Songwriter: John Mellencamp
Producer: John Mellencamp
[Intro]
Yeah, they're so tough
[Verse 1]
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
They like to make us feel little (So tough)
They like to make us feel small (So tough)
They like to put us down
And keep us down
'Til we feel no good at all
[Verse 2]
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
Then they tell us that we're stupid (So tough)
That we got no sense at all (So tough)
They'll take away the spark
Keep us in the dark
Make us feel we have no vision at all
[Chorus]
No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way
No, I don't believe it has to be this way
[Verse 3]
Then they tell us to be patient
That our time will come
But I've stood outside their doors
And walked their floors
And I ain't gonna do it again
[Verse 4]
They'd like to make me their nigga (So tough)
I say to hell with them (So tough)
I'm not gettin' down on my knees
And beggin' please
Can you throw me a crumb now and then?
[Chorus]
No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way
No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way
[Refrain]
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah
[Bridge]
Yeah
[Verse 5]
I can't really speak for you
And I don't know about them
They must be out of their minds
Can't read between the lines
They can stick it where the sun don't shine
[Chorus]
No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way
No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way
No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way
[Outro]
They're so tough
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
They are so tough
Yeah, they're so tough
[Verse 1]
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
They like to make us feel little (So tough)
They like to make us feel small (So tough)
They like to put us down
And keep us down
'Til we feel no good at all
[Verse 2]
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
Then they tell us that we're stupid (So tough)
That we got no sense at all (So tough)
They'll take away the spark
Keep us in the dark
Make us feel we have no vision at all
[Chorus]
No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way
No, I don't believe it has to be this way
[Verse 3]
Then they tell us to be patient
That our time will come
But I've stood outside their doors
And walked their floors
And I ain't gonna do it again
[Verse 4]
They'd like to make me their nigga (So tough)
I say to hell with them (So tough)
I'm not gettin' down on my knees
And beggin' please
Can you throw me a crumb now and then?
[Chorus]
No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way
No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way
[Refrain]
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah
[Bridge]
Yeah
[Verse 5]
I can't really speak for you
And I don't know about them
They must be out of their minds
Can't read between the lines
They can stick it where the sun don't shine
[Chorus]
No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way
No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way
No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way
[Outro]
They're so tough
Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
They are so tough
more tracks from the album
From the album
- Whenever We Wanted (1991)
John Mellencamp popular songs
- Jack & Diane
- Pink Houses
- Hurts So Good
- Small Town
- Check It Out
- Authority Song
- Rain on the Scarecrow
- I Need a Lover
- Cherry Bomb
- For the Children
- Farewell Angelina
- R. Gang
- To M.G. (Wherever She May Be)
- Worn Out Nervous Condition
- Yours Forever
- No One Cares About Me
- Forgiveness
- L.U.V.
- This May Not Be the End of the World
- County Fair
- Goodnight
- Young Without Lovers
- Another Sunny Day 12/25
- Serious Business