What in the world's come all over me?
I ain't got a chance of one in three.
Ain't got no rap, ain't got no line
but if you'll give me just a minute I'll be feelin' fine.
I am the one who can fade the heat,
the one they all say just can't be beat.
I'll shoot it to you straight and look you in the eye.
So gimme just a minute and I'll tell you why
I'm a rough boy, I'm a rough boy.
I don't care how you look at me
because I'm the one and you will see
we can make it work, we can make it by.
So give me one more minute and I'll tell you why
I'm a rough boy, I'm a rough boy.
I ain't got a chance of one in three.
Ain't got no rap, ain't got no line
but if you'll give me just a minute I'll be feelin' fine.
the one they all say just can't be beat.
I'll shoot it to you straight and look you in the eye.
So gimme just a minute and I'll tell you why
I'm a rough boy, I'm a rough boy.
because I'm the one and you will see
we can make it work, we can make it by.
So give me one more minute and I'll tell you why
I'm a rough boy, I'm a rough boy.
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I love this song, one of my favorites by this awesome band. I think it's about a woman who he has a thing for, but she's apparently out of his league. He's telling her "you may think I'm not good enough for you, because I'm rough around the edges, but I'm the real deal, I'm a real man, and if you give me a chance I know you'll see what you would've missed out on". At least that's how I like to interpret it, maybe because I have a knack of falling for the women who are supposed to be out of my league, yet I know I'm a better man than any douchebag she's ever dated.
My wife has stage 4 cancer (no cure), and this song helps me explain why I will stay with her, when many other men loose heart and leave.”I’m a rough boy.”
As we struggle through the impending loss, the communication has to become very clear. No games or manipulation, just how it is. “I have no rap, I have no line.” When a wife becomes desperate and emotional it is up to a man to “fade the heat” and be there. Even if my wife lashes out and asks why I would stay, I will pray silently to Christ, strengthen my resolve, and calmly listen to guide her through it. Many chemo sicknesses, surgeries, and hospital visits later, I will stay. When my boss decided to let me go for someone who didn’t need to support his wife with this situation, and when friends fade away, I stay with her. I love my wife and will stand by her, until God separates us (until death do us part). I am not looking for praise for doing what’s right, I am not perfect (not even close to perfect). “I am a rough boy.”
“We can make it work, we can make it by, I’m a rough boy.”
I really don't think there is any hidden meaning at all.... It is just another song about a dude who doesn't measure up to a gal. I like the song, but I can't help thinking it was originally written and submitted to a "Teen High School" movie in the 80's for their soundtrack but was rejected and ended up being a filler song on an album......
HOW does this have no comments yet?
Sure, it's not the traditional ZZ Top sound...but hell, it still rocks!
I sort of get the impression that this song is more about love than sex (something different for this band), and more specifically about loving a woman who ignores or brushes off this love as lust since the band were known for their sexual innuendo.
In any event, a great song.
this is the zenith of zz top...IMO, the guitar chords say it all. they emote the true feelings of many men. this song will be played for the next 5500 years.
this is the zenith of zz top...IMO, the guitar chords say it all. they emote the true feelings of many men. this song will be played for the next 5500 years.
To Phillip1155 and the other two commenters,I think mrB.F.Gibbons did it for the same reason George Harrison suggested Improvement to Led Zepp,a Ballad and a truly great one,since Mr JoeMichael ( Dusty?) rights 'everything',I believe its about being a writer and performer for TOP maybe through the lense of unobtainable or unrequited love interest,what was B.F. Thinking?How to insert the right General lead licks/melody/harmony,while Billy Lee Beard how to put it in triple shuffle on overdrive.see tributes @ Barbara Salisbury 187 Vids @ YouTube.com Chris Young,The Fret Fiddle Fool
what i want to know is how did Billy do it? what was he thinking?