Stand and Deliver
No Doubt Lyrics
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I spend my cash on looking flash and grabbing your attention
The devil take your stereo and your record collection!
The way you look you'll qualify for next years old age pension!
Stand and deliver your money or your life!
Try and use a mirror no bullet or a knife!
The clumsy boots, peek-a-boo roots that people think so dashing
So what's the point of robbery when nothing is worth taking?
Its kind of tough to tell a scruff the big mistake he's making
Stand and deliver your money or your life!
Try and use a mirror no bullet or a knife!
And even though you fool your souls
Your conscience will be mine
All mine
Were the dandy highwaymen so tired of excuses
Of deep meaning philosophies where only showbiz loses
Were the dandy highwaymen and here's our invitation
Throw your safety overboard and join our insect nation
Stand and deliver your money or your life!
Try and use a mirror no bullet or a knife!
And even though you fool your souls
Your conscience will be mine, all mine
Da diddley qa qa da diddley qa qa
Da diddley qa qa da diddley qa qa
Stand and deliver your money or your life!
Stand and deliver your money or your life!...
The lyrics to No Doubt's song Stand and Deliver contain a story of a dandy highwayman, who spends his money on looking flashy and grabbing attention. The character speaks of robbing people, but questions the worth of the crimes, as "nothing is worth taking." He also addresses the people he robs, mocking their fashion choices and implying they will end up old and poor. The repeated command to "Stand and deliver your money or your life!" is followed by the line "Try and use a mirror no bullet or a knife!", emphasizing the idea that the character is more interested in the attention and psychological power he gains from robbing than the money itself.
The song can be interpreted as a commentary on the superficiality of consumer culture and the emptiness of pursuing instant gratification. The dandy highwayman character represents a desire for attention and status, but ultimately realizes the fleeting nature of these things. The repeated line "And even though you fool your souls, your conscience will be mine, all mine" suggests that the character is taking advantage of others' vulnerabilities to gain power and control.
Overall, the lyrics of Stand and Deliver encourage listeners to question their own motivations for seeking attention and status, and to consider the potential negative consequences of pursuing these things at any cost.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the dandy highwayman who you're too scared to mention
I am a fashionable thief who is so notorious that nobody dares to name me.
I spend my cash on looking flash and grabbing your attention
I use my money to dress up and capture your gaze.
The devil take your stereo and your record collection!
I will steal everything you hold dear, including your music.
The way you look you'll qualify for next years old age pension!
Your style is so outdated that you will soon be eligible for retirement benefits.
Stand and deliver your money or your life!
Give me your money or face the consequences!
Try and use a mirror no bullet or a knife!
You can try to defend yourself, but it won't work, so don't bother.
I'm the dandy highwayman so sick of easy fashion
I am a fashionable thief who is tired of generic trends.
The clumsy boots, peek-a-boo roots that people think so dashing
The fashion that other people think is cool, like boots paired with short skirts or hair styled to purposely show the roots, looks silly to me.
So what's the point of robbery when nothing is worth taking?
Why even bother to rob someone when there is nothing of real value to take?
Its kind of tough to tell a scruff the big mistake he's making
It's challenging to get a scruffy-looking person to realize how much they stand out and are making a mistake in their fashion choices.
And even though you fool your souls, your conscience will be mine. All mine.
Even if you are not physically caught or punished, you will be haunted by your guilty conscience, and I will be the one possessing it.
Were the dandy highwaymen so tired of excuses
We are the fashionable thieves who are tired of hearing people come up with poor excuses.
Of deep meaning philosophies where only showbiz loses
The tendency to overthink things only leads to the entertainment industry losing authenticity.
Were the dandy highwaymen and here's our invitation
We are the fashionable thieves, and we are inviting you to join us.
Throw your safety overboard and join our insect nation
Ditch your comfort zone and join our gang that operates like a colony of insects with a hive mind.
Da diddley qa qa da diddley qa qa
Non-verbal section with no specific meaning
Stand and deliver your money or your life!
Give me your money or face the consequences!
Stand and deliver your money or your life!...
Repeating the chorus for emphasis.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARCO PIRRONI, ADAM ANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind