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