While most bluesy hard rock acts of the '70s and '80s hailed from the United States (the south, to be exact), there were several exceptions to the rule, such as Canadian singer/guitarist Pat Travers. Born in Toronto on April 12, 1954, Travers first picked up the guitar just prior to entering his teens, after witnessing a local performance by the great Jimi Hendrix. It wasn't long before Travers was studying the other top rock guitarists of the day (Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, etc.), and paying his dues by playing in bar bands in the Quebec area.
His first true touring gig came his way when he hooked up with '50s rock n' roll vet Ronnie Hawkins (best known for performing with a backing cast that would eventually transform into The Band). But Travers' main love was hard rock, so after a year, he packed up his belongings and headed to London. Shortly after touchdown in the U.K., Travers recorded a demo that would land him a recording deal with Polydor and result in the release of his debut, Pat Travers, during the spring of 1976. A performance at England's annual Reading Festival the same year only peaked interest, which resulted in two more releases in 1977, Makin' Magic and Putting It Straight (both of which featured a pre-Iron Maiden Nicko McBrain on drums), before Travers returned to North America and set his sights on the U.S. rock market.
Hooking up with a fine backing band comprised of drummer Tommy Aldridge, guitarist Pat Thrall, and bassist Mars Cowling, the new Travers band lineup premiered on 1979's Heat in the Street. This led to Travers' most commercially successful period, resulting in a pair of Top 30 releases, 1979's Live! Go For What You Know (considered by many Travers fans to be his finest hour) and 1980's Crash and Burn. But soon after the dawn of the '80s, bluesy hard rock seemed to quickly fall out of favor amongst the U.S. record buying public, in favor of slickly produced arena rock, and later, MTV-approved bands. As a result, each subsequent Travers release sold less, as his last albums to appear on the U.S. album charts included 1981's Radio Active, 1982's Black Pearl, and 1984's Hot Shot.
Unhappy with Polydor, Travers opted to take a break from releasing albums for the remainder of the decade, but continued to tour. Travers' 1990 comeback album, School of Hard Knocks, failed to re-spark interest on the charts, although he continued to issue new studio albums (Blues Tracks, Just a Touch, Blues Magnet, etc.) and archival live sets (King Biscuit Flower Hour, BBC Radio One Live in Concert) throughout the decade.
Travers continues to tour and record regularly (playing alongside the likes of Night Ranger's Jeff Watson, Cinderella's Tom Keifer, and Rick Derringer), and in 2001, performed as part of the 'Voices of Classic Rock' tour. Travers emerged from the recording studio once more in 2003, with P.T. Power Trio, a recording that featured covers by the likes of Cream ("White Room"), Robin Trower ("Day of the Eagle"), and ZZ Top ("Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings"), among others. (Greg Prato - AllMusic Guide)
Stand Up
Pat Travers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We rode for broke throughout those mountain lands to stake a claim
And as the sunlight scorched our bodies brown,
We swore to heaven up and down that they'd learn our names.
And our guns someday
We were bound to get our way
Stand up cowboy, come on stand up
About a fortnight's ride out of
Santa Fe, Billy Boy and me we shouted, "
Holiday!" We raised some hell.
Yeah we sure did.
Well we stuffed and stoved 'em in Stone Blind.
Swept away the pretty women kind that would never tell.
Lies don't get around, when you're lying six feet down
Stand up cowboy, come on stand up
Stand up cowboy, stand up stand
I don't believe you just emptied out your gun.
Billy Boy first time I think we gotta' run.
Come on Billy man what you done to me.
We're in some trouble boy and now you want to
Know, can it be can it be can it be can it be.
Oh yeah.
Oh yeah.
Come on stand up
Well it was deep in the night, good folks.
Cashin' in our chips.
When they caught up with us.
Well my buddy turned and he said out loud he was
Sorry but he was proud to have been a part of this.
Then he stood and yelled, "
You have me boys." I took my stand, I made some noise.
I lived and I died.
By my own choice.
Stand up cowboy, come on stand up
Stand up cowboy, stand up stand
Stand up cowboy, come on stand up
Stand up cowboy, stand up stand
The song "Stand Up" by Pat Travers is a tribute to the American West and the legends of cowboys and outlaws. The lyrics paint vivid images of the rugged and wild landscape that these brave men navigated. The opening lines speak of two cowboys with "45's burning in our hands" riding through the mountain lands to stake their claim. They are determined to make their mark and become known.
As the song progresses, the imagery of the West becomes even more powerful. The cowboys raise some hell, get into trouble, and face the consequences of their actions. But even in the face of danger, they stand tall and face their fate with courage. The repetition of the refrain "Stand up cowboy, come on stand up" emphasizes the importance of standing up for oneself and facing adversity head-on.
The song is an ode to the spirit of the American West, to the courage and rugged individualism of the cowboys and outlaws who shaped its history. It's a reminder that even in the face of danger and adversity, it's important to stand up for one's beliefs and values.
Line by Line Meaning
With our 45's burning in our hands,
As we held our guns with anticipation, we ventured through the mountains to establish our claim.
We rode for broke throughout those mountain lands to stake a claim
We risked everything to prove ourselves and secure our own destiny.
And as the sunlight scorched our bodies brown,
Under the brutal heat, we persevered and endured through the harsh conditions.
We swore to heaven up and down that they'd learn our names.
We made a vow with full conviction that our mark would be felt, and we would be remembered.
And our guns someday
We had faith and confidence that the firearms we carried would serve us well in the future.
We were bound to get our way
With our determination and perseverance, we knew that we would accomplish our goals.
Stand up cowboy, come on stand up
In the face of danger or adversity, maintain your courage and stand firm in your beliefs.
About a fortnight's ride out of Santa Fe, Billy Boy and me we shouted, Holiday!
A few weeks outside Santa Fe, Billy Boy and I celebrated with joy and exuberance.
We raised some hell. Yeah we sure did.
We made some noise and caused commotion in the town.
Well we stuffed and stoved 'em in Stone Blind.
We made enemies in Stone Blind and showed no mercy.
Swept away the pretty women kind that would never tell.
We got rid of women who might reveal our secrets or cause trouble for us.
Lies don't get around, when you're lying six feet down
When you're dead, you don't have to worry about the truth coming out.
I don't believe you just emptied out your gun.
I am surprised and shocked that you have already used up all of your ammunition.
Billy Boy first time I think we gotta' run.
This is the first time I am convinced that we need to escape and flee from danger.
Come on Billy man what you done to me.
I am frustrated and upset with you because of the predicament we are in.
We're in some trouble boy and now you want to know, can it be can it be can it be can it be.
We are in a difficult situation, and you are questioning whether we can escape unscathed.
Well it was deep in the night, good folks. Cashin' in our chips.
In the late hours of the evening, as bystanders were collecting their winnings, we were making our exit.
When they caught up with us.
They found us and got to us before we could make a clean getaway.
Well my buddy turned and he said out loud he was Sorry but he was proud to have been a part of this.
My friend apologized, but he expressed satisfaction and pride in being part of this adventure with me.
Then he stood and yelled, You have me boys.
He bravely surrendered, so that the rest of us could escape.
I took my stand, I made some noise.
I confronted and fought against the opposition, making it clear that I was willing to defend myself.
I lived and I died. By my own choice.
I accepted full responsibility for my actions, which ultimately led to both triumph and tragedy.
Stand up cowboy, stand up stand.
Stand tall and courageous, even in the face of defeat or adversity.
Writer(s): GEORGE WALLACE
Contributed by Julian V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.