Hard 2 Face Reality

* Single
* Album
* SoundCloud

### **Written by**

Jason Boyd / Justin Bieber / Dan Kanter (co-writer) / Kenneth Coby / Elpadaro Electronica Allah

### **Produced by**

Soundz / Dan Kanter (co-producer) / Jason Boyd

## Additional information

### **Mixed by**

Josh Gudwin

“**Hard 2 Face Reality**” is a song by Poo Bear featuring Justin Bieber and rapper Jay Electronica. It was released on April 6, 2018, as the lead single from Bear's debut studio album, *Poo Bear Presents Bearthday Music*.

## Background

> “Justin recently came to me and was like ‘hey man, I want people to hear you. I think you’re an incredible artist, and I don’t want you to just be in the background,'” Poo Bear says. “That blew me away. Most artists when they meet a writer or somebody they work really well with, they don’t really want you to come out. They want to use you as a secret weapon. He’s such a strong-willed person. He’s such a secure human. ‘I want you to come out and I want to be involved with the Poo Bear business.’ We’ve been talking a lot about putting out a song. After the journals are done, we’re thinking about releasing one of my songs. We will be doing it together.”
>
>

The song was written back in early 2014 in Toronto, during a time when the media and a lot of people were going in on Justin, being really cruel, making up false information. Later that year, Bieber released a demo of the song on SoundCloud on April 27. At the time, the song only featured Poo Bear on it. Justin Bieber wrote the majority of this song as he wrote the chorus and his verse, Poo Bear wrote his own verse.  In November 2014, the full song was released on Dash Radio by Poo Bear. The song remained on SoundCloud until November 2017, when it was then removed. On February 4, 2018, Poo Bear told interviewer Ebro Darden during a Beats 1 radio show that he would release the song later in the month.

We revisited it maybe five months ago – finished it, changed the beat a little bit." said Poo Bear in April 2018. "We always had a plan to never let that song die, because it was a snippet and we never wanted to give the whole record away. Then I ran into Jay Electronica's manager and he got on board and we changed the beat up and finished it off." Justin Bieber did not know Jay Electronica was going to be on the record until Poo Bear played it for him as a surprise. \* Originally Poo Bear and Scooter Braun wanted Kendrick Lamar as a feature but he was focusing on the *Black Panther* soundtrack at the time.

## Audio

Poo Bear ft. Justin Bieber & Jay Electronica - Hard 2 Face Reality (Lyric Video)

## Lyrics

### 2018 version

[Chorus: Poo Bear]

Sometimes it's hard to face reality, oh, oh

Even though you might get mad at me, oh, oh

Sometimes it's hard to face reality

[Verse 1: Poo Bear]

Should've been adjusted to my life

Had the opportunity to stay and wait for the last time

Now you're standin' right in front of me

It hurts me to know that I lied

Tryna protect your feelings

You been in between the lines

Hope your heart has started healing

[Chorus: Poo Bear]

Sometimes it's hard to face reality, oh, oh

Even though you might get mad at me, oh, oh

Sometimes it's hard to face reality

[Verse 2: Justin Bieber]

Don't be afraid to stand alone

Don't be afraid to stand outside your comfort zone

I know it's hard away from home

And it ain't easy all alone

Relationships over the phone

Talkin' to your significant other all night long

[Chorus: Justin Bieber]

Sometimes it's hard to face reality, oh, oh

Even though you might get mad at me, oh, oh

Sometimes it's hard to face reality

Sometimes it's hard to face reality

Sometimes it's hard to face reality

[Verse 3: Jay Electronica]

Love and death are quite similar

How they come and go like cat burglars

Reality is kinda hard to face

Like actual facts is to flat-earthers

Rain's a requirement for flowers to grow

And pain's a requirement for power to grow

It's a miracle how one could change from one what was just hours ago

Such is life though, it's just a cycle

The bigger picture and the smaller picture

Exactly same, it's macro, micro

Crack yo' atom and let yo' light glow

One day, you could be the king of pop

Then the next one just be wack ol' Michael

It's human nature, just like he told us

Let's face reality, crack the cycle

[Verse 4: Poo Bear]

Know it hurts to see the truth in your face

Circumstances bring you down to your knees

Go on and cry an ocean, but don't drown in it

Enough to put your heart at ease

Oh, don't lose your self esteem

I apologise, for being a man

It's way harder than what it seems

[Chorus: Justin Bieber & Poo Bear]

Sometimes it's hard to face reality, oh, oh (Reality)

Even though you might get mad at me, oh, oh (You might get mad at me, but I'll be at your bedside)

Sometimes it's hard to face reality

Sometimes it's hard to face reality

### Original full version

[Chorus: Justin Bieber]

Sometimes it's hard to face reality (Oh, oh)

Even though you might get mad at me (Oh, oh)

Sometimes it's hard to face reality

[Verse 1: Poo Bear]

Should've been adjusted to my life

Had the opportunity to stay and wait for the last time

Now you're standin' right in front of me

It hurts me to know that I lied

Tryna protect your feelings

You been in between the lines

Hope your heart has started healing

[Chorus: Justin Bieber]

Sometimes it's hard to face reality (Oh, oh)

Even though you might get mad at me (Oh, oh)

Sometimes it's hard to face reality

[Verse 2: Justin Bieber]

Don't be afraid to stand alone

Don't be afraid to stand outside your comfort zone

I know it's hard away from home

And it ain't easy all alone

Relationships over the phone

Talkin' to your significant other all night long

[Chorus: Justin Bieber]

Sometimes it's hard to face reality (Oh, oh)

Even though you might get mad at me (Oh, oh)

Sometimes it's hard to face reality

Sometimes it's hard to face reality

[Verse 3: Poo Bear]

Know it hurts to see the truth in your face

Circumstances bring you down on your knees

Go on and cry an ocean but don't drown in it

Enough to put your heart at ease

Oh don't lose your self esteem

I apologise, for being a man

It's way harder than what it seems

[Chorus: Justin Bieber & Poo Bear]

Sometimes it's hard to face reality, oh, oh (Reality)

Even though you might get mad at me, oh, oh (You might get mad at me, but I'll be at your bedside)

Sometimes it's hard to face reality

Sometimes it's hard to face reality

### Original demo

[Chorus: Justin Bieber]

Sometimes it's hard to face reality (Oh, oh)

Even though you might get mad at me (Oh, oh)

Sometimes it's hard to face reality

[Verse 1: Justin Bieber]

Don't be afraid to stand alone

Don't be afraid to stand outside your comfort zone

I know it's hard away from home

And it ain't easy all alone

Relationships over the phone

Talkin' to your significant other all night long

[Chorus: Justin Bieber]

Sometimes it's hard to face reality (Oh, oh)

Even though you might get mad at me (Oh, oh)

Sometimes it's hard to face reality

[Verse 2: Poo Bear]

Should've been adjusted to my life

Had the opportunity to stay and wait for the last time

Now you're standin' right in front of me

It hurts me to know that I lied

Tryna protect your feelings

You been in between the lines

Hope your heart has started healing (Whoa)

[Chorus: Justin Bieber]

Sometimes it's hard to face reality, oh, oh

Even though you might get mad at me, oh, oh

Sometimes it's hard to face reality

## References

1. ↑ Mizoguchi, Karen (March 19, 2018). "Hit Songwriter Poo Bear 'Excited' About New Music with Justin Bieber & Jennifer Lopez on Debut Album". *People*.
2. ↑ Scott, Jason (November 19, 2013). "Exclusive Interview: Justin Bieber’s Producer Poo Bear Teases That The Singer’s Next Album Will Be “World-Driven”". *PopWrapped*.
3. ↑ "How Poo Bear Writes Your Favorite Hits". *YouTube*. May 11, 2018.
4. ↑ Puckett, Lily (February 5, 2018). "Poo Bear announces a collaboration with Justin Bieber and Jay Electronica". *The FADER*.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Leight, Elias (April 6, 2018). "Poo Bear Talks New Justin Bieber Collaboration, Star-Studded Solo Album". *Rolling Stone*.
6. ↑ Waes, Mike (April 26, 2018). "Poo Bear Talks ‘Bearthday Music,’ Timeless Tunes & Future Trends: Interview". *Idolator*.
7. ↑ "Poo Bear - Poo Bear Explains Justin Bieber Hit “Hard 2 Face Reality”". *YouTube*. May 30, 2018.