Stand in the place where you live
Now face north
Think about direction, wonder why you haven't before
Now stand in the place where you work
Now face west, think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven't before

If you are confused, check with the sun
Carry a compass to help you along
Your feet are going to be on the ground
Your head is there to move you around

So, stand in the place where you live
Now face north
Think about direction, wonder why you haven't before
Now stand in the place where you work
Now face west, think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven't before

Your feet are going to be on the ground
Your head is there to move you around
If wishes were trees the trees would be falling
Listen to reason
Season is calling

Stand in the place where you live
Now face north
Think about direction, wonder why you haven't before
Now stand in the place where you work
Now face west, think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven't before

If wishes were trees the trees would be falling
Listen to reason
Reason is calling
Your feet are going to be on the ground
Your head is there to move you around

So stand (stand)
Now face north
Think about direction, wonder why you haven't before
Now stand (stand)
Now face west
Think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven't

Stand in the place where you live
Now face north
Think about direction, wonder why you haven't before
Now stand in the place where you work
Now face west, think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven't before

Stand in the place where you are (now face north)
Stand in the place where you are (now face west)
Your feet are going to be on the ground (stand in the place where you are)
Your head is there to move you around, so stand


Lyrics submitted by Novartza

Stand Lyrics as written by Peter Buck Bill Berry

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Stand song meanings
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41 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    This is a typical REM song about privilege. The northern hemisphere of the world is much, much more affluent than the south. The western world is more developed than the east. In fact, when an eastern nation becomes developed they are said to have become "westernized."

    The point of the song, however, isn't just that some people are better off than others. It's about how people born to affluent societies take their privilege for granted. REM is asking their listeners to appreciate why they have what they have, and to do something about it.

    The irony is that despite this high mindedness, Michael Stipe was recently identified by a waitress at Babbo as a terrible tipper.

    Fielding99on February 27, 2016   Link

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