The Pursuit of Happiness — Hard To Laugh

JUL 01 1988 · 12:00

The Pursuit of Happiness — Hard To Laugh (1988) Era: Late-80s Canadian Alternative/Power Pop (1988) - Peak era of MuchMusic-driven indie-to-major breakouts, defined by Chrysalis-signed guitar bands fusing punk energy with radio-ready melodicism High curatorial value as a documented artifact of the late-80s MuchMusic-era Canadian alternative rock movement. Represents the transitional moment between DIY indie production and major-label video budgets, with visual aesthetics that faithfully reflect the era's anti-glam, performance-driven approach. The song's enduring critical reputation and the album's platinum certification in Canada make this an essential document for any collection focused on CanCon alternative history or the international power pop canon. Context: Released in 1988 as the third single from Love Junk, 'Hard To Laugh' arrived at the peak of MuchMusic's cultural authority as the gatekeeper of Canadian rock identity. The Pursuit of Happiness occupied a rare cross-section of DIY punk ethos and major-label polish, having been signed to Chrysalis after grassroots MuchMusic success with 'I'm an Adult Now'. The Love Junk era represented a pivotal moment for CanCon alternative rock, demonstrating that Canadian bands could achieve platinum certification through the MuchMusic ecosystem rather than US-first strategies. The song's sardonic power pop tone — ironic, self-deprecating, melodically aggressive — encapsulates the late-80s alternative temperament that would prefigure the mainstream breakthrough of guitar-driven indie-pop in the early 1990s. Director notes: The 'Hard To Laugh' single was released in 1988 as the third Canadian radio single from the debut album Love Junk on Chrysalis Records. The album was produced by Todd Rundgren at Utopia Sound Studios, Lake Hill, New York. The video was produced in the context of a band with growing MuchMusic profile. No production credits for this specific video have been located in any verified source.