PositLive Music: You Gotta Be - PositLive - Live life with positivity

Original image by Canva. Edited by E. Ballay

“You Gotta Be”

Written by: Des’ree (born Desiree Weeks) and Ashley Ingram

Released: March 28, 1994, Re-released February 27, 1995, 1999 Mix–March 22, 1999

According to singer-songwriter, Des’ree, this song came about after reflecting on how she would stop herself every day to think about how she has to be. (Source).

The music video is in black and white, and it plays with those colors–in a way, highlighting the juxtaposition in how we’re sometimes forced to feel and act.

“You have to be cool and calm in [one] situation, and then you have to be bold and strong in another situation,” Des’ree noted. The parent album is about “having the inner strength to figure out who you are” (Source). This song in particular is about being true to who you are and not being afraid or ashamed to express yourself. Just be.

Select PositLive Music: Lyrical Playlist to view all playlist songs as they’re being added.
Select Exploring New Ways to PositLive to read about the inspiration for PositLive Music.

“You Gotta Be” Sung by Des’ree

You Gotta Be: Lyrics

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 ashamed 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

Herald 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

Time asks no questions, it goes on without you
Leaving you behind if you can’t stand the pace
The world keeps on spinning
Can’t stop it if you tried to
The best part is danger staring you in the face, oh

Remember, 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
My oh my, eh, eh, eh

Got to be bold
Got to be bad
Got to be wise
Do what others say
Got to be hard
Not too too hard
All I know is love will save the day

Repeat Chorus