Too Tough
Bully Lyrics


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Call me but you can't come clean
I had to hear it from my family, hear it from the answering machine
Could you lie anymore?
I am only half sorry for bringing you down before

It's like you never even wanted it
You're just too tough to talk it out and talk about it
Only God knows just how far you will go
To be someplace we'll never know
You're tryna wear me down
Wear me down

Callin' me so you can come clean
After it's too late, why don't you just let me be?
Stop tryin' to blame
Everyone else, so get up now, soak in the stream
I remember you so much
I'm glad we straightened it out
And now you're right on track
That's the shit that brings me down

It's like you never even wanted it
You're just too tough to talk it out and talk about it
Only God knows just how far you will go
To be someplace we'll never know
You're tryna wear me down
Wear me down
Wear me down

This is, it's been so unfair
You do, do whatever you care




I say to your sensitivity
It's wasted, wasted

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bully's song Too Tough depict the emotional struggle of dealing with a friend or loved one who is difficult to communicate with. The opening lines convey a sense of betrayal, with the singer having to learn of some unpleasant truth from their family rather than from the person themselves. The next couple of lines give voice to the frustration of dealing with someone who lies compulsively. The singer is only "half sorry" for their own role in the situation, implying that the other person bears most of the blame.


The rest of the song builds on this theme, with the singer criticizing the other person for being "too tough to talk it out and talk about it." They accuse the other person of not really wanting to make things right or work through their issues. Instead, they choose to "wear [the singer] down" with their stubbornness and unwillingness to take responsibility for their actions. The final lines underscore the difficulty of dealing with such a person, with the singer lamenting that their "sensitivity" is wasted on someone who doesn't appreciate it.


Overall, Too Tough is a powerful anthem for anyone who has struggled to communicate with someone close to them. It speaks to the frustration of dealing with someone who is unwilling or unable to be honest and vulnerable, and the toll that this can take on one's mental health.


Line by Line Meaning

Call me but you can't come clean
You contacted me but couldn't be honest about the situation


I had to hear it from my family, hear it from the answering machine
I found out about it from other sources because you didn't have the courage to tell me directly


Could you lie anymore?
You've already lied and I can't trust anything you say


I am only half sorry for bringing you down before
I'm not entirely sorry for the consequences you faced because of your own actions


It's like you never even wanted it
You didn't seem to truly desire the outcome


You're just too tough to talk it out and talk about it
You avoid communication and confrontation by acting tough


Only God knows just how far you will go
Your behavior is unpredictable and extreme


To be someplace we'll never know
You're trying to achieve something that's impossible to attain


You're tryna wear me down
You're making a consistent effort to exhaust me physically or mentally


Callin' me so you can come clean
You're reaching out to me to confess your wrongdoing


After it's too late, why don't you just let me be?
Your confession has come too late and I don't want to hear from you anymore


Stop tryin' to blame
You're attempting to shift responsibility onto others


Everyone else, so get up now, soak in the stream
Stop blaming others and face the consequences of your own decisions


I remember you so much
I recall your past behavior vividly


I'm glad we straightened it out
I'm happy that we've resolved our issues


And now you're right on track
You've corrected your behavior and are now doing well


That's the shit that brings me down
I'm bothered by the fact that you had to learn the hard way to do the right thing


This is, it's been so unfair
The situation has been unjust


You do, do whatever you care
You act with disregard for others' feelings or opinions


I say to your sensitivity
Your emotional awareness is lacking


It's wasted, wasted
You're not utilizing your sensitivity in a positive way




Contributed by Hunter B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Bruno Fernandes

Bully, Wolf Alice, Alvvays, Speedy Ortiz, Torres, Black Honey.....amazing female rock bands with 90's sound

Steven Cruz

+Bruno Fernandes what 90's band or bands sound like Alvvays?

Steven Cruz

***** Lower Dens doesn't sound anything like Alvvays to me and Lower Dens isn't even a 90's band, they started releasing music in 2010

Pušpo Kámen

+Bruno Fernandes I slowly founding them out by myself :D

Pušpo Kámen

+Bruno Fernandes How about 70's sound? Try Blues Pills..

David Belcher

Add "TOYBLOID" to the list...they are great too

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Yoshiling

Bully's the best. So excited for everything they're doing. Great band and great people. Definitely my new favorite.

Davidinpittsburgh

Yup, she is the best!

Wolfgang 644

This band can do no wrong music wise like this feels grounded and real🎸😌💯

Jianghao YouTube

Great band! Great song and I love it!

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