The song Tough All Over by John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band is about two different people going through hardships in their lives. The first character is a waitress who has been left by her lover and is struggling to make ends meet. She's waiting for the bus on the street and doesn't have any fancy clothes or car. The second character is a man who has lost his job at a factory and spends time drinking at a bar near the old boat yard. The song reflects on the tough realities of life and how people deal with difficult situations. Both characters are facing challenges they didn't expect and are trying to cope with them. The lyrics suggest that it's tough to swallow your pride and continue pushing through the tough times. The chorus repeats the phrase "things are tough all over" to emphasize that everyone faces challenges and hardships at some point in their lives. The song offers a message of hope to those who are struggling. It acknowledges that things may be difficult, but encourages listeners to keep going and start over again. Overall, Tough All Over is a song that reflects on the universal experiences of hardship and perseverance.