L.T.D. was a R&B, disco and funk band that had a string of hits in the 1970… Read Full Bio ↴L.T.D. was a R&B, disco and funk band that had a string of hits in the 1970s.

Band formation
L.T.D. (which stood for Love, Togetherness and Devotion) was formed in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1968 by keyboardist Jimmie "J.D." Davis and saxophonist Abraham "Onion" Miller. Both were former backing musicians for soul duo Sam and Dave. The band was originally named Love Men, Ltd.

The other members of the band were recruited following the relocation of Jimmie and Abraham to New York City:

Henry Davis, bassist
Johnny McGhee, guitarist
Carle Vickers, trumpeter
Arthur "Lorenzo" Carnegie, saxophonist
Toby Wynn, saxophonist
Jake Riley, Jr., trombonist
Jeffrey Osborne, singer and drummer
The group then settled in Los Angeles, where Osborne's brother, Billy Osborne joined the lineup as the keyboardist.

Discography
L.T.D. signed with the A&M label to issue their 1974 debut Love, Togetherness and Devotion. On their third LP, 1976's Love to the World, the group scored their first Top 20 pop hit, Love Ballad. The follow-up, 1977's Something to Love, included the top five track (Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again. Four years later L.T.D. returned to the Top 40 once again with Shine On.

Stand Up L.T.D.
L.T.D. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

it's the american way it's the thing to do i can take
anything i want the right to choose is always mine
i'm counting on you to stand up and strike them down
i'm counting on you, stand up.
.. you see they walk the streets they kill for fun
but sometimes i feel i'm the only one the only one
i'm counting on you to stand up and strike them down
stand up... it's okay to die no,

no! strike force, allied weapons.
.. i've got the new catalog,
it's got all the neat new guns we can trade 'em to
you for all kinds of stuff we'll get some weed or some
feds get some sheets and we can get some stuff we can
trade you all kinds of fire power let them fight our
wars for us so we won't see the state blow up 'cause

you really think this game's all said no,
let them all do it there so we don't have to sweat sweat

Overall Meaning

The song Stand Up by L.T.D. is a commentary on American culture and the glorification of violence. The lyrics suggest that the American way is to take what you want and that the right to choose is always yours, even if it means using violence. The singer then pleads with the listener to stand up against those who would harm others and strike them down.

The following lines then describe the prevalence of violence, with individuals killing for fun and the singer feeling like they are the only one who cares. The chorus returns with the plea for the listener to stand up and take action. The song then takes a darker turn with the suggestion that it is okay to die, and the mention of strike force and allied weapons. The third and final verse describes a catalog of new guns and the suggestion to trade them for drugs and other illegal items.

Overall, the lyrics of Stand Up condemn the culture of violence in America and call for individuals to take action against it. The song suggests that the prevalence of guns and the glorification of violence is destructive and encourages listeners to stand up against it.

Line by Line Meaning

it's the american way it's the thing to do i can take anything i want the right to choose is always mine
I am entitled to do whatever I want since it is considered a cultural norm in America. I have the power to choose for myself.

i'm counting on you to stand up and strike them down
I am relying on you to take action and defeat our enemies.

i'm counting on you, stand up.
I urge you to stand up and take action.

you see they walk the streets they kill for fun but sometimes i feel i'm the only one the only one
There are people who commit heinous crimes without consequences, and I feel as though I am the only one who cares enough to stop them.

stand up... it's okay to die no, no! strike force, allied weapons.
I am directing you to stand tall and fight for what you believe in. It is acceptable to make the ultimate sacrifice. We must use weapons of war to win this battle.

i've got the new catalog, it's got all the neat new guns we can trade 'em to you for all kinds of stuff we'll get some weed or some feds get some sheets and we can get some stuff we can trade you all kinds of fire power let them fight our wars for us so we won't see the state blow up 'cause you really think this game's all said no, let them all do it there so we don't have to sweat sweat
I have a new catalog of weapons that we can use to exchange goods. We can obtain drugs, government officials, and other supplies in exchange for weapons. Let's have other people fight our battles so we do not have to worry about the destruction of our own nation. We should let others do the work instead of us.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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