Eighties Archive Song Number
Highest Chart Position
Date Released
Date Of UK Top 40 Entry
Genre
Label
Catalogue Number
Story Behind The Song
Billy Ocean’s “When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going” is an exuberant blend of pop, soul and dance music, driven by an infectious rhythm and a message of determination in the face of adversity. Released in 1986, the song showcased Ocean’s ability to combine an uplifting sentiment with polished production and an irresistibly catchy chorus.
Written by Wayne Brathwaite, Barry Eastmond, Robert John “Mutt” Lange and Billy Ocean, the track was recorded for the soundtrack of the adventure comedy film The Jewel Of The Nile. Its energetic arrangement features punchy drums, bright keyboards, lively backing vocals and Ocean’s unmistakably warm, soulful delivery. The song’s repeated refrain gives it an immediate sense of purpose, turning its central message into a rallying cry for anyone facing difficult circumstances.
The lyrics encourage perseverance, suggesting that strength is revealed not when life is easy, but when challenges demand courage and resilience. Although the message is straightforward, Ocean’s charismatic performance prevents it from feeling preachy. Instead, the song delivers its optimism with humour, confidence and a sense of fun.
The accompanying music video added another memorable dimension, featuring film stars Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito alongside Ocean. Their playful appearance helped connect the recording to the film while giving the video a distinctive personality.
With its infectious groove, powerful chorus and enduring message of determination, “When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going” remains a quintessential example of mid-eighties pop-soul at its most uplifting and entertaining.
The song peaked at No. 01 in the UK singles chart on 8th February 1986.
UK 7'' SLEEVE COVERS
Shown below are the picture sleeve covers (front and back) for the UK release of this single. If no cover sleeve was issued in the UK, we will display another country’s picture sleeve.
UK 7'' TRACK LISTING
| A-Side | When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going (Single Version) (4:08) (Brathwaite, Eastmond, Lange, Ocean) Produced By Wayne Brathwaite, Barry J. Eastmond, Robert John ‘Mutt’ Lange |
| B-Side | When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going (Instrumental) (5:12) (Brathwaite, Eastmond, Lange, Ocean) Produced By Wayne Brathwaite, Barry J. Eastmond, Robert John ‘Mutt’ Lange |
CHART PERFORMANCE (80s Chart only)
| UK Top 40 Chart Run [11 Weeks] – 25th January 1986 – 12th April 1986 |
OFFICIALLY RELEASED VERSIONS
All officially released versions that appeared in the 80s:-
- When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going (Single Version) (4:08)
- When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going (Extended Version) (5:43)
- When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going (Club Mix) (7:32)
- When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going (Instrumental) (5:12)
See ALL releases of ‘When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going’ on Discogs.
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OFFICIAL VIDEO
SONG LYRICS
When the going gets tough
The tough get going
Tough, tough, huh-ha-ha-huh
When the going gets tough
The tough get going
When the going gets tough, the tough get ready
Yeah, tough, tough (T-t-t-t-tough-tough-tough)
Yeah, oh baby, do-do-do-da
I got something to tell you
I got something to say
I’m gonna put this dream in motion
Never let nothing stand in my way
When the going gets tough
The tough get going
Well I’m gonna get myself ‘cross the river
That’s the price I’m willing to pay
I’m gonna make you stand and deliver
And give me love in the old-fashion way
Woah
Darlin’, I’ll climb any mountain
Darlin’, I’ll do anything
Ooh (Ooh), can I touch you? (Can I touch you?)
And do the things that lovers do
Ooh (Ooh), wanna hold you (Wanna hold you)
I gotta get it through to you, oh
When the going gets tough
The tough get going
When the going gets rough
The tough get rough
Hey (Hey)
Hey (Hey)
Hey
Oh baby
I’m gonna buy me a one-way ticket
Nothing’s gonna hold me back
Your love’s like a slow train coming (Slow train coming)
And I can feel it coming down the track (Woah)
Darlin’, I’ll climb any mountain
Darlin’, I’ll do anything
Ooh (Ooh), can I touch you? (Can I touch you?)
And do the things that lovers do
Ooh (Ooh), wanna hold you (Wanna hold you)
I gotta get it through to you (Oh)
‘Cause when the going gets tough
The tough get going
When the going gets rough
The tough get rough
Hey (Hey)
Hey (Hey)
Hey
Ooh (Ooh), can I touch you?
And do the things that lovers do
Ooh-ooh-ooh, wanna hold you
I gotta get it through to you (Oh)
‘Cause when the going gets tough
The tough get going
When the going gets rough
The tough get rough
Hey (Hey)
Hey (Hey)
Oh, hit it!
Woah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Touch me baby
Darlin’, I’ll climb any mountain
Darlin’, I’ll swim every sea
Darlin’, I’ll reach for the heaven (I’ll reach for the heaven)
Darlin’, with you lovin’ me
Ooh (Ooh)
Ooh, can I touch you (Can I touch you?)
And do the things that lovers do (Can I touch you?)
Ooh (Ooh), want to hold you (Wanna hold you)
I gotta get it through to you
Ooh, can I touch you (Can I touch you?)
And do the things that lovers do
Ooh-ooh-ooh, I wanna hold you
I gotta get it through to you, oh
When the going gets tough (Tough)
Going gets tough (Tough, huh, ha, huh, ha)
Going gets rough (T-t-tough)
Going gets rough
When the going gets tough (T-t-tough)
Going gets tough (Tough)
Going gets rough (Tough, huh-ha-huh-ha)
Going gets rough
Get it, get it
Come and get it (Get it)
Oh baby, come and get it (Come and get it)
Wanna hold you now
Come and get it (Ooh)
Wanna hold you, wanna squeeze you
Come and get it (Come and get it)
When the going gets tough
When the going gets tough (Ooh)
The tough get going (Wanna squeeze you, wanna hold you, wanna please you)
When the going gets tough (Ooh)
The tough get going (Come and get it now)
Come and get it (Get it)
Let me love you now, oh baby (Come and get it)
Wanna hold you, wanna please you, wanna squeeze you
When the going gets tough (Ooh)
The tough get going (Gets rough)
When the going gets tough (Gets tough)
Written By Wayne Brathwaite, Barry Eastmond, Robert John “Mutt” Lange, Billy Ocean
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