Candlebox was known for an explosive live show and throughout their 8 year career, they toured with such bands as Living Colour, The Flaming Lips, Our Lady Peace, Rush, Henry Rollins, and Metallica. They were also a featured band on the main-stage at Woodstock '94 and made repeat live performances on the David Letterman show.
They are best known for the singles "Change", "You", "Far Behind" and "Simple Lessons". "Far Behind" entered Billboard's Top 20 in July of 1993 and didn't drop off the charts until January of 1994. The videos for "Far Behind" and "You" were in seemingly perpetual rotation on MTV and became two of the most requested videos of 1993.
Drummer Scott Mercado left the band in 1997 and was replaced by former Pearl Jam member Dave Krusen. Krusen later left the band in 1999 and was replaced by Shannon Larkin of Ugly Kid Joe. Bardi Martin also left the band that year, and was replaced by Rob Reddick (formerly of Dig). The band split in year 2000.
As of 2005, singer Kevin Martin is currently recording and performing as the leader of The Hiwatts. Peter Klett is currently recording and performing as the leader of redlightmusic.
In 2006, Candlebox has reunited with their original line-up. They went on a three-month North American tour beginning on July 1st of the same year. This marks their first collaboration since 1996.
In 2008, Candlebox released their fourth studio album called "Into the sun". This meant their return since 1998's Happy Pills. Also, they released a Live album called "Alive in Seattle" which includes tracks from all their past albums.
In 2009, Kevin Martin (along with Sean Hennesy, Candlebox's guitarist) helped form the super-group The Gracious Few with three of the members of the band LIVE. Functioning as lead singer, the band went on to release a self-titled album which accompanied an extensive tour. Though LIVE has reformed with a new lead singer, more material from The Gracious Few is said to be released in the future
Stand
Candlebox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you speak a little bit louder
Just wait listen close to these words and you'll find
It gets harder to swallow their lies
Stay all they ask is you follow them, fools
Yes you've made it so far so you play
Bring you friends to our party recruit it'll take you much further
No we cannot stay we'll say fuck your consumption
[Chorus]
If I stood for you and I bled for you would you come and save me
If we took a chance did it all again
Would you run away or stand
So you prey on the loneliest cubs in the zoo
All the weak and unknowing
Just play you can mold and conform them the rules
We must break the bad habits
Oh this is your way all your cunning destruction
No we cannot stay we'll save f**k your consumption
[Chorus: x3]
The lyrics to Candlebox's "Stand" convey a message of defiance against societal pressures and expectations. The opening lines of "Hey is there something you’ve got on your mind, can you speak a little bit louder" suggest that the singer is open to hearing what others have to say, but only if they are willing to speak up and be heard. The next lines, "Just wait listen close to these words and you'll find, it gets harder to swallow their lies" imply that the singer is well aware of the dishonesty and manipulation that can occur in social situations.
In the next verse, the lyrics take a more confrontational tone, addressing those who would seek to control and influence others: "Stay all they ask is you follow them, fools / Yes you've made it so far so you play / Bring you friends to our party recruit it'll take you much further / Oh this is your way, all your cunning destruction." The singer is evidently critical of those who seek to manipulate and control others for their own purposes, and urges listeners to resist such pressures.
The chorus of the song is an exhortation to action, challenging listeners to stand up and fight back against the forces that would seek to control them: "If I stood for you and I bled for you would you come and save me / If we took a chance did it all again / Would you run away or stand." The repetition of the word "stand" reinforces the song's message of defiance and resistance.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey is there something you?ve got on your mind
Are you thinking about something that's bothering you?
Can you speak a little bit louder
Can you please communicate your thoughts more clearly?
Just wait listen close to these words and you'll find
Please listen carefully and you'll understand.
It gets harder to swallow their lies
It becomes increasingly difficult to accept their deceitful actions.
Stay all they ask is you follow them, fools
They want you to blindly obey and follow them like a fool.
Yes you've made it so far so you play
You've succeeded thus far by playing their game.
Bring you friends to our party recruit it'll take you much further
Invite your friends to join our group, and you'll go further.
Oh this is your way all your cunning destruction
This is your method of achieving your goals, through trickery and destruction.
No we cannot stay we'll say fuck your consumption
We cannot stay and continue to be a part of your harmful ways.
If I stood for you and I bled for you would you come and save me
If I supported you and sacrificed for you, would you reciprocate and help me?
If we took a chance did it all again
If we could start over and take a risk, would we do it?
Would you run away or stand
When faced with adversity, would you run or stand and fight?
So you prey on the loneliest cubs in the zoo
You take advantage of the most vulnerable and lonely individuals.
All the weak and unknowing
You manipulate those who are easily influenced and ignorant.
Just play you can mold and conform them the rules
You believe you can shape and conform them to follow your beliefs and values.
We must break the bad habits
It's necessary to break these harmful patterns of behavior.
Lyrics © TUNECORE INC, TuneCore Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KEVIN MARTIN, JASON SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SuperVentsi
Hey: Is there something you've got on your mind?
Can you speak a bit louder?
Wait: Listen close to these words & you'll find,
It gets harder to swallow their lies
Stay: All they ask is you follow them
Fools!
Yes you've made it so far so you
Play: Bring your friends to our party recruit,
It'll take you much further
Oh this is your way
Your cunning destruction
No we cannot stay
We'll say fuck your consumption
If I stood for you, and I bled for you
Would you come and save me?
If we took a chance, did it all again
Would you run away with me?
So you prey
On the loneliest cubs in this zoo
All the weak and unknowing just clay
You can mold and conform them the rules
We must break your bad habits
Oh this is your way
All its cunning destruction
No we cannot stay
We'll say fuck you consumption
If I stood for you, and I bled for you
Would you come and save me?
If we took a chance, did it all again
Would you run away with me?
Stand up for who we are
Stand up with I and I
Stand up for who we are
Stand up your right
@Challender
The Art of these gents way underated. Hours of great material, is some of the best part of my playlist. Anyone that doesn't like Candlebox has not listened to enough of there material, they have plenty of other selections and versions of songs over the years.
@mustlovepretzels
ADA: thanks for posting. Cheers!🥨
@TheYankeefly26
I was a fan of this band since the beginning..these lyrics are so relevant and brilliantly delivered.
@veronicaalleyne
as a person who usually speaks only to say what she means & always means what she says, this immediately caught my attention & spoke to me in that way a song can really connect
@michaelbarbier111
what a force of instruments coming together accompanied by powerful vocals and the result is this bad song only Candlebox can produce. HELL YEAH!!!! MPB 59
@danysaschaja
I'm so glad I was born in the 70's. Love this fucking band.
@rainygirl9115
Very underrated band!
@filthymcgrimez
If this song touches you, then let it inspire you to change the world you live in. You don't have to give money to anyone, just pick one person every day thats needs help and fill that need to the best of your ability. There are a million things better to give than money (i.e. Love, time, patience, attention, etc.etc.) and no shortage of people in need. And who knows, your Love my inspire another, and another, and another....
@purpleslushie
I woke up yesterday thinking about the opening of this song. Tried to remember it but couldn't come to what it was. Tried Google, youtube, couple song lyric search site but couldn't find it. I just knew it had something to do with stand. I randomly had candle pop into my mind while trying to think about it today. Tried candle mass but realized that wasn't it. Then candlebox popped into mind and I found it. Used to watch this specific video. All in all, nice.
@shelleyso
Candlebox came back with a bang, a rock your face off song to kick off their album. And how badass is it that Kevin Martin lit himself on fire at the end?!