In August of 2002, the group upped the rock quotient on its second album (and first for In the Red), Time Bomb High School, and the group landed a high-profile gig opening for Swedish garage wunderkinds the Hives on their North American tour. Alex Greene dropped out as a full-time group member by the time 2004's Too Much Guitar was released, though he did appear on the disc as a guest musician, and the band followed its release with more touring, both as a headliner and once again as opener for the Hives. The band also gained another well-known champion in Little Steven Van Zandt, who gave the band frequent airplay on his syndicated radio show. In September 2005 Reigning Sound released Home for Orphans through Sympathy for the Record Industry. It featured reworked versions of Too Much Guitar material along with some unreleased tracks.
Their album Abdication… For Your Love was originally available in 2011 solely as a promotional giveaway, but was given a wide release in 2019 on Merge Records.
Stick Up For Me
Reigning Sound Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you get home you're much too tired to pray
You better watch out for what you do
That man on the corner's lookin' at you
The big guys do what they want to
They're making laws to control you
I'm a man you better set me free
Someone up there better stick up for me, yeah!
Don't you think that the millions
Are getting tired of being governed by the few
They send you out to fight the war
While they stay at home to control you
The big guys do what they want to
They're making laws to control you
I'm a man you better set me free
Someone up there better stick up for me, yeah!
Look at the mountains baby, look at the trees
Look at the birds up in the sky, ain't they free?
Look at the fishes in the deep blue sea
And won't you please tell me why the
Big guys do what they want to
They're making laws to control you
I'm a man you better set me free
Someone up there better stick up for me, yeah!
Someone up there better stick up for me! (x3)
Stick Up For Me by Reigning Sound speaks about the struggles and injustices that individuals face in society. The song discusses the idea of control and the power dynamics that exist in the world. The opening lines express exhaustion, highlighting how the average person works tirelessly and doesn't even have the energy to pray at the end of the day. The song also touches on the idea of surveillance, with the lyrics "That man on the corner's looking at you". This suggests that people in authority are always watching, monitoring, and controlling the actions of everyday people.
The second verse examines the question of politics and who holds the power. The lyrics talk about how a few people govern the masses and conscript them to go to war while they stay behind to control them. The song highlights the unfairness of this situation and how the laws made by these powerful people affect the lives of the common man. The song also touches on the idea of freedom, using nature as an example of beings that are free. The lyrics suggest that humans should also have the same freedom and not be controlled by the powerful few.
In the chorus, the singer cries out for someone to stick up for him. He recognizes that he is just one man and cannot fight the powers that be alone. The song seems to be calling out for some sort of collective effort to challenge the existing power structures and fight for justice.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't you tired of working 8 hours a day
Don't you feel exhausted after working eight hours a day?
When you get home you're much too tired to pray
After a tiring day at work, you don't have the energy to do anything else.
You better watch out for what you do
Be careful about what you do, as it might have consequences.
That man on the corner's lookin' at you
Someone is observing you with suspicious eyes.
The big guys do what they want to
Those in power have the privilege of doing whatever they want without worrying about the common people.
They're making laws to control you
The authorities are utilizing their power to keep common folks under their influence by creating stringent rules.
I'm a man you better set me free
I'm an individual with dignity, and you need to treat me properly.
Someone up there better stick up for me, yeah!
I need someone to come to my rescue because I'm feeling helpless.
Don't you think that the millions
Do you realize that numerous people are affected by this ill-treatment?
Are getting tired of being governed by the few
They're frustrated about being controlled by privileged people.
They send you out to fight the war
They send innocent people out to fight battles to retain control.
While they stay at home to control you
The wealthy and powerful ones don't risk their safety by participating in wars, but they control others' lives and safety.
Look at the mountains baby, look at the trees
Open your eyes, and observe the natural world that's not impacted by human domination.
Look at the birds up in the sky, ain't they free?
The birds flying overhead exhibit freedom that humans can only covet.
Look at the fishes in the deep blue sea
Even the creatures living in the depths of the ocean demonstrate a kind of freedom that humans are denied.
And won't you please tell me why the
Can you explain to me why this discrepancy exists?
Someone up there better stick up for me, yeah!
The helplessness of the common man demands intervention from a higher authority to provide justice.
Contributed by Eli P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.