Hardest to Love

Last updated

"Hardest to Love"
Song by the Weeknd
from the album After Hours
ReleasedMarch 20, 2020 (2020-03-20)
Studio
  • MXM (Los Angeles, California)
  • House Mouse Studios, MXM (Stockholm, Sweden)
Genre
Length3:31
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Max Martin
  • Oscar Holter
  • The Weeknd

"Hardest to Love" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album After Hours (2020). [3] The Weeknd wrote and produced the song alongside Max Martin and Oscar Holter.

Contents

Background and composition

While previewing the album to Jem Aswad of Variety , the Weeknd shared some information about Hardest to Love's development, stating:

"This one I did originally with [co-writer/co-producer] Oscar [Holter], and then Max [Martin] finished it with me. I wrote this song very fast and it was the last song on the record that I finished. When I made this song I was nervous because I felt like I went overboard with the ambition — I’m ambitious, but I thought maybe this is too much. It wasn’t until 'Blinding Lights' [became one of the biggest hits of Weeknd’s career] that I knew, a) I could finish this album and b) I could put this song on it. And sometimes it just comes down to the melody. This was the fastest melody that I ever made — I went into a room for 20 minutes and wrote the entire song, and then Max produced it". [4]

The song was first previewed in a teaser video posted to the Weeknd's Twitter account on March 19, 2020. [5]

"Hardest to Love" features the Weeknd reminiscing on his past behaviors in a relationship, blaming himself for its demise. [6] The song refers to some softer points in the U.K. hardcore continuum dating back to the late '90s via drum-'n'-bass while modernizing it with finesse. [7]

Critical reception

"Hardest to Love" received universal acclaim. "On the standout ‘Hardest to Love,’ Tesfaye delivers one of the most affecting vocal performances of his career over a glitchy pop soundscape. The song's catchiness belies its melancholy, a sophisticated combination that's a testament to Tesfaye's depiction of a relationship that results in a confusing morass of emotions that we seldom process them in a linear fashion: anger, sadness, gratitude, elation, loneliness. Tesfaye navigates these conflicting emotions in a way that captures the experience of being lost in that swirl," noted Slant Magazine columnist Seth Wilson. [8] Yahoo Entertainment writer Larry Fitzmaurice exclaimed, "The Weeknd delivers After Hours' most shocking deviation from that gloom and doom aesthetic with the sky-climbing ‘Hardest to Love,’ a featherweight slice of drum 'n' bass that resembles a lost track from Björk's classic Homogenic". [9] Rolling Stone journalist praised the song, "On ‘Hardest to Love,’ a fleet, pretty Max Martin co-write with a Nineties-evoking drum ‘n’ bass feel, he's the cold-hearted ex stamping out love's final embers, adding a quintessentially Weeknd-ish kicker: "It’s hard to let me go," at once self-cancelling and self-absorbed". [10]

Vice editor Ashwin Rodrigues said, "On ‘Hardest to Love,’ The Weeknd admits his shortcomings as a romantic partner on top of electric, water droplet synths and a constant, low vibrating drum n bass beat. The track features a hard-to-shake chorus and production that would really put the sound system of a brand new, electric German SUV to the test". [11] Tom Breihan of Stereogum analyzed, " ‘Hardest To Love’ adapts glimmering Max Martin melodies to fit the rushing pulse of car-commercial drum-‘n’-bass. The record seamlessly combines elite-aesthete sound clouds with big-money pop music. His voice is magnificent. Tesfaye's only gaining greater control of his instrument; he floats airily over these fantastically rich soundscapes that he's commissioned". [12] ‘Hardest to Love’ is a taut and disciplined assemblage ready for mass consumption. The piece is built on a stuttering drum beat and major-key melody and is positively uplifting," asserted The Wall Street Journal writer Mark Richardson. [13]

"‘Hardest to Love’ pays homage to liquid drum ‘N’ bass, building a sense of irony as the upbeat instrumental belies a heartfelt confession of wrong-doing. An angelic choir can be heard, creating a sense of hope, greatly showcasing how effective the production throughout this album is," observed Clash Magazine reviewer Ramy Abou-Setta. [14] GQ Magazine writer Max Cea added, "It’s dark and moody, and comes from the perspective of a lonely narrator capturing the way a lot of people are feeling as they pace their living rooms and feverishly refresh the news". [15]

Commercial performance

Following the release of its parent album, "Hardest to Love" debuted at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 dated April 4, 2020. [16] On the Rolling Stone Top 100 Songs chart, the song reached its peak of number seven. [17] In the singer's native country of Canada, "Hardest to Love" reached number 36 on the Canadian Hot 100. [18]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Genius. [19]

Charts

Chart (2020)Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [20] 36
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) [21] 40
Denmark (Tracklisten) [22] 38
Estonia (Eesti Tipp-40) [23] 21
France (SNEP) [24] 52
Greece (IFPI) [25] 37
Iceland (Plötutíðindi) [26] 22
Italy (FIMI) [27] 49
Lithuania (AGATA) [28] 28
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [29] 2
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) [30] 15
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [31] 39
UK Audio Streaming (OCC) [32] 34
US Billboard Hot 100 [33] 25
US Rolling Stone Top 100 [34] 6

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [35] Gold20,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel(s)Ref.
VariousMarch 20, 2020 [36]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Weeknd</span> Canadian singer-songwriter (born 1990)

Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, known professionally as the Weeknd, is a Canadian singer and songwriter. He is known for his unconventional music production, artistic reinventions, and signature use of the falsetto register.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Hills (song)</span> 2015 single by the Weeknd

"The Hills" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released on May 27, 2015, as the second single from his second studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness (2015). The song was written by the Weeknd alongside producers Emmanuel "Mano" Nickerson and Illangelo, with Belly receiving additional writing credits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Feel My Face</span> 2015 single by the Weeknd

"Can't Feel My Face" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his second studio album Beauty Behind the Madness (2015). The song was released on June 8, 2015, as the album's third single. It was written by Max Martin, Peter Svensson, Ali Payami, Savan Kotecha and the Weeknd, and produced by Martin and Payami.

"A Lonely Night" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his third studio album Starboy (2016). It was written by the Weeknd, Peter Svensson, Savan Kotecha, Belly, DaHeala, and produced by Ali Payami and Max Martin. The song was the subject of a copyright infringement lawsuit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blinding Lights</span> 2019 single by the Weeknd

"Blinding Lights" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released on November 29, 2019, through XO and Republic Records, as the second single from his fourth studio album, After Hours (2020). The universally acclaimed song was written by the Weeknd, Swedish musicians Max Martin and Oscar Holter, and fellow Canadian musicians Belly and DaHeala, being produced by the former three.

<i>After Hours</i> (The Weeknd album) 2020 studio album by the Weeknd

After Hours is the fourth studio album by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released on March 20, 2020 by XO and Republic Records. Primarily produced by the Weeknd, it features a variety of producers, including DaHeala, Illangelo, Max Martin, Metro Boomin, and OPN, most of whom the Weeknd had worked with previously. The standard edition of the album has no features, but the deluxe edition features Ariana Grande and the remixes edition contains guest appearances from Chromatics and Lil Uzi Vert. Thematically, After Hours explores loneliness, self-loathing, and escapism.

"After Hours" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album of the same name. It was released through XO and Republic Records as the album's promotional single on February 19, 2020. The Weeknd wrote and produced the song with Illangelo, DaHeala and Mario Winans, with Belly receiving additional writing credits.

"Scared to Live" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album After Hours. He performed the song for the first time on March 8, 2020, with American musician Oneohtrix Point Never, during an episode of Saturday Night Live. The SNL version of the song was officially released alongside the deluxe edition of its parent album on March 23, 2020. The Weeknd wrote and produced the song with Max Martin and Oscar Holter, writing credits also going to Belly and Oneohtrix Point Never. Elton John and Bernard Taupin received additional songwriting credits for the interpolation of John's 1970 single "Your Song".

"Until I Bleed Out" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album After Hours. It was released as the closing track from the album on March 20, 2020. It was written and produced alongside Metro Boomin, Oneohtrix Point Never, Prince 85, and Notinbed. A music video for the song was released on April 7, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Save Your Tears</span> 2020 single by the Weeknd

"Save Your Tears" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album, After Hours (2020). It was released to Dutch contemporary hit radio on August 9, 2020 as the album's fourth and final single. The song was written and produced by the Weeknd, Max Martin, and Oscar Holter, with Belly and DaHeala receiving additional writing credits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In Your Eyes (The Weeknd song)</span> 2020 single by the Weeknd

"In Your Eyes" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd and the third single from his fourth studio album, After Hours (2020). The song was released to contemporary hit radio on March 24, 2020, by XO and Republic Records. It was originally released four days before, alongside the rest of its parent album. The Weeknd wrote and produced the song with Max Martin and Oscar Holter, with Belly receiving additional writing credits. The original studio recording of the track features Wojtek Goral on alto saxophone, while the live version and remix of the song features Kenny G on soprano saxophone.

"Faith" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album After Hours. The track was teased multiple times throughout the pre-release promotional material for the album, with the song's intro first being shown on February 13, 2020, through the After Hours teaser. Its second verse and outro were teased on the album's self-titled short film, which was released on March 4, 2020. The song was officially released on March 20, 2020, alongside the rest of its parent album. The Weeknd wrote and produced the song with Metro Boomin and Illangelo, with additional writing credits going to Canadian rapper Belly.

"Snowchild" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album After Hours. It was released on March 20, 2020, alongside the rest of its parent album. A music video for the song was released on July 22, 2020. The song was written and produced by The Weeknd, Illangelo, and DaHeala; with Belly receiving additional writing credits.

"Too Late" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album After Hours (2020). It was released on March 20, 2020, alongside the rest of its parent album. A music video for the song was released on October 22, 2020. The Weeknd co-wrote the song with its producers, Illangelo, DaHeala, and Ricky Reed, with additional production credits going to Nate Mercereau.

"Alone Again" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, from his fourth studio album, After Hours. It was released on March 20, 2020, alongside the rest of the album and serves as the opening track. The Weeknd wrote and produced the song with DaHeala, Illangelo and Frank Dukes.

"Escape from LA" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd from his fourth studio album After Hours. It was released on March 20, 2020, alongside the rest of its parent album as the sixth track. The Weeknd co-wrote and produced the song along with Carlo Montagnese and Leland Tyler Wayne, with Mike McTaggart also credited as a songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smile (Juice Wrld and the Weeknd song)</span> 2020 single by Juice Wrld and the Weeknd

"Smile" is a song by American rapper and singer Juice Wrld and Canadian singer the Weeknd. It was released on August 7, 2020, as the sixth single from the former's posthumous third studio album Legends Never Die. On the day of the single's release, an updated version of the album featuring the song was released.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take My Breath</span> 2021 single by the Weeknd

"Take My Breath" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released on August 6, 2021, through XO and Republic Records, as the lead single from his fifth studio album, Dawn FM (2022). The song was written and produced by the Weeknd, Max Martin and Oscar Holter, with Belly, Andrea Di Ceglie, and Luigi Tutolo receiving additional songwriting credits.

"Is There Someone Else?" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. Released as the tenth track on his fifth studio album, Dawn FM (2022), it was written by the Weeknd, OPN, Tommy Brown and Peter Lee Johnson, and produced by the four with additional production by Max Martin and Oscar Holter. The track peaked at number 45 on the UK Singles Chart and number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Do I Make You Love Me?</span> 2022 song by the Weeknd

"How Do I Make You Love Me?" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, and serves as the third track from his fifth studio album Dawn FM (2022). The song was written and produced by the Weeknd, OPN, Max Martin, Swedish House Mafia, Oscar Holter and Matt Cohn.

References

  1. ↑ "The Weeknd Goes Track-by-Track (Almost) on 'After Hours'". Variety . Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  2. ↑ Abou-Setta, Ramy. "The Weeknd - After Hours". Clash. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  3. ↑ "After Hours The Weeknd". Genius.com. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  4. ↑ "The Weeknd Goes Track-by-Track (Almost) on 'After Hours'". Variety . Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  5. ↑ "ALBUM DROPS TONIGHT". twitter.com. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  6. ↑ "The Weeknd Hardest to Love Lyrics". Genius.com. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  7. ↑ Kellman, Andy (March 20, 2020). "After Hours Allmusic Review". Allmusic. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Review: The Weeknd's After Hours Is a Triumphant Depiction of Heartbreak". Slant Magazine. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  9. ↑ Fitzmaurice, Larry. "After Hours is the Weeknd's most consistent work to date". Yahoo Entertainment. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  10. ↑ Dolan, Jon. "The Weeknd Is Alone Again, Naturally, on 'After Hours'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  11. ↑ Rodrigues, Ashwin. "The 11 Songs We Couldn't Get Enough of This Month". Vice. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  12. ↑ Breihan, Tom. "Premature Evaluation: The Weeknd After Hours". Stereogum. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  13. ↑ Richardson, Mark. "'After Hours' by the Weeknd Review: Record of a Multifaceted Personality". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  14. ↑ Abou-Setta, Ramy. "The Weeknd - After Hours". Clash. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  15. ↑ Cea, Max. "The Weeknd, After Hours: The Best Song Is…". GQ. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  16. ↑ Zellener, Xander (March 30, 2020). "Every Song From The Weeknd's 'After Hours' Is on the Hot 100". Billboard . Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Rolling Stone Top 100 (Marcy 20, 2020 - March 17, 2020)". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  18. ↑ "The Weeknd Chart History" . Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  19. ↑ "The Weeknd Hardest to Love Lyrics". Genius.com. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  20. ↑ "The Weeknd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  21. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202013 into search. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  22. ↑ "The Weeknd – Hardest to Love". Tracklisten. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  23. ↑ Nestor, Siim (March 31, 2020). "Eesti Tipp-40 Muusikas: Selle nädala kangelased on The Weeknd ja AG". Eesti Ekspress (in Estonian). Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Top Singles (Week 13, 2020)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  25. ↑ "IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (International) Week 12 2020". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on April 2, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on April 1, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  27. ↑ "The Weeknd – Hardest to Love". Top Digital Download. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  28. ↑ "2020 13-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA . Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  29. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 30, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  30. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202013 into search. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  31. ↑ "The Weeknd – Hardest to Love". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  33. ↑ "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone . Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Brazilian single certifications – The Weeknd – Hardest To Love" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil . Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  36. ↑ "Listen to the Weeknd's New Album After Hours". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
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.