(Something Inside) So Strong

(Something Inside) 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 has also become synonymous with the Irish Nationalist and Republican movement.

Cover versions

• The song was covered by Pop Idol constestant, Rik Waller in 2002 on his debut album From Now.... It was also used in the John Pilger documentary The War on Democracy.
• Odetta performed it in on her 2008 tour.
• It was covered by Kenny Rogers in 1989 (and became the title track to a hit album).
• The song was also covered by Vanessa Bell Armstrong in 1988 and again by a host of gospel artists as a tribute to Rosa Parks in the mid-1990s.
• The Flying Pickets covered the song in their 1994 Album, The Warning.
• Michael Ball 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 Callen ) covered it on their self-titled album released in 1990.
• Marcia Griffiths 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 Brydon)
• The song was covered by Irish singer Tommy Fleming.
• The song is being performed by Rock Choir and is on their first album Rock choir vol1.

Other uses

The song featured in a 2001 advertisement for the Peugeot 307 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.