Hard to Beat

Infobox Single
Name = Hard to Beat


Artist = Hard-Fi
from Album = Stars of CCTV
Released = June 20, 2005 (UK) April 18 2006 (US)
Format = CD, Maxi CD, 7", 12"
Recorded = Staines, 2004
Genre = Indie rock
Length = 3:30
Label = Warner Music
Writer = Richard Archer
Producer = Wolsey White, Richard Archer
Last single = "Tied Up Too Tight" (2005)
This single = "Hard to Beat" (2005)
Next single = "Living for the Weekend" (2005)
Misc = Extra album cover
Background = khaki
Upper caption = Alternate covers


Lower caption = Alternative Cover

"Hard to Beat" is the third single from indie band Hard-Fi, from their album "Stars of CCTV". Despite being released as third single it was Hard-Fi's first top ten single, reaching #9 in the UK, and was released on June 20, 2005. It was with this song that Hard-Fi gained true prominence in the UK.

In the US, the song was released as the second single from "Stars of CCTV" on April 18, 2006, following "Cash Machine". It gained the band some prominence in the US by entering the US Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart at #39 a month after release. It later peaked at #34.

History

Although it is mere speculation, it is believed that the song is about a boy telling his girlfriend how "hard to beat" she is. It's about singers from rock bands dating Hollywood actresses while he and his girlfriend met on the streets in normal circumstances.

It was the band's favourite song to perform live, Archer said, "'Hard to Beat' is going crazy at the moment. We were in Bristol yesterday and I was wondering if my voice was going to last on tour, but the crowd sings it for me, so that's going well. But the most fun playing is probably 'Unnecessary Trouble', that's always a good laugh, and 'Living for the Weekend' is the last number, so is a high energy one, but after last night, Hard To Beat." [ [http://www.ilikemusic.com/interviews/Hard_Fi_Interview-1768/3 Hard Fi Interview - INTERVIEWS - I Like Music ] ]

The B-Side "Stronger" was originally performed by Richard Archer's previous band Contempo. [ [http://www.myspace.com/contempo Contempo at Myspace] ]

The track has been listed for 23 weeks in 2 different charts. It entered the UK Singles Chart at #9, one place below Feel Good Inc by Gorillaz and one place above Just A Lil' Bit by 50 Cent. [ [http://acharts.us/uk_singles_top_75/2005/26 UK Singles Top 75] ]

Video

There are two music videos: the first one with the band performing in a diner was directed by Scott Lyon and the other one which was created for the US that was directed and edited by George Vale with help from Merlin Bronques on some of the stills.

The more popular one which earns more airplay, is the one directed by Scott Lyon. it is mostly filmed in Cheekees disco in Staines where a party is going on. Cheekees disco is somewhere that members of the band would visit frequently, interestingly, there was a a slight argument between Archer and the owner. In a newspaper article, Archer described the disco as being "like a bad wedding" which offended the owner. In defence, Archer said "But everyone likes a bad wedding so I don't see what the problem is, it was more of a complement." [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToPH8YPy840 YouTube - Hard-Fi on Popworld again ] ] .

For the video directed by Scott Lyon, there was an opportunity for fans to be in the video to play the part of the crowd. Anyone interested in attended had to send off a photo of themselves. [ [http://ukforums.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/751106815/m/102106568 video] ]

Usage in the Media

"Hard to Beat" was used by Sky Sports as the theme music for its pay-per-view channel, PremPlus.The "Hard to Beat" Axwell Mix has become very popular, even more so at times, than the original version, it has gained large airplay in clubs. Archer himself said "It's odd being in a club and your track is played. What I like about remixes is that they show us stuff that we could have put in and let's us think "we should try that next time" it helps teach us."

During a live performance of Cinderella on Musicool, which was reworked in a modern day setting, the song Hard to Beat was featured among other songs such as Genie in a Bottle by Christina Aguilera and I Predict a Riot by Kaiser Chiefs.

A remix of "Hard to Beat" by London Elektricity headlined the release of Hospital Records' "Weapons of Mass Creation 3" LP in April 2007.

The song is featured in the Playstation 2 video game, SingStar Rocks!.

Track listings

Original CD release

#"Hard to Beat"
#"Stronger"
#"Seven Nation Army"
#"Hard to Beat" (video)

Re-release

CD 1

#"Hard to Beat"
#"Tied Up Too Tight" (BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge)

CD 2

#"Hard to Beat"
#"Stronger"
#"Hard to Beat" (video)
#"Tied Up Too Tight" (video)
#"Caught on CCTV" (video)

7" vinyl single

#"Hard to Beat"
#"Better Dub Better"

12" vinyl single

#"Hard to Beat" (Album Version)
#"Hard to Beat" (Axwell Mix)

Promotional 2×12" vinyl set

#"Hard to Beat" (Axwell Mix)
#"Hard to Beat" (Minotaur Shock Remix)
#"Hard to Beat" (Acoustic Version)
#"Hard to Beat" (Hard to Beatmix)
#"Hard to Beat" (Album Version)
#"Hard to Beat" (Radio Edit)

Charts

Hard to Beat has been listed for 18 weeks on the UK Singles Chart and 5 weeks in the Germany Singles Top 100. It entered the UK singles and download chart at #9 on June 28, 2005. It reached #43 in the Euro 200 Chart.

External links

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References