Can't Get Any Harder

"Can't Get Any Harder" is a song by American singer James Brown from his fifty-sixth studio album, Universal James (1993). It was released in January 1993 via Scotti Brothers Records as the album's lead single. Written by C+C Music Factory members Robert Clivillés and David Cole, Trilogy's Duran Ramos, and Leaders of the New School, it was produced by Clivillés and Cole with co-production by Ricky Crespo, and features guest rap vocals from Trilogy and Leaders of the New School.^[1]

"Can't Get Any Harder"
Single by James Brown
from the album Universal James
Released	January 1993 (1993-01)
Recorded	1992
Genre	R&B hip hop
Label	Scotti Bros.
Songwriter(s)	Robert Clivillés David Cole Duran Ramos Sheldon Scott James Jackson Trevor Smith Bryan Higgins
Producer(s)	Clivillés and Cole
James Brown charting singles chronology
"(So Tired of Standing Still We Got to) Move On" (1991) "Can't Get Any Harder" (1993) "Funk on Ah Roll" (1998)
Audio video
"Can't Get Any Harder" on YouTube

The single peaked at number 58 on the UK Singles Chart, as well as number 76 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number 7 on the Dance Singles Sales, making it Brown's last charting single in the United States. It was also a Brown's final music video to date featured a live dancer and college students.

Critical reception

It was poorly received by critics; AllMusic described it as "strain[ing] for rap credibility",^[1] while Entertainment Weekly dismissed it as "junky".^[2]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Can't Get Any Harder" (Radio Mix)	Robert Clivillés David Cole Duran Ramos Sheldon Scott James Jackson Trevor Smith Bryan Higgins	Clivillés and Cole Ricky Crespo (co.)	3:53
2.	"Can't Get Any Harder" (Alternative Brown Radio Groove)	Clivillés Cole Ramos Scott Jackson Smith Higgins	Clivillés and Cole Ricky Crespo (co.)	3:35
3.	"Can't Get Any Harder" (On The Edge Radio Mix)	Clivillés Cole Ramos Scott Jackson Smith Higgins	Clivillés and Cole Ricky Crespo (co.)	5:21
4.	"Can't Get Any Harder" (C&C - Leaders Of The New School Mix)	Clivillés Cole Ramos Scott Jackson Smith Higgins	Clivillés and Cole Ricky Crespo (co.) Leaders of the New School (co.)	4:53
5.	"Can't Get Any Harder" (Universal Hip Hop Mix)	Clivillés Cole Ramos Scott Jackson Smith Higgins	Clivillés and Cole Ricky Crespo (co.)	9:59
6.	"Can't Get Any Harder" (Clivilles & Cole House Of Soul Mix)	Clivillés Cole Ramos Scott Jackson Smith Higgins	Clivillés and Cole Ricky Crespo (co.)	13:07
Total length:				40:58

Personnel

• James Brown – vocals
• Trilogy – rap vocals
• Bryan "Charlie Brown" Higgins – songwriter, rap vocals, additional producer (track 4)
• Sheldon "Cut Monitor Milo" Scott – songwriter, rap vocals, additional producer (track 4)
• Trevor "Busta Rhymes" Smith – songwriter, rap vocals, additional producer (track 4)
• James "Dinco D" Jackson – songwriter, rap vocals, additional producer (track 4)
• Robert Clivillés – songwriter, producer, arranger, editing, mixing, remixing
• David Cole – songwriter, producer, arranger, mixing, remixing
• Ricky Crespo – additional producer, programming, editing
• Alan Friedman – programming
• Acar Key – recording, mixing, engineering
• Katherine Miller – recording, engineering
• Richard Joseph – recording, engineering
• Herbert Powers Jr. – mastering

Charts

Chart (1993)	Peak position
UK Singles (OCC)[3]	58
UK Club Chart (Music Week)[4]	6
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[5]	76