About the song
“Love’s Been a Little Bit Hard on Me,” a 1982 hit by American country-pop singer Juice Newton, is more than just a catchy tune. Released on her seventh studio album, Quiet Lies, the song captured audiences with its relatable lyrics about the tribulations of love and its surprisingly lighthearted approach.
Written by Gary Burr, the song resonated with listeners thanks to its honest portrayal of emotional pain. However, “Love’s Been a Little Bit Hard on Me” takes a unique twist. Instead of wallowing in sadness, the song uses humor to express the toll that love can take.
The song’s success wasn’t limited to radio airwaves. The accompanying music video, directed by Bob Giraldi, took the humorous approach even further. In a series of comical mishaps, Newton’s character is physically injured by her oblivious lover. The video’s lighthearted tone, culminating in a full-body cast-clad Newton singing from a hospital bed, resonated with viewers and earned the award for Video of the Year by the American Video Association in 1982.
Beyond the catchy melody and clever video, “Love’s Been a Little Bit Hard on Me” boasts interesting musical elements. Musically, the song is in A major and relies heavily on A, D, and E chords. However, it incorporates a rarely used technique in pop music – a pedal point played on the bass and rhythm guitars that creates a sense of underlying tension beneath the changing chords. Additionally, the song features a unique descending chord progression in the bridge, further setting it apart from typical pop fare of the era.
“Love’s Been a Little Bit Hard on Me” proved to be a commercial success as well. Released as the lead single from Quiet Lies, the song climbed to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and crossed over to other genres, reaching #4 on the Adult Contemporary chart and even landing a spot at #30 on the Billboard Country chart. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its ability to capture the universal experience of love’s challenges with a touch of humor and a whole lot of heart.
Video
Lyrics
I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of
Love’s been a little bit hard on me
If I shy away it’s only because
Love’s been a little bit hard on me
Oh, love’s been a little
(Love’s been a little bit hard on me)
(Love’s been a little)
You know just been a little
(Love’s been a little bit hard on me)
Now, I can remember when it’s been so much
Love’s been a little bit hard on me
Now I shy away at the slightest touch
Love’s been a little bit hard on me
Oh, you know it’s been a little
(Love’s been a little bit hard on me)
(Love’s been a little)
Just a little, little
(Love’s been a little bit hard on me)
Come out, come out
To the hopeless romance inside
Shout it’s all right, it’s all right
To stay so dark, so close to the light
Come out, come out
To the hopeless romance inside
Shout it’s all right, it’s all right
To stay so dark, so close to the light
I’ll be back when I calm my fears
Love’s been a little bit hard on me
And I’ll see you around in a thousand years
Love’s been a little bit hard on me
You know it’s just been a little
(Love’s been a little bit hard on me)
Oh, love you know it’s just been a little
(Love’s been a little bit hard on me)