When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going (song)

"When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" is a 1985 song co-written and originally recorded by the British singer Billy Ocean in 1985.

Description Written by Wayne Brathwaite, Barry Eastmond, Mutt Lange and Ocean, the song was used as the theme song for the Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner film The Jewel of the Nile (1985), a sequel to Romancing the Stone (1984). The saxophone solo is by Vernon Jeffrey Smith.

The song became a major international success, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart for four weeks in February 1986, and number two on the Billboard Hot 100, stalling behind "How Will I Know" by Whitney Houston. It remains his only number-one single in the UK to date.

The song was later also featured on Ocean's Love Zone album, released in May 1986.

Music video A music video was shot at Brixton Academy in London,Billy Ocean is Finding Out About the Important Things in Life and features Douglas and his Jewel of the Nile co-stars Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito as lip-synching backing vocalists.

The video was initially banned on Top of the Pops because the actors were not part of the Musicians' Union, meaning DeVito's miming of the saxophone solo went against the rules.When the Going Gets Tough Lyrics Meaning

Critical reception Jerry Smith of the Music Week magazine gave a critical review of "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going", stating it was a "very slick US pop number" that "lacks substance and is barely saved by Ocean's strong vocal performance".

Track listing 12-inch single A1 "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" (Extended Version) – 5:43 A2 "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" (7″ Version) – 4:08 B1 "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" (Club Mix) – 7:35 B2 "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" (Instrumental) – 5:12

Other versions 7th Heaven Club Mix – 6:44 7th Heaven Radio Edit – 4:22

Charts

Weekly charts + Chart (1986) Peakposition Australia (Kent Music Report) 1Canada Retail Singles (The Record) 2 Denmark (Tracklisten) 1 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles) 1 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) 2 Greece (IFPI) 2 Italy (Musica e dischi) Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Billy Ocean" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca". 16 South Africa (Springbok Radio) 1 Spain (AFYVE) 2 US Top 100 Singles (Cash Box) 1 US Top 100 Black Contemporary Singles (Cash Box) 8

Year-end charts + Chart (1986) Position Australia (Kent Music Report) 2 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 3 Canada Top Singles (RPM) 14 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles) 2 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 1 Netherlands (Single Top 100) 4 New Zealand (RIANZ) 23 South Africa (Springbok Radio) 8 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 16 UK Singles (Gallup) 7 US Billboard Hot 100 31 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) 35 US Hot Black Singles (Billboard) 43 US Cash Box Top 100 Singles 32 West Germany (Media Control) 16

Certifications

Boyzone version

Irish boy band Boyzone recorded a cover version for the 1999 Comic Relief telethon, shortening the title to "When the Going Gets Tough". Like the original, their version also reached number one on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks, becoming their fifth chart-topper and receiving a platinum certification in the UK. The video included Graham Norton, Jo Brand, Phill Jupitus, Mel Smith, Davina McCall, Harry Hill, Steve Collins, John McCririck, Jimmy White, Mystic Meg, Will Mellor, James Dreyfus, the cast of Emmerdale, Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish, and Ulrika Jonsson and Saracen from Gladiators.

Track listings UK CD single "When the Going Gets Tough" "What a Wonderful World" (performed by Alison Moyet) "Love Can Build a Bridge" (documentary track—performed by Cher, Chrissie Hynde and Neneh Cherry)

UK cassette single "When the Going Gets Tough" "What a Wonderful World" (performed by Alison Moyet)

French CD single "When the Going Gets Tough" – 3:35 "I'll Never Not Need You" – 4:07

Personnel Personnel are lifted from the By Request album booklet.

Main personnel Wayne Brathwaite – writing Barry Eastmond – writing Robert John Lange – writing Billy Ocean – writing Wayne Hector – additional backing vocals Andy Caine – additional backing vocals Tracy Ackerman – additional backing vocals Paul Gendler – guitars Steve Mac – production, mixing Chris Laws – engineering, programming Matt Howe – mix engineering

Orchestra

Guy Barker – trumpet Phil Todd – saxophone Ann Morfee – violin Ian Humphries – violin Rebecca Hirsch – violin Nicolette Humphries – violin Helen Paterson – violin Richard George – violin Clare Thompson – violin Anna Hemery – violin Laura Melhuish – violin Steve Morris – violin Deborah Widdup – violin Gillian Kent – violin Clare Finnimore – viola Bruce White – viola Paul Martin – viola Sue Dench – viola Nick Cooper – cello Jonathan Tunnell – cello Audrey Riley – cello Emma Black – cello Richard Niles – string and brass arrangement Graeme Perkins – orchestra contractor

Charts

Weekly charts + Chart (1999) Peakposition Estonia (Eesti Top 20) 10 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100 Singles) 7 Europe (European Hit Radio) 37 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) 25Italy Airplay (Music & Media) 17 Spain Airplay (Top 40 Radio) 14UK Airplay (Music Week) 5

Year-end charts + Chart (1999) Position Romania (Romanian Top 100) 35 UK Singles (OCC) 10

Certifications

Release history + Region Date Format(s) Label(s) United Kingdom 1 March 1999 Polydor Japan 19 May 1999 CD

References

External links