(Something Inside) So Strong
Encyclopedia
So Strong is a song written and recorded by British
singer-songwriter
, Labi Siffre
. It was released as a single in 1987 and was the song that brought him back to mainstream popularity in his home country.
The song was inspired by a TV documentary Siffre viewed in 1985 in which a white soldier was seen shooting at black children. Appalled, he penned the song as an anti-Apartheid anthem, which was a very serious issue at the time, advising Africans to stand tall in the face of adversity.
The song was the biggest success Siffre had in his career, peaking at number four in the United Kingdom
and bringing him out of self-imposed retirement and back into the public eye.
The song was used on Celtic F.C's final home match of the 2010/2011 Campaign in support for their manager, Neil Lennon
after a season of violence, bombs and bullets aimed at the manager.
It was also sung by Billy South Class of 2005, for their leavers concert. Lead singer Tom "Big lad" Lynas was awarded an OBE and the song reached number 1 in 156 different countries.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, Labi Siffre
Labi Siffre
Labi Siffre is a British poet, songwriter, musician and singer most widely known as the writer and singer of " 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...
. It was released as a single in 1987 and was the song that brought him back to mainstream popularity in his home country.
The song was inspired by a TV documentary Siffre viewed in 1985 in which a white soldier was seen shooting at black children. Appalled, he penned the song as an anti-Apartheid anthem, which was a very serious issue at the time, advising Africans to stand tall in the face of adversity.
The song was the biggest success Siffre had in his career, peaking at number four in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and bringing him out of self-imposed retirement and back into the public eye.
Cover versions
- The song was covered by Pop IdolPop IdolPop Idol is a British television series which debuted on ITV on 6 October 2001. The show was a talent contest to decide the best new young pop singer in the United Kingdom, based on viewer voting and participation. Two series were broadcast - one in 2001-02 and a second in 2003...
constestant, Rik WallerRik WallerRik Waller is an English singer.-Pop Idol:Waller is best known for being a finalist in the first series of the British ITV television series Pop Idol...
in 2002 on his debut album From Now...From Now...From Now... is the debut album from Rik Waller, a finalist of the reality tv series Pop Idol. It was released in July 2002.-Track listing:*Where Did We Go Wrong 3:50*Something Inside 3:41*I Will Always Love You 3:37...
. It was also used in the John PilgerJohn PilgerJohn Richard Pilger is an Australian journalist and documentary maker, based in London. He has twice won Britain's Journalist of the Year Award, and his documentaries have received academy awards in Britain and the US....
documentary The War on DemocracyThe War on DemocracyThe War on Democracy is a 2007 documentary film directed by Christopher Martin and John Pilger. Focusing on the political state of Latin America, the film is intended as a rebuke of both the United States' intervention in foreign countries' domestic politics, and its "War on Terrorism"...
. - OdettaOdettaOdetta Holmes, known as Odetta, was an American singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter, and a human rights activist, often referred to as "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement". Her musical repertoire consisted largely of American folk music, blues, jazz, and spirituals...
performed it in on her 2008 tour. - It was covered by Kenny RogersKenny RogersKenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
in 1989 (and became the title track to a hit album). - The song was also covered by Vanessa Bell ArmstrongVanessa Bell ArmstrongVanessa Bell Armstrong is a gospel singer who released her debut album Peace Be Still in 1983.-Musical career :...
in 1988 and again by a host of gospel artists as a tribute to Rosa ParksRosa ParksRosa Louise McCauley Parks was an African-American civil rights activist, whom the U.S. Congress called "the first lady of civil rights", and "the mother of the freedom movement"....
in the mid-1990s. - The Flying PicketsThe Flying PicketsThe Flying Pickets are a British a cappella vocal group, who had a Christmas number one hit in 1983 in the UK Singles Chart with their cover of Yazoo's track "Only You".-History:...
covered the song in their 1994 Album, The Warning. - Michael BallMichael Ball (singer)Michael Ashley Ball, born 27 June 1962) is a British actor, singer, and radio and TV presenter who is best known for the song "Love Changes Everything" and musical theatre roles such as Marius in Les Misérables, Alex in Aspects of Love, Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Edna Turnblad...
also released a cover of the song in 1996, which reached Number 40 in the UK. - Lewis Harley performed it for the FJS Celebrate album and also the concert.
- The a capella group The Flirtations (see Michael CallenMichael CallenMichael Callen was a singer, songwriter, composer, author, and AIDS activist. He was a significant architect of the response to the AIDS crisis in the United States....
) covered it on their self-titled album released in 1990. - Marcia GriffithsMarcia GriffithsMarcia Llyneth Griffiths is a successful female singer, also called the "Queen of Reggae". One reviewer described her noting "she is known primarily for her strong, smooth-as-mousse love songs and captivating live performances".Griffiths started her career in 1964...
recorded a reggae version of the song, released on her "Reggae Max" album in 2003. It is a very famous song which both young and older choirs sing. - The song was also covered by Irish rebel singers Gary Óg & Terry O'Neill.
- The song featured in an episode of Gavin and Stacey, and was sung by Bryn (Rob BrydonRob BrydonRob Brydon is a BAFTA-nominated Welsh actor, comedian, radio and television presenter, singer and impressionist...
) - The song was covered by Irish singer Tommy FlemingTommy FlemingTommy Fleming is an Irish singer and philanthropist. He rose to fame in the early 1990s after he was asked to tour the US with Phil Coulter. He soon established himself as a solo artist, he found his greatest success singing traditional Irish music with his forceful and dynamic bel canto tenor...
. - The song is being performed by Rock Choir and is on their first album Rock choir vol1.
- The writer shows a lot of passion with in the words that he has used.
Other uses
The song featured in a 2001 advertisement for the Peugeot 307Peugeot 307
The Peugeot 307 is a small family car produced by the French Peugeot manufacturer since 2001. It was awarded the European Car of the Year title for 2002, and continues to be offered in China and certain South American markets through 2009 despite the French launch of the 308 in September...
The song was used on Celtic F.C's final home match of the 2010/2011 Campaign in support for their manager, Neil Lennon
Neil Lennon
Neil Francis Lennon is a former footballer from Northern Ireland. He is the current manager and former captain of Celtic....
after a season of violence, bombs and bullets aimed at the manager.
It was also sung by Billy South Class of 2005, for their leavers concert. Lead singer Tom "Big lad" Lynas was awarded an OBE and the song reached number 1 in 156 different countries.