About The Song
“Easy to Be Hard” is a song written by Galt MacDermot, James Rado, and Gerome Ragni, originally from the 1967 rock musical Hair. Three Dog Night recorded their version, releasing it on October 6, 1969, as the second single from their self-titled debut album Three Dog Night on Dunhill Records. The song reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 8 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, establishing the band’s early success with covers of theatrical material. It followed their debut single “Nobody,” which hit No. 5.
The recording took place in Los Angeles, produced by Gabriel Mekler, with a pop-rock arrangement featuring Cory Wells on lead vocals and the band’s distinctive harmonies. The session included musicians like Jimmy Greenspoon on keyboards and Michael Allsup on guitar, with a string section adding emotional depth. The track runs 3:13 on the album, with the single version matching this length for radio play. Three Dog Night, released in 1969, peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200, launching the band into the mainstream.
The lyrics address social apathy and personal neglect, with lines like “How can people be so heartless / How can people be so cruel,” reflecting the counterculture themes of Hair. The song was originally performed as a solo by Lynn Kellogg in the musical, but Three Dog Night adapted it into a group performance, emphasizing its plea for compassion. Rado noted in a 1969 interview, “They took a song about individual struggle and made it a collective cry,” highlighting the band’s reinterpretation.
The music video, though not officially released in 1969, features live performance footage from that era, later included in compilations like Celebrate: The Three Dog Night Story, 1965–1975. Three Dog Night, formed in 1967 by vocalists Chuck Negron, Cory Wells, and Danny Hutton, was known for covering songs from musicals and diverse writers, and this track showcased their ability to blend rock with social commentary. The song was a regular in their 1969-1970 tour setlist.
The track was released in multiple formats, including 7-inch vinyl, with B-sides like “It’s for You.” It was performed live with a 14-piece band during the early tours and appeared on various compilations, including The Best of Three Dog Night (1982). The production involved minimal overdubs, with the band aiming to capture a raw, emotional feel, aligning with the song’s message during a time of social upheaval.
Video
Lyric
How can people be so heartless
How can people be so cruel
Easy to be hard, easy to be coldHow can people have no feelings
How can they ignore their friends
Easy to be proud, easy to say noEspecially 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 friendHow can people be so heartless
How can people be so cruel
Easy to be hard, easy to be coldHow can people have no feelings
How can they ignore their friends
Easy to be proud, easy to say noEspecially 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 friendHow can people be so heartless
How can people be so cruel
Easy to be hard, easy to be cold