Story Behind The Song
Caring about people. I made it up as I wrote to make a point.
Song Description
Song's 84bpm uses banjo on top of acoustic guitar, el bass, drums to develop an omnipotent story about life's challenges, presented in view of a handicapped person who refuses to give up in her struggles to navigate life. The narrator sees lots of long, preoccupied folk. She's trying to make it down a sidewalk. Yet, she was smiling. The song describes this revelation.
Song has a gentle feel with a golden, rich, alluring vocalist, Zach Linley (Dallas, TX).
| Song Length |
3:27 |
Genre |
Folk - Contemporary, Folk - Country |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Composed, Charming |
Subject |
Determination, Heaven |
| Language |
English |
Era |
2000 and later |
Lyrics
That's Tough. ©2022 alsman/nelson/putnam
V1a)
Stopped at a park on my way home
Watchin' people watchin' me watch them walk along Clutchin' phones - lettin' the world go by
Dull stares, glares, n' cold eyes
Not one was smilin'
V1b)
Moved myself a little further along (saw a)
Man with a cup then heard bankers cuss how, more's not enough When this girl comes out n' could barely walk
On crutches slidin' each foot forward n' then
She'd start all over
Ch)
That's tough, but
You know what
She was strugglin', still she kept right on tryin' Been through so much, had no good luck
She was smilin', when she could'a been cryin' (yeah) ...That's tough
V2a)
A man was sayin' it's too sunny
Sittin' at a private bar, drinkin' scotch, n' playin' gin rummy Didn't look twice at what he ignored once
All that girl does is overcome ('cause)
Her sun's always shinin'
Ch)
That's tough, but
You know what
She was strugglin', still she kept right on tryin' Been through so much, had no luck
She was smilin', when she could'a been cryin' (yeah) ...That's tough
Br)
Take a quick step back
Understand just where you're at
We ain't got it so bad
Look at all the good we have
Make the best of that
How you gonna feel when it's your time? So, instead of all that whinin'
...Start smilin'
PreCh)
I know it's tough, but you gotta keep right on tryin'
Ch)
That's tough, but
You know what
When you're strugglin', still keep right on tryin' We go through so much, there's gonna be bad luck Just keep smilin' n' keep your sun shinin' (yeah)
...I know it's tough