Brothers Sly Stone and singer/guitarist Freddie Stone combined their bands (Sly & the Stoners and Freddie & the Stone Souls) at the end of 1966. Sly and Freddie Stone, trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, drummer Gregg Errico, saxophonist Jerry Martini, and bassist Larry Graham completed the original lineup; Sly and Freddie's sister, singer/keyboardist Rose Stone, joined within a year. This collective recorded five Top 10 hits and four groundbreaking albums, which greatly influenced the sound of American pop music, soul, R&B, funk, and hip hop music. In the preface of his 1998 book For the Record: Sly and the Family Stone: An Oral History, Joel Selvin sums up the importance of Sly & the Family Stone's influence on African American music by stating "there are two types of black music: black music before Sly Stone, and black music after Sly Stone". The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
During the early 1970s, the band switched to a grittier funk sound, which was as influential on the music industry as their earlier work. The band began to fall apart during this period because of drug abuse and ego clashes; consequently, the fortunes and reliability of the band deteriorated, leading to its dissolution in 1975. Sly Stone continued to record albums and tour with a new rotating lineup under the "Sly & the Family Stone" name from 1975 to 1983. In 1987, Sly Stone was arrested and sentenced for cocaine use, after which he went into effective retirement.
Cynthia Robinson - January 12, 1944 – November 23, 2015
Stand!
Sly & The Family Stone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the end you'll still be you
One that's done all the things you set out to do
Stand
There's a cross for you to bear
Things to go through if you're going anywhere (ooh)
Stand
It's the truth that the truth makes them so uptight
Stand
All the things you want are real
You have you to complete and there is no deal
Stand, stand, stand
Stand, stand, ooh
Ooh
Stand
You've been sitting much too long
There's a permanent crease in your right and wrong
Stand
There's a midget standing tall
And a giant beside him about to fall
Stand, stand, ooh
Stand, stand, ooh
Ooh
Stand
They will try to make you crawl
And they know what you're saying makes sense and all
Stand
Don't you know that you are free?
Well, at least in your mind if you want to be
Everybody
Stand, stand
Stand
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Stand
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Stand
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Stand
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Stand
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na
The song "Stand!" by Sly & The Family Stone is a powerful call to action, urging listeners to stand up for what they believe in and to be true to themselves. The lyrics encourage the listener to continue despite obstacles, to stand up for what is right and to be a beacon of goodness and truth. The opening lines suggest that no matter what happens, you will always be yourself, with a list of accomplishments and experiences to your name. The song then becomes an exhortation to "stand" for various things, including one's beliefs and values, and the truth.
The chorus repeats the command to "stand," with a catchy melody that demands attention. The verses describe different situations where one might need to stand, including facing ridicule or being challenged for speaking the truth. There is a sense of urgency to the song, a feeling that the time to act is now. The bridge of the song features a call and response section, where Sly leads the way and the backing singers respond. The song ends with a series of "na na na's," suggesting that the message is clear but there is more to be done.
Line by Line Meaning
Stand
In the end you'll still be you
One that's done all the things you set out to do
Keep your ground
At the end, you will remain who you are
Someone who has accomplished all they planned to
Stand
There's a cross for you to bear
Things to go through if you're going anywhere (ooh)
Stay strong
You will face challenges that you need to overcome if you wish to go forward
Stand
For the things you know are right
It's the truth that the truth makes them so uptight
Fight for what's right
Know what you believe is right, even if others are uncomfortable hearing the truth
Stand
All the things you want are real
You have you to complete and there is no deal
Be confident
Your desires and aspirations can become a reality, but only through your own effort
Stand
You've been sitting much too long
There's a permanent crease in your right and wrong
Stop holding back
You've been stagnant for far too long, causing a rift between what's right and wrong
Stand
There's a midget standing tall
And a giant beside him about to fall
Size doesn't matter
Those who appear small can be mighty, while those who seem vastly powerful may be on the verge of becoming vulnerable
Stand
They will try to make you crawl
And they know what you're saying makes sense and all
Don't back down from opposition
Enemies may try to break you or compromise your beliefs, but they know deep down that you make sense
Stand
Don't you know that you are free?
Well, at least in your mind if you want to be
Recognize your freedom
You have the power to make your own choices and thoughts, so exercise your freedom of mind
Stand, stand, stand
Stand, stand, ooh
Ooh
Reinforce the message
The chorus is a reminder to stand strong and hold one's ground
Everybody
Stand, stand
Unite in solidarity
Encouragement for listeners to come together and stand strong
Stand
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Stand
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Stand
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Stand
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Stand
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Reiterate the call to stand
The song's final moments repeat the chorus to drive home the message of standing strong
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sylvester Stewart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tomgrooms4046
Tru Dat!
You've been sitting much too long
There's a permanent crease in your right and wrong
Stand
There's a midget standing tall
And a giant beside him about to fall
Stand! Stand! Ooh!
Stand! Stand! Ooh!
Ooo ooo stand!.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB85B7ttzD4
@KristenKnightLasVegas
I play this song almost every day in the physical therapy gym and it always makes me cry! I had a stroke four months ago and was paralyzed on my left side. So when my therapists tell me to STAND! I put this song on and then I can do it, with tears streaming down my face! I love sharing this song with everyone else, too! We are all trying hard to stand! I'm in a rehab hospital right now and this song is very powerful! ❤️💪🏼💪🏼
@kelseymariel2127
Sending healing thoughts and power to you!! Love this song and it is my favorite go to when I am depressed.
@Bfoots1952
All the best to you during your rehad. God Bless You.🙏🏿☺🙏🏿
@sparker931
Hope your getting there
@walwilliams5534
Our minds and bodies are amazingly-fragile, yet amazingly-RESILIENT! Our brains have a type of plasticity that cannot be beaten. I acknowledge your struggles, your losses, your efforts, your accomplishments, and your VICTORIES. Do whatever you can to encourage the innate neuroplasticity that is in dynamic action, now and always. This song is a great piece of inspiration to me, as well - and also within the exact same environment as you're in - when I had to relearn how to walk [and talk], years ago. Your post hits-home in a completely unexpected way today. Thank you for sharing - and while there may be a few plateaus, there will always be an ongoing recovery-process which will surprise you.
@nickdavila8795
Your an inspiration to us all . Keep on Standing. Everybody.
@larryc3860
what wonderful lyrics....just as true now as they were in 1970....STAND!
@adriennerobinson1180
Truth Indeed AMEN 🙏
@larryc3860
@@adriennerobinson1180 Sly (Sylvester Stewart) was a voice for the people, especially for we hippies of the time.......
@adriennerobinson1180
@larryc3860 Oh Yes! TRUTH INDEED