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," though Siffre objected to what he described as "lazy writing" and it had to be edited to get the sample cleared.
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.
So Strong
Labi Siffre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The taller I become
The further you take my rights away
The faster I will run
You can deny me, you can decide
To turn your face away
No matter 'cause there's
I know that I can make it
Though you're doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone, oh no
There's something inside so strong
Oh, something inside so strong
The more you refuse to hear my voice (ooh-weh ooh-weh ooh-weh ooh-weh)
The louder I will sing
You hide behind walls of Jericho (ooh-weh ooh-weh ooh-weh ooh-weh)
Your lies will come tumbling
Deny my place in time, you squander wealth that's mine
My light will shine so brightly it will blind you
Because there's
Something inside so strong, strong
I know that I can make it
Though you're doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone, oh no
There's something inside so strong
Oh, something inside so strong
Brothers and sisters
When they insist we're just not good enough
Well we know better
Just look him in his eyes and say
We're gonna do it anyway
We're gonna do it anyway
There's something inside so strong
And I know that I can make it
Though you're doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone, oh no
There's something inside so strong, oh
Something inside so strong
Brothers and sisters
When they insist we're just not good enough
Well we know better
Just look him in his eyes and say
We're gonna do it anyway
We're gonna do it anyway
We're gonna do it anyway
We're gonna do it anyway
Because there's
Something inside so strong, (something inside so strong)
I know that I can make it
Though you're doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone, oh no, oh no
There's something inside so strong
Something inside so strong (oh oh yeah)
I know that I can make it
Though you're doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone, oh no, oh no
There's something inside so strong
Oh oh, something inside so strong
Oh oh, something inside so strong
Oh oh, something inside so strong
The song "Something Inside So Strong" by Labi Siffre is a powerful anthem against discrimination, oppression, and any kind of adversity. The lyrics reference the idea of barriers and walls that people construct to keep others out, whether it's denying someone's rights or refusing to hear their voice. Siffre, however, asserts that the higher these barriers, the taller he becomes; the more rights taken away, the faster he will run. He recognizes that even if someone tries to deny him, he knows that there is something inside of him that is strong enough to overcome it. This internal strength is also reflected in the chorus, which repeats the message that there is something inside so strong that he knows he can make it, no matter how wrong someone is doing him.
The second verse of the song continues this theme of the louder he will sing when his voice is refused to be heard. He calls out those who are hiding behind walls of Jericho and squandering his wealth, denying his place in time. Siffre declares that his light will shine so brightly that it will blind his oppressors. But the song isn't just about fighting back - it's also about having faith in oneself and in others. The "brothers and sisters" that Siffre sings about are a reference to the larger community that stands in solidarity against oppression. Together, they know better and can look their oppressors in the eye and say that they will do it anyway, because of the something inside so strong that they all possess.
Overall, "Something Inside So Strong" is a powerful message of resilience, faith, and the belief in the strength of the human spirit to overcome even the greatest challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
The higher you build your barriers
The more obstacles and boundaries you create
The taller I become
I will grow and become stronger in the face of adversity
The further you take my rights away
The more you limit my freedoms and choices
The faster I will run
I will act with determination to overcome your constraints
You can deny me, you can decide
You have the power to reject me and control my fate
To turn your face away
To ignore or refuse to acknowledge my existence or worth
No matter 'cause there's
Nevertheless, deep inside me, there is
Something inside so strong
An inner strength and resilience that cannot be broken
I know that I can make it
I have confidence in my ability to succeed
Though you're doing me wrong, so wrong
Even if you are mistreating me unfairly and unjustly
You thought that my pride was gone, oh no
You assumed that I had lost my self-respect and dignity
Brothers and sisters
Fellow human beings, regardless of race or ethnicity
When they insist we're just not good enough
When they try to make us feel inferior or unworthy
Well we know better
We have a clearer understanding of our own value and potential
Just look him in his eyes and say
Confidently confront your oppressor
We're gonna do it anyway
We will persevere and achieve our goals despite the obstacles
Oh oh, something inside so strong
A power within each of us that cannot be silenced or defeated
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Labi Siffre
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Classicme065069
The higher you build your barriers
The taller I become
The further you take my rights away
The faster I will run
You can deny me, you can decide
To turn your face away
No matter 'cause there's
Something inside so strong
I know that I can make it
Though you're doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone, oh no
There's something inside so strong
Oh, something inside so strong
The more you refuse to hear my voice (ooh-weh ooh-weh ooh-weh ooh-weh)
The louder I will sing
You hide behind walls of Jericho (ooh-weh ooh-weh ooh-weh ooh-weh)
Your lies will come tumbling
Deny my place in time, you squander wealth that's mine
My light will shine so brightly it will blind you
Because there's
Something inside so strong, strong
I know that I can make it
Though you're doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone, oh no
There's something inside so strong
Oh, something inside so strong
Brothers and sisters
When they insist we're just not good enough
Well we know better
Just look him in his eyes and say
We're gonna do it anyway
We're gonna do it anyway
There's something inside so strong
And I know that I can make it
Though you're doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone, oh no
There's something inside so strong, oh
Something inside so strong
Brothers and sisters
When they insist we're just not good enough
Well we know better
Just look him in his eyes and say
We're gonna do it anyway
We're gonna do it anyway
We're gonna do it anyway
We're gonna do it anyway
Because there's
Something inside so strong, (something inside so strong)
I know that I can make it
Though you're doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone, oh no, oh no
There's something inside so strong
Something inside so strong (oh oh yeah)
I know that I can make it
Though you're doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone, oh no, oh no
There's something inside so strong
Oh oh, something inside so strong
Oh oh, something inside so strong
Oh oh, something inside so strong
Tony Walton
I AM SO HAPPY IN LOVE AND AT PEACE WITHIN MYSELF
I FEEL 99 % IN CONTROL OF MYSELF.
I WILL NEVER BE 100% BUT I WORK EVERY DAY TO IMPROVE AND GET BETTER..
ALWAYS LEARNING AS WE ALL ARE TOGETHER ❤
THANK GOD
AND AMAZING GRACE OF COURSE
GOD BLESS
AMEN 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏
Q7
NAMASTE
Clipperking Gaming
I just came from re watching Gavin and Stacey and didn’t expect the comments I have read below
No matter what guys you can do it whatever you are trying to achieve big or small !
No matter how difficult things are or will get for you never give up
I hope and wish for you all to make it to where you want to be and accomplish everything you want in life
You got this ! ❤️
Accardianca Hughman
While I love the song and the strength it inspires, the video depicts all that is wrong with the world and weakens us. War, animosity, hate..it's all violence, bullying at its worst. Strength is something inside us comes from within and extends to those around us, only those who are too weak to tap in to strength do these kinds of things. I feel sorry? Pity in some ways that these people must be burdened with such hate there is no room for life...love is dual natured, it loves to love, it loves to hate, except that is not love, that's a human concept passed on from one generation to the next. Give me life anyway, mostly it's beautiful but this violence, it's unacceptable. This latest virus shows just how under valued we are as a valuable species, capable of doing all sorts, humans are amazing but we are limited by capitalism and democracy. No one needs anything other than basic decency and the ability to meet each individuals needs while still taking care of the economy, if that is truly valuable anymore, is it really worth it?
We are wasting our precious lives following this disorder and discriminatory way of living, and with apparently no choice. Coercion is illegal on a domestic level for a reason, so none of us end up being domestic slaves.....but that's all that we are right now yet by now we should be self sufficient.
Privacy laws have been breached beyond comprehension, no one has the right to distribute your information without permission but in doing so it's a form of entrapment getting into contracts. We have no choice but to conform, CON words state so much! As do dis words, dis~cip~line is to dis someone by telling them that they are not acceptable as they are and must change to meet their needs, like clipping round the head which is a line that should never be crossed. Those with needs to act out aggressively don't really deserve to live on this beautiful planet. But they would make pretty fireworks displays.
People first! Sing loud people, sing proud,
We need be the change we wish to see.
Thepeoplestrustfoundation@outlook.com
Will help us all. For more information, please email.
Fiifi Anyimadu
Who'd ever thought the whole world would one day sing this song with one voice?
And to whom do we sing?
To our selfish, wicked selves? No!
To the tiny Corona virus that has put the whole world on a stand still.
Even the wars have stopped (for now)
See what it took to get humans back to humanity.
And now, because of that something inside so strong, we know that eventually, we will come out and live again.
James Convery
suffering from mental health issues, this song keeps me so strong, gives me a lift every day I play it , fantastic 🎵 song
Jack Ward
"I sung the first two lines, and I just started crying. I realised I was singing about myself" - Labi speaking about when he was writing this song, inspired by images from apartheid South Africa. He went on to say he realised, as he wrote, that the song was for everybody with a struggle, however large or small. He wanted to write a song that all humanity could find comfort in during their darkest days, and he achieved it. A masterpiece from a true artist.
Agnė Abromaitė
I sometimes feel like the whole planet is being held in a ward until returning to sanity is an option for everyone.
Dirty James
Have to be careful with this tune. The first few lines did the same to me.
It's not about reliving pain.
I think it's just about letting that chorus echo in your mind while you do your very best in life without coming to hear the song.
Come listen to it when you succeed and cry tears of joy. (I'm talking to myself here).
Wonderful artistry in this song!
Bad Driving South Wales
And then people in this thread are like, “oh yeah, that’s just like having to socially distance and wear a mask to protect myself from a highly infectious disease. It’s literally exactly the same plight” 🤷♂️
alex tyso
@Jack Ward thanks for making it clear to me.. all this time I have been thinking it was originally done by kenny
Jack Ward
@alex tyso Kenny Rogers covered the song a couple of years after Labi wrote and released it
S Slattery
I play this song every day to give me strength through a very contentious divorce.Just gets into my bones and gives me a lift everytime I hear it ❣
Anne McKay
Nick Flynn or that person killing your love. Stay strong your happiness will come
Nick Flynn
When we marry we could never imagine love dying. Courage my friend,