-wrote the song with Perry. The song is a mid-tempo pop ballad about a lost love. It features a reference to the rock band Radiohead, and compares the strength of the relationship to that of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. The song was released on September 30, 2011, by Capitol Records as the album's sixth single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">With Ur Love</span> 2011 single by Cher Lloyd

"With Ur Love" is a song by English singer Cher Lloyd featuring vocals from American singer Mike Posner. The single was released on 4 October 2011, and was written by Shellback, Savan Kotecha, Max Martin and Posner and was produced by Shellback and Martin. Musically "With Ur Love" is a mid-tempo pop song, with elements of R&B and lyrically speaks about the euphoria of being in love. The song debuted at number four in the United Kingdom, becoming Lloyd's second top ten single. It also reached the top ten in Ireland and the top twenty in Flanders and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sail (song)</span> 2010 single by Awolnation

"Sail" is a song by the American rock band Awolnation. It was released as a single on November 8, 2010, first featured on the band's debut extended play, Back from Earth (2010), and later on their debut album, Megalithic Symphony (2011). The song was written and produced in Venice, California by group member Aaron Bruno, with Kenny Carkeet as audio engineer.

Sirach Charles, better known by his stage name Angel, is an English singer-songwriter, rapper and record producer from West London, England. His single "Go In, Go Hard", featuring vocals from English rapper Wretch 32, was released on 18 March 2012. The song reached number 41 on the UK Singles Chart. The following single, "Wonderful", performed better commercially, peaking at number nine on the UK Singles Chart and topping the UK R&B Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Professional Griefers</span> 2012 single by Deadmau5 featuring Gerard Way

"Professional Griefers" is a song by Canadian electronic music producer Deadmau5 featuring vocals by American singer Gerard Way. The song was released as the third single from his sixth studio album Album Title Goes Here. The song is featured in the game FIFA 13 and its soundtrack. The song used to be featured in the game Asphalt 8: Airborne in the electronica playlist. The song was also featured briefly in season one episode five of the hit TV show Arrow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Close Enemies</span> 2012 single by Example

"Close Enemies" is a song by British recording artist Example. It was released on 11 November 2012 as the second single from his fourth studio album, The Evolution of Man. The song was written by Elliot Gleave and Alex Smith, the latter who also produced the song. It entered the UK Singles Chart on 18 November 2012 at number 37. Gleave and his band performed a live version of the song for BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, which features on the Live Lounge 2013 compilation album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What About Us (The Saturdays song)</span> 2012 single by The Saturdays featuring Sean Paul

"What About Us" is a single released by British-Irish girl group The Saturdays. Their first international single, it is the lead single from their first American-only release EP, Chasing the Saturdays (2013). It also acts as the second single from their fourth studio album Living for the Weekend (2013). The single was first released in the United States and Canada on 18 December 2012 via digital download, before being released in the United Kingdom on 16 March 2013 via CD single and digital download. The single was written by Camille Purcell, Ollie Jacobs, Philip Jacobs. There are two different versions of the track which have been recorded and released: a solo version, which was released exclusively in the US and Canada, and a version featuring Jamaican rapper Sean Paul, which was released internationally. Music critics gave the song positive feedback, but questioned the heavily auto-tuned chorus and the move away from the group's traditional sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trampoline (Tinie Tempah song)</span> 2013 single by Tinie Tempah featuring 2 Chainz

"Trampoline" is the lead single from British Nigerian rapper Tinie Tempah's second studio album, Demonstration (2013). Released on 4 August 2013, the song features an additional rap verse from American rapper 2 Chainz. It debuted at number three in UK Singles Chart on 11 August 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hero (Namie Amuro song)</span> 2016 single by Namie Amuro

"Hero" is a song by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro. It was released as a stand-alone single on July 27, 2016 by Avex Trax and Amuro’s own label Dimension Point; it was distributed physically in Japan and Taiwan, and digitally worldwide. The song was written by Ryosuke Imai and Sunny Boy, whilst production and composing was handled by the latter collaborator. Originally slated to appear as a B-side track to her previous single "Mint", it served as the official Japanese theme song to the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, broadcast by the NHK. Alongside this, a B-side track titled "Show Me What You’ve Got" appeared on the release of "Hero".

References

  1. ↑ Richman, Simmy (2 September 2012). "Public Enemy:Hero or villain?" . London: Independent.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2022-05-09. Retrieved 22 Sep 2012.
  2. ↑ Michele, Bovi (2023-11-25). ""Jesahel di Sanremo 1972 plagiata dai Public Enemy" (di M. Bovi)". HuffPost Italia (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  3. ↑ Dario, Freccero (2023-12-01). "Musica, la Universal fa causa ai Public Enemy per il plagio di "Jesahel" dei Delirium (che la portarono a Sanremo su un bus del Genoa)". Il Secolo XIX (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  4. ↑ Public Enemy – Harder Than You Think – UK Paralympics version of music video
  5. ↑ Eleftheriou-Smith, Loulla-Mae (6 September 2012). "Public Enemy adapts C4 ad for Paralympian tribute". Campaign. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  6. ↑ "Kendall's Living+ Plan in 'Succession' Episode 6: Explained". Esquire. 2023-05-01. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  7. ↑ Channel 4 90 second long trailer for the 2012 Summer Paralympics
  8. ↑ Heath, Sophia (18 July 2012). "London 2012 Paralympics: Channel 4 launches Paralympic Games advert". The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  9. ↑ Decoding The Superhumans Trailer | That Paralympic Blog
  10. ↑ Price, Simon (4 November 2012). "Public Enemy, The Dome, Brighton Tame Impala, Brixton Academy, London" . The Independent . Archived from the original on 2022-05-09. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  11. 1 2 "Harder Than You Think at Juno Records". Juno Records. 2007-08-13.
  12. 1 2 "iTunes - Music - Harder Than You Think (Radio Edit) - Single by Public Enemy". iTunes (UK). 2012-08-18.
  13. ↑ "iTunes - Music - How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul (Audio Version) by Public Enemy". iTunes (UK). 2007-01-01.
  14. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 35, 2012". Irish Singles Chart.
  15. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  16. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  17. ↑ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company.
  18. ↑ "British single certifications – Public Enemy – Harder Than You Think". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 17, 2018.
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.