Stand Back
Stevie Nicks Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

No one looked, I walked by
Just an invitation would have been just fine
Said no to him again and again
First he took my heart then he ran
No one knows how I feel
What I say unless you read between my lines
One man walked away from me
First he took my hand
Take me home

Stand back, stand back
In the middle of my room, I did not hear from you
It's alright, it's alright
To be standing in a line (standing in a line)
To be standing in a line
I would cry

La-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la, la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la

Do not turn away, my friend
Like a willow, I can bend
No man calls my name
No man came
So I walked on down, away from you
Maybe your attention was more than you could do
But one man did not call
He asked me for my love and that was all

Stand back, stand back
In the middle of my room, I did not hear from you
It's alright, it's alright
To be standing in a line (standing in a line)
To be standing in a line
I would cry

La-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la, la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
Doo-doo, doo-doo, oh
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la, da-da-da-da
La-la-la-la-la, whoa-oh

So I walked, walked down the line away from you
Maybe your attention was more than I could do
One man did not fall
Well, he asked me for my love, that was all

Stand back, stand back
In the middle of my room, I did not hear from you
It's alright, it's alright
To be standing in a line (standing in a line)
To be standing in a line
I could cry

Need a little, need a little sympathy
Well, I need a little sympathy (cry)
Well, I need a little sympathy
Well, you could be standing in (stand back)
Well, you could be standing in (stand back)
Well, you could be standing in (stand back)
Take me home
Take me home (stand back)
Won't you take me home?
Well, I need a little sympathy (stand back)
Well, you could be standing in (stand back)
Why don't you take me home?
Why don't you take me home? (Stand back)




Take me home (alright)
Take me (alright) home

Overall Meaning

"Stand Back" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks. The song was released as the first single off of her second solo album "The Wild Heart" in 1983. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and desperation for love from someone who is not reciprocating, while also expressing a feeling of empowerment in standing up for oneself.


The opening lines "No one looked, I walked by/ Just an invitation would have been just fine/ Said no to him again and again/ First he took my heart, then he ran" suggest that Nicks is uninterested in a particular man despite his advances. She then goes on to say "No one knows how I feel/ What I say unless you read between my lines," which implies that she can't express her true feelings outright but expects the listener to understand them from the subtext.


Later in the song, Nicks sings "Do not turn away, my friend/ Like a willow, I can bend/ No man calls my name/ No man came," conveying a sense of loneliness and longing for someone to love her. The chorus "Stand back, stand back/ In the middle of my room, I did not hear from you/ It's alright, it's alright/ To be standing in a line (standing in a line)/ To be standing in a line/ I would cry" suggests that while Nicks is standing up for herself, she is okay with being alone if it means not settling for less than she deserves.


Overall, "Stand Back" is a song about self-respect and empowerment while navigating the complexities of relationships. Nicks' lyrics convey honesty and vulnerability, while also expressing a sense of strength and resilience.


Line by Line Meaning

No one looked, I walked by
I passed unnoticed, as if invisible


Just an invitation would have been just fine
All I wanted was a simple request to come along


Said no to him again and again
I declined his advances repeatedly


First he took my heart, then he ran
He won me over and then disappeared


No one knows how I feel
I keep my emotions hidden from the world


What I say unless you read between my lines
My true meaning is hinted at, not spoken aloud


One man walked away from me
One guy left me behind


First he took my hand
He held my hand to gain my trust


Take me home
Bring me back to a place where I feel safe


Stand back, stand back
Keep your distance and give me some space


In the middle of my room, I did not hear from you
I was alone with my thoughts and didn't hear from anyone


It's alright, it's alright
Everything's okay, no need to worry


To be standing in a line (standing in a line)
Being one of many, waiting for attention


I would cry
I would be emotional and upset


Do not turn away, my friend
Don't ignore me, I need you


Like a willow, I can bend
I am resilient, I can endure


No man calls my name
No one wants me


No man came
I was left alone


So I walked on down, away from you
I left you behind and moved on


Maybe your attention was more than you could do
Perhaps you couldn't handle my need for attention


He asked me for my love and that was all
He didn't want anything else from me, just my affection


Need a little, I need a little sympathy
I need someone to understand and empathize with me


Well, I need a little sympathy
I crave emotional support


Why don't you take me home?
Won't you bring me back to safety and comfort?




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson, Stevie Nicks

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@manuelathanner6507

2024??? Who love this song?

@rvfiasco

Most definitely

@soulfullyoriginal1655

2/22/24 Loving this song!

@storm0174

Defenitely still my favorite song

@TheOtherBoleynGirl336

@amandarackley2564

Hello friend 😂

6 More Replies...

@Hazegray

Stevie Nicks and Prince working together created a timeless classic.

@angc1456

Agreed

@CharmaineD

👍🏽💯❤️💃🏻🙌🏽

@michaelfoss6903

It is a shame that Prince and Stevie Nicks didn't collaborate on more music !

More Comments

More Versions