"The Hardest Thing"
Single by 98°
from the album 98° and Rising
ReleasedJune 8, 1999 (1999-06-08)
StudioSoundtrack (New York City)
Length
  • 4:34 (album version)
  • 3:47 (radio version)
LabelUniversal
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • David Frank
  • Steve Kipner
98° singles chronology
"Because of You"
(1998)		 "The Hardest Thing"
(1999)		 "I Do (Cherish You)"
(1999)
Music video
"The Hardest Thing" on YouTube

"The Hardest Thing" is the third single released from American boy band 98 Degrees's second studio album, 98 Degrees and Rising (1998). "The Hardest Thing" peaked at number five in the United States, number 10 in Canada, number 29 in the United Kingdom, and number 31 in Ireland. It also experienced moderate success in Oceania, peaking at number 24 in Australia and number five in New Zealand. The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of 500,000 units.

Song meaning

The song is about a man who is torn between two women that he loves: one being his significant other and the other being his mistress. This is apparent when Doctor Zhivago is referenced in the second verse of the song. In the end, the man chooses to say goodbye to his mistress because it is only fair to his significant other, who has always trusted him. This becomes clear in the first verse of the song when he says, "I've got somewhere else to be, promises to keep / Someone else who loves me and trusts me fast asleep." However, as he is saying goodbye to the mistress, he has to hide his true feelings (love) from her; hence, the title of the song: "The Hardest Thing". As he says goodbye to his mistress, he thinks, "It's the hardest thing I'll ever have to do to look you in the eye and tell you I don't love you." However, he knows that their love is real and that they will (hopefully) meet again when the time is right: "I know that we'll meet again/Fate has a place and time / So you can get on with your life."

Music video

The music video takes place inside a boxing arena. Nick Lachey, the protagonist in the video, is the gentleman who is torn between two ladies. Nick is a boxer in the video, and his mistress is a show girl. His significant other is not in the video.

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[29] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States February 23, 1999 Universal [30]
June 8, 1999
  • CD
  • cassette
 [29]
Japan July 1, 1999 CD [31]
United Kingdom February 28, 2000
  • CD
  • cassette
 [32]

References

  1. ↑ The Hardest Thing (US CD single liner notes). 98°. Universal Records. 1999. 012 156 246-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ↑ The Hardest Thing (Australasian CD single liner notes). 98°. Universal Records. 1999. 150 246-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ↑ The Hardest Thing (Japanese CD single liner notes). 98°. Universal Records. 1999. POCT-1139.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ↑ The Hardest Thing (US cassette single sleeve). 98°. Universal Records. 1999. 012 156 246-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ↑ The Hardest Thing (European CD single liner notes). 98°. Universal Records. 2000. 156 446 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ↑ The Hardest Thing (European maxi-CD single liner notes). 98°. Universal Records. 2000. 156 447 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ↑ The Hardest Thing (UK CD single liner notes). 98°. Universal Records. 2000. MCSTD 40228, 156 773-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ "98° – The Hardest Thing". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8146." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8358." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 12. March 18, 2000. p. 11. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography 98°". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  13. ↑ "98° – The Hardest Thing". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  16. ↑ "98 Degrees Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  17. ↑ "98 Degrees Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  18. ↑ "98 Degrees Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  19. ↑ "98 Degrees Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  20. ↑ "98 Degrees Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  21. ↑ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Retrieved November 27, 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  22. ↑ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Adult Contemporary". RPM. Retrieved November 27, 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  23. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1999". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1999". Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  25. ↑ "1999 The Year in Music: Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-99. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 47.
  27. ↑ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 54.
  28. ↑ "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 53.
  29. 1 2 "American single certifications – 98 Degrees – The Hardest Thing". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  30. ↑ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1287. February 19, 1999. pp. 55, 62.
  31. ↑ "ハーデスト・シング | 98°" [Hardest Thing | 98°] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  32. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 28 February, 2000: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. February 26, 2000. p. 27. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
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