Something Inside So Strong

^{(1986 - From the CD "So Strong")}

The higher you build your barriers
The taller I become
The farther you take my rights away
The faster I will run
You can deny me
You can decide to turn your face away
No matter, cos 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 oh oh oh oh oh
Something inside so strong

The more you refuse to hear my voice
The louder I will sing
You hide behind walls of Jericho
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
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 oh oh oh oh oh
Something inside so strong

Brothers and sisters
When they insist we’re just not good enough
Well we know better
Just look ‘em in the 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 oh oh oh oh oh
Something inside so strong

Brothers and sisters
When they insist we’re just not good enough
Well we know better
Just look ‘em in the 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
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

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 oh oh oh oh oh
Something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh
Something inside so strong
___

Comments

[kenny muncaster]

hi labi,

i just got connected online in the last week, and did a search to find the lyrics to your song, '(something inside) so strong'.

i've had some very hard times in my life, and endured crushing poverty. as a youth, born in 1970, i remember the piercing power of the message of your song as i watched you sing it on 'top of the pops' - i found it very moving and it has stayed with me ever since. indeed, no other song has resonated so deeply in my being. your song has *always* eased my burden when circumstances were at their worst.

i feel these lyrics speak to a higher universal human condition of suffering, hardship and oppression, and the purity of your voice sings out into the universe to appeal to a higher energy.

when you sang about our fellow kinfolk in the human family under oppression in south africa, you sang for all of us.

it is a beautiful gift. thank you for being the artist who received it and gave it to us.

peace, blessings and happiness in life,

[marie]

In the 1980s when i was going through a tough time, this song had personal meaning to me and helped me overcome my difficulties and carried me through the tough times, therefore it has made me the determined and the strong willed person i am today, especally through the strong deep lyrics. thankyou

[IrishWoman]

My favourite song in the world. Ever! Without exception! It brings me to tears every time.. (I am not sure if that's a good thing).
Your website is magnificent. So Strong is all the more beautiful because now I know it was written by someone who obviously meant every word.

[Shanda]

The poetry takes my breath away...I was at my computer crying when I heard many of the songs. Truly amazing and beautiful. You are so amazing and I am so shocked that this is my first time coming across your material. I was born in 1980 and my father always had the latest music as it became available. I wish I would have had your music as I was growing up. You truly move my spirit. I am a instant fan because I "LOVE" good music and I will support good music when I hear it. Im going to the music store immediately for your material.

[Marci]

Hi Labi,

I just discovered your song "Fool Me A Good Night" on Pandora Radio while listening to my "Donovan" (as in Leitch) station. I often investigate an artist while I am listening. In investigating you, I discovered that the apartheid anthem, "So Strong" was written by you.

I first heard this song played by a local Irish Rock Band back in the days before things settled down in Ireland, used in the context of Ireland's Oppression by England.

What a small world and what sychronicity. Hope both South Africa and Ireland continue in the right direction. This from an Anglo-Germanic freedom-loving Yank who believes in encouraging other folks to settle their own disputes, but roots strongly for the oppressed.

I live in Maryland and an appellate court here recently upheld a ban on gay marriage. Can't we all learn to live and let live?

Marci

P.S. Isn't the internet a great equalizer, allowing folks to come together?

[steve wardil]

this is a fantastic tune. reminds me of my youth/teenage years and it meant something then, but now at 38 I respect the words and lyrics.
still a quality song. god bless

[Kimbeli Enoch]

helo Labi,i really luv your song song something inside so strong....thanx a lot 4 dat.i'm 23yrs male from Ghana W/A.....
THANX

[Paul Dobie]

Dear Labi
The last songs has been my favourite body of work in the 30 years that I have been a musician. We were privileged to have you perform at The Grand Hotel in Lytham St Annes in the mid 90s and that event remains with me to this day and continues to inspire.
Thanks for everything.
Paul Dobie

[Antoine]

I am singing your song in the school choir and I like it so much.

[Chichie]

Greetings Labi,

I thought i would give thanks and praise to you for being in tune with your higher self enough to bless us with this healing song.I was pleasantly suprised to find the Lyrics easily. I'm teaching my 3yr old twins to sing this song for their Kwaanza Expression. I hope I can find the track somewhere, and hopefilly more of your recent material. Stay Blessed. Chichie

[Martin Herbert]

Hi Labi

I had the privilage of seeing you perform live at the Nelson mandela concert in 2001 at Trafalgar square in London. It took my breath away and is still one of the most moving, powerful perfomances I have ever seen. You are a true legend.

I am also writing in regards to an album I had but lean't it to someone and never got it back. I can't remember the title of the album but I wanted to know the lyrics for the song "pretty little girl in a blue dress" as my niece has a blue dress for Christmas and I would like to write those lyrics in her card. Please could you send me those as the words were so beautiful.

Yours sincerely, Herby

[shube dube]

Brill song!!!

[wendy]

hi
there is one of you songs that i ever heard that has stayed with me.
i first heard in in my teens
it was
"pretty little girl" in a blue dress.. playin in the sand, makes my day.

please could you tell me if i can get it on any c.d. now ?
or what album it was please, as i would love to play it to my 6 granddaughters.your ...wendy

[james mason]

this song is my absolute favourite of all time its sung with so much emotion and you'll never know how much those lyrics mean to me thank you

[Joke Zwaal]

Hi Labi,

We are a Dutch choir and we admire your song so very much. We would love to sing it.
Would you grant us the authorisation to arrange it for our choir and then, of course, perform it?
We would very much appreciate that!

Thank you very much for your reply.

On behalf of the Pleasure choir,

Joke Zwaal

[Cerdic Hall]

Dear Labi,
what an inspiring song. I am co-ordinating a mental health link between East London (UK) mental health services and Ugandan services and am hoping to use the song words as back ground to promote a project bringing mental health staff and service users coming together to learn from each other and challenge stigma. Would you give authorisation for this to happen?
Thanks for considering this request.
Cerdic

[Marcella]

Abundant blessings always from God Almighty for such a beautiful musical gift and most importantly revealing it to others. Marcella in Athlone, Ireland x

[lauren burdess]

hi labi i really love your song its the most ssaddest song that i have ever heard in all my life

[shola]

Dear Labi
Not only am I just finding out that you're not South African, but that you're London born AND of Nigerian heritage! (as am I)
It's just so wonderfully amazing that this amazing emotion is shared out of this song borne out of the oppression of the apartheid regime - you must have been placed on this earth for so many reasons and so many of them are achieved through this song for so many people. Thank you in so many ways.

[maria]

hi
do you do many concerts now ? would love to see you sing live.

[lee]

hi labi,
love your song "it must be love" nobody couid beat your version. been watching your performance on u tube and am trying to work the guitar tabs for it just like the way your playing it. it looks so simple but so effective but i just cant make it out. please please please help me

many thanks lee

[Niki]

Hi Labi,
i first heard your music over 14 years ago. it has always moved me.

thank you

[Martha]

hi labi love that song im learning it my gospol choir totally love it

[Penny Chafik]

Hi Labi, just got re aquaited with your musicafter 30years (what took me so long)!!Wonderful music thats released such memories.
poetry great too
thanks

[Geoff Hutchins]

Hi Labi
Will there ever be a chance that you may perform live again, i do keep a look out on the internet etc but have never found anything. I have been very fond of your music since the 70's. It would be great to hear you singing them live especially the older tunes.
Kind regards
Geoff

[LS]

Hi Geoff and every one else who has asked.

I'm glad you enjoy the music that I've made and I know one should never say never ... but I very much doubt that I will do any further musical performances.

All the best

LS

[Jason and Gregg]

Dear Labi

We work in a call center in Prague, there is a lot of foreign people around but we all realised we all know 'something inside so strong' so we all sing it almost everyday to keep us going. Amazing song that just lifts you up.

Oh and Gregg would like to duet with you on it, get back to him about that...

:)

Peace

[Dave]

Hi Labi

Had the pleasure of meeting you twice.You are without doubt the finest singer songwriter of the past 40 years. Love all the music.

Best regards

Dave

[Jim Harris]

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for that song. You know some folks have tied that song to the struggle for the liberation of Palestine people from the Israeli system of apartheid. (and Israel has even built literal walls, that will come a tumbling... someday)

Also, Palestinians talk of their Sumud = Steadfastness (that something inside that is so strong), the non-violent resistance of the Palestinians against land confiscation and ethnic cleansing. Like an old olive tree deeply rooted to the ground, those practicing sumud refuse to move-away despite political, economic and physical injustices committed against them.

What are your thoughts about that?
Happy May Day.

[Rose]

Powerful! Powerful! lyrics.... I have heard this song so many times and it never fails to move me....I am working with people who suffer so much oppression everyday of their lives. I get so frustrated at times and feel as though I am losing the plot but hearing your song 5 mins ago on the radio has just given me renewed energy and I will be playing it around my work place from next week...

Take care and peace to you.

Rose. x

[Mike Francis]

Thanks for all of it but thanks for my 3 favourites after all these years / Crying laughing / it must be love ...and 1973 wouldn't have been the same without "make my day"
Mike

[Phillip Orange]

hi labi i just wanted to say that your music is great when i first heard of you i only heard of something inside so strong that was a great song so i looked you up on the internet and bought two cds so strong and the best of labi siffre and the songs have a lot of meaning what insired you to write great songs and poems.

[abi]

hi gabi

i love this song it makes a point...It doesn't mater if your fat or thin or a diffrent couler of skin what matters is the personality evrybody should giv people a chance..like the saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover" anyway just to say it's the best song

bye abi

[aabi]

hiya..

my last comment diddn't really make sense i was supposed to say..i love this song it makes a point...It doesn't mater if your fat or thin or a diffrent couler of skin what matters is the personality evrybody should give people a chance..like the saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover" anyway just to say it's the best song ever

anyway
byby
luv the song
abii

[LS]

I wish I could reply individually to everyone who comments here but there is insufficient time and I must keep my shoulder to the wheel in my efforts to keep on thinking robustly, debating, writing and striving to do more and better - a sometimes irksome task which I am driven to.

Among myriad reasons, I wrote Something Inside So Strong for those in pain for whom no one speaks, for those in pain who have not found their voice, for those who's legitimate protest (a subjective definition indeed) for those who's legitimate protest is trampled upon or dismissed. I wrote Something Inside So Strong so that all of these people might have a song of their own.

I am grateful and content that my writing has helped people. This is just to say that I do read your comments and I thank you for them.

LS

[dsing]

I first heard this song when my children attended Freedom School in Ok, USA. It remains a favorite and an inspiration.
Thank you.

[kev]

hi
can anyone tell me what cds i can find more of labi's more funkier songs? tunes like I GOT THE...THE VULTURE &DOCTOR DOCTOR & SADIE & THE DEVIL relly suprised me as to how funky labi can be! so, labi or anyone else,please drop me a line.
thanx
kev

[Gary Duncan]

Many years ago (in 1972) I was given a cassette tape of CLLL on the old Pye/Festival label. I heard great music and words, and I rooted the rhythms and phrases deep in my memory. As I got older I began to listen to subtlty and the rigour of a craftsman creating pictures and emotions; evoking and connecting; a huge talent which 36 years later I still regard as one of the great musical contributions of the last decades. Few understand (and feel) blues, jazz and folk better than Mr Siffre. Live performance would be great. Please.

[Charlotte]

Hi Labi

I think your song is one of my best songs ever produced.I'm from South Africa so most of it makes alot of sense for me.I love your music.

Kind regards

Charlotte

[binny Sharma]

Dear Labi,

I am 26 years old and have grown up listening to your some of your songs. Most popular of which is something inside so strong. I didn't really know the meaning of the song or the inspiration behind it. But one day my girlfriend's father was around when the song came on the radio and he explained to me the meaning behind the song. I have since been inspired by your songs and your work. Just reading the comments on this website it is clear that you have had a huge influence on people's lives including my own.

i am also a physics teacher in a mainstream secondary school and have played numerous songs of yours to kids of all ages. It seems that your music is indeed timeless. In particular i played children of children before our school's annual charity week which promoted great discussion and I think forced lots of young adults to think critically of their lives and the society in which they live in. None of today's artists could hope to do that.

Anyways, on to the reason for me writting. I am Indian and have lived here in London for the past 10 years. I am due to marry my girlfriend next month on the 16/08 which will be a big catholic wedding and then again on the 24/08 which will be a big Hindu ceremony. it is a long shot but I would Love it if you would grace us with your presence at our wedding(s). I can't think of anyone else who has had a major influence on my life and it would mean a lot to jodie's (my fiance) dad as well.

Hope to hear from you soon!!

[Soni laugesen]

I teach English in Hanoi. I asked my Vietnamese students to write about how they felt when listening to your song. These are some of their comments:
I’m sure this melody will be in my heart for a long time. I can feel what the black people must have suffered....The world will become better if everybody knows that they’re family. Hieu
After listening to this song I have many thoughts and feelings about discrimination. It’s not fair to the people who have black skin. They deserve to live like the other, because they are also men. ..The author of this song is very strong and dares to stand up and let his voice be loud all over the world. Duong
When I listened to “Something Inside so Strong” I felt how hard black people try. Black people were treated unfairly...but the more they were treated unfairly, the more they tried to gain better conditions..I think this song would raise the spirit of black people and help them overcome obstacles. Huyen
All people have the right to have a good life and the same opportunities, which cannot be taken away by anybody. We human beings, we are the same, and there are no differences...And it is this song that encourages all of us to fight against racial prejudice. Where ever racial prejudice still exists, the song will be there to help people take notice. Trung
The song’s content made me feel and think about the people who sustain inequality, discrimination and apartheid. ..The song is not only intensive but also it is so moving. Huy
The song makes listeners like me realise our responsibility regarding global discrimination. Linh
The song’s lyrics made me feel better about the world...We’ll solve any problems. In my life there will be many goals I have to reach, they may be easy or may be difficult but I’ll be ready to face them. Because there is something inside so strong. Ngoc
Labi Siffre has succeeded in making his audience understand his main purpose...The black people who were oppressed by white people are now growing up, being more confident to fight against discrimination. ..I feel so sad because of what white governments have done in the past. ..I’m glad to know that the black people have great inner strength, they can overcome any barriers...they are indomitable. Thang
In my opinion, the writer was very gutsy because he was not afraid when he wrote that song. Duc
The rhythm and the lyrics of the song gave me a fire inside my heart. I felt the suffering of the people...they fought for themselves, for equality. The lyrics made me stronger. I understood and believed that inside every person there was a fire, and we have to fight for it. I wondered whether my difficulties were the end of the world or not, when a lot of people don’t have basic living conditions. Giang
The composer succeeded in informing us of a message which is the harder you suffer the taller you grow.
Thuy

[Andrew]

Hi Labi

Something Inside So Strong still makes the hair on my neck stand up. It is my mantra in life because the lyrics apply directly to my own struggles

So your opening line does it for me.

The higher you build your barriers
The taller I become

And this act of defiance reflects my stand against petty tyranny.

Just look 'em in the eyes and say
We're gonna do it anyway
We're gonna do it anyway

Labi, thank you for providing us with your immortal words.

Andrew K Fletcher

[leray denis]

hi labi, hi everybody,

I'm looking for "the vulture" lyrics. What a great song!! Would anybody be able to help me?

Thank you for your words and music anyway

[Runelle]

hi i wanted to say that i love your songs and i sang that song in my school choir

[Danny Huffam]

hello labbi
i'm so glad i finally found somewhere i can let you know just how much you words have moved me. from a very young age i can remember the words to your song, growing up it was imprinted in my brain. it was'nt untill i was older the full impact of it was apparent. i hope and pray that your words have helped others the way they have helped me as i'm sure they have... words like that can truley only be written by an angel thank you. Danny

[ruth barrett]

dear Labi

I felt inclined to put a note on the bottom of here as I wanted to say what a beautiful song this is. I am 22 and at the age of 8 my mother passed away at the age of 36. She adored you and your music and I beleive that not long before she passed away she came to watch you play. I have always been mesmerised by your songs and they will always hold a significant place in my heart. Thank you for getting me through the hard times.
kindest regards

[DIANE]

Thank you Labi, your God inspired song, has moved mountains in my life. My 5 year old son has learnt your song at school and now we sing it every day, as our family anthem.

God Bless
Diane (Manchester, uk)

[kat]

Hi Labi,
Ive loved this song ever since I first heard you sing it all those years ago. I'm about to perform it myself very soon. The song has a whole new meaning for me now as my life long friend has cancer and I am dedicating it to her as she has such a strong spirit God bless her. the words are so poignent.I have a video recording of 'Live Aid' and the song sounds just as great today as it did 24 years ago! timeless. Love and peace Kat

[Matt Falvey]

Hi Labi, I am trying to find the piano score or failing that the chords for "My Song". I have searched all over the net & can't find it anywhere. Can you point me in the right direction?

Thanks

Matt
Perth W. Australia

[Marie Ireland]

Labi, you are one of the best human beings on the planet, a great and powerful lightworker. I love you, brother.