The group is well known for its highly diverse musical style (able to play anything from traditional jazz stylings to mainstream R&B and rock-based music to funk grooves and even Latin and Jamaican-based rhythms) and also its captivating live performances.
Discovered and originally signed to Perspective Records by music producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis in 1989 (after being heard at a performance at a club in downtown Minneapolis called First Avenue), their debut album was entitled Meant To Be Mint (released in 1991).
Despite their musical versatility the band attempted to attract New Jack Swing listeners with their dance cut "Are You Free", but it wasn't successful (the song hit #55 on the R&B charts). However, they did enjoy major success with the stunning ballad "Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)".
The song stayed on the charts for 34 weeks, hitting the R&B top 5 (#3), and the Pop Top 10 (#6). Forever In Your Eyes was also successful (#7 R&B). Two years later they released their 2nd platinum album, From The Mint Factory (1993). They enjoyed success with the #2 hit "U Send Me Swingin'", while "Someone To Love" and "So Fine" hit the R&B Top 30. 1996 saw the release of "Definition of a Band". The album hit the R&B Top 20. Some successful singles on this album are: "What Kind Of Man Would I Be" (#2 R&B), and "You Don't Have To Hurt No More" (#10 R&B). Two years later, The Collection: 1991-1998, a greatest hits compilation, was issued.
After Perspective Records/A&M folded, the group signed with Elektra Records in 1999, releasing their fourth full-length album, Life's Aquarium (#7 R&B). It's main single, If You Love Me, hit the R&B Top 5.
As the 21st Century came around, Mint Condition was the only R&B/Funk band signed to a Major Record Label.
After a six year hiatus, the group resurfaced as a quintet due to former member and keyboard player Keri Lewis leaving the group to produce for other artists, such as his one-time wife, singer Toni Braxton .
During the same year, they released Living The Luxury Brown on their independent label Caged Bird Records. The album hit #1 on the Independent Album Charts. Live From The 9:30 Club, a performance of a concert at the 9:30 club in Washington DC, was issued in 2006.
It's Hard
Mint Condition Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It′s Hard, When You're All Messed Up
And You Got No Where To Go
It′s Hard, When You Beat And Cheated Everybody
That You Know
It's Hard, When Your Woman Then Left You With 3 Kids
Now I'm Alone
It′s Hard, When I Think Of All The Wrong I Did
Never Kept My Promises, Was A Slave To My Selfishness
Forgive Me, Relieve Me, Receive Me Today
Girl I Mell You We Were One
Shoulda Stayed Home And Never On The Run
Sorry I Lied To You, I Was A Fool, I Cheated You, Yeah¥.
[Chorus]
[Vox 2:]
Now I Got So Much Respect For You
Cause I′m Doin' All The Things That You Used To Do
Carin′ For The Kids, Carin' For The Crib,
Hard To Handle It All Alone
If I Had The Chance To Do It All Again
I′d Spend More Time With My Family And Friends
I'd Sacrifice, I′d Care For Life, Now I Realize
I Would Treat You Right
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Mint Condition's song It's Hard explore the struggles of a man who has made life-altering mistakes. The chorus deeply encapsulates the distress he is undergoing as he sings about being alone and having nowhere to go. The audience can perceive the severe regret the man is feeling since he reflects on how he mistreated his loved ones. This is particularly evident when he sings about a woman who left him with three kids and how difficult it is to raise them by himself. The chorus conveys how challenging it is to deal with the consequences of one's actions, especially when it involves hurting those close to us.
The first verse captures the man's guilt, as he confesses to never keeping his promises and being a hostage to his selfishness. He asks his woman to forgive him, relieve him, and receive him back into her life. He admits that he should have stayed home and not run away, but he failed to do so. His apology highlights the regret he is experiencing and his profound desire to make things better.
The second verse reflects on the man's personal growth after realizing his mistakes. He expresses his newfound respect towards his woman by acknowledging all the things she used to do before. He declares that it is difficult to handle everything alone, which implies that his previous behavior must have made it even harder for the woman. He further admits that if he had the chance to do it all over again, he would cherish his family and friends, sacrifice for them and care for them. This part of the song portrays the lessons he has learned and the strides he is making to become a better person.
Overall, "It's Hard" is a poignant song that depicts the struggles of a man who has failed himself and loved ones. The lyrics convey the pain, guilt, and regret he feels for his actions and his desperate desire to make things better.
Line by Line Meaning
It's Hard, When You're All Messed Up
It's difficult to cope with life when everything feels disarrayed and out of place.
And You Got No Where To Go
Feeling lost and unsure of what direction to take exacerbates the struggle of being messed up.
It's Hard, When You Beat And Cheated Everybody That You Know
Being aware of the hurt and mistrust you caused everyone around you makes it hard to move on and forgive yourself.
It's Hard, When Your Woman Then Left You With 3 Kids Now I'm Alone
Losing the love and support of your partner can be devastating, especially when you have children to care for on your own.
It's Hard, When I Think of All the Wrong I Did
The weight of the mistakes and regrets you carry can be overwhelming and make it hard to see a way forward.
Never Kept My Promises, Was A Slave to My Selfishness
Admitting to the ways in which you fell short and caused harm to others takes humility.
Forgive Me, Relieve Me, Receive Me Today
Asking for forgiveness and hoping to be welcomed back into the lives of those you've hurt takes vulnerability and a desire to make things right.
Girl I Told You We Were One
Acknowledging the deep connection and love you once shared can make the pain of losing it even more pronounced.
Shoulda Stayed Home and Never on the Run
Realizing that the choices you made ultimately led to your current situation can be difficult to accept.
Sorry I Lied To You, I Was A Fool, I Cheated You, Yeah
Owning up to the specific wrongs you committed shows a willingness to take responsibility for your actions.
Now I Got So Much Respect For You
Recognizing the hard work and dedication it takes to care for a family can engender a newfound respect for someone you once took for granted.
Cause I'm Doin' All the Things That You Used To Do
Taking on the caretaker role yourself sheds new light on the struggles and responsibilities you previously overlooked.
Carin' For the Kids, Carin' For the Crib
Taking care of your children and maintaining your home can be exhausting, but it's important work.
Hard To Handle It All Alone
Dealing with the stress and exhaustion of being a single parent can be overwhelming and isolating.
If I Had the Chance To Do It All Again
Reflecting on the past and acknowledging the mistakes you made is an important step towards growth and self-improvement.
I'd Spend More Time With My Family and Friends
Realizing the value of the relationships in your life can help you prioritize them and make them a priority.
I'd Sacrifice, I'd Care for Life, Now I Realize
Learning to put others before yourself and committing to a life of caring and sacrifice takes time and dedication.
I Would Treat You Right
Recognizing the ways in which you failed to treat your loved ones with respect and kindness is the first step towards making amends and treating them as they deserve.
[Chorus]
The chorus serves as a refrain, repeating the central idea that life is difficult when you've messed up and lost everything you once held dear.
Writer(s): Writer Unknown, Harris Montez Deon
Contributed by Anthony H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.