“When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going” is a hit song by Billy Ocean, released in November 1985 as the lead single from the soundtrack of the film The Jewel of the Nile. The song became one of Ocean’s most successful tracks, reaching No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart and peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. It is known for its catchy melody, upbeat rhythm, and motivational lyrics, making it a popular anthem of the 1980s.
The song was written by Billy Ocean, Wayne Brathwaite, Barry Eastmond, and Robert John “Mutt” Lange. It was created for the soundtrack of The Jewel of the Nile, a 1985 adventure-comedy film starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito, which was the sequel to the successful movie Romancing the Stone. In 1986, it was included on Ocean’s sixth studio album, Love Zone.
Billy Ocean was already enjoying significant success in the 1980s, with hits like “Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)” and “Loverboy.” “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going” helped solidify his status as one of the leading pop and R&B singers of the decade, with the song becoming synonymous with determination and perseverance.
The lyrics of “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going” convey a message of resilience and determination. The phrase itself is a well-known idiom that means when situations become difficult, strong-willed individuals rise to the challenge. In the context of the song, Ocean sings about being undeterred in the face of obstacles, especially in pursuit of love. Musically, “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going” is an energetic pop and R&B track with elements of funk. It features a driving bassline, rhythmic drums, and bright synthesizers, creating a lively and danceable beat.
The song was a massive commercial hit for Billy Ocean. It reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1986, where it stayed for four weeks, and also topped the charts in several other countries, including Ireland and Australia. In the U.S., the song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it was held back from the top spot by Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know.” Its success helped boost the popularity of The Jewel of the Nile soundtrack, and it became one of the biggest hits of 1986. The song’s upbeat and motivational nature made it a favorite among fans, further solidifying Billy Ocean’s place in 1980s pop music.
The music video for “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going** features Billy Ocean performing the song with scenes from The Jewel of the Nile interspersed throughout. The video is notable for the appearances of the film’s stars, Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito, who humorously participate as backup singers, miming to the song’s background vocals while dressed in white suits. The music video’s playful nature, combined with the movie clips, made it a memorable piece of 1980s pop culture and received significant airplay on MTV and other music channels.
The song was covered by the boy band Boyzone in 1999, reaching No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, further cementing its legacy as a popular anthem across generations.