Released: November 5, 1976
Songwriter: Victor Carstarphen Gene McFadden John Whitehead
Producer: John Whitehead Gene McFadden Victor Carstarphen
[Jackie]
There's a system we all must follow
If we wanna get ahead
[Marlon]
Some men are strong enough to make it
[Randy]
And others are just too afraid
[Michael]
But mama told me a story
And it keeps, keeps me alive
Said some are weak, the weak fall by the wayside
And all the strong the strong survive
Now you tell me...
[All]
How strong is the strength of a man
Can he stay on his road, and carry his load
Can he carry his load
Can he carry his load
Can he carry his load
Can he carry his load
[Jackie]
We have picked people
And say they're on our side
[Marlon]
And after they did everything they want (y'all)
[Randy]
They start to tell us lie
Just lie after lie
[Michael]
But we can't blame our problems
On just that chose few
Caues if we wann solve then
It's up to me and up to you
Now you tell me...
[All]
How strong is the strength of a man
Can he stay on his road, and carry his load
Can he carry his load
Can he carry his load
Can he carry his load
Can he carry his load
Is he strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
There's a system we all must follow
If we wanna get ahead
[Marlon]
Some men are strong enough to make it
[Randy]
And others are just too afraid
[Michael]
But mama told me a story
And it keeps, keeps me alive
Said some are weak, the weak fall by the wayside
And all the strong the strong survive
Now you tell me...
[All]
How strong is the strength of a man
Can he stay on his road, and carry his load
Can he carry his load
Can he carry his load
Can he carry his load
Can he carry his load
[Jackie]
We have picked people
And say they're on our side
[Marlon]
And after they did everything they want (y'all)
[Randy]
They start to tell us lie
Just lie after lie
[Michael]
But we can't blame our problems
On just that chose few
Caues if we wann solve then
It's up to me and up to you
Now you tell me...
[All]
How strong is the strength of a man
Can he stay on his road, and carry his load
Can he carry his load
Can he carry his load
Can he carry his load
Can he carry his load
Is he strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
Strong enough, because the road is tough
more tracks from the album
From the albums
- The Jacksons (1976)
- The Jacksons (Expanded Version) (2021)
The Jacksons popular songs
- Blame It on the Boogie
- This Place Hotel (a.k.a. Heartbreak Hotel)
- Can You Feel It
- Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)
- Torture
- State of Shock
- Push Me Away
- Lovely One
- Wondering Who
- The Hurt
- Wait
- Music’s Takin’ Over
- Good Times
- Your Ways
- Enjoy Yourself
- Time Waits For No One
- Goin’ Places
- Dreamer
- If You’d Only Believe
- Give It Up
- Harley
- Be Not Always
- Living Together
- Heaven Knows I Love You, Girl