Play Hard

"Play Hard"
Single by David Guetta featuring Ne-Yo and Akon
from the album Nothing but the Beat 2.0
Released	15 March 2013[1]
Format	CD single digital download
Recorded	2012
Genre	Electro house dance-pop
Length	3:21 3:28 (new edit)
Label	Parlophone
Writer(s)	Shaffer Smith Aliaune Thiam David Guetta Frédéric Riesterer Giorgio Tuinfort Sebastiaan Molijn Eelke Kalberg
Producer(s)	David Guetta Giorgio Tuinfort Frédéric Riesterer
David Guetta singles chronology
"Just One Last Time" (2012) "Play Hard" (2013) "Right Now" (2013)
Ne-Yo singles chronology "Forever Now" (2012) "Play Hard" (2013) "Tonight" (2013) Akon singles chronology "Like Money" (2012) "Play Hard" (2013) "Interstellar" (2015)[2] Music sample "Play Hard" 13 second sample from David Guetta's "Play Hard"

"Play Hard" is a song by French DJ and record producer David Guetta, featuring vocals from Ne-Yo and Akon, from the re-release of Guetta's fifth studio album, Nothing but the Beat. All three artists co-wrote the song with Frédéric Riesterer and Giorgio Tuinfort, both of whom produced the song with Guetta. Akon's vocals were written and recorded at Sonic Vista Studios in Ibiza in July 2012. The song samples the 1999 Eurodance song "Better Off Alone" by Alice Deejay and "In my Dreams (XXL Remix)" by Noemi. "Play Hard" peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart, thus becoming his fourteenth top 10 hit in the UK as a lead artist. It also charted within the top 40 of the charts in several other countries.

Guetta reported on Twitter shortly before the release that he planned to release an edited version of "Play Hard" as the next single from Nothing but the Beat 2.0 for a long while, which would make it the tenth single from Nothing but the Beat.^[3] This version never came to fruition, however.

Music video

An official music video was uploaded to Guetta's official Vevo channel on April 22, 2013.^[4] The video uses the New Edit version of the song. Directed by Swede Andreas Nilsson,^[5] it generated controversy for its stereotypical portrayal of Mexico.^[6][7][8] The video and an advertisement from Neon Mixr feature the popular dancers, Les Twins. The video has over 530 million views as of May 2016.

Track listing

• Digital download^[9]

1. "Play Hard" - 3:21

• Digital download^[10]

1. "Play Hard" (New Edit) - 3:28

• Digital download - EP^[11]

1. "Play Hard" (Albert Neve Remix) - 6:52
2. "Play Hard" (R3hab Remix) - 4:06
3. "Play Hard" (Maurizio Gubellini & Delayers In Da House Remix) - 5:00
4. "Play Hard" (Maurizio Gubellini Remix) - 5:11
5. "Play Hard" (Spencer & Hill Remix) - 6:19
6. "Play Hard" (Extended) - 5:12

• German CD single^[12]

1. "Play Hard" (Albert Neve Remix) - 6:52
2. "Play Hard" (R3hab Remix) - 4:06
3. "Play Hard" (Maurizio Gubellini & Delayers In Da House Remix) - 5:00
4. "Play Hard" (Maurizio Gubellini Remix) - 5:11
5. "Play Hard" (Spencer & Hill Remix) - 6:19
6. "Play Hard" (Extended Version) - 5:12

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (2013–14) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[13] 16 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[14] 10 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[15] 7 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[16] 5 Brazil (Billboard Brasil Hot 100)[17] 46 Brazil Hot Pop Songs[17] 15 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[18] 34 Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[19] 9 Denmark (Tracklisten)[20] 12 Europe (Euro Digital Songs)[21] 4 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[22] 14 France (SNEP)[23] 7 Germany (Official German Charts)[24] 8 Hungary (Dance Top 40)[25] 4 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[26] 7 Hungary (Single Top 40)[27] 1 Iceland (Tónlist)[28] 14 Ireland (IRMA)[29] 8 Israel (Media Forest)[30] 8 Italy (FIMI)[31] 4 Luxembourg Digital Songs (Billboard)[32] 2 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[33] 78 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[34] 11 Poland (Dance Top 50)[35] 5 Romania (Romanian Top 100)[36] 59 Scotland (Official Charts Company)[37] 5 Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[38] 5 South Korea (GAON)[39] 7 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[40] 8 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[41] 26 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[42] 3 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[43] 6 UK Dance (Official Charts Company)[44] 3 US Billboard Hot 100[45] 64 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[46] 9 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[47] 2 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[48] 31 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[49] 28 Venezuela Pop/Rock General (Record Report)[50] 3

Year-end charts Chart (2013) Position Germany (Media Control AG)[51] 64 Hungarian Airplay Chart[52] 40 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[53] 36 Certifications Region Certification Sales/shipments Australia (ARIA)[54] Platinum 70,000 Austria (IFPI Austria)[55] Gold 15,000 Belgium (BEA)[56] Gold 15,000 Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[57] Gold 15,000 France (SNEP)[58] Gold 75,000 Italy (FIMI)[59] 3× Platinum 90,000 New Zealand (RMNZ)[60] Gold 7,500 Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[61] Gold 15,000 United Kingdom (BPI)[62] Gold 400,000 Venezuela (APFV)[63] Platinum 10,000^^ ^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

Release history

Region	Date	Format
Germany	March 15, 2013	Digital remixes CD single
Italy	April 5, 2013[64]	Contemporary hit radio
United States	May 7, 2013[65]	Rhythmic radio
United Kingdom	May 20, 2013[66]	Digital remixes
United States	June 11, 2013[67]	Mainstream radio

References

1. "Play Hard (feat. Ne-Yo & Akon) [New Edit]: David Guetta". Amazon.de. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
2. https://itunes.apple.com/cv/music-video/interstellar-feat.-akon/id1011286772
3. "Back to the studio on Monday to finish the new version of play hard , my next single. It's sooooo big!". Twitter. davidguetta. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
4. "David Guetta - Play Hard ft. Akon & Ne-Yo". YouTube. Retrieved 2013-04-22.
5. Taylor, Ken (2013-04-24). "David Guetta’s "Play Hard" video is a treasure trove of high-art influence – Beatport News". News.beatport.com. Retrieved 2013-05-03.
6. "El último video de David Guetta que se burla de los estereotipos mexicanos ha causado polémica". The Clinic Online. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
7. "Causa polémica el nuevo video del Dj David Guetta "Play hard"". Informe21.com. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
8. "David Guetta crea polémica con el video de 'Play Hard'". Terra Peú. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
9. "Play Hard (feat. Ne-Yo & Akon): David Guetta". Amazon.de. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
10. "Play Hard (feat. Ne-Yo & Akon) [New Edit]: David Guetta". Amazon.de. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
11. "Play Hard (feat. Ne-Yo & Akon) [Remixes]: David Guetta". Amazon.de. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
12. "Play Hard (Remixes)". Amazon.de. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
13. "Australian-charts.com – David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon – Play Hard". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
14. "Austriancharts.at – David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon – Play Hard" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
15. "Ultratop.be – David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon – Play Hard" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
16. "Ultratop.be – David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon – Play Hard" (in French). Ultratop 50.
17. BPP, ed. (Feb–March 2014). "Billboard Brasil Hot 100 Airplay". Billboard Brasil (47). Check date values in: |date= (help)
18. "David Guetta – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for David Guetta. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
19. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201328 into search.
20. "Danishcharts.com – David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon – Play Hard". Tracklisten.
21. "David Guetta – Chart history" Billboard Euro Digital Songs for David Guetta.
22. "David Guetta: Play Hard (Feat. Ne-Yo & Akon)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
23. "Lescharts.com – David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon – Play Hard" (in French). Les classement single.
24. "Offiziellecharts.de – David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon – Play Hard". GfK Entertainment.
25. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
26. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
27. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
28. "Netlistinn viku 27, 2013" (in Icelandic). Tónlist. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
29. "Chart Track: Week 16, 2013". Irish Singles Chart.
30. "David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon – Play Hard Media Forest". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest.
31. "Italiancharts.com – David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon – Play Hard". Top Digital Download.
32. "Luxembourg Digital Songs - October 6, 2012". Billboard.
33. "Dutchcharts.nl – David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon – Play Hard" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
34. "Charts.org.nz – David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon – Play Hard". Top 40 Singles.
35. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Dance Top 50.
36. "Airplay 100" (in Romanian). Kiss FM (Romania).
37. "Archive Chart: 2013-06-01". Scottish Singles Top 40.
38. "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201327 into search.
39. "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Gaon Chart". Gaon Chart. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
40. "Spanishcharts.com – David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon – Play Hard" Canciones Top 50.
41. "Swedishcharts.com – David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon – Play Hard". Singles Top 100.
42. "Swisscharts.com – David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon – Play Hard". Swiss Singles Chart.
43. "Archive Chart: 2013-05-11" UK Singles Chart.
44. "Archive Chart: 2012-09-22" UK Dance Chart.
45. "David Guetta – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for David Guetta.
46. "David Guetta – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs for David Guetta.
47. "David Guetta – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for David Guetta.
48. "David Guetta – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for David Guetta.
49. "David Guetta – Chart history" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for David Guetta.
50. "Pop Rock General". Record Report (in Spanish). R.R. Digital C.A. June 29, 2013. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
51. "Top 100 Singles Jahrescharts 2013" (in German). VIVA. Viacom International Media Networks. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
52. "MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 - radios 2013" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
53. "Top 50 Canciones Anual 2013". Promuiscae.es. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
54. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
55. "Austrian single certifications – David Guetta ft. Ne-Yo & Akon – Play Hard" (in German). IFPI Austria. Enter David Guetta ft. Ne-Yo & Akon in the field Interpret. Enter Play Hard in the field Titel. Select single in the field Format. Click Suchen
56. "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – 2013". Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
57. "Certificeringer | http://ifpi.dk/?q=certificeringer&page=52" (in Danish). IFPI Danmark. External link in |title= (help);
58. http://proxy.siteo.com.s3.amazonaws.com/www.snepmusique.com/file/disquesor2013site05112013.pdf
59. "Italian single certifications – David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon – Play Hard" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select Online in the field Sezione. Enter David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon in the field Filtra. Select 2013 in the field Anno. The certification will load automatically
60. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart < July 1, 2013". RIANZ. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
61. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon; 'Play Hard')". Hung Medien.
62. "British single certifications – David Guetta Feat. Ne-Yo & Akon – Play Hard". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Play Hard in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
63. APFV (30 November 2013). "Certificaciones De Venezuela Del 2013" (PDF) (in Spanish). APFV. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
64. "DAVID GUETTA - Play Hard (feat. Ne-Yo & Akon) (EMI) | Radio Date 05/04/2013". Radioairplay.fm. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
65. "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Nielsen Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
66. "Radio1 Rodos :: New Music :: U.K. Forthcoming Releases". Radio1.gr. 2014-05-25. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
67. "®R&R :: Going For Adds™ :: CHR/Top 40". Gfa.radioandrecords.com. 2013-06-11. Retrieved 2014-05-30.

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics