Strong Enough
Dixie Chicks Lyrics


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God I feel like hell tonight
The tears of rage I cannot fight
I'd be the last to help you understand

Are you strong enough to be my man
My man

Nothing's true, and nothing's right
So let me be alone tonight
'Cause you can't change the way I am

Are you strong enough to be my man

Lie to me, I promise I'll believe
Lie to me, but please don't leave

I have a face I cannot show
I make the rules up as I go
Just try and love me if you can

Are you strong enough to be my man
Are you strong enough to be my man
Are you strong enough
My man

When I've shown you
That I just don't care
When I'm throwing punches in the air
When I'm broken down and I can't stand

Would you be man enough to be my man





Lie to me, I promise I'll believe
Lie to me, but please don't leave

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dixie Chicks’ song “Strong Enough” tell the story of a woman who is going through difficult times and needs someone who can be strong enough to stand by her side through it all. The opening lines, “God I feel like hell tonight, The tears of rage I cannot fight” describe the emotional turmoil she is experiencing. She feels so misunderstood that she believes that no one can truly comprehend what she is going through: “I’d be the last to help you understand”.


The chorus “Are you strong enough to be my man?” is repeated throughout the song questioning her partner's strength to be with someone who has so many problems. The verses that follow paint a picture of someone who recognizes that she is not easy to love, but still wants someone to be there for her. She feels like she has to put up a front to hide her vulnerabilities “I have a face I cannot show, I make the rules up as I go” and concludes by asking the question, “Are you strong enough to be my man?”.


In summary, Dixie Chicks “Strong Enough” is a song about a woman who knows she is complicated and difficult to love. She questions whether or not her partner can handle all that she carries and be strong enough to be with her through it all.


Line by Line Meaning

God I feel like hell tonight
I am feeling terrible and miserable beyond words


The tears of rage I cannot fight
I feel so angry and frustrated that tears are streaming down my face uncontrollably


I'd be the last to help you understand
I doubt I can explain how I feel in a way that you could fully comprehend


Are you strong enough to be my man
I am seeking a partner who is emotionally and mentally strong enough to handle my intense emotions


Nothing's true, and nothing's right
Everything seems to be a lie and nothing feels right


So let me be alone tonight
I feel the need to be by myself and deal with my emotions on my own tonight


'Cause you can't change the way I am
You cannot change my personality, emotions or my actions, no matter how much you try


Lie to me, I promise I'll believe
I am so desperate to hear what I want to hear that I will believe even if you lie to me


Lie to me, but please don't leave
Even if you need to tell me lies, please don't abandon me


I have a face I cannot show
I have emotions and feelings that I cannot reveal to anyone


I make the rules up as I go
I have no rigid principles; I often decide on things based on my emotions and feelings


Just try and love me if you can
I hope you will try to love me despite my emotional complexity and unpredictability


When I've shown you That I just don't care
There are times when I seem indifferent and uncaring towards you


When I'm throwing punches in the air
I can at times be physically and emotionally volatile


When I'm broken down and I can't stand
There are times when I feel defeated and overwhelmed


Would you be man enough to be my man
Are you able to be strong enough and stay with me even during my toughest times?


Are you strong enough to be my man
I am looking for a partner who is strong enough to handle all of me, even during my emotional extremes


Are you strong enough
Are you really strong enough to handle all of me and my emotional turmoil?


My man
I am seeking a partner who will be my rock through the ups and downs of my tumultuous emotions




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EEF BARZELAY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@lenneth.pe.

God, I feel like hell tonight
Tears of rage I cannot lie
I'd be the last to help you understand
Are you strong enough to be my man?
My man?
Nothing's true and nothing's right
So let me be alone tonight
'Cause you can't change the way I am
Are you strong enough to be my man?
Lie to me
I promise I'll believe
Lie to me
But please don't leave
Don't leave
I have a face I cannot show
I make the rules up as I go
Just try and love me if you can
Are you strong enough to be my man?
My man
Are you strong enough to be my man?
Are you strong enough to be my man?
Are you strong enough to be my man?
When I've shown you that I just don't care
When I'm throwing punches in the air
When I'm broken down and I can't stand
Would you be man enough to be my man?
Lie to me
I promise I'll believe
Lie to me
But please don't leave



All comments from YouTube:

@petalovespongy

This version is so beautiful... the dixie chicks add to the beauty of the song!!

@everettkalafatis1005

The twang in their vocals brings with it a very deep feeling, and the tempo they create together when interpreting outside source material just has the most incredible mid tempo swing. The lyrics given to this song were created deep inside the female heart, and from a male perspective it's kind of moving seeing the girls on stage together giving new life to this song.

@jdsorber

Absolutely the best version of this song hands down.

@katherinemooney-haley3916

I remember being 17 and listening to this particular version on repeat with my 3 best friends. It brings back so many memories... some really good, and some with a broken heart. ❤❤❤

@Skatez93

lol.. So I'm not crazy for listening to it in endless loops? Yes! lol

@helolamas

When Natalie Maines starts singing she takes over the song, she's great!

@hanymgamal

Until Sheryl sings and makes it hers again

@Kalvin5

Just saw both Sheryl Crow and the Dixie Chicks @ Bridge school concert last night. I'm still totally blown away at how amazing they all were. Fucking incredible. The singing, the playing, unmatched. Beautiful. Real music.

@hotellie777

my favourite version of this song...for sure!!!!!!

@187ClarkKent

WOW!!! I WAS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL WHEN THIS SONG CAME OUT. I WAS NEVER AWARE OF THIS VERSION WITH THE DIXIE CHICKS UNTIL 1 MONTH AGO... VERY NICE!!!

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