The Hard Way (Pnau and Khalid song)

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"The Hard Way"
Single by Pnau and Khalid
from the album Hyperbolic
Released10 March 2023 (2023-03-10)
Length3:03
LabelEtcetc
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Pnau
Pnau singles chronology
"You Know What I Need"
(2022) 		"The Hard Way"
(2023) 		"Stars"
(2023)
Khalid singles chronology
"We Go Down Together"
(2023) 		"The Hard Way"
(2023) 		"Softest Touch"
(2023)
Lyric video
"The Hard Way" on YouTube

"The Hard Way" is a song by Australian electronic trio Pnau and American singer Khalid, released through Etcetc on 10 March 2023.

In a statement, Pnau's Nick Littlemore, said "We are so very excited to share this with you. Working with Khalid has been an absolute dream, we hope this song shall live in your hearts like it does ours."[1] About the song, Khalid said "It's just awesome; it's feel-good but then the lyrics have that melancholy, bittersweet thing about them, it's that juxtaposition, that the lyrics are heartbreakingly sad but if you listen to the song, you can't help but smile."[1]

Critical reception[edit]

Triple J said "On the track, the Sydney trio brings an unapologetically big and sugary synth-pop hit, coupled with a melancholic lyrical performance from Khalid."[2]

Conor Lochie from Tone Deaf said "The sublime synth-pop number conjures nostalgic memories of wholehearted '80s music. Khalid's compelling voice sings forlorn, lovelorn words, surrounded by splendid and splashy melodies. It's just the right mixture of upbeat rhythm and melancholic lyricism."[1]

Buddy Iahn from The Music Universe said "It's big scale contemporary pop at its finest, with Pnau's sublime synthpop providing the towering melodies and supremely confident hook that allows Khalid's starry vocal majesty to shine. The two artists really lean into each other's vibe to establish a depth of feeling, with Khalid's lovelorn lyricism and sentimental emotions complemented by Pnau's ability to evoke nostalgic '80s sonic elements within a modernistic production."[3]

Charts[edit]

Weekly charts[edit]

Weekly chart performance for "The Hard Way"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Australian Independent Singles (AIR)[4] 2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[5] 9
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[6] 20
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[7] 15
Latvia Airplay (LAIPA)[8] 12
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[9] 32
Netherlands (Single Tip)[10] 16
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[11] 11
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[12] 3
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[13] 12

Year-end charts[edit]

Year-end chart performance for "The Hard Way"
Chart (2023) Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[14] 30
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[15] 85
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[16] 21

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "PNAU and Khalid learn 'The Hard Way' on new collaboration". Tone Deaf. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  2. ^ "PNAU and Khalid team up on new single 'The Hard Way'". Triple J. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Khalid, PNAU collaborate for 'The Hard Way'". The Music Universe. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Independent Label Singles 20 Mar 2023". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. 20 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Pnau %2B Khalid – The Hard Way" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Pnau %2B Khalid – The Hard Way" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of April 19, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  8. ^ "Latvijas radio stacijās spēlētākās dziesmas TOP 18. nedēļa" (in Latvian). LAIPA. 9 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 26, 2023" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Dutch Single Tip 03/06/2023". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  11. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 20 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  12. ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 27.05.2023–02.06.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  13. ^ "Pnau Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  14. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2023" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Rapports annuels 2023" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Podsumowanie roczne – OLiA" (in Polish). OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
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