BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1987
“Hard Day” is a song by English singer George Michael from his debut studio album, Faith (1987). It was released on 30 October 1987 as the album’s third single. The song was written and originally produced by Michael, and was released solely in the United States and Australia. No music video was made for the song.
“Hard Day” reached the top five on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart and the top 40 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
This Canada 12″ promo includes the 6:30 Shep Pettibone remix on both sides. As a bonus I have included the “Special Remix” and “Radio Edit” which I transfered from the U.S. 12″ promo (Columbia – 44 07466). The “Radio Edit” has never appeared on CD.
SIDE A:
Hard Day (Shep Pettibone Remix) 6:30
Remix – Shep Pettibone
SIDE B:
Hard Day (Special Remix) 9:03
Edited By – The Latin Rascals, Shep Pettibone
Engineer [Remix Engineer] – Steve Peck
Producer [Additional Production], Remix – Shep Pettibone
Hard Day (Radio Edit) 4:09
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Hard Day | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #5 |
| 1987 | Hard Day | U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | #21 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Columbia – 12CDN 397
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: Canada
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Hip Hop
Style: RnB/Swing, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Producer, Arranged By – George Michael
NOTES:
Original version appears on the LP “FAITH”
Find the 12″ on DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
I think your transfer of the Special Mix, lightly remastered, is the first track on the Dance Masters Shep Pettibone compilation CD released last month. There’s a click you left in at 1:24 which they didn’t edit out. (Or is it that way on the recording?)
Hi Paul, I was trying to understand why your special remix version from Columbia – 44-07466 is 9.05 long while on discogs is listed to be 8.30?
https://www.discogs.com/George-Michael-Hard-Day-Special-Remix/release/421730
Thanks
Matteo
Many thanks for ripping these Paul – I will be making a donation as soon as i’m paid! To have the Radio Edit in pristine condition is amazing and i’ve waited so long to have it as part of my ‘Faith’ collection.
I was always under the impression that I want your sex and Hard day were a double A side state side and a b-side everywhere else?
Needless to say, the Pettibone mixes of this track remain in my top5 of 80s remixes!
Thank you, Paul!
Thank you so much!!
awesome remix，ｔｈｘ ～！～
I don’t believe i remember these Shep remixes. Looking forward to hearing them.
Thanks Paul 🙂
I can only imagine how tough these postings are for you Paul. I know how much you loved George so the process of ripping must be so bitter sweet. While I was away, George’s passing weighed heavily on my mind. He really meant a lot to me. That voice, that look of his, everything he did in music was fascinating to me. It’s extremely painful that he’s gone. Thank you for these past few days of great songs. “Hard Day” was indeed a favorite of mine. When I first heard it, I thought of Prince, in a way, because of… Read more »
I’ve always loved this track – absolutely incredible.
If you were to listen to Fantastic, Make It Big, Music From The Edge Of Heaven and Faith you see in just five years how George’s songwriting and producing was developing and changing at a supersonic speed.
Thank you.
Nice post, not that strong as the other singles from Faith, but great remixes!
Again the 24-bit files actually have a 16-bit depth, somewhere in the process you probably saved as WAVE legacy format type 1. The 16-bit flacs have around 60% compression ratio, the 24-bit flacs around 30%, that can’t be right, mailed you about that. Same thing happened with the 24-bit tracks 1 & 2 by Aretha & George – I knew you were waiting, but track 3 is ok!?!
Been doing everything the same. Any suggestions I am a bit lost.
Thanks Paul, for this excellent post!
Thanks Paul
Thanks for posting all the George Michael. I still can’t believe he’s gone 🙁 Being an 80’s kid he was a large part of the soundtrack of my life.
Well this is pretty awesome. Thank you!
And random: I had no idea the Radio edit on the US 12″ was a remix. So COOL.
Such a great song from a fantastic album. Would have love some alternative cuts of Hand To Mouth as well.
Thank goodness I own no 739 of the 2000 Limited edition collectors box sets of Faith. Mint in a box, never been opened. And never will be, I guess 🙂
Always loved “Hand To Mouth” 🙂
Cheers, Boo!
Cheers!
Many thanks Paul!
as a Shep remix I always thought that this hasn’t been
one of his bests (although edited by The Latin Rascals).
Too bad this was a George Michael’s song.
What’s your opinion about this?
Regards and finger crossed for your surgery.
Thank you BE.D12” 🙂
Thanks Paul. This should’ve been a major hit for him. One of the best tracks on Faith.
I agree Omar should have been massive 🙂
Thank you so much
You’re welcome Hugh 🙂
Thanks, Paul! Best wishes during your recovery this week!
You’re welcome Dreamtiger. Thank you 🙂
That is really rare. Thanks so much.
As long is I know the Remix has also not appeared on any CD.
Marko this mix appeared on Faith Remastered in 2010
Richard, the 2010 Remaster has the 9.05min version. So i believe, the 6.30min is not on any CD so far.
the 6.30 mix of “Hard Day” appeared as one of two bonus tracks on the original CD and cassette issue of Faith, alongside “A Last Request” (I want your Sex part 3).
I think you are both confusing the issue – the Radio Edit has never appeared on CD. The 9.05 version was remastered for Faith (2010) and the 6.30 version was included on the original CD/cassette released of Faith (1987)
You’re welcome Marko 🙂