Siffre released his first six albums of songs between 1970 and 1975, and a further three albums between 1988 and 1998. During this period he had several solo hits, including "It Must Be Love" (No. 14, 1971) (later covered by and a No. 4 hit for Madness, for which Siffre himself appeared in the video); "Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying" (No. 11, 1972); and "Watch Me" (No. 29, 1972). In 1978 two of his songs, "Solid Love" (performed by Siffre) and "We Got It Bad" (co-written and performed by Bob James) reached the UK finals of the BBC's A Song for Europe. His 1987 hit "(Something Inside) So Strong", which reached No. 4, was an anti-Apartheid anthem that won the Ivor Novello Award for "Best Song Musically and Lyrically", and has since been used in Amnesty International campaigns, a television advertisement and Alice Walker's film against female genital mutilation: Warrior Marks.
In 1997, Siffre's play "DeathWrite" was staged at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff and later televised.
His song "I Got The..." was sampled in rapper Eminem's hit single "My Name Is," Siffre, who is openly gay, said in an interview that he turned down the offer to approve the song at first until the original sexist and homophobic lyrics were removed: "Dissing the victims of bigotry – women as bitches, homosexuals as faggots – is lazy writing. Diss the bigots not their victims." Siffre eventually allowed its usage when he was sent a censored "clean" version, not realizing that he was also allowing the riffs use on the alternative "dirty" versions with the original lyrics.
In 1984 Siffre began writing poetry and has since released three books of poetry: "Blood on the Page" 1995 and "Monument" 1997. His poetry addresses a variety of themes, from theology and childhood to sociology, love, hate, language, critical thinking, and communication. In 2006, he released a new album, The Last Songs.
Nothin's Gonna Change
Labi Siffre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes a shame
Making the same mistakes again and again
It isn´t easy being a man
For a woman it´s harder
Try it in the Sudan
And when you´re winning and when you´ve won
You turn around ... your problems just begun And when you´re losing and when you´ve lost
You turn around ... it wasn´t worth the cost
How did we make it...
It´s a mystery
We´re getting better...
That´s news to me
Are we defeated...
Huh! Defeated like hell
We may be losers...
But we´ll never tell
Nothin´s Gonna Change
But we don´t give in
Nothin´s Gonna Change
Take it on the chin
Nothin´s Gonna Change
Keep that silly grin
Nothin´s Gonna Change
The only way to win
World wars are over
One and two
Others are raging still just like brand new
The Big Band is with us
It´s here to stay
Unless the Martians come to take it away
My TV dinner shows a starving face
The kicked a man to death outside my place We strangle nature
We murder the trees
Forgetting we need the trees to breathe
The song "Nothin's Gonna Change" by Labi Siffre highlights the ups and downs of life, expressing the idea that despite the changes we see around us, there are core problems that persist. The singer talks about how life can be ironic and difficult at times, especially when we keep making the same mistakes over and over again. He points out that while it's hard being a man, it's even harder for a woman, particularly in places like the Sudan. The song addresses the irony of how even when we're winning or succeeding, we often find that our problems have only just begun. Conversely, when we're losing, we realize that it wasn't worth the cost.
Siffre then goes on to express his bewilderment at life, saying that despite all its complexities and uncertainties, it's a "mystery" how we make it through. He says that while we may be getting better, we're still a long way from winning or even truly understanding life. More importantly, he emphasizes that even if we are losers or defeated, we don't have to let that fact define us. Rather, we can choose to take things on the chin, maintain a positive attitude, and keep working toward our goals.
In the second half of the song, Siffre shifts his focus to some of the larger issues facing the world. He references both the world wars and the ongoing conflicts that persist throughout the world, pointing out that while things have changed, some things remain the same. He then talks about the Big Band, a type of jazz that emerged in the early 20th century and remains popular to this day. Siffre suggests that even though some people might disparage this type of music, it's here to stay unless the Martians come and take it away.
Finally, the song concludes by addressing the issue of environmental sustainability. Siffre notes how we often take nature for granted, destroying forests and other natural resources without thought for the consequences. He emphasizes the irony of how we fail to recognize our dependence on the natural world, forgetting that we need trees to breathe. Ultimately, "Nothin's Gonna Change" is a song that confronts some of the most difficult and challenging issues facing humanity, speaking to the resilience, determination, and hope that can help us weather any storm.
Line by Line Meaning
Life can be funny
Life has its moments of absurdity
Sometimes a shame
At times, things are disgraceful
Making the same mistakes again and again
We tend to repeat errors
It isn't easy being a man
Being a man is no walk in the park
For a woman it's harder
Women face greater challenges
Try it in the Sudan
It would be even tougher in certain parts of the world
And when you're winning and when you've won
Even in victory, troubles persist
You turn around ... your problems just begun
New issues arise as old ones fade
And when you're losing and when you've lost
Defeat also comes with pains
You turn around ... it wasn't worth the cost
The price paid for failure is not worth it
How did we make it...
How are we surviving...
It's a mystery
It's hard to comprehend
We're getting better...
We are improving...
That's news to me
I am not aware of it.
Are we defeated...
Are we conquered...
Huh! Defeated like hell
Definitely not.
We may be losers...
We could be failures...
But we'll never tell
But never admit.
Nothin's Gonna Change
Nothing will change.
But we don't give in
But we won't surrender.
Take it on the chin
Absorb it without complaint.
Keep that silly grin
Keep that smile regardless.
The only way to win
The only path to triumph.
World wars are over
Major wars have ceased.
One and two
The first and second world wars.
Others are raging still just like brand new
Other conflicts are still fresh.
The Big Band is with us
Popular music is still pervasive.
It's here to stay
It's here to remain.
Unless the Martians come to take it away
Unless Martians intervene.
My TV dinner shows a starving face
I see a hunger epidemic on television.
They kicked a man to death outside my place
Someone was brutally murdered nearby.
We strangle nature
We are slowly killing nature.
We murder the trees
We are rapidly destroying forests.
Forgetting we need the trees to breathe
Forgetting trees provide us oxygen.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LABI SIFFRE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@visarshehu76
Life can be funny, sometimes a shame
Making the same mistakes again and again
It isn't easy being a man
For a woman its harder, try it in the Sudan
And when you're winning and when you've won
You turn around ... your problems just begun
And when you're losing and when you've lost
You turn around ... it wasn't worth the cost
How did we make it? It's a mystery
Were getting better ... that's news to me
Are we defeated? Huh! Defeated like hell!
We may be losers but well never tell
Nothin's Gonna Change but we dont give in
Nothin's Gonna Change take it on the chin
Nothin's Gonna Change keep that silly grin
Nothin's Gonna Change ... the only way to win
World wars are over (one and two)
Others are raging still just like brand new
The Big Bang is with us, it's here to stay
Unless the Martians come to take it away
My TV dinner shows a starving face
They kicked a man to death outside my place
We strangle nature, we murder the trees
Forgetting we need the trees to breath
How did we make it? It's a mystery
Were getting better ... that's news to me
Are we defeated? Huh! Defeated like hell!
We may be losers but well never tell
Nothin's Gonna Change but we don't give in
Nothin's Gonna Change take it on the chin
Nothin's Gonna Change keep that silly grin
Nothin's Gonna Change ... the only way to win
@harristonmiller4399
this is an artist who highlighted climate change long before it became fashionable
@timbayliss4153
This is a very clever pop video, combining modern things, such as Robots, with a lively Ska and Dance pop song, and that type of pop music's dancing.
@crazyleyland5106
30 years old and still extremely valid lyrics. Every time beggars ask me for change, I feel like saying "Nothing's gonna change, son."
@timbayliss4153
This is one of the best "come back" singles made by anyone.
@lucianene7741
30 years old hidden gem.
@aduabdullah9651
ذكريات زمان
@MichaelBurland-c1j
Democracies are dying a death , the legitimate king's and Queens will rule as in olden days , uniting their countries. St Michael.
@cylon6
I remember when he was on Going Live talking about the video. It proved to be popular, kids especially liked the puppets.
@mckevis
Never heard this and thought I had all is music , thanks for posting
@KnowYoutheDukeofArgyll1841
Wow. Still a good video and song. Haven't seen it for years!