The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
From a desperate place
How do I reach you
You know I scare myself
These crazy nights without you
And I feel no pain
When I see you cry
We can turn it around now
You're my reason to try
We've all seen some trouble
But we've always come through
You know things could get better
Hey babe believe me
Tough times don't last
Lovers do
Baby don't give up
On me and you
Cause trouble's just a storm
That's gonna pass
Tough times don't last
We can work so hard
Til we feel the strain
We can get so close
It's the distance
We can't explain
Still I reach for you
In the pouring rain
Like a change in the weather
Here comes the sun
Things could only get better
Hey babe believe me
Tough times don't last
Lovers do
Baby don't give up
On me and you
Cause trouble's like a storm
That's gonna pass
Tough times don't last
You say now that your heart is breakin'
From the wild times that you've lived
Better measure the risks that you're taking
Hey babe it can only get better
Tough times don't last
Lovers do
Baby don't give up
On me and you
Cause trouble's like a storm
That's gonna pass
Tough times
Tough times don't last
Lovers do
Me and you
Believe me baby
Oh yeah
(Whoa whoa whoa)
Tough times don't last
Baby now
(Whoa whoa whoa)
Oh yeah
Na na na na na na na na na
(Whoa whoa whoa)
Oh yeah
It's me
It's you
(Whoa whoa whoa)
Oh yeah
Tough times don't last
(Whoa whoa whoa)
Oh yeah
(Whoa whoa whoa)
How do I reach you
You know I scare myself
These crazy nights without you
And I feel no pain
When I see you cry
We can turn it around now
You're my reason to try
We've all seen some trouble
But we've always come through
You know things could get better
Hey babe believe me
Tough times don't last
Lovers do
Baby don't give up
On me and you
Cause trouble's just a storm
That's gonna pass
Tough times don't last
We can work so hard
Til we feel the strain
We can get so close
It's the distance
We can't explain
Still I reach for you
In the pouring rain
Like a change in the weather
Here comes the sun
Things could only get better
Hey babe believe me
Tough times don't last
Lovers do
Baby don't give up
On me and you
Cause trouble's like a storm
That's gonna pass
Tough times don't last
You say now that your heart is breakin'
From the wild times that you've lived
Better measure the risks that you're taking
Hey babe it can only get better
Tough times don't last
Lovers do
Baby don't give up
On me and you
Cause trouble's like a storm
That's gonna pass
Tough times
Tough times don't last
Lovers do
Me and you
Believe me baby
Oh yeah
(Whoa whoa whoa)
Tough times don't last
Baby now
(Whoa whoa whoa)
Oh yeah
Na na na na na na na na na
(Whoa whoa whoa)
Oh yeah
It's me
It's you
(Whoa whoa whoa)
Oh yeah
Tough times don't last
(Whoa whoa whoa)
Oh yeah
(Whoa whoa whoa)
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I played this song much during a separation with the wife back in the late 90s.Helped me get through so much.