Suzi Quatro: "Rock Hard" Single (1980)

Suzi Quatro's "Rock Hard" b/w "State of Mind" is a high-energy hard rock single from her seventh studio album Rock Hard, released in the UK on October 3, 1980 on Dreamland Records (catalog: DLSP 6, though some pressings vary slightly in numbering).

This 7-inch 45 RPM vinyl marked Quatro's return to her leather-clad rock roots after experimenting with country-pop, produced by her longtime collaborator Mike Chapman. Tied to the punky soundtrack of the film Times Square, the A-side became a modest hit, showcasing Quatro's growling vocals and fierce bass work amid a shifting '80s landscape. The single didn't top charts but boosted the album's platinum success in Australia.

Release Details

Label: Dreamland Records (her only release on this short-lived label, which folded in 1981).

Format: 7" vinyl single, pressed in England (e.g., by PRS Ltd. or Strawberry Bricks).

Date: October 1980, aligning with the Rock Hard album drop and the Times Square movie.

Context: Recorded in one month at United Western Studios in Hollywood, the album and single featured guest backing vocals from Paul Delph, Michael Des Barres, and Andrea Robinson, emphasizing Quatro's raw energy post-glam era. It was her stab at reclaiming US success, though it fared better abroad.

Track Breakdown

Rock Hard (A-Side)~3:20 Written by Mike Chapman & Suzi Quatro. A gritty, attitude-fueled rocker with pounding drums (Dave Neal) and Quatro's signature growl – "Suzi growls with the best of 'em." Featured on the Times Square soundtrack, it peaked at UK #68, Germany #26, Australia #11. Themes of resilience and rock defiance.

State of Mind (B-Side)~4:00Written by Quatro & Len Tuckey (her husband/guitarist). A stop-start hard rocker with sexy vocals, smooth passages, and a standout Tuckey solo – "glorious" and one of their best co-writes. Explores emotional turmoil; album track praised for its polish.

Key musicians: Quatro (vocals, bass, organ), Len Tuckey (guitar, backing vocals), Jamie Crompton (guitar), Dave Neal (drums), with Chapman producing for that punchy '80s sheen.

Production and Recording

Chapman's production revived Quatro's '70s hit formula (he'd worked on her early smashes like "Can the Can"), blending hard rock with new wave edges. Recorded amid Quatro's US push, it ditched country detours for guitar-driven tracks. Critics hailed the album as her '80s best, with the single capturing her "attitude-heavy rock."

Chart Performance and Legacy

Modest UK showing (#68 for "Rock Hard"), but stronger internationally – gold/platinum in Australia.

Featured in Times Square (1980 film with Robin Lamont); Quatro's role as a trailblazer endures, with 50M+ records sold.

This single embodies Quatro's unyielding rock spirit – fierce, fun, and forgotten no more. Stream remasters or hunt vinyl for that raw '80s punch!