Why Does a Man Have to Be Strong
Paul Young Lyrics


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There you go again, saying you can't take any more;
Here I go again, wishing the ground would swallow me whole.
If I can't give you a good reason, then it's me who must be wrong,
But I'd cry if I stood for (this) treason so why does a man have to be strong?
Even though I try to get by oh why, why does a man have to be strong?
There I go again, finding the words to apologize.
I've got to get these tears I'm crying out of my eyes
'Cause when you tell me that you need me, but you can never find me there
I bet you think I find it easy or that I don't even really care
Is it true what I hear, or just another storyline?
There's one thing I know; it won't be the only time
You'd think I was made of iron with all the things you put me through




But girl I tell you I'm not lying when I say that you can hurt me too
Why is it I have to be strong?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Paul Young's song Why Does A Man Have To Be Strong expresses the idea that being strong all the time can be difficult for a man, especially when it comes to relationships. The opening line shows someone expressing their frustration and being at their limit, while the singer wishes he could disappear. Though he tries to make excuses for his behavior, he knows that he is wrong, but he can't help feeling hurt. He wonders why he can't show his emotions and be vulnerable, asking why he has to be strong.


In the second verse, the singer is trying to apologize and is feeling emotional. He wants to hide his tears since he wants to appear strong. The bridge talks about how sometimes it's challenging to distinguish whether what he's hearing is honest or someone's attempt to manipulate him. The chorus repeats the question again, reflecting the difficulties that many men face in relationships where they are expected to be beacons of strength.


The song conveys a struggle that many men continue to grapple with regarding stereotypical gender roles and emotions. Being a 'real man,' you're supposed to be tough and resilient, but being in relationships requires being vulnerable at times. The song narrates a man who's attempting to navigate trying to be emotional and strong—matters of identity and deep emotional inner turmoil. These lyrics resonate with a broader message of emotional fragility, particularly among men, that ending stereotypes is less about replacing what is wrong with other stereotypes but making allowance for everyone to experience a full range of feelings freely.


Line by Line Meaning

There you go again, saying you can't take any more;
You keep complaining that you can't handle things anymore;


Here I go again, wishing the ground would swallow me whole.
I feel so ashamed and embarrassed that I want to disappear from the situation completely.


If I can't give you a good reason, then it's me who must be wrong,
If I can't explain myself properly, then it is my fault;


But I'd cry if I stood for (this) treason so why does a man have to be strong?
I would feel devastated if I betrayed you, so why do I have to be emotionally strong all the time?


Even though I try to get by oh why, why does a man have to be strong?
I try my best to manage my emotions, but why do I have to constantly appear strong and composed?


There I go again, finding the words to apologize.
I feel the need to apologize again for my mistakes.


I've got to get these tears I'm crying out of my eyes
I need to hide my tears from you because I don't want to appear weak.


'Cause when you tell me that you need me, but you can never find me there
When you express your need for me, but I am unable to be there for you.


I bet you think I find it easy or that I don't even really care
You probably assume that I don't care or that it is effortless for me.


Is it true what I hear, or just another storyline?
I am unsure if your words are genuine or just a charade.


There's one thing I know; it won't be the only time
I know this won't be the only instance in which I will have to appear strong and unaffected.


You'd think I was made of iron with all the things you put me through
You treat me as if I'm indestructible and can handle anything.


But girl I tell you I'm not lying when I say that you can hurt me too
I want you to know that your actions can also wound me.


Why is it I have to be strong?
I am questioning why I have to always be emotionally strong.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: IAN KEWLEY, PAUL YOUNG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Sickboi's Adventures

Seen Paul Young live three times each time was amazing. Love his music, such an incredible vocal range.

Rosangela Bandeira

Alegria regada a uma arte incomparável é a tradução desse vídeo clipe 🇧🇷🇬🇧

mmariamm

LINDA MUSICA ,ADOREI !

Soninha Marron

Minha vida perde todo o sentido sem essas musicas maravilhosas deste cantor incomparável.!

Soninha Mendes

Magnífico,completo, perfeito.Nestes dias difíceis e tristes ,você é o meu acalento, suas canções me confortam a mente e o meu coração.💖❤😍💛💛

Darla Levercom

I love this song! I love the arrangement!

Lynnie Heal

Very talented musician #PaulYoung

Susanne Tapley

"Everytime You Go Away" brings me back to when I was 16 and had my first serious boyfriend. I can't believe I felt strong feelings like that when I was just a teenager!! : ¤ Incredible! Beautiful song.* : )

Soninha Marron

Estou viciada nas músicas deste cantor.Que bençao de Deus é essa voz e este talento incomparável,precisamos de mais cantores de verdade como este.

Irene Lim

It's a beautiful song , I love it

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