Tougher Than The Rest

Album: Tunnel of Love (1987)
Charted: 13
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Songfacts®:

  • This song finds Springsteen telling his lover that he's willing to stick it out and be there for her - he's tougher than the rest of the guys she's used to. It's a romantic song that embodies the Tunnel Of Love album, which Bruce describes as his first album of love songs.
  • When performed live, "Tougher Than The Rest" is a showcase song for Patti Scialfa, a member of Springsteen's E Street Band who comes to the front of the stage to sing it with him. This can be seen in the music video for the song, which is mostly comprised of concert footage.

    Springsteen and Scialfa have a clear connection on stage, and that spark was very real. But at the time, Bruce was married to his first wife, Julianne Phillips, which must have been rather awkward. Scialfa joined Springsteen's E Street Band in 1984, and a year later he married Phillips. When he worked on the Tunnel Of Love album, their marriage was in trouble. They split in 1988 and finalized their divorce in 1989.

    Scialfa and Springsteen had their first child together in 1990 and married in 1991. In later years, Bruce would often introduce this song with kind words about Patti before bringing her to the front of the stage. The song may or may not have been influenced by Scialfa when Springsteen wrote it, but after they connected, he clearly considered it to be for her.
  • The song was released as a single throughout Europe and did very well in the UK, where it reached #13, It wasn't issued as a single in America.
  • The Tunnel Of Love album was mainly a Springsteen solo effort, recorded in his home studio in Rumson, New Jersey with some songs getting overdubbed later by members of the E Street Band. On "Tougher Than The Rest," Danny Federici played the organ and Max Weinberg added percussion, but Springsteen played the other instruments.

    Two years after the album was released, Springsteen broke up the E Street Band and started working with other musicians. His next albums, Human Touch and Lucky Town, were released on the same day in 1992, and his touring group was mostly folks who didn't play on the albums. Springsteen settled into fatherhood around this time - his third child was born in 1995. In 1999, he reunited the E Street Band and resumed a regular schedule of touring. "Tougher Than The Rest" remained a popular live selection.
  • Emmylou Harris covered the song in 1990. The UK group Everything But The Girl covered it in 1992, and Country singer Chris LeDoux recorded it for his 1994 album Haywire.
  • Along with the Tunnel Of Love track "Brilliant Disguise," "Tougher Than The Rest" was in the setlist for Springsteen On Broadway, which started in 2017. Springsteen played these shows solo with the exception of the two songs, where he was joined by Scialfa.

Comments: 13

  • AnonymousMan, You can see the love in that girl Patti’s eyes. Wonderful.
  • Houndunderground from CroatiaAmazing song. I have rediscovered it while listening to old stuff and The Boss was among them. It is heartbreaking, ominous, serene, nostalgic, cautious, yet so unpretentious. I believe it is one of the songs that has a terrific effect on me, after so many years. As I watch different versions through the years, I realize that the song gets better and better, it grows with the layer of years and experiences. Top
  • AnonymousAlso slow version by Scottish indie band Camera Obscura
  • Jim from Long Beach, CaWhen I first got Tunnel Of Love in '87 and heard this I knew he was in trouble with his marriage..
  • Julian from Oakland, ArChris LeDoux is the country singer you're referring to. Great version as well.
  • Tim from Springfield, IlThis is a song that gets better as I get older, the video is fantastic (which I hadn't seen til recently). Powerful lyrics...
  • Bruce from Johnstown, PaCovered by a country and western singer. I forget the name but it fit with the bullrider image.
  • Matthew from Milford, MaIt's still a good song, though!
  • Matthew from Milford, Ma...Darn, I was expecting a more energetic beat...
  • Dave from San Antonio, TxBruce can write about love without being all whiny. If only all young dudes would listen to this things would go a lot smoother with their relationships. It take a MAN to handle all that gets thrown at you. HONEST SONG!
  • Josh from Terre Haute, InWhat a song. "Maybe your other boyfriends couldn't pass the test" what a line, and it hit home with so many of my relationships when I was younger. Chimes of Freedom album has a great live version on there.
  • Roy from Bergen, NorwayThis song was the best pick up line the world has ever seen. Try watching an old concert video and have a look at the looks Bruce sends Patti while doing this song!
  • Kyle from Belleville, CanadaA Beautiful love song, one of the few love songs I actually like.
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