Music Review: Quarterflash "Harden My Heart"

Quarterflash

Harden My Heart

Album: Quarterflash

Year: 1981

                 Rindy Ross vows not to get hurt again in the pitiable “Harden My Heart.”

         A resolved saxophone opens the single, setting a vengeful tone.   She blows her nose with a tissue and clutches her coat. She sees a man hold the door for his girlfriend and give her a loving look. She scoffs. Her boyfriend would walk through the door, cutting her off and then ask her what’s taking her so long. This is the last time he will ever stand her up. She folds her

her arms across her chest and walks to the pay phone. She calls her sister, tells her what happened and says she’s going to break up with him. On the other end of the telephone, she can hear her sister sigh with relief. He thought she was going to stick around, thinking she couldn’t do any better. (“Cryin' on the corner, waitin' in the rain/I swear I'll never, ever wait again/You gave me your word but words for you are lies/Darlin' in my wildest dreams, I never thought I'd go/But it's time to let you know,”)

         In the chorus, she’s going to be strong and pretend she’s not torn up inside as she tells him it’s over. It’s something she has to do. (“I'm gonna harden my heart/I'm gonna swallow my tears/I'm gonna turn and leave you here.”)

Multiple boyfriends have taken advantage of her kindness. She had spent years hoping that they would get it. Sometimes, they would remember a special moment in the relationship or put her ahead of themselves. But it was always a one-time thing. He believes she is the center of their her world and without him she would be destroyed. He is wrong. (“All of my life I've been waitin' in the rain/I've been waiting for a feeling that never, ever came/It feels so close, but always disappears/Darlin', in your wildest dreams, you never had a clue/But it's time you got the news.”)

The chorus is sung again.

           The resolved saxophone has a brief solo while a protective.guitar gives a piece of its mind.

The chorus is sung again.

             In the final chorus, she says she’s going to give him a taste of his own medicine. (“I'm gonna harden my heart/I'm gonna swallow my tears/I'm gonna harden my heart/I'm gonna swallow my tears/Harden my heart, harden my heart/Swallow my tears/I'm gonna harden my heart.”)

 
             Ross’ woeful vocals manipulate, trying to garner as much sympathy as she can. She’s prepared to throw a tantrum if someone doesn’t side with her. She’s an untrustworthy narrator, given she will pull out the crocodile tears if it means she wins. All that she wants it do is beat her ex.

             The limp “Harden My Heart” uses childish antics try to get its way.