"When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going"
Standard picture sleeve
Single by Billy Ocean
from the album The Jewel of the Nile Soundtrack and Love Zone
Released15 November 1985 (1985-11-15)
Recorded1985
GenreDance-pop[1]
Length5:44
LabelJive
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Barry Eastmond
  • Wayne Brathwaite
Billy Ocean singles chronology
"The Long and Winding Road"
(1985)		 "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going"
(1985)		 "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)"
(1986)

"When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" is a 1985 song co-written and originally recorded by English 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.[2]

The song became a major international success, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart for four weeks in February 1986,[3] 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.

Music video

A music video was shot at Brixton Academy in London,[4] and features Douglas and his Jewel of the Nile co-stars Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito as lip-synching backing vocalists. It reportedly boosted the popularity of the venue.

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.[5]

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".[6]

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[7]

Other versions

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

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Belgium (BEA)[50] Gold 25,000*
Netherlands (NVPI)[51] Platinum 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[52] Platinum 20,000*
Sweden (GLF)[53] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[54] Gold 500,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Boyzone version

"When the Going Gets Tough"
Single by Boyzone
from the album By Request
Released1 March 1999 (1999-03-01)[55]
Length3:38
LabelPolydor
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Steve Mac
Boyzone singles chronology
"I Love the Way You Love Me"
(1998)		 "When the Going Gets Tough"
(1999)		 "You Needed Me"
(1999)

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, becoming their fifth chart-topper. It spent two weeks at number one. The song received 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[56]

  1. "When the Going Gets Tough"
  2. "What a Wonderful World" (performed by Alison Moyet)
  3. "Love Can Build a Bridge" (documentary track—performed by Cher, Chrissie Hynde and Neneh Cherry)

UK cassette single[57]

  1. "When the Going Gets Tough"
  2. "What a Wonderful World" (performed by Alison Moyet)

French CD single[58]

  1. "When the Going Gets Tough" – 3:35
  2. "I'll Never Not Need You" – 4:07

Personnel

Personnel are lifted from the By Request album booklet.[59]

Main personnel

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

Certifications

Certifications for "When the Going Gets Tough"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[67] Platinum 600,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ Breihan, Tom (December 16, 2020). "The Number Ones: Billy Ocean's "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)". Stereogum. Retrieved September 24, 2023. When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going"... [is] a big, bold silly dance-pop song.
  2. ↑ "V. JEFFREY SMITH (TORS-Producer/Sound Engineer)... - The Outlet Radio Show". Theoutletradioshow.tumblr.com. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  3. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 458–9. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. ↑ Billy Ocean is Finding Out About the Important Things in Life
  5. ↑ When the Going Gets Tough Lyrics Meaning
  6. ↑ Smith, Jerry (25 January 1986). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved 7 September 2023 – via World Radio History.
  7. ↑ "Billy Ocean - When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going (Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
  8. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St. Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 221. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  9. ↑ "Billy Ocean – When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  10. ↑ "Billy Ocean – When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  11. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0634." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Top 3 in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 16. 26 April 1986. p. 16. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  13. ↑ "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 16. 26 April 1986. p. 14. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  14. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  15. ↑ "Billy Ocean – When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  16. 1 2 "The Irish Charts – Search Results – When the Going Gets Tough". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  17. ↑ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 3 June 2022. Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Billy Ocean" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca".
  18. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Billy Ocean" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  19. ↑ "Billy Ocean – When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  20. ↑ "Billy Ocean – When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  21. ↑ "Billy Ocean – When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going". VG-lista. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  22. ↑ "SA Charts 1965–1989 (As presented on Springbok Radio/Radio Orion) – Acts O". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 19 September 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  23. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  24. ↑ "Billy Ocean – When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  25. ↑ "Billy Ocean – When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  26. ↑ "Billy Ocean: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  27. ↑ "Billy Ocean Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  28. ↑ "Billy Ocean Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  29. ↑ "Billy Ocean Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  30. ↑ "Billy Ocean Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  31. ↑ "Billy Ocean Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  32. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending February 15, 1986". Cash Box. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  33. ↑ "The Cash Box Top 100 Black Contemporary – Week ending February 22, 1986". Cash Box. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  34. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Billy Ocean – When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  35. ↑ "National Top 100 Singles for 1986". Kent Music Report. No. 650. 29 December 1986 – via Imgur.
  36. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1986 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  37. ↑ "Top 100 Singles of '86". RPM. Vol. 45, no. 14. 27 December 1986. p. 5. ISSN 0033-7064 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  38. ↑ "European Hot 100 Singles – Hot 100 of the Year 1986" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 51/52. 27 December 1986. p. 28. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  39. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  40. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  41. ↑ "Top Selling Singles of 1986". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  42. ↑ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1986". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  43. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1986". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  44. ↑ "Top 100 Singles (January to December 1986)" (PDF). Music Week. 24 January 1987. p. 24. ISSN 0265-1548 – via World Radio History.
  45. ↑ "1986 The Year in Music & Video – Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. 27 December 1986. p. Y-21. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
  46. ↑ "1986 The Year in Music & Video – Top Adult Contemporary Singles". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. 27 December 1986. p. Y-27. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
  47. ↑ "1986 The Year in Music & Video – Top Black Singles". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. 27 December 1986. p. Y-23. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
  48. ↑ "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1986 – Top 100 Pop Singles". Cash Box. 27 December 1986. Archived from the original on 21 May 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  49. ↑ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1986" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  50. ↑ "European Gold & Platinum Awards 1986 – Belgium" (PDF). Music & Media. 27 December 1986. p. 33. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  51. ↑ "Dutch single certifications – Billy Ocean – When The Going Gets Tough" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 8 June 2021. Enter When The Going Gets Tough in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1986 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  52. ↑ Scapolo, Dean (2007). The Complete New Zealand Music Charts: 1966–2006. Maurienne House. ISBN 978-1-877443-00-8.
  53. ↑ "Billy Ocean Is Presented With A Golden Disc At The Montreux Rock Festival" (PDF). Music & Media. 14 June 1986. p. 5. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  54. ↑ "British single certifications – Billy Ocean – When The Going Gets Tough". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  55. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 1 March, 1999" (PDF). Music Week. 27 February 1999. p. 25. ISSN 0265-1548 – via World Radio History.
  56. ↑ When the Going Gets Tough (UK CD single liner notes). Boyzone. Polydor Records. 1999. 569 913-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  57. ↑ When the Going Gets Tough (UK cassette single sleeve). Boyzone. Polydor Records. 1999. 569 912-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  58. ↑ "Boyzone When the Going Gets Tough - Pop Up France CD single (CD5 / 5") (142509)". Eil.com. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  59. ↑ By Request (UK CD album booklet). Boyzone. Polydor Records. 1999. 547 599-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  60. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 12. 20 March 1999. p. 8. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  61. ↑ "Boyzone – When the Going Gets Tough" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  62. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (19.3.'99 – 25.3.'99)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 19 March 1999. p. 10. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  63. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  64. ↑ "Boyzone: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  65. ↑ "Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 1999" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 22 January 2005.
  66. ↑ "Yearly Best Selling Singles" (PDF). British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  67. ↑ "British single certifications – Boyzone – When the Going Gets Tough". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
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