(Something Inside) So Strong

Labi Siffre

About (Something Inside) So Strong

"(Something Inside) So Strong" is a 1987 single written and recorded by British singer-songwriter Labi Siffre. The song was one of the biggest successes of his career, and peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart. The song was written in 1984, inspired by a television documentary on Apartheid South Africa seen by Siffre in which white soldiers were filmed shooting at black civilians in the street. He told the BBC's Soul Music programme in 2014 that the song was also influenced by his experience as a homosexual child, adolescent, and adult. Siffre originally intended to give the song to another artist to sing, but could find no one suitable and was convinced to release it himself. The song has remained enduringly popular and is an example of the political and sociological thread running through much of Siffre's lyrics and poetry. It won the Ivor Novello Award for "Best Song Musically and Lyrically", and has been used in Amnesty International campaigns, a television advertisement and Alice Walker's film against female genital mutilation: Warrior Marks.  


Year:
2014
5:37
206 
#1

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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

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Labi Siffre

Labi Siffre (born 25 June 1945) is a British poet, songwriter, musician and singer most widely known as the writer and singer of "(Something Inside) So Strong", "It Must Be Love" and "I Got The", the sampled rhythm track which provides the basis for a number of well-known hip hop tracks such as Eminem’s breakthrough hit single, "My Name Is". more »

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Written by: LABI SIFFRE

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song Background
"(Something Inside) So Strong" is the title track of the 1987 album by British soul singer Labi Siffre.
Inspiration
The song was inspired by Siffre's experiences as a homosexual child, teenager and man in British society and his dislike of apartheid, racism, and homophobia.
Composition
The song is a blend of pop, soul and gospel influences. It’s carried by a stirring melody coupled with deeply emotional and powerful lyrics.
Chart Performance
In terms of chart performance, the track saw great success. It hit number four in the United Kingdom charts and remains Siffre's biggest solo hit.
Widespread Impact
The song has been covered by many artists all around the globe, making it a global anthem for human rights and dignity.
Anti-Apartheid Reference
The song references a protest that took place against the South African apartheid regime in which black school children were shot by the South African Army. Stephen Biko, an anti-apartheid activist, is mentioned in the song.
Recognition
In a poll conducted by the UK's ITV in 2012, "(Something Inside) So Strong" was voted Britain's fifth favorite number one song of the 1980s.
Cultural Influence
The song continues to be popular and is often performed at festivals and other public gatherings as a song of unity and resilience.
Music Video
The music video for the song shows Siffre as a lone figure standing against a vast military force, symbolizing the power of the individual when standing up against oppression.
Eventual Recognition
Despite his success, Labi Siffre did not receive widespread recognition until his song "It Must Be Love" was covered by the band Madness in the 1980s, leading people to explore his earlier works like "(Something Inside) So Strong."
Legacy
His music, especially singles like "(Something Inside) So Strong," helped shape the landscape of British soul and pop music and paved the way for future generations of artists.

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