1) Jerry Butler, Jr… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists called Jerry Butler:
1) Jerry Butler, Jr. (born December 8, 1939 in Sunflower, Mississippi) is an American soul singer also known as "The Ice Man" because of his cool demeanour while singing often intensely emotional lyrics.
Butler was dubbed the "Iceman" by a Philadelphia disc jockey while performing in a Philadelphia theater. However, Butler achieved what eluded many earlier Doo Wop groups during the 1950s and 1960s — longevity. Butler’s solo career had a string of hits, including "He Will Break Your Heart," "Moon River," "Make It Easy On Yourself," "Let It Be Me" (the Everly Brothers classic re-done as a duet with Betty Everett), "Brand New Me," "Ain’t Understanding Mellow," (duet with Brenda Lee Eager), and "Never Gonna Give You Up," followed by two hugely successful albums The Iceman Cometh in 1968 and Ice On Ice in 1970. The Iceman Cometh garnered Butler three Grammy nominations. Jerry Butler further made recordings for Philadelphia International Records in the 80's. His most noted song for the label was "Cooling Out"
Only The Strong Survive
Jerry Butler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somehow or another the whole darn thing went wrong
My mama had some great advice
So I thought I'd put it into words of this song
I can still hear her saying it
Boy, oh, I see you're sitting out there all alone
Cryin' your eyes out
There's gonna be, there's gonna be
A whole lot of trouble in your life
So listen to me get up off of your knees
'Cause only the strong survive
That's what she said
Only the strong survive, only the strong survive
You've got to be strong, you'd better hold on
Don't go, all around with your head hung down
I wouldn't let that little girl
No, I wouldn't let her know
That she made me feel like a clown
There's a whole lot a girl
Lookin' for a good man like you
Oh, but you'll never meet them if you give up now
And say, your life is through
Then she said it
Only the strong survive, only the strong survive
You've got to be a man, you've got to take a stand
So I am telling you right now
Only the strong survive, only the strong survive
You've got to be strong, you'd better hold on
Don't worry about it
Don't you know that things are gonna change
But you've got to be a man, you've got to take a stand
Don't ever feel that, you can make it, baby
The lyrics of Jerry Butler's song "Only The Strong Survive" tell the story of a man who has just experienced a broken heart. He is sitting alone, crying, and feeling defeated because his lover has left. Butler includes advice from his own mother, urging him to stay strong and never give up. He tells the man that if he wants to find love again, he cannot give up and feel sorry for himself. Instead, he must be strong and face the future head-on. Only the strong survive.
Butler reminds the man that he has to be a man and take a stand. He should not let his broken heart make him feel like a clown, and he should not give up on finding the right woman. The message is simple yet powerful – never give up, keep fighting, and only the strong will survive.
The song is an anthem of hope and encouragement that has resonated with listeners all over the world. It is a perfect example of how music can be used to inspire and motivate people to overcome life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember, my first love affair
I recall the experience of my initial romantic relationship
Somehow or another the whole darn thing went wrong
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned
My mama had some great advice
My mother shared some wise words with me
So I thought I'd put it into words of this song
I decided to write a song using her advice
Boy, oh, I see you're sitting out there all alone
I notice you are alone and upset
Cryin' your eyes out
You are crying uncontrollably
'Cause the woman that you love has gone
The woman you love has left you
There's gonna be, there's gonna be
You can expect there to be
A whole lot of trouble in your life
Your life will likely be filled with challenges and difficulties
So listen to me get up off of your knees
Pay attention to my advice and stop feeling hopeless
'Cause only the strong survive
Only those who are mentally and emotionally strong will overcome
That's what she said
That is the advice my mother gave me
Only the strong survive, only the strong survive
One must be strong to endure
You've got to be strong, you'd better hold on
You need to remain resilient and persevere
Don't go, all around with your head hung down
Do not wander aimlessly with a defeated attitude
I wouldn't let that little girl
I would not allow that woman
No, I wouldn't let her know
I would not reveal to her
That she made me feel like a clown
That she made me feel foolish
There's a whole lot a girl
There are many women
Lookin' for a good man like you
Searching for a respectable man like you
Oh, but you'll never meet them if you give up now
But you will not encounter them if you give up hope
And say, your life is through
And declare that your life is over
Then she said it
My mother repeated her advice
You've got to be a man, you've got to take a stand
You need to assert yourself and take control
So I am telling you right now
Therefore, I am conveying to you currently
Don't worry about it
Do not fret over it
Don't you know that things are gonna change
Are you not aware that circumstances will improve?
But you've got to be a man, you've got to take a stand
However, you must still be courageous and decisive
Don't ever feel that, you can make it, baby
Never doubt that you can overcome this, my friend
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerry Butler, Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dwayne & Teen
on Ain't Understanding Mellow
This song is so meaningful and the Lyrics are always on point.!