The release was accompanied by a music video filmed aerially at the Union Dry Dock in nearby Weehawken, New Jersey.

Harry based the lyrics and title of the song on her experiences acting in the 1980 movie Union City, which she had appeared in as Lillian.

The song was never released as a single in the US; Popdose later wrote of this decision, "While 'The Hardest Part' is a great album cut, it's not exactly Top 40 friendly like 'Union City Blue' instantly is.

"[9] A video was produced for the single, directed by David Mallet, which featured the band performing at the Union Dry Dock in nearby Weehawken, New Jersey.

[10]The track was re-released on CD and vinyl on October 16, 1995,[11] as a maxi single in both the UK and US, featuring various remixes of the song by Diddy, Burger Queen, OPM and Jammin' Hot.

Sam Armstrong of uDiscoverMusic wrote that the song "conjures the sort of romantic yearning you only ever get from finding yourself adrift in a city where anything can happen.

Jack Whatley of Far Out Magazine said: "While Thom Yorke's vocal is undeniably his own, the rest of the band fall in line for a somewhat straightforward cover."