13 Songs That Go Incredibly HARD, Part 1

Reading Time: 16 min read

13 Songs That Go Incredibly HARD, Part 1 features songs by Alexander 23, Brandon Lake x Jelly Roll, Chicago, Donna Summer, Kendrick Lamar & Scissor Sisters.

“I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt / Been-through-hell hallelujah.” Amen, Brandon Lake & Jelly Roll! Next! “She works hard for the money / So you better treat her right.” Damn, right she does, Donna Summer (R.I.P., queen). Next! “Hardcore, hardcore anal banging…” Whoa, whoa, whoa, Ayesha Erotica! WE LISTEN, AND WE DON’T JUDGE, but still, girlll 😳… TMI! Okay, we’re judging… Between Lake/Jelly Roll, Summer, and Erotica (literally 😏), the common thread, rather, common word, is H-A-R-D, hard.

Every song on 13 Songs That Go Incredibly HARD, Part 1 is required to feature some form of the word. Like with Ayesha, a word like hardcore is fine because it features hard in it. Plus, might as well reprise that risqué little ditty from 13 Mostly NSFW Songs Regarding the Bumper… 🍑. Anyways, 13 Songs That Go Incredibly HARD, Part 1 features songs by Alexander 23, Brandon Lake x Jelly Roll, Chicago, Donna Summer, Kendrick Lamar, and Scissor Sisters. So, without further ado, let’s get our HARD on, shall we?! Wait… that didn’t sound right… Oops 🤭 😅!

~ Table of Contents ~

1. Maroon 5, “Harder to Breathe”	2. Brandon Lake & Jelly Roll, “Hard Fought Hallelujah”	3. Donna Summer, “She Works Hard For The Money”	4. Alexander 23, “The Hardest Part”
5. Ayesha Erotica, “Hardcore Anal Banging”	6. Kendrick Lamar, “Die Hard” (Ft. Blxst & Amanda Reifer)	7. Lil Baby & Gunna, “Drip Too Hard”	8. Paramore, “Hard Times”
9. Charlie Puth, “Hard on Yourself” (Ft. blackbear)	10. Scissor Sisters, “Harder You Get”	11. Jet, “Cold Hard Bitch”	12. Chicago, “Hard Habit To Break”
13. Tower of Power, “So Very Hard To Go”

1. Maroon 5, “Harder to Breathe”

Songs About Jane » A&M / Octone » 2002

“You want to stay, but you know very well I want you gone / Not fit to fuckin’ tread the ground that I am walking on.” Ooh wee! Damn son! Could Maroon 5 have delivered a better opening record on their 2002 debut album, Songs About Jane, than “Harder to Breathe”?

The answer to that question, my friends, is rhetorical. “Harder to Breathe” was a fantastic introduction to the future Grammy-winning pop collective. This brief cut rocks hard in the most pop-sensible sort of way! The handsome and talented Adam Levine is at his best vocally. The chorus marks the crème de la crème. It’s the best moment of the song

“But when it gets cold outside, and you got nobody to love

You’ll understand what I mean when I say

‘There’s no way we’re gonna give up’ (Yeah, yeah, yeah)

And like a little girl cries in the face

Of a monster that lives in her dreams

Is there anyone out there?

‘Cause it’s getting harder and harder to breathe.”

Appears in:

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2. Brandon Lake & Jelly Roll, “Hard Fought Hallelujah”

King of Hearts » Brandon Lake / Provident Label Group » 2025

“I’ll bring my hard-fought heartfelt / Been-through-hell hallelujah / I’ll bring my storm-tossed, torn-sail / Story to tell, hallelujah.” Christian singer-songwriter Brandon Lake turned heads with his 2025 album, King of Hearts, described by Billboard as ‘more genre-defying than ever, folding in country, pop, hard rock, gospel and more, while still being strongly centered on his unflinchingly honest message of faith, healing and an unwavering belief in redemption’[i]. Perhaps the most moving song is “Hard Fought Hallelujah”, which he sings with beloved country musician, Jelly Roll. Lake and Jelly Roll co-wrote “Hard Fought Hallelujah” with Steven Furtick, Benjamin William Hastings, and Chris Brown (of Elevation Worship). Micah Nichols and Rodrick Simmons produced the epic, high-flying CCM duet. Lake earned his first entry on the pop charts. “Hard Fought Hallelujah” reached number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, a rare feat for Christian music.

The musicianship is one of the things that stand out. There are numerous musical cues from various genres: country, rock, and gospel. Two key instruments are the guitar (you can’t have CCM without it) and the organ (a gospel must). Both instruments, as well as the rest of the band, give Lake and Jelly Roll a celestial backdrop. Lake takes first blood on this collaborative version of this song. He sounds incredibly authentic in his performance, exhibiting gritty, nuanced, and incredibly powerful vocals. “There’s times when my hands go up freely / And times that it costs,” he sings, continuing, “There’s days when a praise comes out easy / And days when it takes all the strength I’ve got.” Say that, say that! Lake follows up the first verse with the centerpiece, the chorus (excerpted earlier), which is chock-full of soul. He continues:

“God, You’ve been patient

God, You’ve been gracious

Faithful whatever I’m feeling or facing

So, I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt

It is well, hallelujah

Woah-oh-oh-oh

Hallelujah, hallelujah.”

During the chorus, Lake gets great support from the choir. Although he has a tough act to follow, Jelly Roll shines, too, elevating the spirit. He concludes the second verse, powerfully, “My head, heart, and hands are feeling heavy / And that’s when I lift them just a little higher.” Joined by the anointed choir, Jelly Roll sings the mighty chorus, which only grows more spirited with each iteration. The bridge marks another stirring moment from Lake and Jelly Roll, who show tremendous vocal chemistry duetting. The words are few, but this section transitions to the biggest, most moving chorus of them all, and the first where both artists sing together. Lake and Jelly Roll cap things off with an outro, where, even after five-plus minutes, you don’t want “Hard Fought Hallelujah” to end. A terrific, thoughtfully written and performed Christian record, “Hallelujah” is best experienced by listening, letting it touch your heart and, most importantly, your soul.

Appears in:

Brandon Lake & Jelly Roll, Hard Fought Hallelujah: Dazzling Duets No. 8 (2025)

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3. Donna Summer, “She Works Hard For The Money”

She Works Hard For The Money » The Island Def Jam Music Group » 1983

“She works hard for the money / So hard for it, honey / She works hard for the money / So you better treat her right.” Donna Summer was the undisputed Queen of Disco, period. Notably, the late musical icon had 14 top 10 hits. However, not all of her top 10s were from the disco era. “She Works Hard For The Money” came after disco died. The five-minute-plus song is the opening track from her 1983, gold-certified album, She Works Hard For The Money. “She Works Hard For The Money” peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. It was written by Summer and Michael Omartian, who also produced it.

“She Works Hard For The Money” is synth-heavy, with drum programming, quintessential 1980s sounds, and vibes. Besides the synthesizer/keyboard work, it incorporates guitar and horns, including guitar (Marty Walsh) and saxophone (Gary Herbig) solos. The riffs are sickening. Donna Summer delivers assertive lead vocals. She is supported by superb backing vocals. The melodies are tuneful in the verses and the unforgettable chorus. “Onetta there in the corner stands / And wonders where she is,” Summer sings in the first verse, adding, “And she’s waiting for the bell / And she’s looking real pretty / Just waitin’ for her clientele.” Onetta was real – a bathroom attendant Summer encountered –exhausted from working two jobs to make ends meet. In the second verse, Summer continues narrativizing a blue-collar working woman: “It’s a sacrifice, working day to day / For little money, just tips for pay / But it’s worth it all / To hear them say that they care.” The Grammy-nominated (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female) “She Works Hard For The Money” is a gem not only because of the great instrumental backdrop and lead vocals but also because of the message that speaks to so many, hardworking women.

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4. Alexander 23, “The Hardest Part”

Aftershock  » Interscope » 2022

“I guess the hardest part of getting old / Is that some people that you love don’t.” That is incredibly heavy, Alexander 23 (Alexander Glantz); it hits something fierce. The handsome pop musician shines on the sad but ultimately superb “The Hardest Part”. Glantz penned “The Hardest Part” alongside Amy Allen and Daniel Nigro. Notably, he produced with Nigro as well.

The theme of “The Hardest Part” is grief.  Alexander 23 expresses his skepticism about releasing the record but goes on to say he hopes it comforts those experiencing grief.  He laments the fact that the person he sings about won’t live to grow old – their life ended at just 28 years old.  Glantz offers some poetic specifics in the first verse, asserting, “And the year is gonna get a lot colder / But you will always be stuck in June.” So, so sad! In the second verse, he recollects, “Yeah, I cried when I read / The last text that you sent / ‘Cause I’ll never see those three dots there again.” Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus, excerpted at the beginning, and commencing with the words, “I never said goodbye, and now it’s sinking in / The last time I saw you we were kids…” All told, Alexander 23 sings well, and the songwriting is terrific.

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5. Ayesha Erotica, “Hardcore Anal Banging”

**Ayesha Erotica » Barely Legal » Ayesha Erotica » 2016**

“Your boyfriend comes over with a bit of Gun Oil.” And that, my friends, indicates the type of sex is going down 😈. No, GUN OIL® isn’t merely reserved for ‘butt play,’ but it is renowned for men and women who participate in ‘back door’ activities. Ayesha Erotica specifically mentions it in the opening lyrics from “Hardcore Anal Banging”, the third track from her 2016 album, Barely Legal. She continues rapping/singing, “Says he wants to test the waters, wants to step on new soil.” It only gets sexier from there with nipple play, fingers, tongue, and eventually, “He pulls his dick out and before you can ask / He slides ten inches in your pretty little ass.” 😳. WE LISTEN, AND WE DON’T JUDGE, nor even think about playing this song at work! Ayesha wrote and produced it, sampling the 2007 Bring Me The Horizon song, “Pray For Plagues”.

“Hardcore Anal Banging” commences enigmatically. The music crescendos, leading into the unapologetic verse. The lyrics are explicit, and for some, TMI. In the second verse, she asserts, “Now it feels alright, feels okay /… And your big ol’ butt’s a little sore / But now you don’t mind a little backdoor.” Facts regarding soreness afterward. After being ‘broken in,’ you might say, she embraces this newfound sex:

“Big ol’ dicks in the place you shit

Now the bigger the better, you wanna get stretched

Find a pitcher so you can play fetch

Every day, every night

Playin’ with your ass ‘cause it just feels right

Butt plugs and plastic fists

You love anal, so just admit you want.”

Two more lyrical moments stand out. That is the metal-infused chorus (“Hardcore, hardcore anal banging”), and the bridge (“Don’t, don’t blow your ass out”). Wow. Musically, “Hardcore Anal Banging” features electric and metal music cues. She ‘raps’ during the verses, backed by a syncopated hip-hop beat. The chorus shifts to metal, with its pummeling drums. Erotica doesn’t ‘sing,’ at least pitched during the chorus, but does change her tone of voice. “Hardcore Anal Banging” is ‘something else.’

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6. Kendrick Lamar, “Die Hard” (Ft. Blxst & Amanda Reifer)

Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers » Interscope » 2022

“I pop the pain away, I slide the pain away.” Ah, there is always the urge to numb pain, isn’t there? On “Die Hard”, one of many great moments from the Grammy-winning album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, Kendrick Lamar enlists the services of Blxst and Amanda Reifer. Following the K-Dot intro, Blxst performs the chorus (“…I hope you see the God in me, I hope you can see / and if it’s up, stay down for me, yeah”) while Reifer performs the post-chorus (“Shimmy, shimmy, cocoa puff / Serafina flame in us / Where I’d be without your love…”). Ah, there’s that keyword: LOVE. Arguably, “Die Hard” is lighter than the opening trio from Mr. Morale. Even so, Kendrick remains in deep thought, concerned about the legitimacy of his relationship. “Do you love me? Do you trust me / Can I trust you/ Don’t judge me,” he spits in the first verse, doubting his own worth as well as what his partner brings to the table. Lamar also shines in the second verse, with the thought-provoking lyrics, “I’ll still risk it all for a stranger / If I told you who I am, would you use it against me? / Right or wrong, no stone, just love to send me.” “Die Hard” = another great moment from the Kendrick Lamar discography.

Appears in:

15 Epic Songs Worth Dying For (2023)

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7. Lil Baby & Gunna, “Drip Too Hard”

Drip Harder » Quality Control Music / 300 Entertainment » 2018

Lil Baby has had a great year in 2018 – understatement. His brief, collaborative record with Drake, “Yes Indeed”, helped to ‘fuel the fire’ for a successful album, Harder Than Ever. Post-studio album, Lil Baby teams up with Gunna forces for the 2018 mixtape, Drip Harder. Given the drippin’ title, it’s not shocking that the tape also has a ‘title track’ or sorts, the brief, ‘flex’ banger, “Drip Too Hard”. “Drip Too Hard” clocks in at just about two-and-a-half minutes, similar to “Yes Indeed.” Baby performs the first verse, rapping about luxury, drugs, and status. The chorus that follows up is lengthy and not exactly ‘catchy.’

“Drip too hard, don’t stand too close

You gon’ fuck around and drown off this wave

Doin’ all these shows, I’ve been on the road

I don’t care where I go as long as I get paid

Bad lil’ vibe, she been on my mind

Soon as I get back, she gettin’ slayed…”

Gunna performs the second verse, referencing material (“Diamonds dancin’ in the dial like this shit is a parade”), “bitches gettin’ saved” (Totally not Biblical), and status. Sure, the record fits our needs on this bitchin’, drippin’ list to a ‘T,’ but it’s certainly NOT transcendent.

Appears in:

The Drip is Real on These 11 Songs (2019)

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8. Paramore, “Hard Times”

After Laughter » Atlantic Recording Corporation » 2017

“All that I want / Is to wake up fine / Tell me that I’m alright / That I ain’t gonna die…” Word. In my humble opinion, “Hard Times” by Grammy-winning band Paramore was one of the best songs of 2017. The opener from their marvelous 2017 album, After Laughter, marked a departure for Hayley Williams, Taylor York, and Zac Farro. From the jump, the sound is based on 80s cues – a stark contrast compared to their past music/discography. Ultimately, it’s successful, keeping Paramore sounding fresh and relevant. The lyrics reflect the theme: overcoming hard times and moving beyond them. The chorus confirms the hard times that she references in the first verse (excerpted earlier): “Hard times / Gonna make you wonder why you even try / Hard times / Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry…” Another stellar moment from “Hard Times” occurs during the repetitive, yet highly effective bridge, where Williams is coming down and rebuilding harmonious relationships with those closest to her (“Tell my friends I’m coming down / We’ll kick it when I hit the ground”). All in all, Hayley and company nail it.

Appears in:

100 Best Songs of 2017

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9. Charlie Puth, “Hard on Yourself” (Ft. blackbear)

“Hard on Yourself” » Atlantic / Rumson / Artist Partner Group » 2020

“I can see you’re struggling / Promise you’ll find love again / Yeah, it will be alright / Why are you so hard on yourself?” Grammy-nominated artist Charlie Puth surprised on “Hard on Yourself” featuring blackbear. Puth handles the production, unsurprisingly. “Hard on Yourself” is sleek, featuring many R&B sensibilities, including a trap-oriented beat. The electronic palette that he uses is celestial. Additionally, there are some beautifully harmonized background vocals, further ornamenting this record. The performances by both Puth and blackbear are also noteworthy. The record begins abruptly, sans introduction. This makes you pay extra attention to what Puth serves up. Notably, he and blackbear trade lines, bringing game and swagger. As always, Charlie gives us smooth vocals. Blackbear is also relatively smooth, which is something considering he’s known for a grittier, cutting vocal delivery. There’s a sweet harmonic shift during the bridge section, which accentuates the musicianship. The ending is dynamic – a sweet fever pitch to say the least. Ultimately, there’s a lot to like about “Hard on Yourself”, further amplified by its positivity toward women.

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10. Scissor Sisters, “Harder You Get”

Night Work » Polydor » 2010

“And what I really want to do tonight / Is toughen you up.” Woo! Face it, the minute “Harder You Get” (Night Work, 2010) commences, it sounds like the soundtrack to a sexual experience, period. The music is enigmatic and groovy, and set in a minor key. It’s perfect fuel for the fire of Jake Shears and Scissor Sisters. Of course, where the Sisters excel most on “Harder You Get” is the innuendo-laden lyrics. Also, worth noting, “Harder You Get” is unapologetically gay 🏳️‍🌈!

“It ain’t Steven

It isn’t Adam

I got some apples if you want ‘em

You can grab ‘em.”

See what I mean about the gay part? Adam and Steve, etc. Anyways, while the infamous reference is intriguing, more intriguing is the S-E-X! “Beatin’ my drum / Faster you’re done” can’t possibly be an innocent lyric! Furthermore, what about the assertion “Hell is my heaven / A loaded weapon / Don’t point that thing at me / Unless you plan to shoot.” Hmm, shoot, what, Jake, a ‘natural’ gun 🍆 💦? On “Harder You Get,” Scissors Sisters manage to make a sexy pop record without crossing the line. Gotta ❤️ sexual innuendo!!!

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11. Jet, “Cold Hard Bitch”

Get Born » Elektra » 2003

“Cold hard bitch / Just a kiss on the lips / And I was on my knees / I’m waiting, give me…” What a dirty-minded, horny band Jet proves to be! The Aussie rockers, specifically frontman Nic Cester, desire pleasure on “Cold Hard Bitch” – more like, they fuck around (or want to…)! Cester adds on the chorus of this bitchin’, hard-rocking joint, adds on the chorus, “Cold hard bitch / She was shakin’ her hips / So that was all that I need.” The unapologetic record appears as the ninth track on their 2003 debut album, Get Born. The motivation for Jet is knocking boots, getting some, getting laid – having S-E-X. Beyond the chorus, the verses are naughty – titillating for sure! In the first verse, Nic claims, “Spent all my rent / Girl, you know I enjoyed it, yeah.” Hmm… we’ll leave that at that. In the second verse, he’s thirsty AF, trying to get her attention, and, in the pre-chorus, asserts, “Gonna take her home ‘cause she’s over romancing / Don’t wanna hold hands and talk about our little plans, alright.” Again, “Cold Hard Bitch” has sex written all over it. The problem is, does this hottie that’s being lusted over give? Not so much! #COCKBLOCKED! Regardless, horny Aussies serving up 2000s cock rock? We’re here for it, Jet! Rock on 🤘!

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12. Chicago, “Hard Habit To Break”

Chicago 17 » Warner » 1984

I’m addicted to you, babe / You’re a hard habit to break.” Chicago – what a band, what a band, what a band! The Grammy-winning rock band, formed in Chicago, Illinois, has no shortage of pop hits. In 1984, they struck gold again with “Hard Habit To Break”, the third track on Chicago 17. John Parker and Stephen Kipner wrote the adult contemporary/soft rock song while David Foster produced it. “Hard Habit To Break” was nominated for two Grammys at the 27^th Annual Grammy Awards: Record Of The Year and Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals. Despite taking an “L” at the Grammy Awards, it peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Peter Cetera and Bill Champlin share lead vocal duties on “Hard Habit To Break.” Cetera leads the charge in the first and third verses and chorus (“You don’t know what you got / Until it’s gone / And I found out / A little too late”). Champlin takes the reins on the second and fourth verses (“But deep in the night / It’s an endless fight / I can’t get you out of my mind”). Cetera and Champlin both perform the bridge (“I can’t go one (Can’t go on)”). Besides their respective lead moments, the band sings selectively during the centerpiece, the chorus:

“Now being without you

Takes a lot of getting used to

Should learn to live with it

But I don’t want to

Being without you

It’s all a big mistake

Instead of getting easier

It’s the hardest thing to take

I’m addicted to you, babe

You’re a hard habit to break.”

Matters of the heart drive the theme. That is always a recipe for success. Another recipe for success is the refined, soft rock/pop backdrop. The electric keys and synth elements make “Hard Habit To Break” a far cry from, say, “25 or 6 To 4”. There are still plenty of rock elements, with the guitars sounding quite ripe during the big, anthemic chorus. As the song progresses, the accompaniment becomes more dynamic, adding instrumentation. The horns, a key part of Chicago’s sound, remain intact. Another reason why this top-five hit is epic? An adventurous harmonic progression with modulations. “Hard Habit To Break” is an addictive 80s rock gem, period!

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13. Tower of Power, “So Very Hard To Go”

Tower of Power » Warner » 1973

“Ain’t nothin’ I can say / Nothin’ I can do / I feel so bad, yeah / I feel so blue.” When Lenny Williams was the lead singer for Tower of Power (1973 – 1974), it was a special time – an understatement! Williams has an incredible. His tenor delivers the heat on “So Very Hard To Go”, a highlight from the collective’s self-titled, 1973 album. Not only is “So Very Hard to Go” the song to beat on Tower of Power, but it is also the most successful song of the R&B collective’s career. “So Very Hard To Go” peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it a pop hit. Impressive. “‘Cause I could never make you unhappy / No, I couldn’t do that, girl,” Williams asserts in the chorus, continuing, “Only wish I didn’t love you so / Makes it so, so very hard to go.” Indeed, indeed! Besides illustrating how difficult love is, particularly “stepping aside” from it, the music is marvelous. Williams says it best: “It ain’t easy to walk away when a man loves somebody.” FACTS! Besides that, soul oozes from the band, including a tight rhythm section and bright, biting horns. All of these brilliant musical attributes make “So Very Hard To Go”, which was written by Stephen Kupka and Emilio Castillo, utterly stupendous, fifty-plus years after its release.

Appears in:

[i] Atkinson, K., Bain, K., Brown, E. R., Daw, S., Denis, K., Diaz, A., DiGiacomo, F., Duffy, T., Flores, G., Green, Q., Grein, P., Lamarre, C., Leight, E., Lipshutz, J., Lynch, J., Mamo, H., Milzoff, R., Newman, M., Nicholson, J., … Wisneski, K. (2025, June 24). The 50 best albums of 2025 so far (staff picks). Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-albums-2025-so-far/

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13 Songs That Go Incredibly HARD, Part 1 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 300 Entertainment, A&M, Artist Partner Group, Atlantic Recording Corporation, Ayesha Erotica, Brandon Lake, Elektra, Octone, Polydor, Provident Label Group, Interscope, Quality Control Music, Rumson, The Island Def Jam Music Group, Warner; TMA Management from Pexels; AcatXIo from Pixabay]

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Published by the musical hype on August 29, 2025August 29, 2025