About The Song
“You’ve Got to Stand for Something” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Aaron Tippin. It was released in October 1990 as his debut single and the title track to his album You’ve Got to Stand for Something. It reached the top ten on the country singles chart in early 1991. Tippin wrote the song with Buddy Brock. Charley Pride later recorded the song in 1992 and released it as a single that year.
“You’ve Got to Stand for Something” is a mid-tempo, exemplifying the patriotic blue collar themes that would show up in many of his later songs as well. In it, the narrator recalls the life lessons taught to him by his father, who told him that he should stand up for his moral convictions.
In 1990, comedian Bob Hope heard Tippin perform the song, and invited Tippin to sing it on his USO tour for soldiers who were serving in the Gulf War at the time.
This was his first music video and was directed by Bing Sokolsky and premiered in early 1991.
Video
Lyrics
Now daddy didn’t like trouble, but if it came along
Everyone that knew him knew which side that he’d be on
He never was a hero, or this county’s shinin’ light
But you could always find him standing up
For what he thought was right
He’d say, “you’ve got to stand for something
Or you’ll fall for anything
You’ve got to be your own man, not a puppet on a string
Never compromise what’s right and uphold your family name
You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything”
Now we might have been better off or owned a bigger house
If daddy had done more givin’ in or a little more backing down
But we always had plenty just living his advice
Whatever you do today, you’ll have to sleep with tonight
He’d say you’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything
You’ve got to be your own man, not a puppet on a string
Never compromise what’s right and uphold your family name
You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything
I know that things are different than they were in daddy’s days
But I still believe what makes a man really hasn’t changed
You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything
You’ve got to be your own man, not a puppet on a string
Never compromise what’s right and uphold your family name
You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything
You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything