I'm so feeling this song today, and this laid-back performance in particular, that I thought I'd share. Genuinely soulful, poetic, funky -- what more can you ask??

Stand
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

Stand
For the things you know are right
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! Stand!

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 the giant beside him about to fall

Stand! Stand! Stand!
Stand! Stand! Stand!

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-naaaaah....)

deebee said:

I'm so feeling this song today, and this laid-back performance in particular, that I thought I'd share. Genuinely soulful, poetic, funky -- what more can you ask??

Stand
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

Stand
For the things you know are right
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! Stand!

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 the giant beside him about to fall

Stand! Stand! Stand!
Stand! Stand! Stand!

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-naaaaah....)

This is my theme song now

IAintTheOne said:

This is my theme song now

'Tis a fine theme, indeed!

Love the ending!

Supposedly he(Sly) wrote a part 2 for the ending but cut the song.

Everytime I hear...

There's a midget standing tall
And the giant beside him about to fall

I get shivers down my spine. Every verse of that song is a powerful statement but that one hit me in the chest like a wall of bricks.

Harlepolis said:

Love the ending!

Supposedly he(Sly) wrote a part 2 for the ending but cut the song.

Everytime I hear...

There's a midget standing tall
And the giant beside him about to fall

I get shivers down my spine. Every verse of that song is a powerful statement but that one hit me in the chest like a wall of bricks.

Do you mean in a good way or a bad way? I really like the underlying image. It's makes me think of MLK's Isaiah and the idea of a day where every valley is exalted, and every hill and mountain is made low, brought to that civil rights context. (I do have to confess, though, that the word "midget" is always slightly jarring, for me.)

I totally agree on it as a lyrical piece, though. It struck me too today that it does make some very powerful statements - and I like how it makes them in quite a gentle, kinda 'folksy' way. Like the line about how "they know what you're saying makes sense 'n' all", which I think is a really nice way to sum up how people (even on our very own Org!) often argue back about things that they know on some level are wrong, but they've kind of passively accepted are 'just the way things are' and can't be changed.

I was always amused by the line about "sitting much to long" and having "a permanent crease in your right and wrong", too, which I think is cute!

deebee said:

Harlepolis said:

Love the ending!

Supposedly he(Sly) wrote a part 2 for the ending but cut the song.

Everytime I hear...

There's a midget standing tall
And the giant beside him about to fall

I get shivers down my spine. Every verse of that song is a powerful statement but that one hit me in the chest like a wall of bricks.

Do you mean in a good way or a bad way? I really like the underlying image. It's makes me think of MLK's Isaiah and the idea of a day where every valley is exalted, and every hill and mountain is made low, brought to that civil rights context. (I do have to confess, though, that the word "midget" is always slightly jarring, for me.)

I totally agree on it as a lyrical piece, though. It struck me too today that it does make some very powerful statements - and I like how it makes them in quite a gentle, kinda 'folksy' way. Like the line about how "they know what you're saying makes sense 'n' all", which I think is a really nice way to sum up how people (even on our very own Org!) often argue back about things that they know on some level are wrong, but they've kind of passively accepted are 'just the way things are' and can't be changed.

I was always amused by the line about "sitting much to long" and having "a permanent crease in your right and wrong", too, which I think is cute!

the midget line has not aged well, but I think the sentiment still holds up. Different times, different language

oh, and this is one of my favorite songs ever!

There's nothing like a Sly Stone song for the inspiration it provides, especially "STAND". We need more writers/musicians today that can speak the positive vibe and creativity of the current climate of today. I hear new material will be released soon and I can't wait!

madhattter said:

There's nothing like a Sly Stone song for the inspiration it provides, especially "STAND". We need more writers/musicians today that can speak the positive vibe and creativity of the current climate of today. I hear new material will be released soon and I can't wait!

I know, when you look at the titles of their greatest hits, it is like an inspiration handbook

I always liked the J5 version too;

Intresting is that the second part of the song,that funky outro

is not played by the Family Stone.

The song was already done when Sly Stone had a DJ test the song

and Sly realized as the crowd was'nt dancing that the song needed

something more to it

so quickly he wrote that funkpart but he used local studiomusicians since

he had to do it in a hurry and he just put it it in at the end of the song

/peace Manki

I love this song so much! I first discovered it when I got Diana Ross Presents the J5 years ago and it stood out to me immediately (though then I realized it was in the MJ Legend Continues tape but a faster version) Sly's version is also great and they have some other great songs too.

manki said:

Intresting is that the second part of the song,that funky outro

is not played by the Family Stone.

The song was already done when Sly Stone had a DJ test the song

and Sly realized as the crowd was'nt dancing that the song needed

something more to it

so quickly he wrote that funkpart but he used local studiomusicians since

he had to do it in a hurry and he just put it it in at the end of the song

/peace Manki

Hmmm..... I didn't know that. Thanks for the info. I'm currently listenning to the High On You solo album. Sly was the innovator and Einstein of music especially funk.

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

^My all-time favorite lyrics!

TonyVanDam said:

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

^My all-time favorite lyrics!

wow they are inspirational! Especially the last one

The whole album is great

Thanks for posting this... I need to get more into them and this is a great reintroduction.

Loving the love for Sly and the song, on this thread..... I didn't know about the ending not being the Family Stone, either - interesting. (And, as ever, little Michael Jackson's impassioned singing, especially on a number like this, is like the sound of sunshine itself!)

Funniest comment from below the YouTube clip: "Lovin the 'fro! And, Sly, give my grandma her hat back...needs it for church tomorrow.LOL"

manki said:

Intresting is that the second part of the song,that funky outro

is not played by the Family Stone.

The song was already done when Sly Stone had a DJ test the song

and Sly realized as the crowd was'nt dancing that the song needed

something more to it

so quickly he wrote that funkpart but he used local studiomusicians since

he had to do it in a hurry and he just put it it in at the end of the song

/peace Manki

Every song on " STAND! " has to be considered a classic. It's certainly one of my top five albums of all time. The solo album " High On You " reminds me of " STAND! " America needs more of this in our music!!!!!!!

funkpill said:

The whole album is great

Yeah STAND! is one of the greatest recordings in music history. I believe every song on this album hits you like a truck all the time and the messages are fresh, relevant and brilliant today as it was 41 years ago. This album in a stunningly matter, ties together the bright, optimistic themes of their earlier work with the tense and dark moods that would be expanded later on Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) and of course There's A Riot Goin' On.

silverchild said:

funkpill said:

THE WHOLE ALBUM IS GREAT

Yeah STAND! is one of the greatest recordings in music history. I believe every song on this album hits you like a truck all the time and the messages are fresh, relevant and brilliant today as it was 41 years ago. This album in a stunningly matter, ties together the bright, optimistic themes of their earlier work with the tense and dark moods that would be expanded later on Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) and of course There's A Riot Goin' On.

Right On!