1) The Hard Times originally hailed from San Diego and consisted of Bill Richardson (lead guitar), Rudy Romero (guitar), Lee Kiefer (vocals, harmonica), Larry Byrom (bass, guitar), Bob Morris (bass) and Paul Wheatbread (drums). They formed in 1965 as a folk-rock outfit that by 1966 had relocated to Los Angeles and hooked up with manager Florence Stanley. They became a house band at the prestigious Whisky a Go Go and shared the same stage with other more famous bands like Love, Buffalo Springfield and the Doors. They were also regulars on Dick Clark's pop music TV show, 'Where The Action Is'.
Later in 1966, the group signed with the World Pacific label and began issuing singles, starting with 'They'll Be A Time' b/w 'You're Bound To Cry’. A second single ('Come To Your Window' b/w 'That’s All I'll Do') was also released around this time. Before the end of 1966, the band released a third single('Fortune Teller' b/w 'Goodbye'), with the A-side (a Benny Spellman cover) becoming their biggest seller, reaching #97 on the U.S. charts. In 1967, they issued their sole LP, titled 'Blew Mind', which surprisingly doesn't include the four songs on their first two 45s. A couple more singles were also released around this time, with their fourth including the upbeat, non-LP track 'They Said No' on its B-side.
By the end of 1967, the Hard Times had broken up with Richardson and Byrom going on to form the group T.I.M.E. Romero and other remaining members of the Hardtimes went on to issue one more excellent single ('Give To Me Your Love' b/w 'Thanks') on the World Pacific label under the band name the New Phoenix.
2) The Hard Times are a 5-piece reggae/roots instrumental tsunami, busting out on the NYC underground in 2009 as part of a new wave of roots, reggae and soul. Their high-octane rhythm machine pumps out echoes of 60s reggae party music, skinhead-style, with a good dose of garage, surf and good old rock-n-roll explosions. They’ve quickly gained the attention of NYC bands, fans and producers following the vintage reggae revival, locally in New York City and online through their networking with a worldwide base of ska and reggae fans.
The Hard Times are regulars at ska/reggae club parties in Manhattan and Brooklyn, playing everything from loft parties to record label showcases. They have the crossover ability to wow the uptown world music crowd with their own flavor on old reggae rhythms, and go downtown or into the lofts of Bushwick to get the punks and skinheads skanking to their own original melodies and grooves. Along the way, they have become a go-to backing band for guest singers, toasters, MCs and poets who join the party in aclassic reggae showcase style.
Here There and Everywhere
The Hard Times Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need my love to be here
Here, making each day of the year
Changing my life with a wave of her hand
Nobody can deny that there's something there
There, running my hands through her hair
Both of us thinking how good it can be
[Chorus: x2]
I want her everywhere
And if she's beside me I know I need never care
But to love her is to need her everywhere
Knowing that love is to share
Each one believing that love never dies
Watching her eyes and hoping I'm always there
I will be there
And everywhere
Here, there and everywhere
The lyrics of The Hard Times's song Here There and Everywhere explores the theme of love and how it can transform one's life. The singer understands that to lead a better life, they need their love to be present always. The line "Here, making each day of the year" implies that the presence of their love makes every day worth living. Their love has the power to change their life completely, even with a simple gesture like a wave of her hand. The next line "Nobody can deny that there's something there" indicates that their love is palpable and undeniable.
The second verse begins with "There, running my hands through her hair" and portrays an intimate moment between the singer and their love. Both of them are contemplating how good life can be together, and they are so engrossed in each other's company that they are unaware of their surroundings. The final line of the verse "Someone is speaking, but she doesn't know he's there" furthers this idea of being lost in each other's world, and the singer highlighting how their love engulfs them completely.
The chorus repeats the first two lines, "I want her everywhere, And if she's beside me I know I need never care" indicating that the presence of their love is essential to the singer's well-being. However, this love goes beyond just physical presence, and the lyrics state that "But to love her is to need her everywhere, Knowing that love is to share." This love is all-encompassing and requires more than just physical proximity. The final lines express the belief that love never dies, and through watching their love's eyes, the singer hopes to always be there for them.
Line by Line Meaning
To lead a better life
In order for me to have a better life
I need my love to be here
I require my love to be present
Here, making each day of the year
When my love is here, each day is meaningful
Changing my life with a wave of her hand
My love has the power to transform my life effortlessly
Nobody can deny that there's something there
It's obvious that there is a connection between my love and me
There, running my hands through her hair
When I'm with my love, I feel comfortable and familiar
Both of us thinking how good it can be
We both imagine how great our love can become
Someone is speaking, but she doesn't know he's there
There might be others around us, but my love is oblivious to them
I want her everywhere
I desire my love to be around me at all times
And if she's beside me I know I need never care
When my love is near me, I feel content and free from worries
But to love her is to need her everywhere
My love for her compels me to require her presence every moment
Knowing that love is to share
I am aware that love is about giving and taking
Each one believing that love never dies
Both of us trust that our love will last forever
Watching her eyes and hoping I'm always there
I observe her eyes and hope I'm always present for her
I will be there
I assure her of my loyalty and support
And everywhere
I promise to be present for her wherever she may be
Here, there and everywhere
I will always be there for her, no matter where life takes us
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind