Easy to Be Hard

Three Dog Night

About Easy to Be Hard

"Easy to Be Hard" is a song from the rock musical Hair. It was written by Galt MacDermot, James Rado, and Gerome Ragni, who put the musical together in the mid-1960s. The original recording of the musical featuring the song was released in May 1968 with the song being sung by Lynn Kellogg, who performed the role of Sheila on stage in the musical. The song was first covered by American band Three Dog Night on their 1969 album Suitable for Framing, with the lead vocal part sung by Chuck Negron, and was produced by Gabriel Mekler. Three Dog Night's version of the song reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969, and was ranked number 33 on Billboard's Hot 100 songs of 1969. 


Year:
2003
3:13
110 
#1

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How can people be so heartless
How can people be so cruel
Easy to be hard
Easy to be cold

How can people have no feelings
How can they ignore their friends
Easy to be proud
Easy to say no

Especially people who care about strangers
Who care about evil and social injustice
Do you only care about being proud
How about I need a friend, I need a friend

How can people be so heartless
You know I'm hung up on you
Easy to be proud
Easy to say no

Especially people who care about strangers
Who care about evil and social injustice
Do you only care about being proud
How about I need a friend, I need a friend

How can people be so heartless
How can people be so cruel
Easy to be proud, easy to say no
Easy to be gone, easy to say no
Come on, easy to get read
Easy to say no
But too easy to be cold
Easy to say no
But too easy to say no

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Three Dog Night

Three Dog Night is an American rock band best known for their music from 1968 to 1975. This highly successful vocal-centric rock band formed in 1968 with a lineup consisting of Danny Hutton, Cory Wells and Chuck Negron. The three lead singers were backed by Jimmy Greenspoon (organ), Joe Schermie (bass), Mike Allsup (guitar) and Floyd Sneed (drums). With their distinctive and sometimes extraordinary harmonic blend, the band registered an impressive 21 Billboard Top 40 hits (with three hitting number one) between 1969 and 1975. Their startling version of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s ‘'It’s For You’' typified the band at their best, but it was their original arrangements of the work of lesser-known writers that brought welcome exposure and considerable royal… more »

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Written by: GALT MAC DERMOT, GEROME RAGNI, JAMES RADO

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Artist Background
"Easy to Be Hard" is sung by Chuck Negron, known as one of the three lead singers of the rock band Three Dog Night.
Songwriters
The song was written by Galt MacDermot, James Rado, and Gerome Ragni, who were part of the origination team for the 1960s counterculture musical, Hair.
Release Date
It was released in July 1969 as a single and on the album "Suitable for Framing".
Chart Performance
The song reached number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart during the summer of 1969. It became the band's highest-charting hit in the UK when it peaked at number 41 in 1970.
Song Message
The song discusses the paradox of people who are generous toward large-scale social issues, but are cold and mean to individuals in their personal lives.
Musical Style
The song showcases the band's trademark mix of harmony and rock, with Negron's strong, soulful lead vocal.
Cover Versions
"Easy to Be Hard" has been covered by numerous musicians in various genres, including Lynn Kellogg, Shirley Bassey, Jennifer Warnes, and Liza Minnelli.
In Musical Theatre
The song first appeared in the Broadway musical "Hair" before Three Dog Night recorded it. It was part of the controversial musical's original score.
In Movies
The song is included in the 1979 movie adaptation of the musical "Hair" in a scene where character Sheila comforts a fellow protester.
Legacy
Despite its high chart ranking, "Easy to Be Hard" remains lesser-known to the general public than other Three Dog Night hits, such as "Joy to the World" or "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)", demonstrating its status as a cult favorite among fans of the band and musical theatre enthusiasts.
Live Performances
Chuck Negron, who left Three Dog Night in 1985 due to drug problems, has included "Easy to Be Hard" in his live solo performances, proving the lasting appeal of the song.

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    Easy to Be Hard

    1M
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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1969

    Billboard #4


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