OVERVIEW

LYRICS

Music Video

Featured In

Listen to It's Rough Out Here (Expanded Edition) by The Modulations
ALBUMIt's Rough Out Here (Expanded Edition)The Modulations
Listen to A Day in Philadelphia featuring The Modulations
PLAYLISTA Day in PhiladelphiaApple Music
Listen to Inspired by The Temptations featuring The Modulations
PLAYLISTInspired by The TemptationsApple Music Soul/Funk

Top Songs By The Modulations

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
The Modulations
The Modulations
Performer
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
R. Brown
R. Brown
Composer
Robert Curington
Robert Curington
Composer
Walter Lester
Walter Lester
Composer
Thomas Lester
Thomas Lester
Composer
Vincent Montana, Jr.
Vincent Montana, Jr.
Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
R. Brown
R. Brown
Producer
Robert Curington
Robert Curington
Producer
Thomas Lester
Thomas Lester
Producer
Walter Lester
Walter Lester
Producer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I was standing on the corner, just killing time (Time)
Watching cars for blocks, in a gas line (Waiting in a gas line)
People everywhere, it's looking very sad (Aw)
The pressures so great, it's driving people mad
[Chorus]
It's rough, so rough
Out here, really, really, rough out here
Yes, it is
Really, really, rough out here
[Verse 2]
Rent is getting high (High)
Salaries getting low (Low)
Truckers on strike, 'cause the speeds too slow
Paying twice as much, for everything you buy (Ooh, hoo-hoo, ooh, huh)
Inflation's so great, you can't afford to die
[Chorus]
It's rough, so rough
Out here, really, really, rough out here
Oh, yes it is
Really, really, rough out here
Oh
[Instrumental]
People out of work, can't get a dime
Still, they wonder why there's so much crime
It's getting so rough, we all need to shout (Do-do, do-do, do-do, do, do)
Make the Lord come down, and help us all out (Do-do, do-do, do-do, do, do)
[Chorus]
It's rough, so rough
Out here, really, really, rough out here
You know it is
Really, really, rough out here
[Verse 3]
It's getting rougher every day
(Really, really, rough out here)
While people don't have a people don't have a decent place to stay
(Really, really, rough out here)
Millions been laid off thier jobs, no one cares (Really, really, rough out here)
All about this stealing, and killing, and dealing (Really, really, rough out here)
When the pressures on politics, no (Really, really, rough out here)
No
[Outro]
It's really, really rough
It's really really rough (Really, really, rough out here)
It's really really rough
So rough (Really, really, rough out here)
Can't afford to die
Can't afford to die (Really, really, rough out here)
It's really really rough
It's really really rough (Really, really, rough out here)
It's really really rough
So rough (Really, really, rough out here)
Can't get a dime
Can't get a dime
Can't get a dime
Yeah
Written by: R. Brown, Robert Curington, Thomas Lester, Walter Lester

Shazam Footer

Select language:

Company

Legal

Google Play Store
Apple App Store
Chrome Web Store
Galaxy Store

Follow Us

© Copyright 2025 Apple Inc. and its affiliates | Supplier Responsibility
instagramSharePathic_arrow_out