God, I feel like hell tonight
The tears of rage, I cannot lie
I'd be the last to help you understand

Are you strong enough to be my man?
My man

Nothing's true and nothing's right
So let me be alone tonight
'Cause you can't change the way I am
Are you strong enough to be my man?

Lie to me
I promise I'll believe
Lie to me
But please don't leave, don't leave

I have a face I cannot show
I make the rules up as I go
Just try and love me if you can
Are you strong enough to be my man?
My man

(Are you strong enough)
To be my man?
(Are you strong enough)
To be my man?
(Are you strong enough)
My man

When I've shown you that I just don't care
When I'm throwing punches in the air
When I'm broken down and I can't stand
Would you be man enough to be my man?

Lie to me
I promise I'll believe
Lie to me
But please don't leave


Lyrics submitted by itsmyownmind, edited by maryb1009

Strong Enough Lyrics as written by Kevin Gilbert David Ricketts

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Strong Enough song meanings
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37 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment

    to me this song discibes a female that is going through a hard time in her life, she wants to be loved, but feels that maybe shes carrying to much baggage for a man to get close to her. i think this song is how she asks the man if he is ready to take her for everything she is, baggage and all. when it says "lie to me...i promise i'll believe" she's wants him to tell her everything will be ok..even if it's not.

    holyhollyon July 10, 2002   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    I don't think there's a man out there strong enough to carry my baggage. If I were them I would run FAST! I want to be loved but as soon as a guy starts to express feelings for me I push him away. I'm crazy. This song is me. I hope I can get it together someday.

    ndenialon May 18, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    this song is sooo me. i'm quick to believe something someone tells me, especially if that someone is a guy i'm involved with. but i stick with him, because i'm so dependant, and it really sucks.

    iknowimsopatheticon August 21, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I have a face I cannot show "I make the rules up as I go It's try and love me if you can Are you man enough to be my man? "

    that line is so incredibly written for me. I think its about someone who has baggage about themself, and self esteem problems. Shes asking him to put up with all her moods, and even though youre supposed to love yourself before you can love anyone else, she needs him to love her so she can love herself. Did that make sense? sounded better in my head...

    voodoochld000on March 08, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think so many people can relate to this song. It's obvious when you seen everyones comment. I know how it goes too. My best "guy" friend would probably be the guy in my life that would answer yes to "are you strong enough?" He puts up with everything I send him through all because he loves me, but he also knows that right now isn't a good time for me to allow him to be anymore than my best friend....because he realizes that, and because he's still standing right alongside of me...he's definitely strong enough.

    WeezerHunnion June 24, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    sigh

    bellababyon May 13, 2012   Link
  • +1
    My Opinion

    I don't see any comments from my fellow males, which is probably logical. I love Sheryl's music and she seems like a deep, sensitive person, pretty, sexy and a little bit of a "tomboy" in her. Its amazing that she's still single - she's in one word, Lovely!

    I also knew about Sheryl Crow but up and till now never went out of my way buying or listening much to her music. Two months ago I bought her box set with most of her music videos, greatest hits and With Friends Live in Central Park.

    I have fallen in love with her and her music! And this song is my favorite. As usual I didn't listen to the words too much at the beginning. Then there were some songs I really enjoyed for the music/tunes and this one most of all but maybe due to some of the lyrics not going straight of the other ear. What does she mean by strong enough? We are men, of coarse we're strong enough! So I listened closely, got the full lyrics and WOW! Reading all your comments confirmed that Sheryl taught me something about woman that are so unique to woman compared to men.

    Its liberating to hear that she wants the guy to, "please stay" despite all opposite signals being sent out. She's even prepared to be lied too, showing how serious she is about it.

    The message - hang back, relax, let it pass and most importantly - be Strong for her, it will be worth it more than you can imagine at the time.

    Is that about right or close ladies?

    Love

    Leon

    from A sunny South Africa!

    leonardo7on February 12, 2011   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    Personally, I interpret this song as a cry to God. A prayer. "God I feel like hell tonight" I think of my life and all the times I mess up and I often ask myself how God just doesn't give up on me.

    As a christian, I believe a personal relationship with Christ is necessary for salvation ... but I am sooo not perfect and sometimes I just feel like crap, and don't respect God at all. As Crow says in her lyrics "When I shown you that I just dont care" I do so by not obeying his law and going about in my own way... still as a a child of God I have faith he wont give up on me, but even when I can't see it he keeps on loving me. The lyrics in this song show a lot of doubt however, that God will keep on loving.

    Anyways I know not all the lyrics quite lineup to my opinion but I just thought Id throw out the way see it. Also, I have noticed she references to God in many of her songs such as "Light in your eyes" with her lyrics "talk to the one who made you that gave you a little light in your eyes" Also I truly think "I shall believe" is about God as well.

    rooftoprockeron October 17, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song decribes me so much i joke about this osng with my bf all the time askin him if hes strong enough what the song is sayin is that shes hard to put up with but as much as she pushes him away she does want him to stay with her and even if he lies to her she will still stay with him and be foolish and pretend he loves her

    semcacon May 07, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yeah, this is really a wonderful song. she's obviously not the easiest person to be in a relationship with, seems to have some trust/anger management issues or something ... but inside she's very dependent and has a lot of love to give. I think every female can relate.

    catherinekson June 10, 2002   Link

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