# These Hard Times

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2008 single by Matchbox Twenty

"These Hard Times" Single by Matchbox Twenty from the album Exile on Mainstream Released January 29, 2008 May 5, 2008 Recorded 2007 Genre Alternative rock pop rock Length 3:48 (album version) 3:26 (radio edit) Label Atlantic Songwriters Rob Thomas Paul Doucette Kyle Cook Brian Yale Producer Steve Lillywhite Matchbox Twenty singles chronology "All Your Reasons" (2008) "These Hard Times" (2008) "She's So Mean" (2012)

"**These Hard Times**" is the second single (worldwide except Australia) from rock band [Matchbox Twenty](/source/Matchbox_Twenty)'s first compilation album *[Exile on Mainstream](/source/Exile_on_Mainstream)* (2007).

It was released as a follow-up to "All Your Reasons", which was released only in Australia, and although not an official single in Australia, "These Hard Times" was serviced to radio there; it did not gain much airplay.

## Music video

The video features the band playing in the street in front of what appears to be a warehouse. Many people pass by as if nothing is happening. Near the end of the song, several colored balloons come out of a gutter and the warehouse's doors open, letting more and more balloons out. All the people seen in the video stop and look upwards to the balloons. The video ends when the band stops playing and stares at the balloons as well.

The video was directed by Ramon & Pedro.

## Track listing

1. "These Hard Times" (album version)

1. "Bright Lights" (Live from [Wal-Mart](/source/Wal-Mart) Soundcheck)

**EP version**

1. "These Hard Times" – 3:48

1. "3 AM" (live soundcheck version) – 3:51

1. "Bright Lights" (live soundcheck version) – 4:38

## Personnel

- [Rob Thomas](/source/Rob_Thomas_(musician)) – lead vocals, [melodica](/source/Melodica)

- [Kyle Cook](/source/Kyle_Cook) – electric guitar, backing vocals, [glockenspiel](/source/Glockenspiel)

- [Paul Doucette](/source/Paul_Doucette) – acoustic guitar, piano, backing vocals, [Casio](/source/Casio) guitar

- [Brian Yale](/source/Brian_Yale) – bass

- Ryan MacMillan – drums

## Charts

### Weekly charts

Chart (2008) Peak position Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[1] 45 US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[2] 12 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[3] 28 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[4] 7 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[5] 40

### Year-end charts

Chart (2008) Position US Adult Top 40[6] 29

## Release history

Release dates and formats for "These Hard Times" Region Date Format Label(s) Ref. United States January 29, 2008 Mainstream airplay Atlantic [7]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboardcanadahotac_Matchbox_Twenty_1-0)** "[Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Canada Hot AC)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Matchbox-Twenty/chart-history/CHT)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved November 13, 2021. [*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboardbubbling100_Matchbox_Twenty_2-0)** "[Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Matchbox-Twenty/chart-history/HBU)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved November 13, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboardadultcontemporary_Matchbox_Twenty_3-0)** "[Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Adult Contemporary)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Matchbox-Twenty/chart-history/ASI)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved November 13, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboardadultpopsongs_Matchbox_Twenty_4-0)** "[Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Matchbox-Twenty/chart-history/ATF)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved November 13, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboardpopsongs_Matchbox_Twenty_5-0)** "[Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Pop Songs)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Matchbox-Twenty/chart-history/TFM)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved November 13, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2008"](https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2008/adult-pop-songs). *Billboard*. Retrieved September 28, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101021162013/http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239). *fmqb.com*. Archived from [the original](http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239) on 2010-10-21. Retrieved 2026-03-06.

## External links

- [Matchbox Twenty official website](http://www.matchboxtwenty.com/)

v t e Matchbox Twenty Rob Thomas Brian Yale Paul Doucette Kyle Cook Adam Gaynor Joey Huffman Matt Beck Ryan MacMillan Stacy Jones Studio albums Yourself or Someone Like You Mad Season More Than You Think You Are North Where the Light Goes Compilation albums Exile on Mainstream EPs EP Singles "Long Day" "Push" "3AM" "Real World" "Back 2 Good" "Bent" "If You're Gone" "Mad Season" "Last Beautiful Girl" "Disease" "Unwell" "Bright Lights" "Downfall" "All I Need" "How Far We've Come" "All Your Reasons" "These Hard Times" "She's So Mean" "Overjoyed" "Wild Dogs (Running in a Slow Dream)" "Don't Get Me Wrong" Concert tours North Tour 2013 Summer Tour Related articles Discography The Break and Repair Method Tabitha's Secret

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