Although Bryant was never Atlantic Starr's only lead singer -- Wayne and David Lewis also provided their share of lead vocals -- she was a major asset. So it came as quite a disappointment when she left Atlantic Starr in 1984 to pursue a solo career. But all was not lost. The talented Barbara Weathers was hired as a replacement and 1985's As the Band Turns -- Atlantic Starr's first post-Bryant album and sixth album overall -- found the outfit unveiling a smaller lineup that consisted of Weathers, the Lewis Brothers, and Phillips. Sudderth, Daniels, Archer, and Carroll were all gone, but despite those personnel changes, Atlantic Starr was still distinctive and recognizable. As the Band Turns, which contained the major hit "Secret Lovers," turned out to be Atlantic Starr's last album for A&M; in 1987, they moved to Warner Bros. and fared well with the album All in the Name of Love and the smash hit "Always." A syrupy adult contemporary ballad, "Always" reflected the Lewis Brothers' desire to have the type of crossover success that Whitney Houston and Lionel Ritchie had been enjoying in the '80s; they got their wish when "Always" soared to number one on both the pop and R&B charts.
After All in the Name of Love, Weathers left the band to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Porscha Martin, who was featured on 1988's We're Movin' Up. Martin was around for a few years before being replaced by Rachel Oliver (Atlantic Starr's fourth female vocalist) in the early '90s. Atlantic Starr's relationship with Warner Bros. ended after 1991's Love Crazy, and in 1994, the band recorded one album for Arista: Time. That album was a commercial disappointment and the single "I'll Remember You" only made it to the fifties on Billboard's R&B and pop singles charts. Time (which was David Lewis' last album with the band) found a fifth female singer, Aisha Tanner, replacing Oliver. And when 1999's Legacy was distributed by the small, independent Street Solid label, Atlantic Starr unveiled yet another lineup -- one that consisted of two Lewis Brothers (Wayne and Jonathan) as well as Oliver (who had returned and replaced Tanner) and a new male singer named DeWayne Woods. Although Legacy received very little attention, Atlantic Starr hung in there and was still performing for die-hard fans when the 21st century arrived.
Stand Up
Atlantic Starr Lyrics
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It could fall apart at any time
And none would be the wiser
Except you and I
It seems that we stopped talkin'
Like we're afraid to disagree
And after all we've been through
If your heart isn't in it
Why can't you tell me so?
If my heart wasn't in it
I'd have gone long ago
If your heart isn't in it
Why keep me hangin' on?
Just tell me and I'll be gone
From your life
You treat me like a stranger
As if I wasn't there
Oh baby, I waited for a miracle
To make you show that you care
If your heart isn't in it
Why can't you tell me so?
If my heart wasn't in it
I'd have gone long ago
If your heart isn't in it
Why keep me hangin' on?
Just tell me and I'll be gone
From your life
If your heart isn't in it
Why can't you tell me so?
I can't go through the motions
I have to know
If your heart isn't in it
Why can't you tell me so?
I can't go to the limit
I have to know
If your heart
Ooh, can't you tell me so?
I have to know
If your heart isn't it
Why keep me hangin' on?
Just tell me and I'll be gone
Don't keep me hangin' on
For dear life
The song "Stand Up" by Atlantic Starr depicts a fragile relationship, with underlying themes of communication and honesty. The opening lyrics acknowledge the vulnerability of the relationship, as it could fall apart at any given moment without anyone else noticing except for the two individuals involved. The following lines question the status of their communication, wondering if it has ceased due to fear of disagreement. The lyrics also suggest a perceived innocence, questioning if the two parties should still be naive after all they have been through.
The chorus of the song presents the crux of the matter, emphasizing the importance of honesty in a relationship. The singer implores their partner to communicate their true feelings and intentions, as they can't continue to move forward without this honesty. The verses that follow show the realization that they are treating one another like strangers, and the singer is hoping that a miracle would happen so that they can come together. The song ends with the individual refusing to be kept in limbo, needing a definitive answer as to whether or not their partner is invested in the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a fragile situation
The relationship between the singer and their partner is delicate and in danger of breaking apart.
It could fall apart at any time
The relationship between the singer and their partner could end abruptly and unexpectedly.
And none would be the wiser
No one would know that the relationship had fallen apart except for the singer and their partner.
Except you and I
The artist and their partner are the only ones who would know about the relationship ending.
It seems that we stopped talkin'
The artist and their partner are no longer communicating as they used to.
Like we're afraid to disagree
It feels like the singer and their partner are avoiding talking about things they disagree on.
And after all we've been through
The singer and their partner have gone through a lot together.
Can we still be that naive?
The artist wonders if they are still naïve enough to believe that their relationship can survive without communication.
If your heart isn't in it
If the artist's partner is no longer committed to the relationship.
Why can't you tell me so?
The artist wants their partner to be honest with them about their feelings.
If my heart wasn't in it
If the singer was no longer committed to the relationship.
I'd have gone long ago
The artist would have ended the relationship if they were no longer committed to it.
Why keep me hangin' on?
The singer wants to know why their partner is keeping them in the relationship if they are no longer committed.
Just tell me and I'll be gone
The singer is willing to end the relationship if their partner is no longer committed.
You treat me like a stranger
The singer feels like their partner is treating them as if they don't know each other.
As if I wasn't there
The artist feels like their partner is not acknowledging them or their presence.
Oh baby, I waited for a miracle
The artist had hoped that something miraculous would happen to make their partner care about the relationship again.
To make you show that you care
The singer wanted their partner to demonstrate that they care about the relationship.
I can't go through the motions
The singer cannot pretend to be invested in the relationship if their partner is not.
I have to know
The artist needs to know where their partner stands in the relationship.
I can't go to the limit
The artist cannot continue to invest in the relationship if their partner is not equally invested.
If your heart
If the artist's partner is no longer committed.
Ooh, can't you tell me so?
The singer wants their partner to be honest with them about their feelings.
Don't keep me hangin' on
The artist wants their partner to be straightforward with them and not keep them in the relationship if they are no longer committed.
For dear life
The singer does not want to be trapped in a relationship that is no longer working.
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WAYNE I. LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind