"The Hard Way" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Pnau and Khalid | ||||
from the album Hyperbolic | ||||
Released | 10 March 2023 | |||
Length | 3:03 | |||
Label | Etcetc | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Pnau | |||
Pnau singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Khalid singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Lyric video | ||||
"The Hard Way" on YouTube |
"The Hard Way" is a song by Australian electronic trio Pnau and American singer Khalid,released through Etcetc on 10 March 2023.
In a statement,Pnau's Nick Littlemore,said "We are so very excited to share this with you. Working with Khalid has been an absolute dream,we hope this song shall live in your hearts like it does ours." [1] About the song,Khalid said "It's just awesome;it's feel-good but then the lyrics have that melancholy,bittersweet thing about them,it's that juxtaposition,that the lyrics are heartbreakingly sad but if you listen to the song,you can't help but smile." [1]
Triple J said "On the track,the Sydney trio brings an unapologetically big and sugary synth-pop hit,coupled with a melancholic lyrical performance from Khalid." [2]
Conor Lochie from Tone Deaf said "The sublime synth-pop number conjures nostalgic memories of wholehearted '80s music. Khalid's compelling voice sings forlorn,lovelorn words,surrounded by splendid and splashy melodies. It's just the right mixture of upbeat rhythm and melancholic lyricism." [1]
Buddy Iahn from The Music Universe said "It's big scale contemporary pop at its finest,with Pnau's sublime synthpop providing the towering melodies and supremely confident hook that allows Khalid's starry vocal majesty to shine. The two artists really lean into each other's vibe to establish a depth of feeling,with Khalid's lovelorn lyricism and sentimental emotions complemented by Pnau's ability to evoke nostalgic '80s sonic elements within a modernistic production." [3]
Chart (2023) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Independent Singles (AIR) [4] | 2 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [5] | 9 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) [6] | 20 |
Japan Hot Overseas ( Billboard Japan ) [7] | 15 |
Latvia Airplay (LAIPA) [8] | 12 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [9] | 32 |
Netherlands (Single Tip) [10] | 16 |
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [11] | 11 |
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100) [12] | 3 |
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs ( Billboard ) [13] | 12 |
Chart (2023) | Position |
---|---|
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [14] | 30 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) [15] | 85 |
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100) [16] | 21 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Poland (ZPAV) [17] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
"Maneater" is a song by American duo Hall &Oates,featured on their eleventh studio album,H2O (1982). It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on December 18,1982. It remained in the top spot for four weeks,longer than any of the duo's five other number-one hits,including "Kiss on My List",which remained in the top spot for three weeks.
"Paris" is a song by American electronic music duo the Chainsmokers,featuring uncredited vocals from American singer-songwriter and frequent collaborator Emily Warren. "Paris" was released on January 13,2017,as the lead single from their debut album,Memories...Do Not Open,through Disruptor Records and Columbia Records. It was served to Top 40 radio on January 17,2017,as the follow-up radio single to "Closer".
"Passionfruit" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake from his playlist mixtape More Life (2017). The song was written by Drake along with producer Nana Rogues,and has additional vocals from ZoëKravitz. "Passionfruit" was released on March 28,2017,as the second single released from More Life after "Fake Love". It has been covered by Paramore,Mabel,Benny Sings,Yaeji,Cornelius,John Mayer,and Ben Tankard.
The Neighbourhood is the third studio album by American alternative band The Neighbourhood. It was released on March 9,2018,by Columbia Records. It was preceded by two EPs:Hard,which was released on September 22,2017,and To Imagine,released on January 12,2018. The tracks from the extended plays that were not finally included on the album were compiled in another EP called Hard to Imagine. These tracks were also released in an additional disc on the digital deluxe edition of the album. An edition known as Hard to Imagine the Neighbourhood Ever Changing was released on November 2,2018,and included all of the EPs' contents and all but two songs from the original album.
High as Hope is the fourth studio album by English indie rock band Florence and the Machine. It was released on 29 June 2018,by Republic and Virgin EMI Records. It was preceded by the singles "Sky Full of Song" and "Hunger". "Patricia" was released as the third and final single on 10 August 2018.
"Talk" is a song by American singer Khalid Robinson. It was written by Khalid and produced by English electronic music duo Disclosure. It was released on February 7,2019,as the first single from Khalid's second studio album,Free Spirit. The song also appeared in the deluxe edition of Disclosure's third studio album,Energy. "Talk" became Khalid's fifth top 10 hit and highest-charting single as a solo artist in the US,peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was nominated for Record of the Year at the 62nd Grammy Awards.
Hurts 2B Human is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter Pink. Released on April 26,2019,by RCA Records,the album was initially planned as a standalone extended play (EP). Pursuing a sound that would be a departure from her previous albums,Pink enlisted the assistance of collaborators such as Greg Kurstin,Max Martin,and Ryan Tedder. The album features guest appearances by Cash Cash,Khalid,Chris Stapleton,and Wrabel. The album was officially announced during Pink's interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show broadcast in February 2019. Musically,Hurts 2B Human is a pop record whose lyrics delve into themes of love,family,introspection,life,and self-worth.
Human is the fifth studio album by American pop rock band OneRepublic. It was released through Mosley Music Group and Interscope Records on August 27,2021,nearly five years after their fourth album Oh My My (2016),marking this their longest gap between studio releases in the band's existence. After the health issues that affected the band's lead singer,songwriter and producer Ryan Tedder,OneRepublic decided to work on a standalone singles strategy to promote the album. With that,Human deals with lyrical themes surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic,as well as life and the connectivity between humanity and nature.
Live Around the World is the second live album by Queen + Adam Lambert,released on 2 October 2020 by Hollywood Records in North America and EMI worldwide. It is a compilation of songs performed at various shows between June 2014 and February 2020. The album was also released on DVD and Blu-ray with additional songs omitted on the CD and vinyl releases.
"Cold Heart (Pnau remix)" is a song by English singer and songwriter Elton John and English and Albanian singer Dua Lipa from the former's 32nd studio album,The Lockdown Sessions (2021). It was released on 13 August 2021 as the lead single from the album for digital download and streaming in various countries by EMI and Mercury. Created during the COVID-19 pandemic,the collaboration between the artists was a testament to their friendship,which was established in November 2020. The song is a medley of four songs written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin,as well as Andrew Meecham,Dean Meredith,Nicholas Littlemore,Peter Mayes and Sam Littlemore,with the production completed by the latter three as part of the dance music group Pnau. Interpolating John's songs "Rocket Man" (1972),"Kiss the Bride" (1983),"Sacrifice" (1989) and "Where's the Shoorah?" (1976),the remix is an upbeat contemporary synth-pop,dance,dance-pop and pop song describing the decline of a relationship.
"Boyfriend" is a song by American singer Dove Cameron,it was released on February 11,2022,via Disruptor Records and Columbia Records as the lead single from her debut studio album,Alchemical:Volume 1 (2023). The song was written by Cameron,Delacey,Evan Blair and Skyler Stonestreet,and produced by Evan Blair.
"Bones" is a song by American pop rock band Imagine Dragons. The song was released through Interscope and Kidinakorner on March 11,2022,as the lead single from the band's fifth studio album,Mercury –Acts 1 &2. It was written by Dan Reynolds,Wayne Sermon,Ben McKee,Daniel Platzman,and its producers Mattman &Robin.
"Words" is a song by Swedish DJ and producer Alesso,featuring vocals from fellow Swedish singer Zara Larsson. It was released on 22 April 2022 by 10:22PM and Astralwerks. "Words" was written and produced by Alesso,with co-writing from Larsson,Karen Ann Poole and Becky Hill. Further production was provided by Hampus Lindvall,who produced Larsson's vocals. The song received mostly positive reviews from critics and reached number 5 in Sweden and the top 40 in Flanders,Croatia,Hungary,the Netherlands,Norway,Poland and the United Kingdom.
"Calm Down" is a song by Nigerian singer Rema,from his debut studio album Rave &Roses (2022). It was released on 11 February 2022 through Jonzing World and Mavin as the album's second single. The song charted across Europe,reaching number one on the Belgian Ultratop 50,Dutch Top 40 and Dutch Single Top 100. In the United Kingdom,"Calm Down" peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart and spent 27 non-consecutive weeks in the top ten of the chart.
"Never Gonna Not Dance Again" is a song by American singer Pink. It was released on November 4,2022,as the lead single from her ninth studio album Trustfall. The song reached the top 50 in several countries while peaking at number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"You Know What I Need" is a song by Australian electronic trio Pnau and Australian singer Troye Sivan,released through Etcetc on 2 December 2022.
"Creepin'" is a song by American record producer Metro Boomin,Canadian singer the Weeknd,and British-American rapper 21 Savage. It was sent to Italian contemporary hit radio through Republic Records and Boominati Worldwide as the lead and only single from Metro's second studio album,Heroes &Villains,on January 27,2023. It is a remake of "I Don't Wanna Know" (2004) by Mario Winans featuring Enya and P. Diddy,which is based on a sample of the Fugees' song "Ready or Not" (1996),and itself samples Enya's "Boadicea" (1987). Winans himself returned to contribute to the song as a backing vocalist along with Travis Scott. Diddy himself would also join the artists on a remix of the song on March 17,2023.
"Baby Said" is a song by Italian rock band Måneskin. It was released on 3 March 2023 as the fifth single from their third studio album Rush! (2023).
"Trustfall" is a song by American singer Pink,released as the second single from her ninth studio album Trustfall on January 27,2023. The EDM and synth-pop song was co-written by Pink with Johnny McDaid and Fred Again,who also both produced the song.
"Ghosts Again" is a song by English electronic music band Depeche Mode. It was released on 9 February 2023 as the lead single from their fifteenth studio album,Memento Mori. It reached the top 20 of the UK Singles Sales charts,something that the band hadn't accomplished since their 2006 single "Martyr",later peaking at number 14 in November 2023.