“Hard Place” by H.E.R.

The title as well as the plot of this song is based on the popular expression ‘caught between a rock and a hard place’, which is a metaphor for having two equally undesirable options to choose from. And H.E.R. finds herself in this situation via the romantic relationship she is engaged in. 

One option is a partner who despite the singer loving him dearly ‘hurts her so good’. And the other alternative is her own “heart”.  What exactly this term is supposed to symbolize is never forthrightly stated. But logically, it would be tantamount to something along the lines of H.E.R. terminating the relationship. So the dilemma this track is based on reads to the effect that the singer either stays in a semi-toxic relationship and retain the man she loves or save her own “heart”, which will ultimately lead to her losing him.

Facts about “Hard Place”

• H.E.R. performed this song at the 2019 Grammy Awards on 10 February 2019, a ceremony in which she took home two trophies.
• She also gave an emotional, live rendition of “Hard Place” on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert on 2 April 2019.
• This track, which RCA Records officially dropped on 2 November 2018, was the the lead single off of H.E.R.’s 5th EP titled I Used to Know Her: Part 2.
• Keeping with the ‘between a rock and a hard place’ theme, the music video to this track features H.E.R. having to choose between the man she loves and a career in the music industry.
• H.E.R. wrote “Hard Place” alongside two other songwriters, including Swagg R’Celious. The other is Ruby Amanfu.
• Rodney Jerkins, better known as Darkchild, produced “Hard Place” in its entirety.

H.E.R.’s performance of “Hard Place” at the 2019 Grammy Awards