Roar
Scott Bradlee & Postmodern Jukebox feat. Annie Goodchild Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
So I sit quietly, agree 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
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
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

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
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
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...

Ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar

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...

Overall Meaning

The song "Roar" by Scott Bradlee & Postmodern Jukebox feat. Annie Goodchild is an anthem of empowerment for anyone who has ever felt silenced or pushed down. The lyrics describe a journey from a place of fear and compliance to one of strength and self-confidence. The singer admits to once holding back and allowing someone else to control her, but she realizes that she has a choice and decides to take control. She declares that she is a champion and will no longer be held down or constrained.


The chorus is particularly powerful, with the repeated phrase "I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar." The use of the metaphor of the tiger and the lion emphasizes the singer's strength and ferocity, while the imagery of "dancing through the fire" suggests that she is fearless and willing to take risks. The song ends with a chant of "roar" that feels like a battle cry or a call to action.


Line by Line Meaning

I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
I used to keep quiet and hold my breath


Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
Afraid to speak up or create a fuss


So I sit quietly, agree politely
I remain silent and nod in agreement


I guess that I forgot I had a choice
I forgot that I have the power to make a choice


I let you push me past the breaking point
I allowed you to go beyond my limit


I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything
I had no principles and thus, I accepted everything


You held me down, but I got up
Even though you held me back, I got back up


Already brushing off the dust
I'm already moving on from my past mistakes


You hear my voice, you hear that sound
My voice is powerful and attention-grabbing


Like thunder gonna shake the ground
Like thunder, my voice will have a massive impact


Get ready ′cause I've had enough
Be prepared because I've reached my limit


I see it all, I see it now
I understand everything now


I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
I have the spirit of a fighter, moving through adversity with grace


'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
I am a winner, and you are going to hear me speak up


Louder, louder than a lion
My roar is more powerful than that of a lion


Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Exclamation of triumph and joy


Now I'm floating like a butterfly
I am light and graceful, like a butterfly


Stinging like a bee I earned my stripes
I am brave and have been through tough times and emerged victorious


I went from zero, to my own hero
From a nobody, I became my own hero


Ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar
Repetition of the roar, accentuating its power


(You're gonna hear me roar)
You are going to notice me and my achievements


(You'll hear me roar)
You are going to listen to me and respect me


You're gonna hear me roar...
The world will hear and recognize me




Writer(s): Bonnie Mckee, Lukasz Gottwald, Martin Max, Henry Walter, Katy Perry

Contributed by Anthony V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@blasiohungarien8639

I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
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)
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
You're gonna hear me roar

Now I'm floatin' 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
You're gonna hear me roar

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh (you'll hear me roar)
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
You're gonna hear me roar

Roar, roar, roar, roar, 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

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh (yeah)
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
You're gonna hear me roar

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh (you'll hear me roar)
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
You're gonna hear me roar



All comments from YouTube:

@NoobFromUA

trambourine guy is doin' it.

@shenkeey

Some say that tambourine guy is still dancing to this day

@corsaircarl9582

***** Why did I read this in a Morgan Freeman voice?

@jenarambhujoo9434

Tommy Wiseau OMG DEAD

@shenkeey

Tommy Wiseau Oh hi, Mark!

@nickyless7077

***** Not sure if to read this in Morgan Freeman's voice or Jeremy Clarkson's lol!

@loriemerns5741

Tommy Wiseau GOSH HAHA

5 More Replies...

@gabrielapereira4533

It's Amazing!! Wonderful voice of singer and the music.. Ow.. Perfect!! The best, of course!!! I Loved it!! <3

@raheldeborah

Came for the voice, stayed for the tambourine.

@TheEphemeralMammal

+Rahel Erki (Velocirapture) Does not need more cowbell!

More Comments

More Versions