Too Tough
Resilience in Love: Embracing Toughness in Joe Jackson's 'Too Tough'
Lyrics
I know that you think I protest too much
I feel like you believe I deny things excessively
I'm like a diva with a tragic touch
I behave like a dramatic performer with a sorrowful aspect
But if I wanna hide from the pouring sun
If I want to escape from difficulties or pain
It has to be alright
It must be acceptable or okay
And I could have my pride but I'll try to run
Although I could maintain my dignity, I'll attempt to avoid
When a fool would stand and fight
When a sensible person would confront the situation
And if I try hard enough
If I exert enough effort
To 'do or die' and push and shove
To persist and be forceful
I know that I would be too tough
I am aware that I would be exceedingly resilient
Too tough to fall in love with you
Too strong-willed to develop romantic feelings for you
You've really gotten underneath my skin
You've deeply affected me emotionally
Must have been easy, it was always thin
It was likely effortless as my emotional barriers were fragile
So if I wanna cry in the burning rain
If I feel like crying in a challenging situation
Don't worry I'll survive
Rest assured, I will endure
But even when you're high I can feel your pain
Even in your moments of elation, I sense your suffering
That's what I call being alive
To me, that's what true vitality entails
So if I fall I'll get back up
If I stumble, I will rise again
And there'll be tears and blood and stuff
There will be emotional upheaval, yet I'll remain resilient
Still I stand tall and I'm too tough
Still, I'll maintain my strength and resilience
Too tough to fall in love with you, with you
Resolute enough to resist falling in love with you
And I can see your point of view
I understand your perspective
But I can see a way to be tough too, tough too
Yet, I can also perceive a way to exhibit resilience
You know I hate it when you talk this way
I dislike it when you speak in this manner
'Cause you don't listen to a word you say
Because you don't heed your own words
And it took a lot of time to grow your shell
It took considerable time to build your protective barrier
Maybe enough's enough
Perhaps it's time to consider stopping this behavior
And I could tell you why you should go to hell
I could express anger towards you
But I don't want to be that tough
But I don't want to be that harsh or unyielding
So if I try hard enough
If I exert enough effort
To 'do or die' and push and shove
To persist and be forceful
I know that I would be too tough
I am aware that I would be exceedingly resilient
Too tough to fall in love with you
Too strong-willed to develop romantic feelings for you
With you, with you
Unyielding in my stance against falling in love with you
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