Stand Up

Single?
Yes, released as the B-Side along with "Dirty Sticky Floors" on May 26, 2003


"Stand Up" is the B-Side of the "Dirty Sticky Floors" single.

Lyrics

You give me untold riches
To which I hatched a plan
I drink myself to death
Just because I can
Gave me many choices
I didn't understand
Crawled across the floor
I knew I couldn't stand
Can't lie to myself this way
I have to stand up and walk away
I can't lie to myself this way
I have to stand up and walk away
Stand up
Stand up
Stand up
Stand up and walk
Away
Hard to watch you suffer
So hard to feel the pain
But you're wrapped so tight in your one block world
Too scared to make the change
Ask yourself this question
While you're playing with your gun
Is your finger shaking on the trigger
Are you really having fun
I can't lie to myself this way
I have to stand up and walk away
I can't lie to myself this way
I have to stand up and walk away
Stand up
Stand up
Stand up
Stand up and walk
Away
Stop talking
Try listening
To what I'm trying to say
If you're walking
You're breathing
Maybe you can make a change
You give me untold riches
To which I hatched a plan
I drink myself to death
Just because I can
Now I'm judge and jury
Are you having so much fun
Sitting up there on your throne
I've only just begun
I can't lie to myself this way
I have to stand up and walk away
I can't lie to myself today
I have to stand up and walk away
Stand up
Stand up
Stand up
Stand up and walk
Away


My Take

This song and "Maybe" seem to be the most obscure of Dave's B-sides, but they are definitely worth a listen! The busy bassline and warm, modern electric guitar sounds here remind me of music from the mid-to-late 1990s rather than something from 2003 (not that the 2000s didn't have that kind of sound, either). It's just that the sounds here really conjure up remnants of that alternative rock era; I'm thinking like The Smashing Pumpkins or Third Eye Blind or something. Thus, I can hear why this song doesn't quite fit on Paper Monsters. In fact, I would say it's pretty unique among all of Dave's stuff, but on its own, it's actually a pretty good song. The lyrics seem to be a fitting follow-up to the A-side, too. For instance, I can imagine saying these words to the person who keeps ending up down on the "dirty, sticky floor"- urging them to "stand up and walk away." It's clear that Dave did accomplish just this when he finally kicked his drug and alcohol habits for good!



Music Video

There is no music video for this song.