After a switch to the name Pipeline in 1975, the group also decided to switch to making hard rock instead of disco. Record labels competed to sign them but, when they finally ended up at Columbia Records, their single "Gypsie Rider" did not fare well commercially.
In 1976, they got the opportunity to become The Universal Robot Band along with underground disco producers Patrick Adams and Greg Carmichael. This project was more successful than their former projects. They made the single "Barely Breaking Even" alongside singer Leroy Burgess, and they also recorded an album. The group toured as The Universal Robot Band until 1978. After 1978, the band decided to make all their music themselves under the new name of Kleeer.[1]
Between 1979 and 1985 the group released seven albums and had several hits in the US Billboard Hot 100 and in R&B charts. The most mentionable are "Keep Your Body Workin'", "Tonight's the Night", "Winners", "Intimate Connection", and "Get Tough". The sound was now more focused on 1980s style funk, and electronic instruments, like vocoders and synthesizers.[2]
The System lead singer Mic Murphy was a road manager for the band before the start of his record career.[3]
After the 1985's album Seeekret, the band disappeared for unknown reasons. Most of the musicians continued working with other projects. In the 1990s, however, the group re-formed as Kleeer at some occasions.[2]
The group's influence today is best found in many hip hop songs, where DJs have frequently sampled Kleeer, for example by Dr. Dre, 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, DJ Quik, Lil Jon and others.[citation needed] "Keeep Your Body Workin'", which reached number 54 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart in 1979, was "reworked" into an updated recording by Tony Moran featuring Martha Wash, under the title "Keep Your Body Working". The Moran/Wash version reached number one on the Hot Dance Club Play chart in December 2007. Just Blaze sampled "She Said She Loves Me" from Kleeer's 1982 album "Get Ready" for the Intro to Jay Z's fifth studio album "The Dynasty: Roc La Familia".
Get Tough
Kleeer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's when the tough get going
Oh when the going gets tough
That's when the tough get going
That's when the tough get going
That's when the tough get going
That's when the tough get going
Deal with it
Don't checking out go
Face your enemy
Check it out yeah, check it out
I know you are feeling bad
Beware of self pity
Ain't no time for being sad
Prepare your strategy
Problems won't dissapear
No way for you to sleep
Solve them and listen here
Don't turn the other check
You'd better get tough kid
Oh when the going gets tough
That's when the tough get going
Oh when the going gets tough
That's when the tough get going
Feat nothing
Can't run away no
Time for some action
Don't hide Uh, Uh don't hide
How long will you permit
The blues to have its way
It's wrong for you to quit
And choose to let it stay
Inside you know I'm right
Create your destiny
Your pride should make you fight
Take some advice from me
You'd better get tough kid
(Norman Durham, Woody Cunningham)
The lyrics of Kleeer's song "Get Tough" are a call to action for anyone who is facing difficult times. The chorus emphasizes that when things get tough, the tough get going. The first verse advises the listener to deal with their problems rather than checking out and facing their enemy. The second verse acknowledges the listener's struggles and encourages them to avoid self-pity, prepare a strategy, and solve their problems instead of avoiding them. The bridge urges the listener to take action and not hide from their problems, reminding them that pride should make them fight, and they should be creating their destiny.
The overall message of the song is about perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. It encourages listeners to be proactive in finding solutions to their problems instead of giving in to despair. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the idea that toughness is essential to overcoming obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh when the going gets tough
When the situation becomes difficult
That's when the tough get going
That's when the strong will strive to succeed
Deal with it
Handle the challenge with confidence
Don't checking out go
Don't give up and escape the problem
Face your enemy
Confront the problem and find a solution
Check it out yeah, check it out
Make sure to properly analyze the situation
I know you are feeling bad
I understand you are feeling negative
Beware of self pity
Be cautious of feeling sorry for yourself
Ain't no time for being sad
There is no time for being upset
Prepare your strategy
Develop a plan of action
Problems won't dissapear
Difficulties won't disappear on their own
No way for you to sleep
You can't ignore the problem
Solve them and listen here
Find a solution and pay attention
Don't turn the other check
Don't ignore the problem or turn away
You'd better get tough kid
You need to become stronger and face the challenge
Feat nothing
Don't be afraid
Can't run away no
You can't escape the problem
Time for some action
It's time to take action
Don't hide Uh, Uh don't hide
Don't ignore or conceal the problem
How long will you permit
How much longer will you allow
The blues to have its way
Your negative emotions control you
It's wrong for you to quit
It's not right to give up
And choose to let it stay
And let the negative emotions linger
Inside you know I'm right
Your intuition tells you that I am correct
Create your destiny
Take control of your life and future
Your pride should make you fight
Your self-respect should motivate you to persevere
Take some advice from me
Listen to my words of wisdom
Writer(s): Norman Anthony Durham, Woody Cunningham
Contributed by Abigail D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Randolph Gibson
This jam takes you on a journey into the world of disco funk. The vocal arrangement is off the hook.
Eric Anderson
A truly unsung funk classic
Charles Stewart
I had forgot about this joint. One of my favorite funk jams back in the day
Beverly Likewater Jackson
THAT INTRO!! THOSE DAMN DRUMS..
Jose Esquivel
Uffffff.....pense que me iba a morir sin saber el nombre de esta gloriosa maravillosa obra del funk .....Dios bendiga a todos los amantes del disco funk soul, sus creadores, interpretes y publico,.sin nencionar al que subio esto a youtube.....yo la escuchaba en W FM con Mario Vargas fuego en la pista....
Dan
So FUNKY!!! Amazing beat!
Coolfunk Zézé 2
+Daniel Frishkorn Thanks & Welcome ♫♫
seventh child
Love my baseline records which I owned. However in 2016 Wandsworth spiteful and racist council stole my large Record collection including this one!
fmcny
7:16 !
Dollar Tree 207 STREET YARD
0:52