10 Songs That’ll Make You Stand Up (Or Nah)! | Playlist

“10 Songs That’ll Make You Stand Up (Or Nah)!” contains songs that’ll make the listener stand up…or nah!  

Some songs “moves the needle,” and stand the test of time.  Such songs inspire the listener to “stand tall” and to “stand up.”  The songs that grace this list, Songs That’ll Make You Stand Up, are meant to inspire the listener to do just that.  The problem is, not all of them do.  Some of them merely meet the expectation of this list – to feature the word stand in their title! So, to temper the expectations somewhat, we added “Or Nah” to the title of this playlist.  Here are 10 songs (on paper) that’ll make you stand up (or nah).

1.) Jordan Smith, “Stand in the Light”

Something Beautiful, 2016

Jordan Smith was among the shoe-ins to be victorious on reality singing competition The Voice.  Clearly, his instrument was otherworldly. “Stand in the Light” served as the uplifting promo single from his debut album, Something Beautiful.  Though it is tastefully produced and trends on the conservative side, “Stand in the Light” still manages to pack a punch.

2.) Childish Gambino, “Stand Tall”

“Awaken, My Love!”, 2016

“Stand Tall” concludes “Awaken, My Love,” the surprising throwback soul album from Danny Glover (aka Childish Gambino).  On the uplifting closer, Glover recounts childhood advice from his father and mother:

“Keep all your dreams, keep standing tall / if you are strong, you cannot fall / there is a voice inside us all / so smile when you can, when you can.”

3.) Grouplove, “Standing in the Sun”

Big Mess, 2016

“Standing in the Sun” follows two tough acts on its parent album, Big Mess: “Welcome to Your Life” and “Do You Love Someone.”  Despite the challenge, “Standing in the Sun” holds it’s own.  Clearly, nothing is going to derail the collective’s shine:

“I just stand in the sun / warm my head in the sun / run around ‘til it all stands still / I just wait in the sun.”

4.) Rachel Platten, “Stand by You”

Wildfire, 2016

Over the course of her album, Wildfire, the M.O. for singer/songwriter Rachel Platten is empowerment.  “Stand by You” is the ultimate empowerment anthem, characterized by its unfaltering positivity.  Middle-of-the-road characterizations aside, it’s hard to argue against “Stand by You,” which is “Simply Beautiful” to quote Al Green.

5.) Meek Mill, “Stand Up”

Dreams Worth More Than Money, 2015

“Stand Up” fits the resume for this particular playlist…in most respects.  The qualifying factor? It features the word stand.  That said, “Stand Up” wasn’t a highlight from Dreams Worth More Than Money – there were far better cuts.  “Stand Up” is a flex track, encompassing jabs at Jay-Z, Meek’s come-up, and presumably how he remains ‘grounded’ despite that come-up:

“I came through my hood Mulsanne’n / on the block all night like I ain’t famous / I still run with the same n*ggas I came with / where I came from, when I came in…”

6.) One Direction, “Stand Up”

Up All Night, 2012

Much like the Meek Mill offering, One Direction has just enough with “Stand Up” to qualify for this list.  “Stand Up” hails from the boy band’s first album, the schmaltzy AF Up All Night.  Basically, these dudes are willing to do whatever to get the girl, evidenced on the eye-roll worthy chorus:

“Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh / so put your hands up / oh, oh, oh, oh, oh / ‘cause it’s a stand up / I won’t be leaving ‘til I finished stealing / every piece of your heart, every piece of your heart.”

7.) Monica ft. Ludacris, “Still Standing”

Still Standing, 2010

Monica returns the list to some notability.  “Still Standing” served as the inspirational title track from Mo’s 2010 album of the same title.  Serious and sincere, Monica has been through it, but ultimately, she’s “Letting go, and letting God.” Amen!

8.) T.I. ft. Lil Wayne, Lil Jon, Trick Daddy & Lil Wayne, “Stand Up”

Urban Legend, 2004

There is nothing inspirational about T.I.’s rendition of “Stand Up.” In the hands of the southern MC and a star-studded cast, the trash talk is elevated to the nth degree.  T.I. begins his verse in electrifying fashion, spitting:

“You got a alligator mouth and a humming bird ass / your mouth writing checks that your ass can’t cash…”

Even prior to his verse, the hook is as tough as they come:

“Stand up / If You don’t like what I’m saying then buck / Swing when you see me we can throw them hands sucker / Stand up / If you didn’t notice n*gga, I don’t give a f*ck / If I said it then I meant it and what f*ck n*gga / Stand up…”

9.) Ludacris ft. Shawnna, “Stand Up”

Chicken-N-Beer, 2003

“When I move, you move (just like that?)!” Ah, another rap banger – Ludacris in his prime, accompanied by Shawnna on “Stand Up.”  Here, Ludacris is as ludicrous as ever, not to mention in full-on objectification mode:

“Go on with your big ass, let me see something.”

Even as raw as he is on this memorable no. 1 hit, Ludacris is arguably nastier on “P-Poppin’” from the same album.  Interestingly, “P-Poppin’” also features Shawnna, and adds Lil Fate to the mix.

10.) Elton John, “I’m Still Standing”

Too Low for Zero, 1983

Ah, what better way to close the list than with a classic? Elton John was in his 30s when this catchy megahit materialized.  Somehow, “I’m Still Standing” wasn’t even a top-10 hit (No. 12)! Sacrilege! Blasphemy! The music video is a treat in itself.

Photo Credits: Def Jam