Stand By Your Man
Candi Staton Lyrics

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Sometimes it's hard to be a woman
giving all your love to just one man.
You'll have bad times
And he'll have good times,
Doin' things that you don't understand.

But if you love him you'll forgive him,
even though he's hard to understand.

And if you love him Oh be proud of him,
'Cause after all he's just a man.

Stand By Your Man,
Give him two arms to cling to,
And something warm to come to
when nights are cold and lonely.

Stand By Your Man,
And tell the world you love him.
Giving all the love you can.
Stand By Your Man.

Stand By Your Man,

And show the world you love him.
Keep giving all the love you can;

Overall Meaning

Candi Staton’s “Stand By Your Man” is a song about the complexities of love and standing by your partner through thick and thin. The opening lines, “Sometimes it's hard to be a woman giving all your love to just one man”, set the tone for the rest of the song. The song acknowledges the fact that relationships can be tough and that there will be bad times along with good times. The line “You'll have bad times and he'll have good times, doin’ things that you don’t understand” suggests that we are all human and we all make mistakes, but that doesn’t mean we should give up on the person we love.

The chorus of the song encourages women to stand by their man, to give him two arms to cling to and something warm to come to on the cold and lonely nights. The song suggests that if you love someone, you should forgive them even when they are hard to understand. The line “And if you love him Oh be proud of him, 'Cause after all he's just a man” suggests that men may not always get it right, but they are still deserving of love and support.

Overall, “Stand By Your Man” is a powerful message about unconditional love and support in a relationship. Despite the challenges that come our way, we should always strive to stand by the ones we love.

Line by Line Meaning

Sometimes it's hard to be a woman
Acknowledging the difficulties of being a woman in a relationship

giving all your love to just one man.
Being devoted to a single partner

You'll have bad times
Accepting that there will be tough times

And he'll have good times,
Recognizing that the man will experience good moments

Doin' things that you don't understand.
Feeling confused or bewildered by the man's actions

But if you love him you'll forgive him,
Choosing to forgive the man's mistakes because of love

even though he's hard to understand.
Despite finding it difficult to comprehend his behavior

And if you love him Oh be proud of him,
Taking pride in the man despite his flaws

'Cause after all he's just a man.
Acknowledging that men are imperfect beings

Stand By Your Man,
Staying loyal and supportive of your partner

Give him two arms to cling to,
Providing comfort and support to the man