Take It So Hard
| "Take It So Hard" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Take It So Hard" is the first single from Keith Richards first ever solo record, Talk is Cheap. The long-time Rolling Stones guitarist recorded the record after band mate Mick Jagger refused to tour in 1986 in support of the album Dirty Work . The second song of the eleven track record, it is a powerful example of vocal rock harmonies and rhythmic guitar, piano and percussion syncopation, with an overlay of vocal tracks that bury the lyrics within the push and pull of the music.
Richards described writing and recording Talk is Cheap as a bit by bit accumulation of song threads and recording sessions. Except for "Make No Mistake", which he said came to him all at once; "Take It So Hard" was put together through several recording sessions in 1987 and 1988[1]. Steve Jordan and Richards wrote the song and the lyrics reflect an esoteric tone, recording the songs with layering vocal tracks also add to this effect. The opening lines thump with the hard percussion and overtracked fuzz guitar sound; the raspy voiced Richards sings wearily- he ain' that way.
Giving up lovin' - easy to do; People so pityful;They never come through; Honey, honey, honey I ain't that way
The lyrics play on Richards reputation as a party pirate, yet the they also reflect a cautionary note.
You want a little bit - once in a while; Come on and get a bit; You shouldn't take it so hard - Yeah
The song was reviewed in Rolling Stone magazine positively, but Richards never explained the lyrics. Kurt Loder called it the "perfect Keith single". The music video for the song shows Richards and the X-Pensive Winoes in the ruins of a sports stadium playing in the nuclear dust after an atomic bomb has destroyed everyone but the cat-like musician.
Personnel
- Keith Richards: lead, backing vocal, guitar, percussion
- Waddy Wachtel: guitar
- Steve Jordan: bass, background vocal
- Charley Drayton: drums
- Ivan Neville: piano and keyboards
Notes
- ^ DeCurtis, Anthony. (1988). "Keith Richards: The Rolling Stone Interview". Rolling Stone. No. 536. 6 October 1988
External Links
- Mr. D's Keith Richards page: "Take it so hard" lyrics.