It was written by the group's principal songwriting partnership, Deborah Harry and Chris Stein.

"[5] Billboard considered "The Hardest Part" to be the best song on Eat to the Beat, describing it as "a solid rock - disco number featuring...icily effective vocals" and containing an "infectious" hook.

[6] Cash Box said it has a "harder-edged groove" than "Dreaming" and Uses "lyrical imagery of an armored car heist.

"[7] Record World said that the "powerful rock dance beat & Harry's vocals are superb.

The video was directed by David Mallett and featured a setting graffitied by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Lee Quiñones, and Fab 5 Freddy.