" Hard out Here " was written by Allen and Greg Kurstin , with production handled by the latter . Lasting for three minutes and twenty two seconds , musically " Hard out Here " is a " typically outspoken , sweary " synth-pop song . Lyrically , it speaks about " body image pressures and misogyny in the entertainment industry " . The song 's verses introduce the concept of the song : " You should probably lose some weight 'cause we ca n't see your bones / You should probably fix your face or you 'll end up on your own . " The overall message of the song , as well as several individual lyrics , have been interpreted as a response to Robin Thicke 's " Blurred Lines " , as well as Thicke and Miley Cyrus 's performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards and Cyrus 's music video " We Ca n't Stop " . However , Allen has said with regard to people 's description of " Hard out Here " as a " We Ca n't Stop " parody that " I never went on record saying the video was a direct pop at her — it was n't . " " Hard out Here " received critical acclaim upon release . '' Rolling Stone '' praised the song calling it a " feminist anthem through and through " and praised the subjects in which Allen tackles including " tired gender roles and expectations to double standards regarding sex and appearance for men and women " . Lewis Corner of Digital Spy rated the song four out of five stars , calling it " a welcome return to music for Lily Allen " and stating , " Ever the ambassador for a social critique , Allen was n't going to let 2013 end without having her say on the current objectification of women in pop — and that includes poking fun at that twerking malarky . " The Wire viewed the song 's title as a " thinly veiled reference " to Three 6 Mafia 's Academy Award-winning 2005 song " It 's Hard out Here for a Pimp "
2013 MTV Video Music Awards
2013 MTV Video Music Awards
Hard out Here