The Hardest Thing

Infobox Single
Name = The Hardest Thing


Artist = 98 Degrees
from Album = 98 Degrees and Rising
B-side =
Released = June 8, 1999
Format = CD single
Recorded = 1999
Genre = Pop
Length = 4:34
Label = Motown, Universal
Writer =
Producer =
Certification =
Last single = "True to Your Heart"
(1999)
This single = "The Hardest Thing"
(1999)
Next single = "I Do (Cherish You)"
(1999)

"The Hardest Thing" is the third single released by American boy band, 98 Degrees, from their second studio album, "98 Degrees and Rising". "The Hardest Thing" peaked at #5 in the US and also experienced moderate success in Oceania, peaking at #24 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, and #5 on the New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart.

Song Meaning

The song is about a man who is torn between two women that he loves: one being his significant other and the other being his mistress. This is apparent when Dr. Zhivago is referenced in the second verse of the song. In the end, this man chooses to say goodbye to his mistress because it is only fair to his significant other, who has always trusted him. This becomes clear in the first verse of the song when he says, "I've got somewhere else to be. Promises to keep. Someone else who loves me and trusts me fast asleep." However, as he is saying goodbye to the mistress, he has to hide his true feelings (love) from her; hence, the title of the song: "The Hardest Thing." As he says good bye to his mistress, he thinks, "It's the hardest thing I'll ever have to do to look you in the eye and tell you I don't love you." However, he knows that their love is real and that they will meet again, when the time is right: "I know that we'll meet again. Fate has a place and time. So you can get on with your life."

Music Video

The music video takes place inside a boxing arena. Nick Lachey, the protagonist in the video, is the man who is torn between two women. Nick is a boxer in the video, and his mistress is a show girl. His significant other is not in the video.

Official versions

*"The Hardest Thing" (Album version) - 4:34

Charts

References