[2] Following the duo's selection as the winner of the series's second episode, "Ain't Easy" was released to Canadian radio, digital retailers, and music streaming services on January 17, 2018 by Big Machine Records and Universal Music Canada.

[3][4] "Ain't Easy" was recorded in the fall of 2017 as part of the competition on The Launch by both the duo of Elijah Woods and Jamie Fine and the soloist Basil Phoenix.

[2] The duo created their own arrangement of the song, which was merged with elements of the original for the final recording.

[1] Following the song's release, "Ain't Easy" hit number one on the Canadian iTunes sales chart, displacing co-writer Cabello's "Havana".

[7] The following week, "Ain't Easy" debuted at number 40 on the Canadian Hot 100.