Intro:
I don't want a lot i want just enough
So why has it got to be so damn tough


Livin' on the uptown side of jive
Hustlin' a buck to stay alive
Lookin' for a ten and they give your five
Well it's tough
You talk to the boss the boss is gruff
You ask for a raise and they call your bluff
You may get some but it's never enough
Because it's tough

Strong:like a magnum force
Rough:like a new divorce
Mean:like a three-time loser
Bad:like an l.a. cruiser
Down:like a limousine
Blind:like a submarine
Hard:like cold concrete
Tough:that's the rhythm of the beat

You hit the street and you look for work
You don't want to be some welfare jerk
But i wonder how you get to be captain kirk
It's tough
Now kirk has a ship called the enterprise
He cuts the aliens down to size
But i wonder what he'd do with the uptown guys
They're tough

Tough:
Try to get some cash
When you're looking for a raise and they give you trash

Rough:
When you got it like that
And your woman's running 'round with a baseball bat

Hard:
Try to play it cool when the girl's all know you're an out of work fool

Tough:
How it seems to be,wish i had somebody lookin' out for me

Try to find a lover if you dare
Even if you do she just won't care
Well no one ever said that that life is fair
Because it's tough
Saw a fine young lady the other day
I started my rap,i had a lot to say
But she said she was goin' with a c.p.a.
Now it's tough

Strong:like a superhero
Rough:like a bank book zero
Mean:like the oakland raiders
Bad:like the caped crusaders
Down:like a homerun ball
Blind:like an umpire's call
Hard:like a cruel deceit
Tough:that's the rhythm of the beat

You worked all year to buy a brand new car
A coupe de ville or a jaguar
But you didn't make enough for a good cigar
Because it's tough
So you went to the bank to try to get a loan
But the guy behind the desk had a heart os stone
He said "you don't need a car,use the telephone!"
It's tough

Tough:
It's a way of life,lost your job
Your money,but not your wife

Rough:
Gettin' in the black,uncle sam's in your pocket
And your woman's on your back

Hard:
That's the deal,had to get a loan just to buy a meal

Tough:
That's how it goes,when it's gettin' better,nobody knows

Strong:like chocolate thunder
Rough:like stevie wonder
Mean:like brucie the shark
Bad:like the raider's ark
Down:like sugar's glove
Blind:like a man in love
Hard:like a big defeat
Tough:that's the rhythm of the beat

Tough:that's the word,unemployment is all i heard
Rough:when you start your day,watch the finance man tow your car away
Hard:to hold a job when you've been replaced by a little blue knob
Tough:like a dollar steak,ain't someone ever gonna give me a break

Tough.....