Born in Cleveland, Ohio,U.S., Tracy Chapman began playing guitar and writing songs as a child. She received a scholarship through A Better Chance that allowed her to attend Wooster School in Connecticut, and was eventually accepted to Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts.
Tracy Chapman helped restore songwriters to the spotlight in the '80s. The multi-platinum success of Chapman's eponymous 1988 debut was unexpected, and it had lasting impact. Although Chapman was working from the same confessional songwriter foundation that had been popularized in the '70s, her songs were fresh and powerful, driven by simple melodies and affecting lyrics. At the time of her first album, there were only a handful of artists performing such a style successfully, and her success ushered in a new era of songwriters that lasted well into the '90s. Along with 10,000 Maniacs and R.E.M., Chapman's liberal politics proved enormously influential on American college campuses in the late '80s.
Official Website: http://www.tracychapman.com
Fansite: http://www.tracychapmanonline.com
Get Up Stand Up
Tracy Chapman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stand up for your rights!
Don’t give up the fight! x4
Most people think
the great god will come from the skies.
Take away everything
and make everybody feel high.
you will look for yours on earth.
And now you see the light,
so stand up for your rights.
Get up, stand up!
Stand up for your rights!
Don't give up the fight! x4
Oh, I'm sick and tired of your ism-skism game -
Dying and going to heaven in Jesus' name.
We know and we understand
Almighty god is a living man.
You can fool some people sometimes,
but you can't fool all the people all the time.
And now you see the light
so stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up!
Stand up for your rights!
Don't give up the fight! x13
Tracy Chapman's song "Get Up Stand Up" is a powerful call to action, urging listeners to stand up for their rights and fight against the injustices of the world. The repetition of the opening lines, "Get up, stand up! Stand up for your rights! Don’t give up the fight!" serve as a rallying cry for those who feel oppressed or marginalized.
The first verse challenges conventional beliefs that salvation will come from an outside force or deity. Instead, Chapman argues that it's up to individuals to fight for a better life on Earth. The line "if you know what life is worth, you will look for yours on earth" suggests that people shouldn't rely on the promise of an afterlife, but should make the most of their time in the here and now.
The second verse takes aim at religious systems that perpetuate oppressive beliefs or practices. Chapman criticizes those who believe that they will be rewarded in the afterlife for suffering in this life. She reminds listeners that it's up to them to recognize and challenge inequality.
Overall, "Get Up Stand Up" is a powerful anthem that inspires listeners to take action and fight for what they believe in.
Line by Line Meaning
Get up, stand up!
Motivating people to rise and take a stand
Stand up for your rights!
Encouraging people to fight for their rights
Don't give up the fight!
Urging people to persist in their efforts
Most people think the great god will come from the skies.
Highlighting the common belief of a divine intervention to overcome problems
Take away everything and make everybody feel high.
Assuming divine intervention will lead to ultimate happiness and contentment
But if you know what life is worth, you will look for yours on earth.
Advising people to find their own meaning and value in life
And now you see the light, so stand up for your rights.
Reminding people of their newfound understanding and encouraging them to act on it
Oh, I'm sick and tired of your ism-skism game -
Expressing frustration with the divisive and manipulative tactics used by some
Dying and going to heaven in Jesus' name.
Rejecting the idea that faith alone will solve all problems
We know and we understand Almighty god is a living man.
Asserting the belief that people have the power to effect change, not just a higher power
You can fool some people sometimes, but you can't fool all the people all the time.
Warning against being deceived and implying that truth will ultimately prevail
And now you see the light so stand up for your rights!
Repeating the call to action based on a new understanding
Don't give up the fight!
Urging people to persist in their efforts
Contributed by Gabriel G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@2muchfur
Aahhhh, Tracy Chapman...she always blends her voice so magically. What a honor to be able to see such musical greats share the power & importance of music without ego!! We can’t even be civil to each other anymore....thank you for posting & sharing this..just simply AMAZING!!🎤🎤🎤🎤🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@paolaperdigao7008
Thank you Bob Marley for writing this song .
Thank you Bob Marley for the brilliant music you gave to the world.
Thank you Bob Marley for have walked the earth.
Thank you God for let us having Bob Marley for 36 earthly years.
@carmeldwyer6272
Legendary voice Tracy Chapman. Beautiful person inside and out. Hope to meet you one day soon. Yahusha Baruch you Sister.
@mistyblueeyes4024
Bruce & Peter sharing the same stage!!! 😍 Mind = blown
@arya-es3vf
Youssou Ndour a King. Legends
@chadprice4976
Tracy Chapman has the voice of a chorus of angels and is criminally underrated, whilst also such a beautiful beacon of hope, love and light! Get Up Stand Up Don't Give Up The Fight! Strength thru diversity! Black White Unite!!
@musiclovers6884
One of the best duets of all time
@alexisp910
OMG ! The boss sings Peter Tosh section and he is fabulous !
@barbarababsy7348
Das war wunderschön 🌺
@joychip5994
Wow that was a complete surprise, absolutely fantastic xxxx