Harder
by Jax Jones (featuring Bebe Rexha)

Album: Snacks (2018)
Charted: 23
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This sultry dance-pop tune finds guest vocalist Bebe Rexha imploring:

    When you think you've done enough
    Can you love me harder?


    The song was inspired by a statistic on the dating reality show Love Island that 40% of women fake organisms. Jones told The Daily Star newspaper's Wired column: "This is my most empowering song. I am shouting out to the ladies on this song, 'When you're in the bedroom, you have to make sure you get yours."
  • Rexha pointed out the song's message could be applied to a relationship in general, rather than a focus on the "sexual" side.

    "Yes. It's empowering. I am saying when it comes to love, you'd better love me harder," she said. "It doesn't always have to be sexual, it can be in a relationship too."
  • Unlike most of Jax Jones songs, this wasn't written directly with the singer. Instead he penned it with with Steve Mac (Ed Sheeran's "Shape Of You," Clean Bandit's "Symphony") and Camille Purcell (Little Mix's "Shout Out To My Ex," Jess Glynne's "I'll Be There").
  • The song originated with Steve Mac laying down a challenge to the English producer. "What does it sound like when Jax Jones does a Katy Perry tune?"
  • Jones felt Rexha would be the perfect fit to sing the song's message about female empowerment in the bedroom and relationships. He explained to Apple:

    "I've known her for years after meeting in the most showbiz way possible - I was summoned backstage to her dressing room at a festival. She talks very quickly and you can feel like she's just parred you off. So at the time it felt like she'd just dismissed me out of her dressing room [laughs]. But we stayed in contact and she heard the track, she loved it and flew to London to record it."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Rick Springfield

Rick SpringfieldSongwriter Interviews

Rick has a surprising dark side, a strong feminine side and, in a certain TV show, a naked backside. But he still hasn't found Jessie's Girl.

Maxi Priest

Maxi PriestSongwriter Interviews

The British reggae legend tells the story of his #1 hit "Close To You," talks about his groundbreaking Shabba Ranks collaboration "Housecall," and discusses his latest project with Robin Trower.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.

Millie Jackson

Millie JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Outrageously gifted and just plain outrageous, Millie is an R&B and Rap innovator.

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.