“Hard 2 Face Reality” is a song by Poo Bear featuring Justin Bieber and rapper Jay Electronica. It was released on April 6, 2018, as the lead single from Bear's debut studio album, Poo Bear Presents Bearthday Music.
Background[]
| “I am really grateful to have him on my new single, ‘Hard to Face Reality.’ For Justin to be excited for it to come out says a lot about his character. No matter how big he gets he is still grounded, humble and human. We have an amazing relationship musically and an amazing friendship. Justin is my hero.” |
On February 4, 2018, Poo Bear told interviewer Ebro Darden during a Beats 1 radio show that he would release the song later in the month.[4]
We revisited it maybe five months ago – finished it, changed the beat a little bit." said Poo Bear in April 2018.[5] "We always had a plan to never let that song die, because it was a snippet and we never wanted to give the whole record away. Then I ran into Jay Electronica's manager and he got on board and we changed the beat up and finished it off."[6] Justin Bieber did not know Jay Electronica was going to be on the record until Poo Bear played it for him as a surprise.[5] * Originally Poo Bear and Scooter Braun wanted Kendrick Lamar as a feature but he was focusing on the Black Panther soundtrack at the time.[7]
Music video[]
A tweet appeared saying there was a music video in the making starring Justin Bieber.[8] According to its director, the dance video went from concept to finished product within 48 hours.[9]
Lyrics[]
[Chorus: Poo Bear]
Sometimes it's hard to face reality, oh, oh
Even though you might get mad at me, oh, oh
Sometimes it's hard to face reality
[Verse 1: Poo Bear]
Should've been adjusted to my life
Had the opportunity to stay and wait for the last time
Now you're standin' right in front of me
It hurts me to know that I lied
Tryna protect your feelings
You been in between the lines
Hope your heart has started healing
[Chorus: Poo Bear]
Sometimes it's hard to face reality, oh, oh
Even though you might get mad at me, oh, oh
Sometimes it's hard to face reality
[Verse 2: Justin Bieber]
Don't be afraid to stand alone
Don't be afraid to stand outside your comfort zone
I know it's hard away from home
And it ain't easy all alone
Relationships over the phone
Talkin' to your significant other all night long
[Chorus: Justin Bieber]
Sometimes it's hard to face reality, oh, oh
Even though you might get mad at me, oh, oh
Sometimes it's hard to face reality
Sometimes it's hard to face reality
Sometimes it's hard to face reality
[Verse 3: Jay Electronica]
Love and death are quite similar
How they come and go like cat burglars
Reality is kinda hard to face
Like actual facts is to flat-earthers
Rain's a requirement for flowers to grow
And pain's a requirement for power to grow
It's a miracle how one could change from one what was just hours ago
Such is life though, it's just a cycle
The bigger picture and the smaller picture
Exactly same, it's macro, micro
Crack yo' atom and let yo' light glow
One day, you could be the king of pop
Then the next one just be wack ol' Michael
It's human nature, just like he told us
Let's face reality, crack the cycle
[Bridge: Poo Bear]
Know it hurts to see the truth in your face
Circumstances bring you down to your knees
Go on and cry an ocean, but don't drown in it
Enough to put your heart at ease
Oh, don't lose your self esteem
I apologise, for being a man
It's way harder than what it seems
[Chorus: Justin Bieber & Poo Bear]
Sometimes it's hard to face reality, oh, oh (reality)
Even though you might get mad at me, oh, oh (you might get mad at me, but I'll be at your bedside)
Sometimes it's hard to face reality
Sometimes it's hard to face reality
Promotion[]
Credits[]
Credits adapted from Tidal.[10]
- Producer: Dan Kanter / Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd
- Composer: Dan Kanter / Elpadaro Electronica Allah / Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd / Justin Bieber / Kenneth Coby
- Lyricist: Dan Kanter / Elpadaro Electronica Allah / Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd / Justin Bieber / Kenneth Coby
- Featured Artist: Jay Electronica / Justin Bieber
- Mastering Engineer: Colin Leonard
- Mixer: Josh Gudwin
- Studio Personnnel: Colin Leonard / Josh Gudwin
In November 2014, the full song was released on Dash Radio by Poo Bear.
Lyrics[]
[Chorus: Justin Bieber]
Sometimes it's hard to face reality (oh, oh)
Even though you might get mad at me (oh, oh)
Sometimes it's hard to face reality
[Verse 1: Poo Bear]
Should've been adjusted to my life
Had the opportunity to stay and wait for the last time
Now you're standin' right in front of me
It hurts me to know that I lied
Tryna protect your feelings
You been in between the lines
Hope your heart has started healing
[Chorus: Justin Bieber]
Sometimes it's hard to face reality (oh, oh)
Even though you might get mad at me (oh, oh)
Sometimes it's hard to face reality
[Verse 2: Justin Bieber]
Don't be afraid to stand alone
Don't be afraid to stand outside your comfort zone
I know it's hard away from home
And it ain't easy all alone
Relationships over the phone
Talkin' to your significant other all night long
[Chorus: Justin Bieber]
Sometimes it's hard to face reality (oh, oh)
Even though you might get mad at me (oh, oh)
Sometimes it's hard to face reality
Sometimes it's hard to face reality
[Bridge: Poo Bear]
Know it hurts to see the truth in your face
Circumstances bring you down on your knees
Go on and cry an ocean but don't drown in it
Enough to put your heart at ease
Oh don't lose your self esteem
I apologise, for being a man
It's way harder than what it seems
[Chorus: Justin Bieber & Poo Bear]
Sometimes it's hard to face reality, oh, oh (reality)
Even though you might get mad at me, oh, oh (you might get mad at me, but I'll be at your bedside)
Sometimes it's hard to face reality
Sometimes it's hard to face reality
The song was written back in early 2014 in Toronto, during a time when the media and a lot of people were going in on Justin, being really cruel, making up false information. Later that year, Bieber released a demo of the song on SoundCloud on April 27.He first used his buddy Khalil’s SoundCloud account to upload the song.But just one hour later, JB created his own personal SoundCloud under username re-uploaded ‘Hard 2 Face Reality’ there. Justin Bieber wrote the majority of this song as he wrote the chorus and his verse, Poo Bear wrote his own verse. [11] The song remained on SoundCloud until November 2017, when it was then removed.
Lyrics[]
[Chorus: Justin Bieber]
Sometimes it's hard to face reality (oh, oh)
Even though you might get mad at me (oh, oh)
Sometimes it's hard to face reality
[Verse 1: Justin Bieber]
Don't be afraid to stand alone
Don't be afraid to stand outside your comfort zone
I know it's hard away from home
And it ain't easy all alone
Relationships over the phone
Talkin' to your significant other all night long
[Chorus: Justin Bieber]
Sometimes it's hard to face reality (oh, oh)
Even though you might get mad at me (oh, oh)
Sometimes it's hard to face reality
[Verse 2: Poo Bear]
Should've been adjusted to my life
Had the opportunity to stay and wait for the last time
Now you're standin' right in front of me
It hurts me to know that I lied
Tryna protect your feelings
You been in between the lines
Hope your heart has started healing (whoa)
[Chorus: Justin Bieber]
Sometimes it's hard to face reality, oh, oh
Even though you might get mad at me, oh, oh
Sometimes it's hard to face reality
References[]
- ↑ Mizoguchi, Karen (March 19, 2018). "Hit Songwriter Poo Bear 'Excited' About New Music with Justin Bieber & Jennifer Lopez on Debut Album". People.
- ↑ Kanter, Dan (April 6, 2018). "Excited to have co-produced and cowritten the new @poobear justinbieber jayelectronica single". Twitter.
- ↑ Mizoguchi, Karen (March 19, 2018). "Hit Songwriter Poo Bear 'Excited' About New Music with Justin Bieber & Jennifer Lopez on Debut Album". People.
- ↑ Puckett, Lily (February 5, 2018). "Poo Bear announces a collaboration with Justin Bieber and Jay Electronica". The FADER.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Leight, Elias (April 6, 2018). "Poo Bear Talks New Justin Bieber Collaboration, Star-Studded Solo Album". Rolling Stone.
- ↑ Waes, Mike (April 26, 2018). "Poo Bear Talks ‘Bearthday Music,’ Timeless Tunes & Future Trends: Interview". Idolator.
- ↑ "Poo Bear - Poo Bear Explains Justin Bieber Hit “Hard 2 Face Reality”". YouTube. May 30, 2018.
- ↑ "Worked all 7 days this week, and ending off tonight with a music video shoot with Poo x Bear & Justin Bieber.". J-14. December 10, 2017.
- ↑ "Nic Stanich". facebook. April 10,2018.
- ↑ "Credits / Hard 2 Face Reality / Poo Bear – TIDAL". Tidal.
- ↑ "How Poo Bear Writes Your Favorite Hits". YouTube. May 11, 2018.