When the Going Gets Tough
Ocean Billy Lyrics


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When the going gets tough
The tough get going, tough, tough, huh, huh, huh
When the going gets tough, the tough get ready

Tough, tough, tough

Yeah, oh, do da do da
I got something to tell you
I got something to say
I'm gonna put this dream in motion
I Never let nothing stand in my way
When the going gets touch
The tough get going

I'm gonna get myself 'cross the river
That's the price I'm willing to pay
I'm gonna make you stand and deliver
And give me love in the old-fashion way woh

Darlin', I'll climb any mountain
Darlin', I'll do anything

Oh (oh) can I touch you (can I touch you)
And do the things that lovers do
Oh (oh) want to hold you (wanna hold you)
I gotta get it through to you, oh

When the going gets tough
The tough get going
When the going gets rough
The tough get rough
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Oh baby

I'm gonna buy me a one-way ticket
Nothin's gonna hold me back
Your love's like a slow train coming (slow train coming)
And I feel it coming down the track (woh)

Darlin', I'll climb any mountain
Darlin', I'll do anything
Oh (oh) can I touch you (can I touch you)
And do the things that lovers do
Oh, (oh) want to hold you (wanna hold you)
I gotta get it through to you (oh)
'Cause when the going gets tough
The tough get going
When the going gets rough
The tough get rough

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (oh hit it)
Oh oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Touch me baby oh oh

Darlin', I'll climb any mountain
Darlin', I'll swim any sea
Darlin', I'll reach for the heaven
Darlin', with you lovin' me
Oh (oh)

Oh, can I touch you (can I touch you)
Do the things that lovers do (can I touch you)
Oh, want to hold you (wanna hold you)
I gotta get it through to you

When the going gets tough
Going gets tough
Going gets rough
Going gets rough

When the going gets tough
Going gets tough
Going gets rough
Going gets rough

When the going gets tough
Going gets tough
Going gets rough




Going gets rough
When the going gets tough

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of When The Going Gets Tough by Ocean Billy are all about overcoming obstacles and never giving up. The opening line, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going" is a call to action, urging the listener to dig deep and find the strength to push through adversity. The singer then declares that he has "something to tell you" and "something to say," indicating that he has a message to share with the world and is determined to do so.


The lyrics go on to describe the singer's determination to pursue his dreams, despite any obstacles that may stand in his way. He promises to "put this dream in motion" and "never let nothing stand in my way." The metaphor of crossing a river serves as a symbol of the challenges that must be faced in order to achieve one's goals, and the singer states that he is willing to pay the price of making that journey. The chorus repeats the idea that when things get tough, the tough keep going, and the singer declares that he will climb any mountain, swim any sea, and reach for the heavens as he pursues his dreams.


The theme of the song is one of perseverance and determination, and the lyrics are a call to action for anyone facing challenges in their lives. It encourages listeners to keep pushing forward, no matter how hard things get, and to believe in themselves and their ability to overcome any obstacle.


Line by Line Meaning

When the going gets tough, The tough Get goin,
In difficult situations, those who are strong-willed and determined will take action to persevere and overcome challenges.


I got something to tell you
I have a message that I need to share with you.


I got something to say
I have important words that I need to express.


I'm gonna put this dream in motion
I am going to take action on my aspirations and make them a reality.


Never let nothing stand in my way
I will not allow any obstacles or challenges to deter me from pursuing my dreams and achieving success.


I'm gonna get myself 'cross the river
I am determined to overcome any adversity that stands in the way of my goals.


That's the price I'm willing to pay
I understand that there may be sacrifices and hardships on the path to success, but I am willing to endure them in order to achieve my dreams.


I'm gonna make you stand and deliver
I am going to motivate you to give me what I desire, particularly in the form of love like it used to be.


And give me love in the old-fashion way
I want to experience love in the customary way, similar to how it was once traditionally expressed in the past.


Darlin', I'll climb any mountain,
Honey, I will overcome any obstacles or challenges that come our way, no matter how difficult they may be.


Darlin', I'll do anything
Honey, I am willing to do whatever it takes to make our relationship and love flourish.


Ooh, can I touch you (can I touch you)
May I tenderly touch you and share intimate, loving physical contact with you?


And do the things that lovers do.
May we engage in activities that express our loving bond and relationship, just as lovers often do.


Ooh, want to hold you (wanna hold you)
I desire to embrace you and enter into a caring and nurturing physical connection with you.


I gotta get it through to you, oooh
I am committed to conveying my message and expressing my love to you, even if it requires effort and persistence.


I'm gonna buy me a one-way ticket
I am committing to pursuing my dreams and taking a one-way trip, with no turning back from my aspirations.


Nothin's gonna hold me back
Nothing will stop me from pursuing my goals and achieving what I desire.


Your love's like a slow train coming (slow train coming)
Your love may take some time to realize, but I know it will arrive and be worth the wait, just like a slower yet equally effective mode of transportation.


And I feel it coming down the track,
I sense that your love is in the process of coming to me and approaching, like a train traveling down the track.


Darlin', I'll swim any sea
Honey, I am willing to conquer any challenges and face any environments, no matter how daunting or difficult they may seem.


Darlin', I'll reach for the heaven
Honey, I will strive to obtain the best and aim for greatness, even if it seems impossible or too high to reach.


Darlin', with you lovin' me
Honey, your love and support give me the strength and determination to pursue my dreams and overcome any challenges in my path.


When the going gets tough, (Going gets tough)
During times of hardship or adversity,


Going gets rough, (Going gets rough)
When challenges seem insurmountable or difficult,


Going gets tough, (Going gets tough)
People who are resilient and strong-willed will become more determined and push through the obstacles.


Going gets rough, (Going gets rough)
Difficulties and adversity will not deter those who are strong and determined from achieving their aspirations.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRY JAMES EASTMOND, BILLY OCEAN, ROBERT JOHN LANGE, WAYNE ANTON BRATHWAITE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@trevortenentes1319

I miss this time. The sounds. The fun. The freedom of just being able to walk around and looking at people and not an electronic device. Just taking it all in. The 80s were something else.

@joshgwashavanhu4104

Michael Douglas, Danny DeVito and Kathleen Turner are killing it especially Danny..

@achilles2694

I cannot believe that these three actually choreographed and participated this way in this song. That is so damn cool. It's like a little gem in time.

@felixmuchemi3802

Any idea who they are..I almost thought one was Paul Simon.

@himitsu30007

​@@felixmuchemi3802lol I can't believe some people don't know these three😂 but the answer is in the comments, search carefully 😆

@souldghost

@@felixmuchemi3802 They are Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito and Michael Douglas. They were in the 1985 movie Jewel of the Nile of which this song was the original soundtrack.

@robinxx.g

​@@felixmuchemi3802Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito, Michael Douglas

@bobsmith962

So cool!

5 More Replies...

@jazzmancoltrane

It was amazing growing up in the '80s how one unforgettable, iconic song after another would hit the radio year after year. Many of them were part of movie soundtracks. But they all felt like they refreshed, renewed and reinvigorated your life with new, positive energy and excitement. And, today, as an adult, they bring back wonderful memories of more peaceful, easier, happier times.

@marksprunger8936

Well said! Music had so much more depth and uplifting energy to it back in those days! Nobody did soundtracks better than the '80s! Frankly, the music was probably just as memorable as the movies themselves.

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