He was born in Fyzabad, Trinidad and Tobago to Grenadian parents, and moved to England with his family at the age of eight. Oceans' musical influence came at an early age of his life, as his father was a musician, and realised he was inline to follow those ambitions as he was growing up. During his teenage years, he sang regularly in London clubs while also working as a tailor in London's Savile Row. He released his first single in 1972 on Spark Records as Les Charles.
When in Trinidad as a boy he adopted the name Billy Ocean, taking the surname from the local football team 'Ocean's Eleven', who had gotten the name from the famous film of the same name. The next year, 1976, was when he recorded his first album, Billy Ocean, with its first single release, "Love Really Hurts Without You," charting at number 2 in the UK Singles Chart and number 22 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. More successes ensued, including "L.O.D. (Love On Delivery)". He also wrote songs for other artists, such as La Toya Jackson. In 1981, he scored the U.S. R&B chart with "Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)".
Ocean's period of greatest success began with Suddenly during 1984, and its main single, "Caribbean Queen". The song's title and lyrics were changed for different regions, such that the song is also known as "African Queen" or "European Queen". The song won Ocean the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 1985 Grammy Awards. The album's title track also became a success, its score maximizing at #4 in both the US and the UK; and the song "Loverboy", while also being a #2 US success during 1985, from the album, was also the background music for the first scene of the popular UK BBC One TV series, Casualty, during 1986.
Ocean appeared at Live Aid in 1985, singing "Caribbean Queen" and "Loverboy", from the JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
His 1986 album Love Zone also sold well. It included the successful singles "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" (the theme from the film The Jewel of the Nile); this was a number one success in the UK and a number two in the U.S.; and "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)" (a U.S. number one, and also a major UK success). Also included were the title track and "Love Is Forever", which were #10 and #16 U.S. successes for Ocean, respectively.
In February 1986, Ocean's video of "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" was banned by the BBC, owing to non-union members (including Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito) miming to backing vocals.
Ocean's next album, Tear Down These Walls (1988) featured another number one single, "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car", while the album was certified platinum.
His 1993 album Time to Move On failed to produce any major successes, but his 1989 Greatest Hits collection has been a steady seller over the years, and his 1997 compilation Love Is For Ever made #7 on the UK album chart. Ocean's last studio album for Jive Records was Time to Move On, which he recorded in Chicago with R&B star R. Kelly. It turned out that R. Kelly had been a long-time admirer of the way Ocean was able to mix the more emotive soul style with a crossover popular style.
In 2002, the University of Westminster awarded Ocean an honorary doctorate of music. The awards ceremony took place in the Barbican Centre, in London. He continues to tour and record in Europe. He lives in Sunningdale, Berkshire with his wife of 27 years, Judy; and their three children Cherie, Antony and Rachel. Ocean is now a patron for Tech Music Schools in London, made up of Drumtech, Vocaltech, Guitar-X and Keyboardtech. He regularly visits to hold clinics and seminars for the students.
In October 2007, Ocean commenced his first British tour in over 15 years. In February and March 2008 he toured Australia and the Far East. His new album, Because I Love You was released on 2 February 2009. To coincide with this new tour and album launch, Ocean has been working with Adoseof Design on a website revision which is due March 2009.
For more information got to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Ocean
When the Going Gets Tough
Billy Ocean Lyrics
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The tough get going, tough, tough, huh, huh, huh
When the going gets tough, the tough get ready
Tough, tough, tough
Yeah, oh, do da do da
I got something to tell you
I'm gonna put this dream in motion
I Never let nothing stand in my way
When the going gets touch
The tough get going
I'm gonna get myself 'cross the river
That's the price I'm willing to pay
I'm gonna make you stand and deliver
And give me love in the old-fashion way woh
Darlin', I'll climb any mountain
Darlin', I'll do anything
Oh (oh) can I touch you (can I touch you)
And do the things that lovers do
Oh (oh) want to hold you (wanna hold you)
I gotta get it through to you, oh
When the going gets tough
The tough get going
When the going gets rough
The tough get rough
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Oh baby
I'm gonna buy me a one-way ticket
Nothin's gonna hold me back
Your love's like a slow train coming (slow train coming)
And I feel it coming down the track (woh)
Darlin', I'll climb any mountain
Darlin', I'll do anything
Oh (oh) can I touch you (can I touch you)
And do the things that lovers do
Oh, (oh) want to hold you (wanna hold you)
I gotta get it through to you (oh)
'Cause when the going gets tough
The tough get going
When the going gets rough
The tough get rough
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (oh hit it)
Oh oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Touch me baby oh oh
Darlin', I'll climb any mountain
Darlin', I'll swim any sea
Darlin', I'll reach for the heaven
Darlin', with you lovin' me
Oh (oh)
Oh, can I touch you (can I touch you)
Do the things that lovers do (can I touch you)
Oh, want to hold you (wanna hold you)
I gotta get it through to you
When the going gets tough
Going gets tough
Going gets rough
Going gets rough
When the going gets tough
Going gets tough
Going gets rough
Going gets rough
When the going gets tough
Going gets tough
Going gets rough
Going gets rough
When the going gets tough
The song "When the Going Gets Tough" by Billy Ocean is an upbeat and motivating tune that encourages listeners to persevere and remain strong during tough times. The lyrics repeatedly state that when faced with difficult situations, the tough get going. The song begins by reminding listeners that tough times are inevitable, but it's how you deal with them that counts. The chorus repeats the mantra that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
The second verse has Billy Ocean directly addressing a lover, saying he will do anything for them, including climbing mountains and crossing rivers. He expresses the desire to touch them and do what lovers do. However, he realizes that tough times will come but assures that he will remain strong and face them head-on.
The bridge emphasizes the determination to overcome obstacles and reach for the heavens, with the support of a loved one. The song ends with a final repetition of the chorus, highlighting the message that when the going gets tough, it's important to stay strong and persevere.
Line by Line Meaning
When the going gets tough
When life becomes difficult
The tough get going, tough, tough, huh, huh, huh
The strong and determined work harder to overcome challenges
When the going gets rough
When life becomes even more challenging
The tough get rough
The resolute become tougher, mentally and emotionally
I got something to tell you
I have something important to share with you
I got something to say
I want to express myself
I'm gonna put this dream in motion
I will take action to achieve my goal
I never let nothing stand in my way
I will not allow any obstacles to prevent my progress
I'm gonna get myself 'cross the river
I will overcome obstacles to reach my destination
That's the price I'm willing to pay
I'm ready to do whatever it takes to succeed
I'm gonna make you stand and deliver
I will inspire you to give me what I need
And give me love in the old-fashion way woh
I want your love and attention in the traditional, romantic way
Darlin', I'll climb any mountain
I'll go to great lengths for you
Darlin', I'll do anything
I'm willing to do anything to win your love
Oh (oh) can I touch you (can I touch you)
May I have your affection and intimacy
And do the things that lovers do
Engage in romantic activities
Oh (oh) want to hold you (wanna hold you)
I desire to embrace you
I gotta get it through to you, oh
I need to make you understand or agree
I'm gonna buy me a one-way ticket
I'm ready for a journey without turning back
Nothin's gonna hold me back
Nothing will limit or hinder me
Your love's like a slow train coming (slow train coming)
Your affection is coming gradually but surely
And I feel it coming down the track (woh)
I sense it approaching closer and closer
Darlin', I'll swim any sea
I'll cross any water to be with you
Darlin', I'll reach for the heaven
I'll aspire and aim for greatness
Darlin', with you lovin' me
I'll achieve anything with your affection
Oh (oh) can I touch you (can I touch you)
May I have your affection and intimacy
Do the things that lovers do (can I touch you)
Engage in romantic activities
Oh, want to hold you (wanna hold you)
I desire to embrace you
I gotta get it through to you
I need to make you understand or agree
When the going gets tough
When life becomes difficult
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRY JAMES EASTMOND, BILLY OCEAN, ROBERT JOHN LANGE, WAYNE ANTON BRATHWAITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@trevortenentes1319
I miss this time. The sounds. The fun. The freedom of just being able to walk around and looking at people and not an electronic device. Just taking it all in. The 80s were something else.
@joshgwashavanhu4104
Michael Douglas, Danny DeVito and Kathleen Turner are killing it especially Danny..
@achilles2694
I cannot believe that these three actually choreographed and participated this way in this song. That is so damn cool. It's like a little gem in time.
@felixmuchemi3802
Any idea who they are..I almost thought one was Paul Simon.
@himitsu30007
@@felixmuchemi3802lol I can't believe some people don't know these three😂 but the answer is in the comments, search carefully 😆
@souldghost
@@felixmuchemi3802 They are Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito and Michael Douglas. They were in the 1985 movie Jewel of the Nile of which this song was the original soundtrack.
@robinxx.g
@@felixmuchemi3802Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito, Michael Douglas
@bobsmith962
So cool!
@jazzmancoltrane
It was amazing growing up in the '80s how one unforgettable, iconic song after another would hit the radio year after year. Many of them were part of movie soundtracks. But they all felt like they refreshed, renewed and reinvigorated your life with new, positive energy and excitement. And, today, as an adult, they bring back wonderful memories of more peaceful, easier, happier times.
@marksprunger8936
Well said! Music had so much more depth and uplifting energy to it back in those days! Nobody did soundtracks better than the '80s! Frankly, the music was probably just as memorable as the movies themselves.