I'm going to stand up for what I feel, for what I think, for what I believe, for who I really am.

We have all been severely tested on this. It can be so difficult to stand up for these things in the face of tremendous pressure to go along with the masses.

This song was written to encourage us all to stand up for who we truly are. Be unapologetically you. The real you. Know what it is that truly matters to you and uphold that, no matter what constraint you might be facing.

I am with you.

Many people have quoted this in some form or another:

"If you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything."

I like the way Rosa Parks, the African American civil rights activist, said it:

"Stand for something or you will fall for anything. Today's mighty oak is yesterday's nut that held its ground."

Hold your ground, my friend. Stand up for who you really are.

Stand for something

I don't wanna be the one
Who turns around and has to run
No, I'm not gonna play that game anymore

I'm not gonna look around
And try to find what can't be found
No, I'm not gonna play that game anymore

I'm gonna stand up for what is real
I'm gonna stand up for what I feel
I'm gonna stand up for who I really am

I'm gonna stand up for what is true
I'm gonna stand up for me and for you
I'm gonna stand up for who I really am.

I don't wanna turn my back
On what I know is out of whack,
No, I'm not gonna play that game anymore

I am going to turn and face
All the things I know that are out of place
Coz' I'm not gonna play that game anymore

I'm gonna stand up for what I think
I'm gonna stand up for what I believe
I'm gonna stand up for who I really am

I'm gonna stand up for what is true
I'm gonna stand up for me and for you
I'm gonna stand up for who I really am.

Coz' if we don't stand for something
I know we'll fall for anything, yeah
If we don't stand for something
I know we'll fall for anything, yeah

I just won't be pushed and pulled
And made to fit inside that mould
No, I'm not gonna play that game anymore

I'm not gonna be untrue
To what's in me or what's in you
No, I'm not gonna play that game any more

I'm gonna stand up for what I feel
I'm gonna stand up for what is real
I'm gonna stand up for who I really am

I'm gonna stand up for what is true
I'm gonna stand up for me and for you
I'm gonna stand up for who I really am.

Piano, lead vocal - Emily Macklow (EmRiver)
Bass and Backing vocals - Melissa Vanderspek
Percussion and Backing vocals - David Aupapa
Guitar and Backing vocals - Skin
Mixed by Skin and Emily Macklow (EmRiver)
Composed and mastered by Emily Macklow (EmRiver)

Stand for Something (Live)

"EmRiver has a distinct and recognisable sound, which comes from years of developing herself as an artist. Her breathy lyrics and harmonies are optimistic and dreamy. The production is creative, using the natural sounds of the outdoors to give colour and paint a picture." Isla Norman of muzic.net.org