Rick Astley – “It Would Take a Strong Strong Man”
A smooth, soulful step beyond the dancefloor
Released in July 1988 as the fifth and final single from Rick Astley’s chart-topping debut album Whenever You Need Somebody, “It Would Take a Strong Strong Man” marked a confident change of pace. After three synth-driven, high-energy anthems had turned Astley into an international pop phenomenon, this mid-tempo groove let him flex a different muscle — smoother, more mature, and emotionally resonant.
A Soulful Turn
Unlike the pounding beats and neon sheen of “Never Gonna Give You Up” or “Together Forever”, this track leans into subtle R&B influence. Warm basslines, soft horns, and airy backing vocals provide a laid-back foundation for Astley’s signature baritone — a voice that always sounded older than his years. Co-written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman, the song trades flash for feel, embracing restraint and vulnerability.
The lyrics are straightforward and sincere: “It would take a strong strong man / To ever let you go.” No vocal theatrics, no grand build-up — just a quiet, soulful admission that walking away from love takes a strength he may not have.
Chart Performance and U.S. Breakthrough
While it wasn’t released as a single in Rick’s native UK, the song found success across the Atlantic, becoming a major radio hit in the U.S. It peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Adult Contemporary chart for one week. It also hit No. 1 in Canada, reached No. 8 on the U.S. Dance chart, and performed well in select European territories where it was given regional releases.
The B-side, “You Move Me,” was a Rick Astley-penned track that found its own small spotlight in the trailer for Cocktail (1988), adding a deeper sense of artistic input to this single’s package.
Why It Still Matters
More than three decades on, “It Would Take a Strong Strong Man” stands as one of Astley’s most underrated and emotionally grounded tracks. It proved he was more than just a hit-machine voice for hire, capable of subtlety and grown-up nuance. The production is clean, the vocals are sincere, and the sentiment is timeless.
It doesn’t beg for the spotlight — and that’s exactly why it works.
