Hard Out Here

Lily Allen

About Hard Out Here

"Hard out Here" is a song by English singer Lily Allen, released on 17 November 2013 as the lead single from her third studio album, Sheezus (2014). Allen co-wrote the song with its producer, Greg Kurstin. Musically, "Hard out Here" is a synth-pop song with lyrics revolving around "body image pressures and misogyny in the entertainment industry". "Hard out Here" was critically acclaimed; many critics praised its lyrical content and praised Allen's take on the industry, dubbing the song a "feminist anthem through and through". According to The Wire, the title is a "thinly veiled reference" to Three 6 Mafia's Academy Award-winning 2005 song "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp". The song topped the Austrian chart and reached the top 10 in the United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland. To promote the song, Allen performed at YoYos pod in London. The music video for the song was directed by Christopher Sweeney and premiered on Allen's website on 12 November 2013. The video depicts Allen receiving liposuction and twerking. The video received positive reviews from most critics, but also sparked minor controversy over the ethnicity of the backing dancers. 


Year:
2014
3:31
84 
#1

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I suppose I should tell you what this bitch is thinkin'
You'll find me in the studio and not in the kitchen
I won't be braggin' 'bout my cars or talkin' 'bout my chains
Don't need to shake my ass for you 'cause I've got a brain

If I told you 'bout my sex life, you'd call me a slut
When boys be talkin' about their bitches, no one's makin' a fuss
There's a glass ceilin' to break, uh-huh, there's money to make
And now it's time to speed it up 'cause I can't move at this pace

Sometimes it's hard to find the words to say
I'll go ahead and say them anyway
Forget your balls and grow a pair of tits

It's hard, it's hard, it's hard out here for a bitch
It's hard, for a bitch (For a bitch)
For a bitch, it's hard
It's hard out here for a bitch
It's hard, for a bitch (For a bitch)
For a bitch, it's hard
It's hard out here

You're not a size six, and you're not good lookin'
Well, you better be rich, or be real good at cookin'
You should probably lose some weight
'Cause we can't see your bones
You should probably fix your face or you'll end up on your own

Don't you want to have somebody who objectifies you?
Have you thought about your butt? Who's gonna tear it in two?
We've never had it so good, uh-huh, we're out of the woods
And if you can't detect the sarcasm, you've misunderstood

Sometimes it's hard to find the words to say
I'll go ahead and say them anyway
Forget your balls and grow a pair of tits

It's hard, it's hard, it's hard out here for a bitch
It's hard, for a bitch (For a bitch)
For a bitch, it's hard
It's hard out here for a bitch
It's hard, for a bitch (For a bitch)
For a bitch, it's hard
It's hard out here

A bitch, a bitch, a bitch, bitch, bitch (Bitch)
A bitch, a bitch, a bitch, bitch, bitch
A bitch, a bitch, a bitch, bitch, bitch
A bitch, a bitch, a bitch, bitch, bitch

Inequality promises that it's here to stay
Always trust the injustice 'cause it's not goin' away
Inequality promises that it's here to stay
Always trust the injustice 'cause it's not goin' away

Sometimes it's hard to find the words to say
I'll go ahead and say them anyway
Forget your balls and grow a pair of tits

It's hard, it's hard, it's hard out here for a bitch
It's hard, for a bitch (For a bitch)
For a bitch, it's hard
It's hard out here for a bitch
It's hard, for a bitch (For a bitch)
For a bitch, it's hard
It's hard out here

It's hard (For a bitch, for a bitch) For a bitch
It's hard, it's hard out here for a bitch
It's hard (For a bitch, for a bitch) For a bitch
It's hard, it's hard out here (Bitch)

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Lily Allen

Lily Rose Beatrice Cooper (née Allen; born 2 May 1985), well known by her birth name Lily Allen, now professionally known as Lily Rose Cooper, is an English recording artist, actress and fashion designer. She is the daughter of actor and musician Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. In her teenage years, her musical tastes evolved from glam rock to alternative. Allen abandoned school and concentrated on improving her performing and compositional skills. She created several demo songs, and in 2005, she created a profile on Myspace where she made some of her recordings public. more »

1 fan

Written by: GREG KURSTIN, LILY ROSE BEATRICE COOPER

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Artist Background
"Hard Out Here" is a song by British singer-songwriter Lily Allen. Allen is known for her outspoken nature and often incorporates a satirical spin on societal issues in her music.
Song Release
The song was released as the lead single of her third studio album, "Sheezus," on 17 November 2013, after a four-year hiatus from the music industry.
Chart Performance
"Hard Out Here" reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Allen's second top-10 single of the year in the United Kingdom.
Song Theme
The song tackles gender inequality and societal expectations, particularly in the music industry. It criticizes the pressure on female artists to conform to certain standards of beauty and behavior.
Music Video Controversy
The music video for "Hard Out Here" sparked controversy as it included several provocative scenes and images, such as Allen performing a choreographed routine with scantily clad dancers. Critics argued that it objectified women, reinforcing the very societal pressures Allen aimed to satirize.
Music Video Director
The controversial music video was directed by Christopher Sweeney who has worked with numerous other notable artists.
Allen's Response to Criticism
In response to the controversy surrounding the music video, Allen published an open letter on Twitter, stating the intention of the video was not objectification, but rather a satirical look at objectification in the music industry.
Song Recognition
Despite the controversy, "Hard Out Here" was praised by critics for its sharp lyrics and satirical message. The Guardian named it as one of the "best tracks of 2013."
Song Writing
Allen wrote "Hard Out Here" with Greg Kurstin, who also produced the track. The songwriting duo has collaborated on several of Allen's biggest hits, including "Smile" and "The Fear."
Artistic Influences
For the creation of "Sheezus" album, where "Hard Out Here" is included, Allen stated in interviews that she was inspired by Kanye West and her experiences during her musical hiatus.
Awards
Despite the mixed reactions, "Hard Out Here" bagged an NME Award in 2014 for Best Song with a Message.
Impact on the Fanbase
The song, with its bold statement and catchy phrases, has since become an anthem for Allen's fans and a notable song in discourses on feminism in pop culture.

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