The Hardest Part (Coldplay song)

Last updated

"The Hardest Part"
ColdplayTheHardestPart.jpg
Single by Coldplay
from the album X&Y
B-side "How You See the World" (Live from Earls Court)
Released3 April 2006 (2006-04-03)
Genre Pop rock
Length4:25
Label Parlophone
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Coldplay singles chronology
"Talk"
(2005)		"The Hardest Part"
(2006)		"Violet Hill"
(2008)
Music video
"The Hardest Part" on YouTube

"The Hardest Part" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written by all four members of the band for their third album, X&Y . A piano-based ballad song, it begins with a piano melody, followed with electric guitar lines, that accompanies slow-tempo drumming.

Contents

It was released on 3 April 2006 as the fourth and final single from X&Y. The song was released as a radio-only song on United Kingdom radio stations. It appeared on the United States Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart and peaked at number 37, making it Coldplay's first appearance on that chart and helping establish moderate success at AC radio for future singles like "Viva la Vida", "Paradise", and "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall". "The Hardest Part" also charted in Australia, Italy and New Zealand.

The song was well received by critics. The track was complimented for its musical style. Regional singles were released in Canada, Europe, and Australia; a different version was released in Taiwan. Promo singles were released for the UK and US. The international version of the single was made available in the UK on 19 June 2006.

Production and composition

The previous single from X&Y , "Talk", was a tribute to the German band Kraftwerk; similarly, "The Hardest Part" was intended by Coldplay to acknowledge American band R.E.M. [1] [2] When asked why the song paid a tribute to R.E.M.'s lead singer, Michael Stipe, Chris Martin said: "I've lost all respect for fame, but I haven't lost all respect for respect. So the one great thing about being famous is that I get to meet people who I respect. Our relationship is akin to a dog and its master. I'll always look up to him." [1] The band felt the track resembled R.E.M.'s 1991 single, "Losing My Religion". [3] [4] "The Hardest Part" was left out of the album track list when the band sent an early version of X&Y to their record label, Parlophone, [3] but was included when the album was finalised. [5] [6]

Release and reception

Coldplay released "The Hardest Part" in the US and UK on 3 April 2006 and in Japan on 24 May as the fourth single from X&Y. [3] [7] The single was pressed with a B-side, "How You See the World", recorded live at Earls Court. [3] The international version of the single was made available in the UK on 19 June 2006. [3] Regional singles were released for Canada, Europe, Australia, and a different version for Taiwan. [3] Promotional singles were released in the UK and US. [3] The track peaked at number 37 on Billboard's Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. [8] Although the song did not chart on the UK Singles Chart, as the song was released as a radio-only song, the single peaked on the Italian charts on 11 May 2006 at number 19 and spent a week in the chart. [9] Afterward, the song peaked on the New Zealand Singles Chart at number 28 on 28 August 2006. [10] A live piano version of "The Hardest Part", paired with the Prospekt's March track "Postcards from Far Away", appeared on Coldplay's 2009 live album LeftRightLeftRightLeft . [11]

Critics were positive towards the song. In the Entertainment Weekly review of the album, music contributor David Browne wrote that the song "is imbued with the sense of regret and letting go that we've heard from the band before, but with added musical muscle." [12] Michael Hubbard of MusicOMH wrote: "'A Message' and 'The Hardest Part' sound like companion pieces, both big songs." [13] Critic Kelefa Sanneh of Rolling Stone noted that the song gets "less catchy as it goes along". [14] Adrien Begrand from PopMatters wrote that "The Hardest Part" is a "pleasant slice of R.E.M. style pop." [15] Cameron Adams of the Herald Sun reported that the song sounded "like the Smiths meets REM." [16] David Cheal of The Daily Telegraph noted, "...'The Hardest Part' is lovely, straightforward, instantly accessible pop-rock". [17]

Music video

The music video for "The Hardest Part" was shot on 3 March 2006 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The video uses footage from the television series Attitudes , which aired on the Lifetime television network from 1985 to 1992. The video is digitally enhanced to appear as though Coldplay is performing the music alongside the act appearing on stage. [18] American actress Linda Dano, who played Felicia Gallant on the US soap opera Another World , is also featured. [18] The dancers on the stage are 84-year-old Barbara Moseley and 25-year-old Gene Spencer, whose performance was actually filmed in 1990. [19] The music video was directed by Mary Wigmore. [3]

Track listings

European, Australian, and Japanese CD single [20] [21]
No.TitleLength
1."The Hardest Part"4:25
2."How You See the World" (live from Earls Court)4:16
UK 7-inch vinyl (The Singles 1999–2006) [22]
No.TitleLength
1."The Hardest Part"4:25
2."Pour Me" (live at the Hollywood Bowl)5:01

Personnel

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "The Hardest Part"
Chart (2006)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [23] 40
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [24] 48
CIS (TopHit) [25] 138
Italy (FIMI) [26] 19
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [27] 25
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [28] 39
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [29] 28
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100) [30] 15
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [31] 44
UK Singles Downloads (OCC) [32] 56
US Adult Alternative Songs ( Billboard ) [33] 20
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [34] 37

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coldplay</span> British rock band

Coldplay are a British rock band formed in London in 1997. They consist of vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer Will Champion and manager Phil Harvey. They initially met at University College London, calling themselves Big Fat Noises and changing to Starfish, before settling on the current name.

<i>Parachutes</i> (Coldplay album) 2000 studio album by Coldplay

Parachutes is the debut studio album by British rock band Coldplay. It was released on 10 July 2000 by Parlophone in the United Kingdom. The album was produced by the band and British record producer Ken Nelson, except for one track, "High Speed", which was produced by Chris Allison. Parachutes spawned the singles "Shiver", "Yellow", "Trouble", and "Don't Panic". The album was also supported by the Parachutes Tour, which saw the band performing 131 shows in their first world tour.

<i>The Remote Part</i> 2002 studio album by Idlewild

The Remote Part is the third studio album by Scottish rock band Idlewild, released on 15 July 2002 by Parlophone. As they were becoming increasingly aware of their label's interest in them and their demos, the band's musical direction was being steered by guitarist Rod Jones. For the first half of 2001, the band recorded songs with producers Stephen Street and Lenny Kaye. Due to the uneven nature of the songs done between tours, they spent some time reworking 20 tracks in the Scottish Highlands. They recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales, RAK Studios in London, and Sawmills Studios in Cornwall with producer Dave Eringa. Described as an alternative rock and indie rock record, it lacked the punk rock elements of their previous work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What's the Frequency, Kenneth?</span> 1994 single by R.E.M.

"What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" is a song by American alternative rock band R.E.M. from their ninth studio album, Monster (1994). The song's title refers to an incident in New York City in 1986 in which two then-unknown assailants attacked journalist Dan Rather while repeating "Kenneth, what is the frequency?"

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow (Coldplay song)</span> 2000 single by Coldplay

"Yellow" is a song by the British rock band Coldplay. The band wrote the song and co-produced it with British record producer Ken Nelson for their debut album, Parachutes (2000). The song was released on 26 June 2000 as the second UK single from Parachutes, following "Shiver", and as the lead single in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In My Place</span> 2002 single by Coldplay

"In My Place" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. The song was written collaboratively by all the band members for their second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. The track is built around thumping drums and chiming guitars. It was released on 5 August 2002 as the lead single from A Rush of Blood to the Head and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart. The song also reached number 17 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shiver (Coldplay song)</span> 2000 single by Coldplay

"Shiver" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. British record producer Ken Nelson and Coldplay produced the track for their debut album Parachutes. Lead singer Chris Martin admitted that "Shiver" was written for a specific woman, from whom the media has generated several speculations. The song contains influences attributed to American singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley, whom Coldplay's early influences were drawn from. The song's lyrics are a reference to Martin's unrequited love.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Speed of Sound (song)</span> 2005 song by Coldplay

"Speed of Sound" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the band for their third studio album, X&Y (2005). Constructed around a piano and guitar riff, the song builds into a huge, synthesiser-heavy chorus. It was released by Parlophone Records as the lead single from the album. "Speed of Sound" made its radio premiere on BBC Radio 1 with Lamacq on 19 April, then was serviced to US radio on 18 April 2005. The song was released physically in Japan on 11 May with two B-sides: "Things I Don't Understand" and "Proof". In the United Kingdom, the single was issued on 23 May 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fix You</span> 2005 single by Coldplay

"Fix You" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written by all four members of the band for their third studio album, X&Y (2005). It was released on 5 September 2005 as the second single from X&Y and reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. The song reached number 18 in the United States Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks. Promo singles were released for the UK and US.

<i>Warnings/Promises</i> 2005 studio album by Idlewild

Warnings/Promises is the fourth studio album by Scottish rock band Idlewild, released on 7 March 2005 by Parlophone. Following the release of their third studio album The Remote Part (2002), Gavin Fox replaced bassist Bob Fairfoull, and touring guitarist Allan Stewart became a permanent member. They spent the majority of 2003 writing material, before traveling to Malmö, Sweden to record at Tambourine Studios with producer Dave Eringa. After finishing five tracks, they went to Los Angeles to work at Sunset Sound Recorders with producer Tony Hoffer. Due to the laidback nature of the sessions, the band had to re-record everything; recording concluded in October 2004. Described as an college rock and folk rock album, Warnings/Promises emphasized more acoustic instrumentation than its predecessor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dare (song)</span> 2005 single by Gorillaz featuring Shaun Ryder

"Dare" is a song by English virtual band Gorillaz and is the second single from their second studio album, Demon Days (2005). The track features Happy Mondays and Black Grape front-man Shaun Ryder, and is sung by Rosie Wilson as Noodle, with backing vocals from Damon Albarn. It peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart in September 2005, becoming the band's only UK number one. "Dare" additionally reached the top 10 in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Iceland, Ireland, and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talk (Coldplay song)</span> 2005 single by Coldplay

"Talk" is a song by the British rock band Coldplay. Built around a motif from Kraftwerk's 1981 song "Computer Love", it was written by all members of the band and appeared on their third album, X&Y. In the United States, the song entered at number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100 and elsewhere in the world its success varied. It peaked at number one in the Netherlands on both the Dutch Top 40 and Single Top 100 charts, becoming the band's first number-one single there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">E-Bow the Letter</span> 1996 single by R.E.M.

"E-Bow the Letter" is the first single from American rock band R.E.M.'s 10th studio album, New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996). It was released on August 19, 1996, several weeks before the album's release. During the same month, R.E.M. signed a then record-breaking five-album contract with Warner Bros. Records. The song features American singer-songwriter and "Godmother of Punk" Patti Smith performing backing vocals. Smith was cited as a major influence by band members Michael Stipe and Peter Buck, and she also provided backing vocals for "Blue", the closing track on the band's final studio album, Collapse into Now, in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clocks (song)</span> 2003 single by Coldplay

"Clocks" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written and composed as a collaboration among all the members of the band for their second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. The song is built around a piano riff, and features cryptic lyrics concerning themes of contrast and urgency. Several remixes of the track exist, and its riff has been widely sampled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Good Things (Come to an End)</span> Song by Canadian singer Nelly Furtado

"All Good Things (Come to an End)" is a song by Canadian singer Nelly Furtado from her third studio album, Loose (2006). It was written by Furtado, Tim "Timbaland" Mosley, Chris Martin, and Nate "Danja" Hills. The song was released as the album's third European single in November 2006. It was released as the fourth single in the United States and Australia. The single features Chris Martin, frontman of the band Coldplay, harmonizing throughout the song. The original version of the song included Martin saying a few words at the beginning and singing the chorus behind Furtado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lights and Sounds (song)</span> 2005 single by Yellowcard

"Lights and Sounds" is a song by American pop punk band Yellowcard. The song was written collaboratively by all the band members for their fifth album, Lights and Sounds (2006). The track is built around a guitar riff, which is then followed with a repetitive drumming beat, then it is followed by a roaring guitar sound. The song's lyrics are based on the band coping with the success they were enduring when writing songs for their second album. It is also based on how they have aged in the process. "Lights and Sounds" also goes with what vocalist Ryan Key described as when he was preoccupied with making the album.

<i>The Singles 1999–2006</i> 2007 box set by Coldplay

The Singles 1999–2006 is the second box set compilation by British rock band Coldplay. Released on 26 March 2007 by Parlophone in the United Kingdom and Capitol Records in the United States, it features The Blue Room (1999) and all singles from their early years until X&Y (2005). The latter were accompanied by their respective B-sides and pressed on 7" vinyl contained in sleeves with the original artwork. A press for "What If", a promotional radio single in selected countries, was included as well.

<i>X&Y</i> 2005 studio album by Coldplay

X&Y is the third studio album by British rock band Coldplay. It was released on 6 June 2005 by Parlophone in the United Kingdom, and a day later by Capitol Records in the United States. The album was produced by Coldplay and producer Danton Supple. It is noted for its troubled and urgent development, as well as manager and creative director Phil Harvey's brief departure from the band. Producer Ken Nelson was originally tasked with producing the record; however, many songs written during his sessions were discarded due to the band's dissatisfaction with them. The album's cover art combines colours and blocks to represent the title in Baudot code.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall</span> 2011 single by Coldplay

"Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was released as the lead single for their fifth studio album Mylo Xyloto on 3 June 2011. An exclusive digital EP version of it, with the B-sides "Major Minus" and "Moving to Mars", came out in the following weeks, being considered the band's eighth extended play. The track contains elements of the 1976 song "I Go to Rio" written by Peter Allen and Adrienne Anderson. It debuted at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, selling 85,000 copies in its first week before climbing to its peak of number 14. On the UK Singles Chart, the song peaked at number 6.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Up&Up</span> 2016 single by Coldplay

"Up&Up" is a song by British rock band Coldplay from their seventh studio album, A Head Full of Dreams (2015). It was released as the third single of the record on 22 April 2016 by Parlophone. Background vocals in the song are provided by Beyoncé, Annabelle Wallis and Merry Clayton. A music video for the track, directed by Vania Heymann and Gal Muggia, was released on 16 May 2016.

References

  1. 1 2 Scaggs, Austin (11 August 2005). "Coldplay's Quiet Storm". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
  2. ↑ Willman, Chris (27 March 2005). "Summer Music Preview: Coldplay". Entertainment Weekly.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Coldplay Ezine: Issue 17" (PDF). Coldplay.com. April 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 February 2007. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
  4. ↑ "World Exclusive: Coldplay". Q . June 2005.
  5. ↑ McLean, Craig (28 May 2005). "The importance of being earnest". The Guardian . Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  6. ↑ Cohen, Jonathan (4 April 2005). "Coldplay Finalizes New Album Track List". Billboard . Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  7. ↑ "ザ・ハーデスト・パート | コールドプレイ" [The Hardest Part | Coldplay] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  8. ↑ "Artist Chart History". Billboard . Retrieved 10 November 2008.
  9. ↑ "Coldplay — The Hardest Part". Italian Charts. 11 May 2006. Retrieved 10 November 2008.
  10. ↑ "Coldplay — The Hardest Part". New Zealand Charts. 11 August 2006. Retrieved 10 November 2008.
  11. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (1 May 2009). "Coldplay Reward Fans With Free Live LP "LeftRightLeftRightLeft"". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 3 May 2009. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  12. ↑ Browne, David (13 June 2005). "X&Y (2005)". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on 11 July 2007. Retrieved 10 November 2008.
  13. ↑ Hubbard, Michael (6 June 2005). "Coldplay — X&Y". MusicOMH . Archived from the original on 5 December 2006. Retrieved 10 November 2008.
  14. ↑ Sanneh, Kelefa (16 June 2005). "Coldplay: X&Y". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
  15. ↑ Begrand, Adrien (6 June 2005). "Coldplay: X&Y". PopMatters . Retrieved 18 November 2008.
  16. ↑ Adams, Cameron (2 June 2005). "'play it again". Herald Sun. Australia: 105.
  17. ↑ Cheal, David (4 June 2005). "CDs of the Week". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  18. 1 2 "Coldplay — The Hardest Part". Virgin Media. 10 April 2006. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
  19. ↑ YouTube: Barbara, 84 and Spencer, 25 in a beautiful acrobatic dance routine.
  20. ↑ The Hardest Part (European & Australian CD single liner notes). Coldplay. Parlophone. 2006. 0946 363242 2 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ↑ The Hardest Part (Japanese CD single liner notes). Coldplay. Parlophone. 2006. TOCP-40189.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ↑ The Singles 1999–2006 (UK box compilation liner notes). Coldplay. Parlophone. 2007. 388 3247.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ↑ "Coldplay – The Hardest Part". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  24. ↑ "Coldplay – The Hardest Part" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  25. ↑ Coldplay — The Hardest Part. TopHit. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  26. ↑ "Coldplay – The Hardest Part". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  27. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 22, 2006" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  28. ↑ "Coldplay – The Hardest Part" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  29. ↑ "Coldplay – The Hardest Part". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  30. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200635 into search. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  31. ↑ "Coldplay – The Hardest Part". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  32. ↑ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  33. ↑ "Coldplay Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  34. ↑ "Coldplay Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
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.