YOU GOTTA BE
by Des'ree
from the album I Ain't Movin'
Listen as your day unfolds
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers they may cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
Stand up and be counted
Don't be shamed to cry
You gotta be
You gotta be bad
You gotta be bold
You gotta be wiser
You gotta be hard
You gotta be tough
You gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool
You gotta be calm
You gotta stay together
All I know all I know -- love will save the day
Herold what your mother said
Read the books your father read
Try to solve the puzzles in your own sweet time
Some may have more cash than you
Others take a different view
My oh my, eh eh eh
You gotta be bad
You gotta be bold
You gotta be wiser
You gotta be hard
You gotta be tough
You gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool
You gotta be calm
You gotta stay together
All I know all I know -- love will save the day
(the rest of the words are here)
I rarely listen to commercial radio, but when I do, it always seems like there is a song waiting there just for me. It last happened in September of 2009.
Enjoy the words, and if you want to hear it, go on over to YouTube.
Jone has the Poetry Friday roundup today at Check it Out. I missed browsing last week's roundup because of the Dublin Literacy Conference (and the ensuing chaos of "the week after," which included an evening of culture [the Peking Acrobats--wow!] and an evening of rescheduled-because-of-snow parent conferences). I'm looking forward to TWO weeks worth of poetry this weekend!
Hi Mary Lee,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing such a great song!
Laura Evans
Conferences! Acrobats! Yes, you've been busy. Thanks for the song :).
ReplyDeleteI love this song - what a boost! (Must share it with my daughter!)
ReplyDeleteMy Poetry Friday post has a music theme as well.
Thanks for sharing this!
I hadn't heard this song in a while, then came across it in our music library not too long ago and added it to the car playlist. It's a good one! Thanks for sharing the lyrics today. Great seeing the song written out!
ReplyDeleteMy wife loves this song on her "running" playlist.
ReplyDeleteI love this song! It's playing in my head now. Wouldn't it be great to see more song lyrics on Poetry Friday?
ReplyDeleteLove this sone. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThey are great lyrics!
ReplyDeleteSong lyrics can be some of the best poetry of all.
ReplyDeleteI thought since you enjoy poetry that I'd invite you to contribute your list of favorite poems to my survey. Read more about it here: http://www.semicolonblog.com/?p=9520
I love this song. Great lyrics. I often use song lyrics with my students. It helps them see that poetry really is a part of our lives.
ReplyDeleteI love song lyrics--the ultimate contemporary poetry that can reach everyone, to me. Doesn't this song feel like it should be an anthem for young adults just graduating and getting out on their own?
ReplyDelete