The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I know, no one had ever dreamed that
We were this strong and we'd achieve this
So long the doubt and all believed it
And now it's come for all to see yeah
We've worked, so hard
Pushed every day now
See the blood sweat and tears on our face
We've never been stronger
There's no holding back now
So you can hear us say
Stand up, stand up we were right
You know we can't be more justified
And they can't deny it
Stand up, stand up we were right
We've come to far just to fade away
And they can't deny it
I've hear the words those in the circle say
So what, they're done, don't matter anyway
Well here's your proof, they're all silent today
And there's no way they can take it away
We've worked so hard
Pushed every day now
See the blood sweat and tears on our face
We've never been stronger
There's no holding back now
So you can hear us say
Stand up, stand up we were right
You know we can't be more justified
And they can't deny it
Stand up, stand up we were right
We've come to far just to fade away
And they can't deny it
We never said it was easy
And no one gave us a thing
Now that last part is so pleasing
We're stronger than you think
Stand up, stand up we were right
You know we can't be more justified
And they can't deny it
Stand up, stand up we were right
We've come to far just to fade away
And they can't deny it
Stand up, stand up we were right
(They can't deny it)
Stand up, stand up we were right
We were this strong and we'd achieve this
So long the doubt and all believed it
And now it's come for all to see yeah
We've worked, so hard
Pushed every day now
See the blood sweat and tears on our face
We've never been stronger
There's no holding back now
So you can hear us say
Stand up, stand up we were right
You know we can't be more justified
And they can't deny it
Stand up, stand up we were right
We've come to far just to fade away
And they can't deny it
I've hear the words those in the circle say
So what, they're done, don't matter anyway
Well here's your proof, they're all silent today
And there's no way they can take it away
We've worked so hard
Pushed every day now
See the blood sweat and tears on our face
We've never been stronger
There's no holding back now
So you can hear us say
Stand up, stand up we were right
You know we can't be more justified
And they can't deny it
Stand up, stand up we were right
We've come to far just to fade away
And they can't deny it
We never said it was easy
And no one gave us a thing
Now that last part is so pleasing
We're stronger than you think
Stand up, stand up we were right
You know we can't be more justified
And they can't deny it
Stand up, stand up we were right
We've come to far just to fade away
And they can't deny it
Stand up, stand up we were right
(They can't deny it)
Stand up, stand up we were right
Lyrics submitted by MetallicaToTheEnd
Stand Up Lyrics as written by John Marc Benson Chris Arnold
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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Great version of a great song,
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i pretty much think hes talking about the band itself
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