New Trace Adkins Song ‘Tough People Do’ is ‘For All of Us’

‘Tough People Do’ is a song about inner strength. But when Trace Adkins performed his new song at the Republican National Convention this week, it became a political anthem.

Adkins says he wasn’t trying to make a political statement when he at the RNC. That doesn’t entirely make sense, because he was performing at a political rally. But that doesn’t mean the song doesn’t have a great message. The message on Trace’s website explains:

“The song is a red-white-and-blue anthem of strength and courage, reminding us all that ‘tough times don’t last, tough people do.’”

Fair enough. In an interview with USA Today, Adkins goes on to say:

“That’s the point of this song. 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.”

Politically, Adkins is considered to be a conservative, but called his new tune a song “for all of us” before singing it. His performance was part of the hour he played following Ann Romeny’s speech.

While nobody has officially contacted Trace about using it for their campaign, ‘Tough People Do’ has been labeled by many the ‘GOP Anthem’. But Adkins says he’d be fine with either political party using it to carry the message.

“If a liberal politician is OK with the line, ‘Tough people pull themselves up by the bootstraps when they hit hard luck / And they stay strong and keep fighting like they don’t know how to lose,’ if he believes that, then by all means, man, play the song...somebody needs to tell that message. If they want to use a song to get that message across, knock yourself out, hoss. Go ahead.”

‘Tough People Do’ will be included on Adkins’ upcoming album.

In case you missed it, here's amateur video of Trace's performance of 'Tough People Do' at the RNC: