Time Tough
Toots and The Maytals Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I go to bed
But sleep won't come
get up in the night
I couldn't stand my feeling no
Early in the morning
Oh mercy
It's just the same situation
Deep in the landlord
Comes a knocking up on my door
He's a knocking up on my door
I've got $400/month rent to pay
and I can't find a dollar
let me, Let me tell you...

Time tough (time tough)
Everything is out of sight, so hard
(so hard) so hard (so hard)
Time tough (time tough)
Everything is going higher and higher
(higher and higher)

Sister Lee cannot bear it
Brother Lincoln only stand it now
They crying night and day, louder and louder
Nobody to help them in their way
I've got $400/month rent to pay
and I can't find a dollar
let me, Let me tell you...

Good times won't lead into bad times
but the bad times take over
And when I was a little boy
I just kept on feeling it, feeling it
Can't blame the minister
and you can't blame the preacher
and you can't blame your brother
and you cannot blame your sister
Can't blame your friends
cuz today is judgement day
And that's why everyone have to pray

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Toots and The Maytals's song Time Tough express the struggle of the working class to make ends meet. The song starts with the singer unable to sleep due to his worries about money, and the desperation he feels is palpable. He wakes up early in the morning, but the situation remains unchanged. The landlord knocks at his door for the rent, but he is unable to pay. The chorus of the song describes the tough times people are going through, with everything going higher and higher, out of reach for most people.


The second verse shows how the situation is affecting other people in the singer's life. Sister Lee and Brother Lincoln are also struggling, and they cry night and day with nobody to help them. The song expresses the frustration and hopelessness of those who are caught in a cycle of poverty.


The final verse seems to offer some hope. It acknowledges that bad times can take over, but suggests that people should not blame others for their situation. Instead, the song encourages people to pray, as today is judgment day. Overall, Time Tough is a powerful commentary on the struggles of life, particularly for those who are financially disadvantaged.


Line by Line Meaning

I go to bed
I try to go to sleep


But sleep won't come
But I can't fall asleep


get up in the night
I wake up in the middle of the night


I couldn't stand my feeling no
I can't handle how I'm feeling


Early in the morning
As soon as the sun rises


Oh mercy
Oh my God


It's just the same situation
I'm in the same predicament


Deep in the landlord
My landlord comes knocking


Comes a knocking up on my door
Knocking on my door


He's a knocking up on my door
He's knocking on my door


I've got $400/month rent to pay
I have to pay $400 for rent every month


and I can't find a dollar
But I don't have any money


let me, Let me tell you...
Let me explain my situation


Time tough (time tough)
Times are hard


Everything is out of sight, so hard
Everything is difficult


(so hard) so hard (so hard)
(very difficult)


Time tough (time tough)
Times are hard


Everything is going higher and higher
Things are getting more expensive


(higher and higher)
(more and more expensive)


Sister Lee cannot bear it
Sister Lee can't handle it either


Brother Lincoln only stand it now
Brother Lincoln is barely getting by


They crying night and day, louder and louder
They're crying more and more


Nobody to help them in their way
No one can help them


Good times won't lead into bad times
Good times won't turn into bad times


but the bad times take over
But the bad times take control


And when I was a little boy
When I was young


I just kept on feeling it, feeling it
I just kept feeling the same way


Can't blame the minister
Can't blame the preacher


and you can't blame the preacher
Can't blame the priest


and you can't blame your brother
Can't blame your brother


and you cannot blame your sister
Can't blame your sister


Can't blame your friends
Can't blame your friends


cuz today is judgement day
It's time to be accountable


And that's why everyone have to pray
That's why everyone needs to pray




Contributed by Aubrey E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@clashgo78

I go to bed but sleep won't come
Get up in the night
I couldn't fight my feelings
Early in the morning
It's just the same situation
Here comes the landlord just a knocking upon my door
I've got four hundred/month rent to pay
And I can't find a job
Let me tell you time tough
Everything is out of sight, it's so hard
Time tough
Everything is growing higher and higher
Sister lee cannot bear it
And brother Lincoln only stand it now
They're crying night and day, louder and louder
Nobody to help them make their way
I've got four hundred/month rent to pay
And I can't find a dollar
Let me tell you time tough
Everything is out of sight, it's so hard
Time hard
Everything is growing higher and higher
Good times once lead into bad times
But now the bad times take over
When I was a little boy
I just keep on feeling it, feeling it, feeling it, feeling it
Now listen
Time tough
Everything is out of sight, it's so hard
Time tough
Everything is growing higher and higher
Can't blame the minister
And you can't blame the preacher
And you can't blame your brother
And you cannot blame your sister
Can't blame your friends
'Cause today is judgement day
And that's why everyone have to pray
Let me tell you time tough
Everything is out of sight, it's so hard
Time tough
Everything is growing higher and higher



All comments from YouTube:

@Desmuu

I'm so glad this was Nyjah Huston's music in Tony Hawk's Project 8. Forever shaped my taste in music.

@Ayeim_A

Omg yess !! That game introduced me to this

@AnupKumar-ru1ee

This is song was relevant then, now and in the future..." everything will cost higher & time will b tough & it b hard!" Legend Toots.

@Mar2623

when my daughter was 1 she did cry allot before going to bed. I would put hear on my shoulder and the volume very low so if she wanted to listen she would have to stop crying. Thanks Toots for some easy nights. :)

@marvshinkleman6821

This has to be the most beautiful comment on YouTube. Thank you for writing it.

@janicenielson9824

Saw them in the Bahamas in 1974. Wonderful.

@70mustang302

Awesome!

@streetgospel133

Timeless and still relevant in these times...

@Schneedle.Ska69

RIP Toots. Thank you for putting the Funky Kingston in my soul.

@ynwa73

Ska + reggae https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFF74C59D7D36FE71

More Comments

More Versions