"Can't Get Any Harder" is a song by American singer James Brown from his fifty-sixth studio album, Universal James (1993). It was released in January 1993 via Scotti Brothers Records as the album's lead single. Written by C+C Music Factory members Robert Clivillés and David Cole, Trilogy's Duran Ramos, and Leaders of the New School, it was produced by Clivillés and Cole with co-production by Ricky Crespo, and features guest rap vocals from Trilogy and Leaders of the New School.[1]
The single peaked at number 58 on the UK Singles Chart, as well as number 76 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number 7 on the Dance Singles Sales, making it Brown's last charting single in the United States. It was also a Brown's final music video to date featured a live dancer and college students.
Critical reception
It was poorly received by critics; AllMusic described it as "strain[ing] for rap credibility",[1] while Entertainment Weekly dismissed it as "junky".[2]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Can't Get Any Harder" (Radio Mix) |
|
| 3:53 |
| 2. | "Can't Get Any Harder" (Alternative Brown Radio Groove) |
|
| 3:35 |
| 3. | "Can't Get Any Harder" (On The Edge Radio Mix) |
|
| 5:21 |
| 4. | "Can't Get Any Harder" (C&C - Leaders Of The New School Mix) |
|
| 4:53 |
| 5. | "Can't Get Any Harder" (Universal Hip Hop Mix) |
|
| 9:59 |
| 6. | "Can't Get Any Harder" (Clivilles & Cole House Of Soul Mix) |
|
| 13:07 |
| Total length: | 40:58 | |||
Personnel
- James Brown – vocals
- Trilogy – rap vocals
- Bryan "Charlie Brown" Higgins – songwriter, rap vocals, additional producer (track 4)
- Sheldon "Cut Monitor Milo" Scott – songwriter, rap vocals, additional producer (track 4)
- Trevor "Busta Rhymes" Smith – songwriter, rap vocals, additional producer (track 4)
- James "Dinco D" Jackson – songwriter, rap vocals, additional producer (track 4)
- Robert Clivillés – songwriter, producer, arranger, editing, mixing, remixing
- David Cole – songwriter, producer, arranger, mixing, remixing
- Ricky Crespo – additional producer, programming, editing
- Alan Friedman – programming
- Acar Key – recording, mixing, engineering
- Katherine Miller – recording, engineering
- Richard Joseph – recording, engineering
- Herbert Powers Jr. – mastering
Charts
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC)[3] | 58 |
| UK Club Chart (Music Week)[4] | 6 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[5] | 76 |
References
- ^ a b Ankeny, Jason. "Universal James - James Brown". AllMusic. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ Browne, David (April 30, 1993). "James Brown: Jail equals profit". Entertainment Weekly. No. 168. Dotdash Meredith. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
- ^ "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). April 3, 1993. p. 4. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
- ^ "James Brown Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
External links
- James Brown – Can't Get Any Harder at Discogs (list of releases)
