Tesla's music fit well with the blasting sounds of their 80s hair metal and glam rock contemporaries. Yet it was more bluesy and lyrics dealt with other themes than just the usual, girls, alcohol and violence. But what set them even more apart from their contemporaries was their t-shirt and jeans image, a 'street' look reminiscent of the Ramones (and other 70s punk groups) that was in strong contrast of the leather, spandex, and flashy-make type look of the time.
The band's early lifespan as City Kidd brought them considerable frustration, with them failing to break into the musical mainstream while also competing with another band with the same name. Their mutation into Tesla provided a clear shot at success. 'Mechanical Resonance', their debut that the boys released in 1986, became a commercial smash while also receiving significant critical praise. That album was certified platinum by the RIAA on October 5, 1989.
In total, the group has released six studio albums with original music, the latest of them being 2008's 'Forever More'. They have also created a a double-disc covers album, titled 'Real To Reel', as well as a number of compilations and live albums. Their sound has focused on a particularly melodic and accessible kind of hard rock with strong shades of classic heavy metal as well.
Tesla's popular 1990 remake of Signs, originally recorded by the Five Man Electrical Band (who also inspired the album which the remake came from, Five Man Acoustical Jam), is probably the most mainstream of Tesla's hits. However, many fans remember fondly Tesla's other hits such as Gettin' Better, Modern Day Cowboy, Little Suzi, Edison's Medicine and Love Song.
The band derived their name, certain album and song names (e.g. The Great Radio Controversy, Mechanical Resonance, etc), and some song content from events relating to Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer born in the 19th century in Smiljan, Austria-Hungary, modern day Croatia.
1 Hang Tough
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looks like you just can't win
In this do or die situation.
And it's harder than it seems
To survive, keep alive and make your dreams,
Make your dreams all come true.
You gotta, you gotta give it your best shot.
Oh, you gotta hang tough.
Hang tough. Hang tough.
Sometimes love can make you blue.
A heartache made just for you.
But you can't let it bring ya down.
If you should stumble, if you should fall,
Pick yourself up off the floor.
Fight for what's right and stand your ground.
You gotta give it your best shot.
Give it everything you got.
Oh, you gotta hang tough.
Hang tough. Hang tough.
When the goin' gets rough.
Hang tough.
You got to give it all you've got.
Hang tough.
Keep your head above the ground.
Don't you let it get you down.
Oh, you gotta hang tough.
Hey! Oh! Hey! Oh!
You stay locked away inside your room
'Cause you don't know what this world is comin' to.
Hummingbird hums 'cause he don't know the words
And the piper will play 'cause he don't know what to say.
He's a lot like you, yeah. Oh, he's alot like you, yeah.
He tries hard every day to be free and fly away. Yeah!
Hang tough, oh, when the goin' gets rough.
Hang tough.
You've got to give it all you got.
Hang tough.
Keep your head above the ground.
Don't you let it get you down.
Oh, you gotta hang tough.
Hang tough.
Oh, you got to give it all you got. You gotta
Hang tough.
Don't you let it get you down.
Hang tough.
No! Oh, you gotta hang tough.
Hang tough.
Hang tough!
Tesla's "Hang Tough" is a motivational rock song released in 1989 that aims to inspire listeners to strive for their dreams no matter what the obstacles are. The lyrics convey messages of resilience, determination, and perseverance in a highly relatable and engaging way. The song begins with acknowledging the challenges in life, and how taking a hit can make it seem impossible to win. However, the singer urges the listener to keep going, despite the difficulties that life throws in their way. They encourage the listener to make their dreams come true, no matter what it takes, providing the sentiment that success through hard work and dedication is achievable. The allegory of the piper and hummingbird reinforces the message that whatever one's limitations may be, we should strive to overcome them every day.
The lyrics in the song also encourage people to find inner strength and the importance of standing one's ground, even when the going gets tough. The lyrics highlight that love can make one feel blue or bring them down, and if they stumble or fall, they need to pick themselves back up and try again. In essence, Tesla's "Hang Tough" is a call to action to hold onto your dreams without faltering and face life's challenges bravely.
Overall, the song is highly relatable, and the lyrics use powerful amplification and metaphors to create a compelling narrative that listeners can connect with.
Line by Line Meaning
Took a shot to the chin.
You faced a tough challenge or setback.
Looks like you just can't win
The situation seems hopeless and difficult to overcome.
In this do or die situation.
The stakes are high and the outcome will have significant consequences.
And it's harder than it seems
Facing and overcoming challenges is more difficult than it appears on the surface.
To survive, keep alive and make your dreams,
The focus is on perseverance, staying alive and realizing your goals despite the obstacles in your path.
Make your dreams all come true.
The end goal is to achieve your dreams and aspirations.
You gotta, you gotta give it your best shot.
You have to put forth your best efforts to succeed.
Give it everything you got.
Put all of your energy and focus into the task at hand.
Oh, you gotta hang tough.
Stay strong and persevere.
Sometimes love can make you blue.
Love can lead to heartache and emotional pain.
A heartache made just for you.
The pain and suffering is unique to your situation.
But you can't let it bring ya down.
You can't let the pain and suffering overcome you and bring about despair.
If you should stumble, if you should fall,
If you experience setbacks or failures,
Pick yourself up off the floor.
Get back up and keep going despite the challenges you face.
Fight for what's right and stand your ground.
Take a stand and fight for what is just and right even if it's difficult.
When the goin' gets rough.
When the situation becomes more challenging or difficult.
Keep your head above the ground.
Stay strong, don't let the situation bring you down.
Hey! Oh! Hey! Oh!
Exclamations to motivate and energize.
You stay locked away inside your room
You isolate yourself and withdraw from the world around you.
'Cause you don't know what this world is comin' to.
You are uncertain about the future and the direction the world is heading in.
Hummingbird hums 'cause he don't know the words
A reference to the hummingbird symbolizing someone who continues to move forward despite uncertainty.
And the piper will play 'cause he don't know what to say.
A reference to the pied piper symbolizing someone who leads even when they don't know the way or what to do.
He's a lot like you, yeah. Oh, he's a lot like you, yeah.
The hummingbird and pied piper are similar to you - facing challenges and navigating the uncertain future.
He tries hard every day to be free and fly away. Yeah!
Despite the challenges, the hummingbird and pied piper continue to strive for freedom and success.
No!
An exclamation to motivate and energize.
Hang tough.
Stay strong and persevere despite the challenges and setbacks.
Hang tough!
A repetition of the previous line to emphasize the importance of staying strong and persevering.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN JAY LERNER, KURT WEILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michaeltate227
"You stay locked away inside your room
because you don't know what this world is
coming to.
You hum many parts because you don't know
the words.
And the piper will play
because he don't know what to say.
He's a lot like you. Yeah.
He's a lot like you. Yeah.
He tries hard every day...
to be free...
and fly away."
@CheeezyCrust
I'm fighting cancer at the moment, this song gives me so much energy every time I listen to it and helps me get through chemo therapy.
@JackieNihil
That sucks. Hang in there, hang tough. Stay strong 👊🏻
@tshkrel
Jesus rose from the dead. Trust in Him for your salvation
@ronaldmcgowan3697
Praying for you!!!!
@acidpope33
Hang Tough!
@jean-luccomeau2442
I hope you get better! Hang tough! 🤘🏼
@shaneshepherd7753
God I miss this music. Thank you Dad for showing me and teaching me all this!
@michaelzeinert2074
Many other bands out there from the 80's.
They all rock ! Tesla, def lep, white lion. You name it, they all have good vibes and great riffs ! The drummers rock too !
Rock on my Boi 🤘
@larryturner6859
Your dad knows what's up ❤
@Decalpha
this band was so UNDERRATED