"Hard Times" is a song from Plan B's second album The Defamation of Strickland Banks

The Defamation of Strickland Banks

The Defamation of Strickland Banks is the second studio album from British rapper Plan B which was released on 12 April 2010. The album is a departure from the sound heard on Plan B's debut album Who Needs Actions When You Got Words, with the rapper's sophomore effort providing a showcase for much...

. On May 19, 2011, it was released as a digital download

Music download

A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...

, featuring newly recorded vocal parts by Elton John

Elton John

Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...

 and Paloma Faith

Paloma Faith

Paloma Faith is a British singer-songwriter and actress. In 2009, she released her debut single "Stone Cold Sober", then her debut album, Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful?, which was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry. Her debut album stayed within the top 40 album...

, recorded as a charity single with all the proceeds benefiting victims of the Japan tsunami and Pakistan floods.

Track listing

• Digital Download E.P. / Promo CD Single

1. "Hard Times" (Single Version Feat. Elton John
   Elton John
   Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
   
    & Paloma Faith
   Paloma Faith
   Paloma Faith is a British singer-songwriter and actress. In 2009, she released her debut single "Stone Cold Sober", then her debut album, Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful?, which was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry. Her debut album stayed within the top 40 album...
   
   ) - 4:05
2. "Hard Times" (Live Version Feat. Elton John
   Elton John
   Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
   
    & Paloma Faith
   Paloma Faith
   Paloma Faith is a British singer-songwriter and actress. In 2009, she released her debut single "Stone Cold Sober", then her debut album, Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful?, which was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry. Her debut album stayed within the top 40 album...
   
   ) - 5:44
3. "Hard Times" (Album Edit) - 3:48

Personnel

• Plan B – vocals, producer

Production

• David McEwan – producer
• Eric Appapoulay – additional producer
• Mark "Top" Rankin – engineer, mixing

Additional musicians (single version)

• Elton John – piano, vocals
• Paloma Faith – vocals

Additional musicians (album version)

• Tom Wright-Goss – guitar
• Eric Appapoulay – bass, backing vocals
• Richard Cassell – drums
• Everton Newson – violin
• Louisa Fuller – violin
• Sally Herbert – violin
• Warren Zielinski – violin
• Bruce White – viola
• Sonia Slany – viola
• Ian Burdge – cello

Chart performance

Chart (2011)	Peak position
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... )	147

Release history

Region	Date	Label	Format
United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...	19 May 2011	679 679 Recordings 679 Artists is a Warner Music Group-owned record label based in London, England....  / Atlantic Atlantic Records Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...	Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...