Raised in Velma, Oklahoma, Diffie worked in a foundry while playing local nightclubs in Oklahoma and moved to Nashville in 1986 to work for Gibson Guitar Corporation.
His first album arrived in 1990 when country music was thriving commercially and creatively. His first single, a sensitive traditional country ballad, Home, reached No. 1, although Diffie quickly counted on novelty hits to sustain his career. For instance, his other No. 1 hits are Pickup Man, Bigger Than the Beatles, Third Rock From the Sun and If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets). Toward the end of the 1990s, Diffie lost his chart momentum and left Epic Records following his 2001 album, In Another World. Subsequently, he toured with Mark Chesnutt and Tracy Lawrence on the Rockin' Roadhouse tour.
In 2013, Diffie collaborated with Aaron Tippin and Sammy Kershaw on the album All in the Same Boat, and cut the single "Girl Riding Shotgun" with D Thrash of the Jawga Boyz. This was followed in 2019 by a vinyl album called Joe, Joe, Joe Diffie.
Diffie passed away from complications of coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 29, 2020.
Tougher Than Nails
Joe Diffie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got beat up on his way home from school, aga-in,
His dad caught him running out the back,
Tears in his eyes and a baseball bat, oo revenge,
Said son I won't stop ya, but before you go,
Let me tell you a little story bout the toughest man I know,
Don't think for a minute he was weak,
'Cause in the end he showed them,
He was any-thing but frail,
They hammered him to a cross,
But he was tougher than nails,
Well he droped that bat like it weighed a ton,
Father put his arms around his son and said, just let it go--oo,
Believe me I've been in your shoes,
Had to ask myself what would Jesus do, here's what I know,
Whenever I'm in doubt, I look up what he said,
It's all there in the good book, in black and white and red,
Hit him and he just turns the other cheek,
Don't think for a minute he was weak,
'Cause in the end he showed them,
He was any-thing but frail,
They hammered him to a cross,
But he was tougher than nails,
Yea in the end he showed them,
He was any-thing but frail,
They hammered him to a cross,
But he was tougher than nails,
Tougher than nails, oh, oh, oh,
The lyrics to "Tougher Than Nails" by Joe Diffie tell a story about a young boy who comes home with a bloody nose after being beaten up on his way home from school. His father catches him with a baseball bat, ready to seek revenge. However, instead of letting him go, the father shares a story about the toughest man he knows - Jesus Christ. The father explains that though Jesus was beaten and killed on the cross, he did not retaliate, showing that he was not weak but strong and tough in his love and forgiveness. The father encourages his son to follow Jesus' example and let go of his desire for revenge.
The message of this song is about the strength that comes from choosing forgiveness over retaliation. It acknowledges that revenge may seem like the natural response to being hurt, but ultimately it leads to more pain and does not solve anything. The example of Jesus' strength in the face of persecution and suffering is presented as an inspiration for us to strive for that same strength in our own lives.
Overall, "Tougher Than Nails" is a powerful song that reminds listeners of the importance of forgiveness and the strength it can bring. It is a reminder to let go of anger and choose love instead.
Line by Line Meaning
Little boy walks in with a bloody nose,
A young boy enters with an injury caused by an attack from someone, indicating a situation of vulnerability and victimization.
Got beat up on his way home from school, aga-in,
The boy had faced a similar situation earlier, implying reoccurring instances of bullying or harassment.
His dad caught him running out the back,
The boy tried to escape the confrontation, showing an attempt to seek safety as well as the fact that he was unsuccessful in doing so.
Tears in his eyes and a baseball bat, oo revenge,
The boy was crying, usually a sign of weakness and sadness. However, he was holding a baseball bat, indicating that he wants to fight back and seek revenge.
Said son I won't stop ya, but before you go,
The father encourages his son to take revenge but wants to share a story with him first.
Let me tell you a little story bout the toughest man I know,
The father wants to tell his son a story about a very resilient and strong person.
You hit him and he just turns the other cheek,
The resilient man did not fight back when attacked, he showed restraint and forgiveness.
Don't think for a minute he was weak,
Forgiveness does not imply weakness. It takes strength and courage to forgive.
'Cause in the end he showed them,
The resilient man's response proved to be his strength.
He was any-thing but frail,
Despite being attacked and not retaliating, the resilient man was not weak but had a strong character.
They hammered him to a cross,
The resilient man was Jesus Christ, who suffered torture and death on a cross.
But he was tougher than nails,
Jesus' resilience and strength in facing such torture was exemplary.
Well he droped that bat like it weighed a ton,
The father's story had an impact on the boy leading to a willingness to let go of the need to seek revenge and drop the bat.
Father put his arms around his son and said, just let it go--oo,
The father embraces his son and encourages him to drop his anger and the desire for revenge.
Believe me I've been in your shoes,
The father, like his son, has also faced similar situations in the past.
Had to ask myself what would Jesus do, here's what I know,
The father was inspired by Jesus' resilience to choose a path of peace and forgiveness.
Whenever I'm in doubt, I look up what he said,
The father consults Jesus' teachings for guidance when in a dilemma.
It's all there in the good book, in black and white and red,
Jesus' teachings are available in the Holy Bible, represented by the phrase 'black and white and red' referring to the colors of the text in religious texts.
Yea in the end he showed them,
The repetition of this line emphasizes the impact of Jesus' actions.
He was any-thing but frail,
Describing Jesus' weakness once again emphasizes his resilience and strength of character.
They hammered him to a cross,
Jesus endured intense physical torture leading to death.
But he was tougher than nails,
Despite the torture and death he faced, Jesus remained resilient and strong, inspiring millions.
Tougher than nails, oh, oh, oh,
The phrase 'tougher than nails' is repeated again as the song ends, driving home the message of the resilience and strength of Jesus.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARNES, MARVEL, O'DONNELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Donnie83
I love this song! I get emotional hearing it each time thinking about what Our Lord endured for us. He really was “tougher than nails”. RIP Joe Diffie.
Jason Nabors
He's tougher than coronavirus too. RIP Joe Diffie.
Ryan Blackburn
Most of his songs made me the man I am today thank you Joe.
Daniel Burns
this song went to #19 on the country charts in 2004!!!
Raven Kitley
Daniel Burns love this song as a kid
Ira Baldock
Should have gone #1)
Randy Fletcher
A singer's singer!
A great guy!
OdinX316
I pray you are with our Lord even now, R.I.P. Joe!
Chris Gathof
GREAT SONG !!!!!!!!! LOVE JD THIS IS REAL MUSIC
jeremy davis
Chris Gathof