What makes Too Tough by Angela Bofill notable?

'Too Tough' marked Bofill's commercial peak, reaching number 30 on the Billboard R&B charts. The album is noted for its rich production and vocal arrangements, contributing to the growth of contemporary R&B during the early 1980s. When 'Too Tough' was released in January 1983, Angela Bofill was transitioning from her earlier work, following her successful self-titled debut album in 1978. At this point in her career, she had established herself as a prominent voice in the R&B and jazz-inflected pop scenes, seeking to deepen her artistic expression while expanding her audience.

How many songs are on Too Tough?

Too Tough has 10 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

Too Tough

Angela Bofill · 1983

39 min · 10 tracks · pop music

A vibrant blend of soulful melodies and pop sensibilities, infused with heartfelt lyrics and rich instrumentation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Too Tough — The title track showcases Bofill's powerful vocals and emotional depth, setting the tone for the album while addressing themes of resilience and strength.
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Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing — This cover brings a fresh interpretation to a classic duet, highlighting Bofill's ability to seamlessly blend nostalgia with her unique vocal style.
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Accept Me (I’m Not a Girl Anymore) — This track stands out for its introspective lyrics about identity and acceptance, capturing the essence of personal growth during a transformative time.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album combines strong melodies with rich production, showcasing Bofill's vocal prowess while maintaining a cohesive sound.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a strong horn section and layered vocal harmonies, establishing its pop-soul sound immediately.
Several tracks incorporate call-and-response vocals, creating an interactive feel between the lead and backing singers.
The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, providing a contrast to the more upbeat earlier songs and allowing for emotional reflection.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Too Tough 5:36
2 Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing 3:04
3 Tonight I Give In 3:21
4 You Could Come Take Me Home 3:51
5 Love You Too Much 3:56
6 Is This a Dream 5:11
7 Song for a Rainy Day 3:37
8 I Can See It in Your Eyes 3:31
9 Accept Me (I’m Not a Girl Anymore) 3:34
10 Rainbow Inside My Heart 3:44

What to play next

Listen next

Let Me Be the One

1984

Go back to

Teaser

1983

Full Angela Bofill discography Artists like Angela Bofill

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata