Adkins’ New Song Resonates With Political Audience

Trace Adkins sang his topical new song “Tough People Do” during a Citizens United charity event in Tampa on Tuesday (8/28), causing some to declare it an anthem for the GOP.

Written by Chris DuBois, Joel Shewmake, and Jason Matthews, “Tough People Do” has been recorded by Adkins for his upcoming album, which does not yet have a title or release date. He recently debuted the song at a concert in New York.

The lyrics (chorus below) embody a spirit of strength and survival during times of economic struggle, a message that Adkins wanted to share with the political crowd.

“Tough people pull themselves up by the bootstraps
When they hit hard luck
And they stay strong and they keep on fightin’
Like they don’t know how to lose
See, tough times don’t last
Tough people do”

“That’s the point of this song,” Adkins told USA Today’s Brian Mansfield. “That’s what we have in our DNA. That’s what we come from. That’s who we are. That’s what this country needs to be reminded of. We still have the wherewithal, still have the muscle to straighten out this incredibly twisted frame that we’re driving on.”