So Hard - Wikipedia

1990 single by Pet Shop Boys This article is about the 1990 Pet Shop Boys song. For other uses, see So Hard (disambiguation).

"So Hard"
Single by Pet Shop Boys
from the album Behaviour
B-side	"It Must Be Obvious"
Released	24 September 1990 (1990-09-24)
Studio	Red Deer (Munich, West Germany)[1]
Genre	Synth-pop[2] disco[3] orchestral pop[4]
Length	3:56 6:30 (extended mix)
Label	Parlophone
Songwriters	Chris Lowe Neil Tennant
Producers	Pet Shop Boys Harold Faltermeyer
Pet Shop Boys singles chronology
"It's Alright" (1989) "So Hard" (1990) "Being Boring" (1990)
Music video
"So Hard" on YouTube

"So Hard" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released in September 1990 as the lead single from their fourth studio album, Behaviour (1990). The song is about "two people living together; they are totally unfaithful to each other but they both pretend they are faithful and then catch each other out".[5] It peaked at No. 4 in the United Kingdom and reached the top three in at least seven European countries, including Finland, where it reached No. 1.

Background

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Chris Lowe said the original version of "So Hard" was "harping back to Giorgio Moroder with loads of all these retro instruments. Then David Morales took the chord progression from the middle section and made this classic pumping house track. It's quite funny, because we did this gig in Los Angeles and Frankie Knuckles played this track at the party afterwards. Neil came over and said, 'Why don't we make records like this?' I said, 'Neil, it is us.' So that's how much we know about dance music!"[6][full citation needed]

Critical reception

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Larry Flick from Billboard felt that "So Hard" "maintains the fun and frothy disco melodrama of past efforts, while striking enough of a modern pop stance to encourage alternative and top 40 radio airplay."[3] James Muretich from Calgary Herald said the song, "about a couple faithfully unfaithful to each other", "reflect a detached sadness set against a dreamy synthesizer background that barely sashays across the dancefloor."[7] Liverpool Echo stated, "It might be called "So Hard" but the Pet Shop Boys make it all sound so easy. That's probably why people think they're too clever for their own good. But they do make excellent pop records. This is typical Pet Shop Boys despite the change of producer: Brash disco backing, dry sophisticated singing and a great tune."[8]

Paul Lester from Melody Maker named it Single of the Week, writing, "Notwithstanding the radar signals, laser beams and acidic bleeps which squiggle at the start, "So Hard" is immediately, unmistakably Pet Shop Boys."[9] Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "All radio formats unite! This commercial pop single - featuring that typically inescapable chorus - is the logical choice for any sensible programmer."[10] Nick Robinson from Music Week said, "A welcome return, this time with Harold 'Axel F' Faltermeyer co-producing, and a typical semi-orchestral pop song with those familiar heavy dance beats and another catchy chorus."[4] Roger Morton from NME wrote that "So Hard" is "familiar Pet Shoppies territory", with its "superior hit factory pulse, boys town keyboard slashes and darkly tainted love-lyric."[11]

Music video

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The accompanying music video for the song was directed by Eric Watson and filmed in Newcastle and North Tyneside. Filming locations included the Bigg Market, Newcastle Quayside, Railway Terrace in Wallsend, Byker, Whitley Bay and the Tyne and Wear Metro. The black and white video co-stars Paul Gascoigne's sister Anna Gascoigne and features Dainton Connell. The video also shows people dancing and having fun on the streets with Tennant and Lowe in the background.[5][12]

Track listing

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The single's B-side is "It Must Be Obvious", with the US release also featuring the remix of "Paninaro", which was originally released on Disco. Remixes were done by Julian Mendelsohn, the KLF and David Morales. The KLF remixed "So Hard" and "It Must Be Obvious", available on the "So Hard (The KLF vs Pet Shop Boys)" single.

Standard 7-inch and cassette single[13][14] "So Hard" – 3:56 "It Must Be Obvious" – 4:21 UK 12-inch single[15] A1. "So Hard" (extended dance mix) – 6:30 A2. "It Must Be Obvious" – 4:21 B1. "So Hard" (dub mix) – 7:30 UK 12-inch single (The KLF vs Pet Shop Boys)[16] A. "So Hard" (The KLF vs. Pet Shop Boys) – 5:27 B. "It Must Be Obvious" (UFO mix) – 9:22 UK CD single[17] "So Hard" – 3:56 "It Must Be Obvious" – 4:21 "So Hard" (extended dance mix) – 6:30

German maxi-CD single[18] "So Hard" (12-inch remix) – 6:13 "So Hard" (radio mix) – 3:22 "So Hard" (Red Zone mix) – 6:45 "So Hard" (Eclipse mix) – 3:40 US 12-inch and maxi-cassette single[19][20] A1. "So Hard" (extended dance mix) – 6:30 A2. "So Hard" (single) – 3:56 B1. "So Hard" (dub) – 7:30 B2. "It Must Be Obvious" – 4:21 US maxi-CD single[21] "So Hard" (extended dance mix) – 6:30 "So Hard" (single) – 3:56 "So Hard" (dub) – 7:30 "It Must Be Obvious" – 4:21 "Paninaro" (12-inch remix) – 8:40

Personnel

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Credits are adapted from the liner notes of "So Hard"[17] and from Pet Shop Boys Catalogue.[22]

Pet Shop Boys

• Chris Lowe
• Neil Tennant

Additional personnel

• Harold Faltermeyer – production
• Julian Mendelsohn – mixing
• Brian Reeves – engineering
• Dominic Clarke – additional programming

Artwork

• Mark Farrow/3a and PSB – design
• Eric Watson – photography

Charts

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Weekly charts [edit] Weekly chart performance for "So Hard" Chart (1990–1991) Peakposition Australia (ARIA)[23] 27 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[24] 14 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[25] 8 Canada (The Record)[26] 18 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[27] 77 Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[28] 9 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100 Singles)[29] 3 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[30] 1 Germany (GfK)[31] 3 Ireland (IRMA)[32] 3 Italy (Musica e dischi)[33] 2 Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)[34] 2 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[35] 15 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[36] 11 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[37] 24 Norway (VG-lista)[38] 9 Portugal (UNEVA)[39] 8 Spain (AFYVE)[40] 2 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[41] 3 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[42] 2 UK Singles (OCC)[43] 4 US Billboard Hot 100[44] 62 US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[45] 17 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[46] 4 US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[47] 2 US Cash Box Top 100[48] 66

Year-end charts [edit] Year-end chart performance for "So Hard" Chart (1990) Position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[49] 83 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100 Singles)[50] 74 Germany (Media Control)[51] 75 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[52] 99 Sweden (Topplistan)[53] 24

Release history

[edit] Release dates and formats for "So Hard"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref(s).
United Kingdom	24 September 1990	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl CD cassette	Parlophone	[5][54]
	8 October 1990	12-inch remix vinyl		[55]
Japan	17 October 1990	Mini-CD	EMI	[56]
Australia	22 October 1990	7-inch vinyl cassette	Parlophone	[57]
	5 November 1990	12-inch vinyl		[58]

Cover versions

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A cover version by Scottish musician Momus was included on the 2001 compilation Very Introspective, Actually: A Tribute to the Pet Shop Boys.

References

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1. ^ Zuberi, Nabeel (May 2001). Sounds English: Transnational Popular Music. University of Illinois Press. p. 100. ISBN 9780252026201.
2. ^ Edwards, Luke; Elliott, Mark (16 June 2023). "Best Pet Shop Boys Songs: 30 Synth-Pop Hits Always On Our Mind". Dig!. Archived from the original on 30 May 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
3. ^ a b Flick, Larry (29 September 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 85. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
4. ^ a b Robinson, Nick (29 September 1990). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 21. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
5. ^ a b c "So Hard". petshopboys.co.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
6. ^ Q, May 2001
7. ^ Muretich, James (18 November 1990). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald.
8. ^ Liverpool Echo. 29 September 1990. p. 12.
9. ^ Lester, Paul (22 September 1990). "Singles". Melody Maker. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
10. ^ "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 6 October 1990. p. 18. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
11. ^ Morton, Roger. "The Pet Shop Boys – Behaviour". NME. Archived from the original on 17 August 2000. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
12. ^ Hoare, Philip; Heath, Chris (2006). Pet Shop Boys Catalogue. New York: Thames & Hudson. pp. 126–27. ISBN 9780500513071.
13. ^ Pet Shop Boys (1990). So Hard (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). Parlophone. R6269, 2040627.
14. ^ Pet Shop Boys (1990). So Hard (UK cassette single sleeve). Parlophone. TCR6269, 2040624.
15. ^ Pet Shop Boys (1990). So Hard (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). Parlophone. 12R6269, 2040626.
16. ^ Pet Shop Boys (1990). So Hard (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). Parlophone. 12RX6269, 2040926.
17. ^ a b Pet Shop Boys (1990). So Hard (UK CD single liner notes). Parlophone. CDR 6269, 2040622.
18. ^ Pet Shop Boys (1990). So Hard (German maxi-CD single liner notes). Parlophone. CDP 560- 20 4177 2.
19. ^ Pet Shop Boys (1990). So Hard (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). EMI USA. V-56194.
20. ^ Pet Shop Boys (1990). So Hard (US maxi-cassette single sleeve). EMI USA. 4V-56194.
21. ^ Pet Shop Boys (1990). So Hard (US maxi-CD single liner notes). EMI USA. E2-56195.
22. ^ Hoare & Heath 2006, pp. 124–25.
23. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – So Hard". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
24. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – So Hard" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
25. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – So Hard" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
26. ^ "Hits of the World: Canada". Billboard. Vol. 102, no. 47. 24 November 1990. p. 71.
27. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Image 9171". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
28. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Image 9082". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
29. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 45. 10 November 1990. p. IV. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
30. ^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
31. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
32. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – So Hard". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
33. ^ "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 45. 10 November 1990. p. VII. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
34. ^ Radio Luxembourg Singles. 7 October 1990.
35. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 46, 1990" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
36. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – So Hard" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
37. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – So Hard". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
38. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – So Hard". VG-lista. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
39. ^ "Top 10 in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 2. 12 January 1991. p. 29. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
40. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor/SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
41. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – So Hard". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
42. ^ "Pet Shop Boys – So Hard". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
43. ^ "Pet Shop Boys Songs and Albums | Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
44. ^ "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
45. ^ "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
46. ^ "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
47. ^ "Pet Shop Boys Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
48. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles – Week ending November 17, 1990". Cash Box. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
49. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1990 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
50. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles – 1990" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 51. 22 December 1990. p. 36. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
51. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1990" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
52. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1990" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
53. ^ "Årstopplistan 1990, Singlar" (in Swedish). Grammotex. Archived from the original on 16 February 2001. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
54. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. 22 September 1990. p. 31.
55. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. 6 October 1990. p. 39.
56. ^ "ソー・ハード | ペット・ショップ・ボーイズ" [So Hard | Pet Shop Boys] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
57. ^ "New Release Summary: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 41. 21 October 1990. p. 19.
58. ^ "New Release Summary: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 43. 4 November 1990. p. 18.

External links

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• Lyrics: So Hard

v t e Pet Shop Boys
Chris Lowe Neil Tennant
Studio albums	Please Actually Introspective Behaviour Very Bilingual Nightlife Release Fundamental Yes Elysium Electric Super Hotspot Nonetheless
Compilation albums	Discography: The Complete Singles Collection Alternative Essential PopArt: The Hits Story: 25 Years of Hits Party Ultimate Format Smash: The Singles 1985–2020
Remix albums	Disco Disco 2 Disco 3 Disco 4
Live albums	Concrete Pandemonium Inner Sanctum Discovery: Live in Rio 1994
Extended plays	Christmas Agenda Lost
Singles	"West End Girls" "One More Chance" "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)" "Love Comes Quickly" "Suburbia" "Paninaro" "It's a Sin" "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" "Rent" "Always on My Mind" "Heart" "Domino Dancing" "Left to My Own Devices" "It's Alright" "So Hard" "Being Boring" "Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You)" / "How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously?" "Jealousy" "DJ Culture" "Was It Worth It?" "Can You Forgive Her?" "Go West" "I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing" "Liberation" "Absolutely Fabulous" "Yesterday, When I Was Mad" "Paninaro '95" "Before" "Se a vida é (That's the Way Life Is)" / "To Step Aside" "Single-Bilingual" "A Red Letter Day" "Somewhere" "I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any More" "New York City Boy" "You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk" "Home and Dry" "I Get Along" "London" "Miracles" "Flamboyant" "I'm with Stupid" "Minimal" "Numb" "Integral" "Love Etc." "Did You See Me Coming?" "Beautiful People" "Love Life" "Together" "Winner" "Leaving" "Memory of the Future" "Axis" "Vocal" "Love Is a Bourgeois Construct" "Thursday" "The Pop Kids" "Say It to Me" "Dreamland" "Dancing Star"
Featured singles	"Hallo Spaceboy" "Break 4 Love" "She's Madonna"
Other songs	"King's Cross" "The Loving Kind" "The Night I Fell in Love" "I'm Not Scared" "In Private" "Nothing Has Been Proved" "So Sorry, I Said" "Don't Drop Bombs" "Losing My Mind"
Video albums	Cubism
Soundtracks and scores	The Crying Game Closer to Heaven Battleship Potemkin The Most Incredible Thing
Film, stage and television	It Couldn't Happen Here Closer to Heaven Pet Shop Boys: A Life in Pop
Tours and concerts	Performance Tour Fundamental Tour Pandemonium Tour Electric Tour Super Tour Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live
Related articles	CyberWorld Discography Songs x2 Reputation Results Electronic Back to Mine: Pet Shop Boys West End Girls

Authority control databases	MusicBrainz release group