Sunday, February 12, 2006

Press Action Hero of the Week: SLY STONE

Press Action Hero Sly Stone showed up at last week’s Grammy Awards in a big Mohawk and silver jacket. Sly’s brief performance, with many of the original members of the Family Stone, and his hunched-over appearance left many scratching their heads, especially younger people unfamiliar with the band’s music.

At 62, Sly’s not a young man anymore. His drug use probably hasn’t helped him remain in optimal health. While he apparently doesn’t have the mobility of fellow 60-something Mick Jagger, Sly has a baby face compared to the wrinkled visage of the Rolling Stones front man.

Sly—born Sylvester Stewart—was the leader of one of the greatest American bands, pure and simple. As rock critic Robert Christgau says, “Sly Stone’s gift for irresistible dance songs is a matter of world acclaim, but his gift for political anthems that are uplifting but never simplistic or sentimental is a gas.”

Here’s perhaps the greatest of those political anthems:

Stand

Stand
In the end you’ll still be you
One that’s done all the things you set out to do

Stand

There’s a cross for you to bear
Things to go through if you’re going anywhere

Stand

For the things you know are right
It’s the truth that the truth makes them so uptight

Stand

All the things you want are real
You have you to complete and there is no deal

Stand. stand, stand
Stand. stand, stand

Stand

You’ve been sitting much too long
There’s a permanent crease in your right and wrong

Stand

There’s a midget standing tall
And the giant beside him about to fall

Stand. stand, stand
Stand. stand, stand

Stand

They will try to make you crawl
And they know what you’re saying makes sense and all

Stand

Don’t you know that you are free
Well at least in your mind if you want to be

Everybody

Stand, stand, stand

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