The Story Of Mick Jagger’s Disastrous Collaboration With Jennifer Lopez

In the vast landscape of music legends, Mick Jagger stands out. As the frontman of the Rolling Stones, his voice has soundtracked generations, his dance moves ignited stadiums, and their music continues to be a cultural touchstone.

But even the most iconic artists crave something new sometimes. In 2010, Jagger surprised fans with a foray outside the world of classic rock, collaborating on a song titled “T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)” with Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am and pop superstar Jennifer Lopez. 

The collaboration, on paper, seemed like a guaranteed hit – a legendary rocker joining forces with two of the biggest names in contemporary music. However, the song’s reception ended up being a fascinating study in contrasting tastes.

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The Quest for an Iconic Feature

will.i.am faced pressure from his record label to include a guest vocalist on his song. According to him, Jimmy Iovine, a music industry giant, expressed his initial approval for the track but then questioned the lack of a featured artist. will.i.am, however, felt the song was complete without additional vocals.

This exchange highlighted a common industry practice, where producers often feel pressured to feature established artists on their tracks to boost commercial appeal. will.i.am expressed his frustration with this approach, suggesting that the focus sometimes shifts away from the music itself.

In a playful act of defiance, will.i.am named the most unlikely collaborator he could think of: Mick Jagger. His intention was to propose a seemingly impossible suggestion that would end the discussion about featuring someone on the song. Little did he know, his outlandish idea would actually come to fruition.

Another Unexpected Collaborator

The involvement of Jagger wasn’t the only surprise on the track. will.i.am, wanting to create something truly special, convinced Jimmy Iovine to come out of retirement and produce Jagger’s vocals. For will.i.am, this moment transcended any award or achievement. He described it as “the proudest moment of my life” to witness Iovine, a legendary producer, return to his craft and help another artist fulfill a dream.

The collaboration didn’t stop there. Iovine also brought in Jennifer Lopez to add another layer to the song. While will.i.am was accustomed to working with big names as part of the Black Eyed Peas, his solo projects had been a different story. 

He expressed immense respect for Lopez, calling her “great,” and felt honored that such a successful artist like her would even consider contributing to his track.

It Was More Popular in the UK

Despite the star power assembled for “T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)”, commercial success remained elusive. In the United States, the song only reached number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed there for a mere eight weeks.

The potential for this collaboration to unite a wide range of music fans seemed unrealized, as the track failed to resonate with American audiences. Notably, the song wasn’t included on any album by any of the three artists involved, which might have further limited its exposure.

However, the story took a different turn across the Atlantic. Perhaps due to Jagger’s enduring popularity in his native United Kingdom, “T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)” found a much warmer reception there. The Official Charts Company reports the song peaked at a much higher position of number 3 in the UK and remained on the charts for a full 15 weeks.

A Fading Echo

Despite the modest success of “T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)”, it’s unlikely to become a defining moment in Mick Jagger’s illustrious career.  The song’s reception landed it firmly in the “novelty” category – a curious collaboration that garnered some attention but lacked lasting impact.

For fans seeking a lighthearted dance track featuring Jagger’s vocals alongside another legendary artist, there’s always the playful “Dancing in the Street” collaboration with David Bowie.

This project also raises questions about will.i.am’s ability to translate artistic vision into commercial success. While undoubtedly skilled at bringing artists together, his efforts don’t always translate to chart-topping hits. “T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)” serves as a reminder that even the most well-intentioned collaborations don’t always guarantee widespread acclaim.