something inside
Siffre Labi Lyrics
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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 lyrics of Labi Siffre's "Something Inside So Strong" deconstruct and challenge the notion of power and oppression. The first verse highlights the relationship between the singer and someone who is building barriers and taking away their rights. The more these barriers are built, the taller and stronger the singer feels. The chorus delves into the title and the idea that there is something inherent within the singer that is unbreakable and enduring, despite the external oppression they face.
The second verse focuses on how the singer's voice is being ignored and silenced. This only serves to amplify their voice, pushing them to sing louder. The irony of the walls being referred to as "walls of Jericho," which famously crumbled, serves as a reminder that even the most formidable walls can be brought down. The final chorus involves the singer calling on their community to stand together and push forward despite being told they are not "good enough."
The song's message and lyrics are piercing and well-crafted, but they are only made more powerful by the context in which they were written. The song was released in 1987, during the peak of the Anti-Apartheid movement in South Africa. Siffre had just returned from a trip to the country and was struck by the resilience of the black people he had met there. He wrote the song as a tribute to their unwavering spirit in the face of oppression. Knowing the song's history only adds to the moving message and emotional weight of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
The higher you build your barriers
The taller I become
The more obstacles you put in my way, the stronger and more determined I become
The further you take my rights away
The faster I will run
The more you try to oppress me, the harder I will fight and the more fiercely I will pursue my goals
You can deny me, you can decide
To turn your face away
No matter 'cause there's
You may try to ignore me, dismiss me, or deny me my rights, but that won't stop me from pursuing what I believe to be right
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
Deep within me there is a powerful force that cannot be defeated or broken, no matter how hard you try to tear me down or hold me back
The more you refuse to hear my voice (ooh-weh ooh-weh ooh-weh ooh-weh)
The louder I will sing
The more you try to silence me, the more I will speak out and make my voice heard, even louder and stronger than before
You hide behind walls of Jericho (ooh-weh ooh-weh ooh-weh ooh-weh)
Your lies will come tumbling
You try to protect yourself from the truth and hide your wrongdoing, but eventually your lies and deceptions will be exposed and brought to light
Deny my place in time, you squander wealth that's mine
My light will shine so brightly it will blind you
Because there's
If you try to deny me what I'm entitled to or take away what is rightfully mine, I will still find a way to rise up and succeed, shining so brightly that you cannot overlook or ignore me
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
Even when others try to diminish us or discourage us, we know our own worth and capabilities, and we will persevere and accomplish our goals despite their doubts and negativity
Oh oh, something inside so strong
Oh oh, something inside so strong
Oh oh, something inside so strong
The refrain repeated multiple times throughout the song underscores the overarching theme of the power within oneself to overcome adversity and achieve great things
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Labi Siffre
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind