Great Performances - A trip through some amazing musical memories # 9: Labi Siffre - (Something Inside) So Strong (The one I derive inspiration from)
The 1980's, as well as being a time of optimism, great music, excess and good times, was also the decade which saw a rise of social consciousness in regard to apartheid in South Africa.
During the 80's there was an increase in resistance to the apartheid government within South Africa, and externally, increased awareness from increased media reporting found students finding themselves a cause to fight for. In the UK, as a student in the early 80's, we all protested against Barclays Bank (amongst other businesses) and their links to South Africa by demonstrating and closing our student accounts and snubbed any artists or sportsmen that went to perform or play in South Africa in defiance of UN sanctions. Artists on the bill at the infamous 'Sun City' found themselves on a roll of shame.
It was after seeing a program on TV in which white South African soldiers were shown shooting black children that inspired Labi Siffre to come out of semi-musical retirement and write (Something Inside) So Strong. He stated in a 2014 BBC interview that the song was also influenced by his experience as a homosexual child, adolescent, and adult.
The song was released in February 1987, eventually reaching a peak UK chart position of No.4.
The performance I've chosen is footage from an unknown footage where the song is cut down to a minimum, just featuring Siffre sat at his Yamaha DX7 and singing. There are not even the gospel style backing vocals that made the single so distinctive.
His high voice with its startling resonance conveys perfectly the passion of the lyrics, the distinctive tones of the ubiquitous DX7 giving an almost African authenticism to the track.
It just sends a shiver down your spine.
The best part of this song though is that it transcends the cause. Long after Nelson Mandela was released from jail and apartheid was finally ended on my birthday in 1994 the song could be applied to any number of causes, but not just worldwide causes of huge global importance.
For me, this is a song of personal inspiration to draw strength from when I need it and this performance makes me grow a little more inside each time I hear it, proving that there truly is 'something inside so strong'.
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Wow, that's a real feather in my cap. Thank you so much :-)