"Don't Be So Hard on Yourself"
Single by Jess Glynne
from the album I Cry When I Laugh
Released14 August 2015
Genre
Length3:31
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)TMS
Jess Glynne singles chronology
"Not Letting Go"
(2015)		 "Don't Be So Hard on Yourself"
(2015)		 "Take Me Home"
(2015)

"Don't Be So Hard on Yourself" is a song by English singer and songwriter Jess Glynne. It was released as the fourth single from her debut album I Cry When I Laugh on 14 August 2015. It was written by Glynne, Wayne Hector and TMS who also produced the song. Lyrically, the song tells about moving on from hard times and "not being hard on oneself."

The song was critically acclaimed for its lyrical content and Glynne's vocal delivery. On 14 August 2015 the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number 78 based on streams alone, reaching number one the following week. The song became Glynne's fifth UK number-one single (including her featured singles), tying Cheryl's record for the most number ones by a British female solo artist.

Background and release

After the success of "Hold My Hand", Jess Glynne was featured on Tinie Tempah's single "Not Letting Go", with both songs reaching the top of the UK Singles Chart. Later, in June 2015, she went through a vocal surgery, being forced to cancel a number of shows.[1] On 29 June 2015, she announced "Don't Be So Hard on Yourself" as the album's third single and uploaded 1:30 of the song on her SoundCloud account.[2] It was released firstly to UK radio stations on 1 July 2015 and later received its full release on 14 August 2015, one week prior to the album's release.[3][4]

Composition and lyrics

"Don't Be So Hard on Yourself" was written by Jess Glynne, Wayne Hector with its producers Tom Barnes, Peter Kelleher and Ben Kohn, also known as the production team TMS. According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Universal Music Publishing Group, the song is written in the key of G major (recorded a half-step lower in F♯ major). The song moves in common time at a tempo of 120 beats per minute, with Glynne's vocal range spanning from the low-note of C♯3 to the high-note of C♯5.[5] Its instrumentation consists in piano, guitar and violins, filled with strings, glittery synths and emotive vocals.[6] In its bridge, the song also features a "multi-tracked choir and military tattoo drums."[7] It is a dance-pop song with influences of disco, house and soul-pop.[8] Lyrically, it talks about overcoming a broken heart and to not let sadness defeat you. In the chorus, she sings: "Don’t be so hard on yourself, no / Learn to forgive, learn to let go / Everyone trips, everyone falls / So don’t be so hard on yourself, no."[6] When asked about the story behind the song, she elaborated: "When I was meeting my publisher, managers and label and everything was happening for me, I was going through a really hard time. I had my heart broken and I was in a dark place. It was even harder because my dreams were coming true and I had to put a smile on my face every day and power through."[9]

Critical reception

The song received generally positive reviews from music critics. Rachel Sonis of Idolator named it a "massive floor-filler",[10] while Bianca Gracie of the same publication noted that "there is a refreshingly somber tone that saves it from being too predictable."[6] Amy Davidson of Digital Spy gave the single 4 out of 5 stars stating, "[W]ith her vocals shooting to the very perimeters of the track, 'Don't Be So Hard On Yourself' sees Glynne continue to wear her disco influences on her sleeve for a new take on the well-worn 'feel-good anthem'."[11] Popjustice called it brilliant, praising its "great post-chorus and chorus" as well as its "strings".[12] While recommending the song for download, Andy Gill of The Independent wrote that "[it] could be the project's mission statement, with Glynne's darkly tremulous delivery a kind of turbo-powered warble that conveys strength overcoming tribulation, a message under-scored by the rising figure of the backing vocals."[13] Ian Gittins of Virgin Media praised her "huge, resonant voice, free of melisma [that] inhabits every crevice of the anthemic [track]."[14]

Matthew Scott Donnelly of Pop Crush opined that the song "uses upbeat soul as a vehicle to deliver sonic-cheeriness, [...] becom[ing] a warning against self-deprecation. In other words, it's your new preferred empowerment anthem."[15] Andy Baber of MusicOMH called it "irresistibly catchy", praising the fact that it "relies simply on a driving clapped beat and a jaunty piano riff."[16] John Aizlewood of London Evening Standard called it "a windswept delight and bold is always more fun than mealy-mouthed."[7] Paul MacInnes of The Guardian compared it to songs by Emeli Sandé, describing it as "a big piano pop song that invites the listener to push on through the dark days."[17] Hazel Cills wrote for Spin noted that the album can be "relentless in this 'lift yourself up' message, citing the song as "the cream of this crop", observing that is "punctuated by swooning violins and a house-evoking piano melody fit for the club."[18]

Chart performance

In the United Kingdom, "Don't Be So Hard on Yourself" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 78 based on streams alone.[19] The following week, after its release, the song reached the top of the charts, becoming her fifth number-one single, matching the record for a British female solo artist, held by Cheryl. Glynne has previously reached the top of the charts with Clean Bandit's "Rather Be", Route 94's "My Love", her own "Hold My Hand" and "Not Letting Go" with Tinie Tempah.[20] In Australia, the song was Glynne's first solo top-ten hit and her highest-charting single since "Rather Be" (2014). It debuted at number 37 on the ARIA Singles Chart week ending 6 September 2015, before peaking at number 17 two weeks later. After remaining for another week at number 17, the song fell to numbers 21 and 24, the following two weeks, however it later climbed to number 12, before finally peaking at number 10, on 1 November 2015.[21]

Live performances

On 23 May 2015, Glynne performed "Don't Be So Hard on Yourself" at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend 2015 in Norwich.[22]

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "Don't Be So Hard on Yourself" was first released onto YouTube on 9 July 2015 at a total length of four minutes and ten seconds.[23]

Track listing

Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Don't Be So Hard on Yourself"3:31

Charts and certifications

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Ireland[55] 14 August 2015 Digital download Atlantic
United Kingdom[56]

References

  1. ↑ Davidson, Amy (15 June 2015). "Jess Glynne won't be able to speak for 3 weeks after undergoing vocal surgery". Digital Spy. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  2. ↑ Copsey, Rob (29 June 2015). "Jess Glynne announces new single Don't Be So Hard On Yourself". Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  3. ↑ "LISTEN: Jess Glynne's New Song 'Don't Be So Hard On Yourself' – You Guys Are LOVING It!". Capital FM. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  4. ↑ Davidson, Amy (2 July 2015). "Jess Glynne debuts her brand new single 'Don't Be So Hard on Yourself'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  5. ↑ "Jess Glynne "Don't Be So Hard on Yourself" Sheet Music". MusicNotes.com. Universal Music Publishing Group. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 Gracie, Bianca (2 July 2015). "Jess Glynne Advises "Don't Be So Hard On Yourself" In New Single: Listen". Idolator. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  7. 1 2 Aizlewood, John (21 August 2015). "Jess Glynne – I Cry When I Laugh, album review: 'widescreen floor fillers'". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  8. ↑ Ellwood-Hughes, Pip (4 July 2015). "Listen to Jess Glynne's new single Don't Be So Hard On Yourself". Entertainment-Focus. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  9. ↑ Lindner, Emilee (4 September 2015). "We Had The Quietest Interview Ever With Jess Glynne". MTV News. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  10. ↑ Sonis, Rachel (11 September 2015). "Jess Glynne's 'I Cry When I Laugh': Album Review". Idolator. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  11. ↑ "This week's new singles reviewed: Jess Glynne, Hurts, Maroon 5". Digital Spy. 14 August 2015. Archived from the original on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  12. ↑ "Jess Glynne – 'Don't Be So Hard On Yourself'". Popjustice. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  13. ↑ Gill, Andy (7 August 2015). "Jess Glynne, I Cry When I Laugh – Album review". The Independent. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  14. ↑ Gittins, Ian (21 August 2015). "Jess Glynne: I Cry When I Laugh Album Review – Reviews – Music – Virgin Media". Virgin Media. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  15. ↑ Scott Donnelly, Matthew (11 September 2015). "Jess Glynne's 'I Cry When I Laugh' Is a Disco-Pop Daydream (Album Review)". Pop Crush. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  16. ↑ Baber, Andy (25 August 2015). "Jess Glynne – I Cry When I Laugh". MusicOMH. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  17. ↑ MacInnes, Paul (20 August 2015). "Jess Glynne: I Cry When I Laugh review – hit-and-miss debut from new pop talent". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  18. ↑ Cills, Hazel (15 September 2015). "Review: Jess Glynne Needs More Church in Her Wild on 'I Cry When I Laugh'". Spin. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  19. ↑ "Official Singles Top 100 | Official Charts Company". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  20. ↑ Sexton, Paul (21 August 2015). "Jess Glynne Matches Cheryl Cole's Record on U.K. Singles Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  21. 1 2 "Jess Glynne – Don't Be So Hard on Yourself". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  22. ↑ "BBC – Radio 1's Big Weekend – Big Weekend 2015 – Acts – Jess Glynne". BBC – Radio 1's Big Weekend. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  23. ↑ "Jess Glynne – Don't Be So Hard On Yourself". 9 July 2015 – via YouTube.
  24. ↑ "Jess Glynne – Don't Be So Hard on Yourself" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  25. ↑ "Jess Glynne – Don't Be So Hard on Yourself" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  26. ↑ "Jess Glynne – Don't Be So Hard on Yourself" (in Dutch). Ultratop Dance. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  27. ↑ "Jess Glynne – Don't Be So Hard on Yourself" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  28. ↑ "Jess Glynne – Don't Be So Hard on Yourself" (in French). Ultratop Dance. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  29. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201602 into search.
  30. ↑ "Jess Glynne Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  31. ↑ "Jess Glynne – Don't Be So Hard on Yourself" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  32. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  33. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  34. ↑ "Jess Glynne Chart History". RÚV. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  35. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 37, 2015". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  36. ↑ "Jess Glynne – Don't Be So Hard on Yourself". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  37. ↑ "Mexico Ingles Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved 3 October 2015. (subscription required)
  38. ↑ "Top 40 NL: Jess Glynne – Don't Be So Hard On Yourself" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. 17 October 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  39. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  40. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  41. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay New. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  42. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  43. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201539 into search.
  44. ↑ "SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart". slotop50.si. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  45. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  46. ↑ "Jess Glynne Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard.
  47. ↑ "Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2015". Mahasz. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  48. ↑ Copsey, Rob (4 January 2016). "The Official Top 40 Biggest Songs of 2015 revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  49. ↑ "Rádiós Top 100 - hallgatottsági adatok alapján - 2016". Mahasz. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  50. ↑ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  51. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2015 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  52. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Jess Glynne – Don't Be So Hard On Yourself" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "2016" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Don't Be So Hard On Yourself" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  53. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Jess Glynne – Don't Be So Hard on Yourself". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  54. ↑ "British single certifications – Jess Glynne – Don't Be So Hard on Yourself". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  55. ↑ "iTunes Music – Don't Be So Hard On Yourself – Single by Jess Glynne". iTunes Store.
  56. ↑ "iTunes Music – Don't Be So Hard On Yourself – Single by Jess Glynne". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on 3 July 2015.
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