These Hard Times
| "These Hard Times" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Matchbox Twenty | ||||
| from the album Exile on Mainstream | ||||
| Released |
 January 29, 2008 May 5, 2008 | |||
| Format | CD single | |||
| Recorded | 2007 | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock, pop rock | |||
| Length |
3:48 (album version) 3:26 (radio edit) | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Writer(s) | Rob Thomas, Paul Doucette, Kyle Cook, Brian Yale | |||
| Producer(s) | Steve Lillywhite | |||
| Matchbox Twenty singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"These Hard Times" is the second single (worldwide except Australia) from Matchbox Twenty's retrospective collection, Exile on Mainstream.
The video premiered on iTunes on Tuesday, February 5, 2008. It was released to Australian radio during the week of April 13. In the United States, the single performed disappointingly, failing to chart the Billboard Hot 100 but reaching the Top Ten of the Adult Top 40.
It was released as a follow-up to "All Your Reasons", which was released only in Australia, and although not an official single in Australia, "These Hard Times" was serviced to radio there; it did not gain much airplay.
Music video
The video features the band playing in the street in front of what appears to be a warehouse. Many people pass by as if nothing is happening. Near the end of the song, several colored balloons come out of a gutter and the warehouse's doors open, letting more and more balloons out. All the people seen in the video stop and look upwards to the balloons. The video ends when the band stops playing and stares at the balloons as well.
The video was directed by Ramon & Pedro.
Chart positions
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles | 12 |
| US Billboard Pop Songs | 40 |
| US Billboard Adult Pop Songs | 7 |
| US Billboard Adult Contemporary | 28 |
Track listing
- "These Hard Times" (album version)
- "Bright Lights" (Live from Wal-Mart Soundcheck)
- EP version
- "These Hard Times" – 3:48
- "3 AM" (live soundcheck version) – 3:51
- "Bright Lights" (live soundcheck version) – 4:38
Personnel
- Rob Thomas - lead vocals, melodica
- Kyle Cook - electric guitar, backing vocals, glockenspiel
- Paul Doucette - acoustic guitar, piano, backing vocals, Casio guitar
- Brian Yale - bass
- Ryan MacMillan - drums