"Strong Enough" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow from her debut album, Tuesday Night Music Club (1993). The song reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks, number three in Australia, and number one in Canada, becoming her second chart-topper there following "All I Wanna Do". In Australia, the song received a double-platinum certification for sales and streams exceeding 140,000 units.
"Strong Enough" is an acoustic folk-pop song. In live performances, Crow often plays the accordion to it, although this instrument was not featured on the original recording. The song is written in the key of D major with a moderately slow tempo of 79 beats per minute in the unusual 6 4 time signature.[citation needed] It follows a chord progression of D–G5–Bm♭6–A, and Crow's vocals span from A3 to B4.[2] Lyrically, the song finds the narrator in a frustrated relationship, looking for solace from her partner, despite the fact that his commitments may not be as true as her own.
Critical reception
Steve Baltin from Cash Box wrote, "On the heels of her good-time up-tempo number 'All I Wanna Do', Crow comes back with a ballad, which was co-written by David Baerwald, formerly of David & David, along with five other people. And yet, even with all those helping hands, the song is a very straight-forward love song. Simple in arrangement though somewhat lush in melody, the real point is to showcase Crow’s vocal talents—which she has. Though the song may not be as big a hit as her first two singles, it sets Crow up for the long haul and is likely to be an adult/contemporary monster."[3] Alan Jones from Music Week described "Strong Enough" as "another pleasing, though less commercial [than "All I Wanna Do"], song – a lilting, understated folksy piece. Not a huge single, but it will direct further attention to her album, Tuesday Night Music Club."[4]
Music video
A simple black-and-white music video was directed by Martin Bell. It features Crow in a largely empty room alternatively singing the song into a microphone and pacing anxiously through the room.
^Strong Enough (Australian CD single liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records, Polydor Records. 1994. 580 883-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Strong Enough (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1994. 31458 0932 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Strong Enough (US cassette single sleeve). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1994. 31458 0798 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Strong Enough (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1995. 580 918-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Strong Enough (UK CD1 liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1995. 580 921-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Strong Enough (UK CD2 liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1995. 580 919-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Strong Enough (European CD single liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1995. 580 919-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Strong Enough (Australian cassette single sleeve). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records, Polydor Records. 1994. 580866-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Strong Enough (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). Sheryl Crow. A&M Records. 1995. PODM-1050.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)