Easy to Be Hard
"Hair" Lyrics
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How can people be so cruel
Easy to be hard
Easy to be cold
How can people have no feelings
How can they ignore their friends
Easy to be proud
And especially people
Who care about strangers
Who care about evil
And social injustice
Do you only
Care about the bleeding crowd?
How about a needing friend?
I need a friend
How can people be so heartless
You know I'm hung up on you
Easy to give in
Easy to help out
And especially people
Who care about strangers
Who say they care about social injustice
Do you only
Care about the bleeding crowd
How about a needing friend?
I need a friend
How can people have no feelings
How can they ignore their friends
Easy to be hard
Easy to be cold
Easy to be proud
Easy to say no
The song 'Easy to Be Hard' by the musical Hair, brings out the message that how some people with their cruel and unemotional behavior can hurt others easily. The lyrics describe how it is easy for people to turn cold-hearted and show no empathy towards their friends and strangers who are facing social injustice. The song aims to questions those individuals who claim to care about society and the marginalized, but when confronted with a friend in need, seem to turn their backs.
The lyrics of the song are presented in a conversational style, with the singer seeking answers to how people can be so callous at times. He questions how it is easy for people to give in to their hardened attitudes and forget about the feelings of those who need help. The narrative reminds that it's not just the bleeding crowd that needs assistance, but sometimes those closest to us also require a helping hand.
The song's emotional depth goes beyond the lyrics and speaks to the larger societal injustices that call for more empathy and compassion. The song carries the message that it's essential to look beyond our individual selves and care for others in need.
Line by Line Meaning
How can people be so heartless
I'm baffled by how unfeeling people can be sometimes
How can people be so cruel
I don't understand why people have to be so mean
Easy to be hard
It's much easier to be tough and unemotional than it is to be kind and empathetic
Easy to be cold
It's much easier to act aloof and indifferent than it is to show warmth and affection
How can people have no feelings
I'm amazed at how some individuals can be devoid of emotions
How can they ignore their friends
I don't get why they can overlook their close relationships
Easy to be proud
It's easier to act arrogant and superior than it is to be humble and gracious
Easy to say no
It's easier to refuse requests and offers than it is to be accommodating and agreeable
Who care about strangers
People who show empathy and concern toward those they don't know personally
Who care about evil
People who are sensitive to wrongdoing and injustice
And social injustice
Inequality and unfairness within a society
Do you only
Are your concerns limited to
Care about the bleeding crowd?
Do you care only about people in dire need and experiencing pain and suffering?
How about a needing friend?
What about a friend who needs emotional support and attention?
I need a friend
I need someone I can rely on and who understands me
You know I'm hung up on you
You're aware that I'm obsessed with you and can't stop thinking about you
Easy to give in
It's easier to surrender to temptation or pressure than it is to resist it
Easy to help out
It's easier to offer assistance and support than it is to turn a blind eye and walk away
Who say they care about social injustice
People who claim they're concerned about fairness and equality in society
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GALT MAC DERMOT, GEROME RAGNI, JAMES RADO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BoscoBoots
In 1979 I was 17 years old.
Music was a big part of my life. I would sit in my room late at night with headphones on listening to every word and every note on my record albums.
I had already seen Hair performed live on stage and that was what introduced me to what I saw as a musical production that represented my generation and those that were slightly older than I was. (besides my double album: The Who's 1969 Tommy rock opera that I listened to probably hundreds of times)
Then, when Hair was released in the theaters, I was there on opening day.
I didn't want to go with any friends so I could enjoy the film by myself without any conversations or distractions.
Within minutes, I knew this film was special, and early in the movie, when the camera is doing 360° sweeps around Renn Woods as she sings "Aquarius" I thought this was really something!
I was mesmerized, I was hooked.
Then, further into the movie, comes "Easy To Be Hard" and Cheryl Barnes pours her heart out onto the big screen and by the end of the song, my skinny young body sat there with tears streaming down my face.....she absolutely slayed me with her performance.
Speaking of being slayed....the young (28 years old at the time) Beverly D'Angelo's (Sheila) eyes were smoking hot and I simply stared at her...probably missing much of her dialog. When she rides by Claude Bukowski (John Savage) on horseback, he does a double-take at her.....I would have done the same.
When the film ended, I just sat there trying to compose myself and reflect on this musical journey I just witnessed. The theater began to empty out and I was sitting there so long that the next group of patrons were already taking their seats.
So I stayed and went another round with it.
Many years later I bought the DVD which I still watch from time to time.
And when "Easy To Be Hard" appears......it still punches me right in the gut.
@megmc9644
How can people be so heartless
How can people be so cruel
Easy to be hard
Easy to be cold
How can people have no feelings
How can they ignore their friends
Easy to be proud
Easy to say no
Especially people who care about strangers
Who care about evil and social injustice
Do you only care about being proud
How about I need a friend, I need a friend
How can people be so heartless
You know I'm hung up on you
Easy to be proud
Easy to say no
Especially people who care about strangers
Who care about evil and social injustice
Do you only care about being proud
How about I need a friend, I need a friend
How can people be so heartless
How can people be so cruel
Easy to be proud, easy to say no
Easy to be gone, easy to say no
Come on, easy to get read
Easy to say no
But too easy to be cold
Easy to say no
But too easy to say no
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Galt Mac Dermot / Gerome Ragni / James Rado
@sparklebrown9082
This is absolutely the best rendition of this song ever! She sang this song from the bottom of her heart!
@JohnJones-ej1ux
Is there a remake in the works
@swankybutters8371
I had no idea this was from "Hair" I though this was a Three Dog Night original... This version here is great!
@vijitc1209
Brings me to tears
@Zariamma
You are so right
@annah8728
Yes it is a strong song.. the half of it..😏
@MrGuenterGruber
the tear in the eye of the little boy... so unbelievable emotional. one of the very best songs in its decade
@colinrunciman5166
I don't know ladies and gentlemen, but, it's too good, rgds Colin.
@marinette6894
I was 12 when I saw this and about to have open heart surgery for a cogential heart defect. This was on HBO and I watched it constantly. I had a crush on Treat Williams and John Savage. This song brought tears to my eyes. I will never forget how special this show is to me. In 2018, I had to have heart surgery again to repair wear and tear on my heart. I watched this almost every night in the last two weeks before my surgery.
This musical has meant so much to me and is my comfort
@livinglifecan
I happy you are well. Yes, it is mesmerizing and beautiful.