You’ve Got To Stand For Something
“You’ve Got to Stand for Something” by Aaron Tippin is pure backbone in song form. It’s about holding the line—even when it’s easier to cave. It celebrates the kind of character that doesn’t make headlines, but shapes legacies: standing up for what’s right, protecting your family name, and being your own man no matter what.If you believe in living by your values—not someone else’s script—this song will hit home. It’s not just a classic. It’s a challenge.
You’ve Got to Stand for Something
Aaron Tippin / William Brock (1991)
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 standin’ 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.
