It Would Take A Strong, Strong Man

Album: Whenever You Need Somebody (1987)
Charted: 10
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Lyrically, this follows in the tradition of soul classics like "Ain't Too Proud To Beg," where the girl is looking to break free of the relationship, but the guy just can't let her go. It would take a strong, strong man to set her free, and he is not that man.
  • Like most of the album, this song was written and produced by the team of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman. Whenever You Need Somebody was Astley's debut, and it was a big one. The first single, "Never Gonna Give You Up," went to #1 in both the UK and US. In America, "Together Forever" came next and followed it to #1. "It Would Take A Strong, Strong Man" was the third single in the US - it was not released in the UK.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks

Ron and Russell Mael of SparksSongwriter Interviews

The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Church Lyrics

Church LyricsMusic Quiz

Here is the church, here is the steeple - see if you can identify these lyrics that reference church.

Martin Page

Martin PageSongwriter Interviews

With Bernie Taupin, Martin co-wrote the #1 hits "We Built This City" and "These Dreams." After writing the Pretty Woman song for Go West, he had his own hit with "In the House of Stone and Light."