Brightman has received over 180 Gold and Platinum sales awards in over 40 different countries around the world and is the only artist to hold #1 spots on the Billboard Classical and Dance charts simultaneously, her other achievements feature her ranking by the Recording Industry Association of America as the best-selling female classical artist of the twenty-first century and a Guinness World Record for the success of “Time to Say Goodbye,” the best-selling single in German recording history.
She has established herself as the world's biggest selling soprano of all time, She has sold 78 million albums worldwide, including 40 million copies of the soundtrack of The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical), 26 million albums, over two million DVDs and 10 million copies of the single " Time to Say Goodbye "as a soloist.
She made her debut as a dancer in troupes such as Hot Gossip and later released a string of disco singles. She was a musical theatre performer and partner of theatre composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, with whom she originated roles including Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera.
After her divorce, Brightman became a crossover artist with former Enigma producer Frank Peterson. Her style, a blend of classical vocals and pop-inspired instrumentation and arrangement, earned her further success.
She is often cited as the woman who paved the way for other international success stories such as Il Divo, Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban. She is said to be worth as much as £30m (about US$49m).
It Must Be Tough... To Be That Cool
Sarah Brightman Lyrics
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The paint is stuck on the walls, but it's starting to peel
But maybe it's your vanity, maybe it's your skin
Well, I'm thinking, I'm thinking, your cover's wearing thin
'Cause everybody wants a piece of you, you don't give much,
But when you do, you're nobody's friend,
You're nobody's fool, tell me It must be tough to be that cool ...
Another notch on your belt another new pair of shoes
Another sidewalk show, where did you get that suit?
Did you think I was waiting or were you just testing me?
You're gonna come up empty, come out angry
Come out alone, now you can't see it
Well I should be more forgiving there's a soul down there
I can hear it crying but I can't find it anywhere
'Cause everybody wants a piece of you, you don't give much
But when you do, you're nobody's friend, you're nobody's fool
Tell me,
It must be tough to be that cool
It must be tough to be that cool
It must be tough to be that cool
It must be tough to be that cool...
The song "It Must Be Tough... To Be That Cool" by Sarah Brightman is an exploration of the idea that being cool and popular is not all fun and games. The singer of the song is looking at someone who seems to have it all - popularity, success, and confidence. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the person being described may be struggling with the pressures of keeping up appearances.
The opening lines set the scene for the song - the singer is stuck inside a room, feeling like they're digging in their heels. This could represent a feeling of being stuck in a certain mindset or way of being. The paint on the walls is starting to peel, which could signify that the facade this person has been putting up is beginning to crack. The singer then wonders if the person's vanity or their skin is the reason for this, suggesting that there may be some deep-seated insecurity beneath the surface.
The chorus of the song is a repeated refrain: "It must be tough to be that cool." This line highlights the idea that being popular and confident can be a burden as well as a blessing. The singer is empathizing with the person being described, acknowledging that it can't be easy to be in the spotlight all the time. The verses that follow describe the person's attempts to maintain their cool image, but also hint at a sense of loneliness or emptiness that can come with that. Overall, the song is a thoughtful consideration of the complexities of popularity and self-image.
Line by Line Meaning
Stuck inside this room, digging in my heels
Feeling trapped and resolute about staying put.
The paint is stuck on the walls, but it's starting to peel
The environment is unchanging and decaying.
But maybe it's your vanity, maybe it's your skin
Perhaps the coolness being referred to is superficial, tied to appearance.
Well, I'm thinking, I'm thinking, your cover's wearing thin
The façade of this coolness may soon crumble.
'Cause everybody wants a piece of you, you don't give much,
There is a perceived attractiveness to this veneer of coolness, but it is not generously shared.
But when you do, you're nobody's friend,
The generosity that can be found under the surface is a rare sight.
You're nobody's fool, tell me It must be tough to be that cool ...
Maintaining this image without being taken advantage of is likely a challenging task.
Another notch on your belt another new pair of shoes
Acquisition of superficial things is important for this image of coolness.
Another sidewalk show, where did you get that suit?
Attention-seeking behavior is common because of the perceived positive response to this façade.
Did you think I was waiting or were you just testing me?
Doubt and manipulation may be common in these situations.
You're gonna come up empty, come out angry
When the façade is cracked open, nothing but frustration remains.
Come out alone, now you can't see it
This image can be isolating and make it difficult to find true connection.
Well I should be more forgiving there's a soul down there
Despite the superficiality, there is a person beneath it all.
I can hear it crying but I can't find it anywhere
It can be difficult to connect with this soul beneath the façade.
'Cause everybody wants a piece of you, you don't give much
Same as before.
But when you do, you're nobody's friend, you're nobody's fool
Same as before.
Tell me,
Asking a rhetorical question to emphasize the point.
It must be tough to be that cool
Maintaining the image of complete coolness is likely challenging and isolating.
It must be tough to be that cool
Repeat of the previous line for emphasis.
It must be tough to be that cool
Repeat of the previous line for emphasis.
It must be tough to be that cool...
Final repeat of the previous line for emphasis.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHARLOTTE DEAVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind