Roar
Alex Boyé feat. Mom Bloggers United Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
So I sat quietly, agreed politely
I guess that I forgot I had a choice
I let you push me past the breaking point
I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything
You held me down, but I got up (Hey!)
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up (Hey!)
Get ready 'cause I've had enough
I see it all, I see it now
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Now I'm floating like a butterfly
Stinging like a bee I earned my stripes
I went from zero, to my own hero
You held me down, but I got up (Hey!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up (Hey!)
Get ready 'cause I've had enough
I see it all, I see it now
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
‘Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
‘Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You'll hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar...
We-ah
We-ah
We-ah
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
‘Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
‘Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
‘Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
‘Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
‘Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
The lyrics to "Roar" by Alex Boyé feat. Mom Bloggers United speaks of finding one's inner strength and being empowered to speak up against oppression. The first verse talks about how the singer used to stay quiet to keep peace and please others, but then realizes that they have a choice and that they have fallen for everything because they stand for nothing. The chorus reflects the singer's newfound strength and determination to rise above the challenges that used to bring them down. The roar in the song symbolizes a powerful voice that can shake the ground and demand to be heard.
In the second verse, the singer talks about how they have transformed from being powerless to becoming their own hero, using the metaphor of a butterfly and a bee. They are now ready to fight back against their oppressor and nothing can hold them down. The repetition of 'we-ah' at the end of the song emphasizes the unity and strength that come from standing together and supporting each other.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was originally written by Katy Perry, Max Martin, Bonnie McKee, Dr. Luke, and Cirkut. The song was released in 2013 as the lead single from Perry's fourth album, "Prism." Alex Boyé and Mom Bloggers United reimagined the song with a group of 40 women who had never met each other before the video shoot.
Another interesting fact is that the music video for "Roar" by Alex Boyé feat. Mom Bloggers United was shot in the natural surroundings of Utah's Little Sahara Sand Dunes, with the group of women dressed in African-inspired clothes and jewelry. The video was directed by Devin Graham, who is well-known for making creative and visually stunning YouTube videos.
Here are the chord progressions for the song:
Verse: Am - F - C - G
Chorus: F - C - G - Am
Line by Line Meaning
I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
I used to keep quiet and not speak up
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
I was scared to create conflict or chaos
So I sat quietly, agreed politely
I would stay quiet and just agree with others to avoid any confrontation
I guess that I forgot I had a choice
I didn't realize that I had the power to make my own decisions and take control of my life
I let you push me past the breaking point
I allowed someone to push me too far, to the point where I couldn't take it anymore
I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything
I didn't have any strong beliefs, so I ended up falling for anything that came my way
You held me down, but I got up (Hey!)
Even though someone tried to keep me down, I was able to rise back up
Already brushing off the dust
I'm already getting up and moving on from what held me back
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Now people can hear me and recognize me because I refuse to be silenced
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
My presence is powerful and will make an impact
Get ready 'cause I've had enough
I've had enough of being held back and I'm ready to take control
I see it all, I see it now
I'm aware of everything that's been happening and I'm ready to change it
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
I have the spirit of a fighter, and no obstacle is too difficult for me to overcome
‘Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
I am a winner and I won't let anyone ignore me
Louder, louder than a lion
My voice is powerful and will be heard by everyone
Now I'm floating like a butterfly
I'm moving gracefully and confidently like a butterfly
Stinging like a bee I earned my stripes
I'm not afraid to be bold and assertive, and I've worked hard to earn my place
I went from zero, to my own hero
I started from nothing, but now I am my own inspiration and role model
You'll hear me roar
Now everyone will know who I am and what I'm capable of
Writer(s): Lukasz Gottwald, Henry Walter, Martin Max, Bonnie Mckee, Katy Perry
Contributed by Aiden N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@tiffanyriley3809
I'm a mom. I'm inspired. I wanted to blog and journal etc but years ago someone told me I couldn't.... Well I can....
Thank you! This is what life is all about!
@eric29609
Rock on! Do what they said you couldn't. That's how some of the best stories in the world start.
@JackMthembu
Africans are known for their loud, bursting energy... I like this version.... The energy level is just TOO AWESOME...
@nholman9766
I agree
@debramoore556
Jack Mthembu.?.
Hu
@sandyblackhurst9657
Go Women Power! This video totally made me tear up a little. It was so nice of them to do for mother's day. Alex Boye is so AWESOME!
@fizzlewydget
Alex, you do so much for us Mamas! Your videos with the Children’s choir capture my girls’ attention so that I can brush and their hair in the mornings. Your music gets me through my day at work and keep me pumped. Your art is amazing and I just can’t get enough of it! You have also inspired me to visit Africa as soon as I can!
Like I tell my girls “You are worth more than you could ever imagine.”
Please don’t stop what you love!
@joyhenry3332
I'm in tears! Including the moms made this such an inspirational performance.
@NathanPickett
Loved being a part of this Amazing tribute! Great job and big thanks to all the bloggers, band members, Alex, his sisters, and everyone else who helped make our job- in putting this together - easy!
@SheilaBDuBois
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865602761/Alex-Boye-mom-bloggers-celebrate-Mothers-Day-with-Katy-Perry-Roar-cover.html