Released 1986 (1986) Length 3:21 | Genre Blues rock Writer(s) Kim Wilson | |
B-side Look At That, Look At That Label CBS Associated Records / Epic Associated | ||
"Tuff Enuff" is a song by the blues rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds. It was written by the band's lead singer Kim Wilson and appeared on the album Tuff Enuff. It was produced by Dave Edmunds.
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Released as a single in 1986, "Tuff Enuff" peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, at number four on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and it appeared on the top 20 charts in other countries as well. It was ranked #96 on VH1's 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s.
It was the band's first single and has since become the band's most well-known song. It also had an accompanying music video directed by Harry Lake.
The song was covered by Wynonna Judd for her 2000 album, New Day Dawning.
In 2015, the song was performed by Dave Grohl and his band the Foo Fighters at Austin City Limits, along with guest artists Gary Clark, Jr. and former Thunderbird Jimmie Vaughan.
Personnel
In popular culture
The song has been used in multiple films. It appeared in the 1986 film Gung Ho, starring Michael Keaton and Gedde Watanabe, the 1986 film The Naked Cage, starring Shari Shattuck and Angel Tompkins, the 1986 film Tough Guys, starring Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, the 1991 film Ricochet, starring Denzel Washington and John Lithgow and the 2007 film The Game Plan, starring Dwayne Johnson and Madison Pettis. It also appeared on the television show Married... with Children. Finally, "Tuff Enuff" and the Fabulous Thunderbirds are mentioned on American Dad! in the Season 5 episode "Family Affair".
Critical reception
The Michigan Daily called the song "...a real rocker," while the Reading Eagle called it "an unforgettable R&B scorcher."