Hard to Beat
Encyclopedia
"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 20 June 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 18 April 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.
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."
The B-Side "Stronger" was originally performed by Richard Archer's previous band Contempo.
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
.
on some of the stills.
The one earning more airplay is the one directed by Scott Lyon. Shot on April 20, 2005, it was mostly filmed in Cheekees disco in Staines
, where a party is shown going on. The since-closed Cheekees disco was somewhere that members of the band would visit frequently, but a remark by Archer caused a minor riff with 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.".
For the video directed by Scott Lyon, there was an opportunity for fans to be in the video as crowd members. Those interested in attending had to send off a photo of themselves.
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 lets 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!.
This song was used frequently during worldwide broadcasts of the 2008 Summer Olympics
, as well as during broadcasts of the 2005 Ashes series, and the English Super League.
This song was also used on the Nine Network
's The Footy Show
in Australia, as well as the Seven Network
's coverage of the 2009 V8 Supercars Nikon GP
and the Nine Network
's coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics
.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band Hard-Fi
HARD-Fi
Hard-Fi are an English indie rock band formed in Staines, Surrey in 2003. The band's members are Richard Archer , Ross Phillips , Kai Stephens and Steve Kemp .They achieved chart success with their third single, "Hard to Beat" and then followed by other successful singles such as...
, from their album Stars of CCTV
Stars of CCTV
Stars of CCTV is the debut album by English indie rock band Hard-Fi. It was first released on 4 July 2005 on Necessary/Atlantic and Warner Music UK...
. Despite being released as third single it was Hard-Fi's first top ten single, reaching #9 in the UK, and was released on 20 June 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 18 April 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
This was the band's favourite song to perform live, as lead singer Richard ArcherRichard Archer
Richard John "Rich" Archer is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is the lead vocalist, guitarist, principal songwriter and main composer of indie rock band Hard-Fi. Hard-Fi have produced several top 10 hits and two #1 albums. The influence of Archer's hometown of Staines is often...
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."
The B-Side "Stronger" was originally performed by Richard Archer's previous band Contempo.
The track has been listed for 23 weeks in 2 different charts. It entered the UK Singles Chart
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 ...
at #9, one place below Feel Good Inc by Gorillaz
Gorillaz
Gorillaz is an English musical project created in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. This project consists of Gorillaz music itself and an extensive fictional universe depicting a "virtual band" of cartoon characters...
and one place above Just a Lil' Bit by 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
.
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, created for the US, was directed and edited by George Vale with help from Merlin BronquesMerlin Bronques
Merlin Bronques is the controversial nightlife personality behind the website lastnightsparty.com. Based in New York, he is the site’s founder and sole photographer and travels frequently to Miami, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Austin, Berlin, London, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and a...
on some of the stills.
The one earning more airplay is the one directed by Scott Lyon. Shot on April 20, 2005, it was mostly filmed in Cheekees disco in Staines
Staines
Staines is a Thames-side town in the Spelthorne borough of Surrey and Greater London Urban Area, as well as the London Commuter Belt of South East England. It is a suburban development within the western bounds of the M25 motorway and located 17 miles west south-west of Charing Cross in...
, where a party is shown going on. The since-closed Cheekees disco was somewhere that members of the band would visit frequently, but a remark by Archer caused a minor riff with 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.".
For the video directed by Scott Lyon, there was an opportunity for fans to be in the video as crowd members. Those interested in attending had to send off a photo of themselves.
Usage in the media
Hard to Beat was used by Sky SportsSky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
as the theme music
Theme music
Theme music is a piece that is often written specifically for a radio program, television program, video game or movie, and usually played during the title sequence and/or end credits...
for its pay-per-view channel, PremPlus
PremPlus
PremPlus or Premiership Plus was Sky Sports' first and only pay-per-view channel, which was dedicated to airing live and interactive Premiership football from the Premier League...
.
The Hard to Beat Axwell
Axwell
Axwell is a DJ, remixer, record producer and record label owner from Sweden. He is part of a three person group dubbed the Swedish House Mafia along with Sebastian Ingrosso and Steve Angello...
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 lets us think "we should try that next time" it helps teach us."
During a live performance of Cinderella
Cinderella
"Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper" is a folk tale embodying a myth-element of unjust oppression/triumphant reward. Thousands of variants are known throughout the world. The title character is a young woman living in unfortunate circumstances that are suddenly changed to remarkable fortune...
on Musicool
Musicool
Musicool was a UK-based reality TV show, aired on Sundays as part of Channel 4's popular show T4.The show aimed to write and produce a West End production with a cast of singers and musicians from musical genres unassociated with musical theatre....
, which was reworked in a modern day setting, the song Hard to Beat was featured among other songs such as Genie in a Bottle
Genie in a Bottle
"Genie in a Bottle" is the second single by American pop recording artist, Christina Aguilera, taken from her self-titled debut album. It was co-written by David Frank, Steve Kipner, and Pamela Sheyne, and produced by Frank and Kipner respectively...
by Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
and I Predict a Riot
I Predict a Riot
"I Predict a Riot" is a song by Kaiser Chiefs, appearing on their debut album Employment. It was originally released as their second single on 1 November 2004, and was the band's first release on the B-Unique label. It entered at #22 on the UK Singles Chart, a move which started the band's rise to...
by Kaiser Chiefs
Kaiser Chiefs
Kaiser Chiefs are an English indie rock band from Leeds who formed in 1996. They were named after the South African football club Kaizer Chiefs....
.
A remix of Hard to Beat by London Elektricity
London Elektricity
London Elektricity is the DJ and stage name of musician Tony Colman who is best known as a recording artist of five albums, international DJ and formerly a live drum and bass act "London Elektricity Live".-History:...
headlined the release of Hospital Records
Hospital Records
Hospital Records is an independent record label based in South London. Primarily releasing Drum and bass, the label was started in 1996 by Tony Colman and Chris Goss, and has grown in recent years to become one of the most well known labels within UK dance music...
' "Weapons of Mass Creation 3" LP in April 2007.
The song is featured in the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
video game, SingStar Rocks!.
This song was used frequently during worldwide broadcasts of the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
, as well as during broadcasts of the 2005 Ashes series, and the English Super League.
This song was also used on the Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
's The Footy Show
The NRL Footy Show
The Footy Show is a Logie Award-winning Australian sports variety television programme, shown on the Nine Network and its affiliates. Following the success of the AFL program of the same name, the Nine Network quickly developed a version for the rugby league market. The rugby league version has...
in Australia, as well as the Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
's coverage of the 2009 V8 Supercars Nikon GP
2009 V8 Supercar Challenge
The 2009 V8 Supercar Challenge was the eleventh event of the 2009 V8 Supercar Championship Series. It was held on the weekend of the October 22 to 25 at the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit in Queensland. After the cancellation of the A1 Grand Prix event the same weekend, the V8 Supercars became the...
and the Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
's coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
.
CD 2
- "Hard to Beat"
- "Stronger"
- "Hard to Beat" (video)
- "Tied Up Too Tight" (video)
- "Caught on CCTV" (video)
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.| Chart (2005) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 9 |
| UK Download Chart | 9 |
| U.S. Alternative Songs | 34 |
| Germany Singles Top 100 | 80 |