Stand Up for Love

"Stand Up for Love" is a song recorded by American girl group Destiny's Child for their first greatest hits album, #1's (2005). Columbia Records released it as the album's first single on September 27, 2005. The song was written by Amy Foster-Gillies and David Foster with the latter also serving as the producer with Humberto Gatica. The album's last single to feature all members Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams. Musically, "Stand Up for Love" is a slow-tempo contemporary R&B ballad that draws influences from pop. The song is inspired by poverty-stricken children and families. It was termed the 2005 World Children's Day Anthem and used in conjunction with McDonald's' Ronald McDonald House Charities in order to raise awareness of that day. The song also has been hyped for its message of hope in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

"Stand Up for Love"
Single by Destiny's Child
from the album #1's
ReleasedSeptember 27, 2005 (2005-09-27)
StudioChartmaker Studios (Malibu, California);
The Record Plant (Los Angeles, California)
Genre
Length4:46
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Destiny's Child singles chronology
"Cater 2 U"
(2005)		 "Stand Up for Love"
(2005)		 "The Girl Is Mine"
(2015)

Upon its release, "Stand Up for Love" received negative reviews from music critics who criticized its composition and inclusion on the compilation album. The song became Destiny's Child's first single to fail to chart in the United States or any other music chart. A music video was directed by Matthew Rolston featuring the trio singing the song, both individually and together. "Stand Up for Love" was performed live by Destiny's Child in November 2005 at the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show and on World Children's Day at Ronald McDonald House in Los Angeles. Several South Korean groups and singers covered the song.

Background and release
"Stand Up for Love" was written by Canadian musician David Foster (pictured) along with his daughter Amy Foster-Gillies.

Canadian musician David Foster was inspired to write "Stand Up for Love" for poverty-stricken children and families which receive funds from charitable organization.[1] Destiny's Child lead singer Beyoncé acknowledged that they wanted to record the song for the people who help impoverished families.[1] She furthered saying, "The kids we've met have no idea how much they've given us. We wanted to record this song for them, in hopes that people would hear their voice through ours."[2] Michelle Williams explained the song was her "favorite" and went on to describe it as "one of the best songs that we've done collectively", emphasizing the vocal performance.[3]

The song has been touted as the 2005 World Children's Day Anthem in conjunction with Ronald McDonald House Charities.[4] It was used to raise awareness of that day; Destiny's Child were also global ambassadors for the 2005 program.[1] In August, 2007, the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards (SPCS) requested "Stand Up for Love" to be played in New Zealand radio stations to reflect on child abuse after the Nia Glassie abuse case received widespread media attention.[5] Similarly, organizations Sensible Sentencing Trust, Family First and For the Sake of Our Children Trust, asked for increased airplay of the song during a three-minute silence which was also requested by them.[6]

The song was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio stations in the US on September 27, 2005 and was released as a 7-inch single the same day.[7] On October 3, 2005 it impacted contemporary hit radio in the US.[8] It was released as a 7-inch single in the United Kingdom on September 27, 2005 and in Canada it was available for digital download on March 17, 2006.[9][10] "Stand Up for Love" became the group's last single together before their disbandment, as the second single from the compilation #1's, "Check on It", was a song by Beyoncé featuring Slim Thug.[11]

Recording and composition

"Stand Up for Love" was composed and arranged by Canadian musician David Foster, who also served as its co-writer along with his daughter Amy Foster-Gillies. Foster produced the song with Humberto Gatica, who also engineered and mixed it. "Stand Up for Love" was recorded at Chartmaker Studios and The Record Plant, and was mixed at the former. Nathan East was responsible for playing the bass, while Vinnie Colaiuta and Paulinho Da Costa handled the drums and percussion, respectively.[12]

"Stand Up for Love" is a pop and R&B ballad with a length of four minutes and forty-six seconds.[13][14] According to the sheet music published by Peer International Corporation on the website Musicnotes.com, "Stand Up for Love" is set in common time with a slow tempo of seventy beats per minute. It is written in the key of A♭ major, and Destiny's Child's vocals range from the low note of E♭3 to the high note of E5.[15] Michael D. Clark from the Houston Chronicle compared Beyoncé's vocals with Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston "in an effort to play the weepy heartstrings".[16] Matthew Jacobs, writing on behalf of HuffPost compared the song's sound to a movie ballad from the 1990s, taken from an empowering animated movie.[17]

Reception

"Stand Up for Love" received negative reviews by most music critics. James Blake writing for BBC Online, described "Stand Up for Love" as a "sugary ballad".[13] Pitchfork Media's writer Jess Harvell criticized the song by writing, "Opener 'Stand Up for Love' is subtitled the '2005 World Children's Day Anthem', which should tell you all you really need to know, i.e. Diane Warren should be banned under the Geneva Conventions".[18] Fiona Mckinlay criticized the fact that the song was used as an opener for #1's and felt it wasn't "really causing any kind of reaction before they get started properly with Independent Woman Pt.1".[14] Houston Chronicle's Michael D. Clark described the track as "overwrought and overproduced; at best, it's a future prom theme".[16] Matthew Jacobs of The Huffington Post felt it was "great" the song was used for World's Children day but described it as a "total snoozefest".[17] Chuck Taylor of Billboard magazine commented that the song lacked the potential to become a chart-topper. Taylor reviewed the song negatively, classifying it as a "schmaltzy" ballad aimed at adult contemporary radio, adding that it was a "disappointing nonstarter".[19]

Jim Kiest from the San Antonio Express-News wrote "hopefully 'Stand Up for Love' won't be [a number-one single]".[20] Aidin Vaziri, who positively reviewed the compilation, concluded his essay by writing, "And the less said about the very new stuff, including the single 'Stand Up for Love (2005 World Children's Day Anthem),' the sweeter the memories".[21] Similarly, Hattie Collins of Yahoo! Music felt that "Stand Up for Love" was "stuffed full of lazy lyricisms and sloppily sentimentality" further describing it as "utterly vomitous".[22] She felt that the song was one of the material that "let this otherwise cracking compilation down".[22] Slant Magazine's Sal Cinquemani panned the song as "awful and saccharine" and felt that it "show[s] that the women of Destiny's Child are squarely focused on their (solo) futures".[23] In contrast, in 2013, Lindsey Weber from Vulture put "Stand Up for Love" at number 16 on her list of the top 25 songs by Destiny's Child.[11] The single failed to chart in the US, becoming the group's only single to do so.[17][11]

Music video and live performances

The music video for "Stand Up for Love" was directed by Matthew Rolston and filmed in September 2005 following Destiny's Child final concert in Vancouver as part of their tour Destiny Fulfilled... and Lovin' It; MTV News described it as a performance video.[4] It features all members, wearing black dresses, singing their respective solo verses individually and later together during the song's chorus in front of a screen which displays videos of children and different scenery. During the end, the group is seen wearing white clothes and performing the song in a white setting; several shots are filmed using a black-and-white technique.[24] It was released to MTV's official website on October 25, 2005.[25] The clip was also included on Destiny's Child video album Destiny's Child Video Anthology (2013).[26] At the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards Japan, the fifth annual show of the ceremony, "Stand Up for Love" received a nomination in the category for Best R&B Video but lost to Ai's "Story".[27] The same year, the visual was nominated in the category for Outstanding Music Video at the 37th NAACP Image Awards, but lost to Alicia Keys' "Unbreakable" (2005).[28]

Destiny's Child performed "Stand Up for Love" for the first time on November 15, 2005 along with "Survivor" on the show Jimmy Kimmel Live!. It marked their last televised performance together as a group before their disbandment.[29][30] On the same day, the single was sung by them at Ronald McDonald House Charities in Los Angeles for World Children's Day.[2]

Cover versions

On June 3, 2011, South Korean band Rania, performed "Stand Up for Love" at MBC's radio programme Shimshimtapa.[31] In April 2013, singer Aram, a member of the South Korean group Global Icon, uploaded a cover of "Stand Up for Love". A writer from Allkpop described it as "beautiful" and praised her for "hit[ting] every note with perfect control".[32] At the 2014 Miss Thailand World, contestant Maeya performed "Stand Up for Love". Bangkok Post's writer Pim Ungphakorn described it as a "beautiful rendition".[33]

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of the album #1's.[12]

Formats and track listings

Release history
Country Date Format Label
United States[8] September 27, 2005 Rhythmic contemporary airplay Columbia Records
United States[7][36] 7-inch single
United Kingdom[9]
United States[8] October 3, 2005 Mainstream airplay
Canada[10] March 17, 2006 digital download

References
  1. "Destiny's Child Releases New Anthem for World Children's Day at McD's" (Press release). McDonald's Corporation. September 27, 2005. Archived from the original on February 15, 2009. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  2. "For The Record: Quick News On Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce, Ciara, Paula Abdul, Coldplay, Mr. T & More". MTV News. Viacom Media Networks. November 16, 2005. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  3. Buss, Bryan (February 13, 2006). "Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child". Out. Here Media. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  4. Moss, Corey (September 21, 2005). "Destiny's Child Look Back With #1's Before Going Their Separate Ways". MTV News. Viacom Media Networks. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  5. "SPCS Joins Call for 'Stand' Against Child Abuse" (Press release). Society for the Promotion of Community Standards. August 7, 2007. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  6. "'Three minute silence' against child abuse". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax New Zealand. August 6, 2007. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  7. "Destiny's Child Rounds Up Hits, New Songs". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. September 22, 2005. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  8. "Available for Airplay". FMQB. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  9. "Stand Up for Love [Vinyl] [Maxi]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
  10. "Stand Up for Love (2005 World Children's Day Anthem) [Radio Edit] - Single by Destiny's Child". Canada: iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  11. Weber, Lindsey (February 1, 2013). "Super Bowl 2013: The Top 25 Destiny's Child Songs". Vulture. New York Media, LLC. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  12. #1's (CD liner). Destiny's Child. Columbia Records. 2005. p. 3.CS1 maint: others (link)
  13. Blake, James. "Music - Review of Destiny's Child - #1's". BBC Online. BBC. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  14. Mckinlay, Fiona (October 24, 2005). "Destiny's Child – #1s - Album Reviews". musicOMH. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  15. "Destiny's Child - Stand Up for Love Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Peer International Corporation. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  16. D. Clark, Michael (October 26, 2005). "Review: Destiny's Child's hits album just doesn't add up to #1's". Houston Chronicle. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  17. Jacobs, Matthew (July 21, 2014). "The Definitive Ranking Of Destiny's Child Singles". The Huffington Post. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  18. Harvell, Jess (October 26, 2005). "Album review: Destiny's Child: #1's". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  19. T., C. (November 26, 2005). "Singles: Destiny's Child - Stand Up for Love". Billboard. 117 (48). Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 65. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  20. Kiest, Jim (December 7, 2005). "Annual hits can make great stocking stuffers". San Antonio Express-News. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  21. "CD Reviews - Destiny's Child". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Corporation. October 23, 2005. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  22. Collins, Hattie (November 1, 2005). "Destiny's Child – #1's". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo! UK & Ireland. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  23. Cinquemani, Sal (November 2, 2005). "Destiny's Child: #1's". Slant Magazine. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  24. Destiny's Child (2005). Stand Up For Love (2005 World Children's Day Anthem) (video). Sony BMG/Columbia Records. Event occurs at 4:28. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  25. "Destiny's Child › Music Videos › Stand Up For Love (2005 World Children's Day Anthem)". MTV UK. Viacom Media Networks. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  26. Destiny's Child Video Anthology (Video album) |format= requires |url= (help). Destiny's Child. Music World Entertainment, Columbia Records, Legacy Recordings. 2013.CS1 maint: others (link)
  27. "MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2006 - Best R&B Video" (in Japanese). MTV Japan. Viacom Media Networks. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  28. "37th Annual NAACP Image Awards Noms Announced". Emmy.com. January 12, 2005. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  29. Justin, Neal (November 12, 2006). "'Jimmy Kimmel Live' has become a family affair". PopMatters. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  30. "The end ... for now". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. November 17, 2005. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  31. "Block B & Rania couple up for MBC's "Shimshimtapa"". Allkpop. 6Theory Media. June 5, 2011. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  32. "GI's Aram beautifully covers Destiny Child's "Stand Up For Love"". Allkpop. 6Theory Media. April 30, 2013. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  33. Ungphakorn, Pim (June 27, 2014). "Redefining beauty". Bangkok Post. Post Publishing Public Co. Ltd. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  34. Stand Up for Love (CD-maxi liner notes). Destiny's Child. Columbia Records. 2005.CS1 maint: others (link)
  35. Stand Up for Love (7-inch vinyl). Destiny's Child. Columbia Records. 2005.CS1 maint: others (link)
  36. Stand Up for Love [7"] at AllMusic. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
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