“Rise Up” and vote in numbers too big to ignore.
“Rise Like a Phoenix.”
Or just “Rise” in whatever way you can.
And “Stand Up.”
“Stand Up.”
I. “Rise Up” by Andra Day
Although Andra Day‘s whole first album, Cheers to the Fall, was worthy of making her a star, this uplifting track is the cut that truly rose above (pun intended).
…You’re broken down and tired
Of living life on a merry-go-round
And you can’t find the fighter
But I see it in you so we gonna walk it out
And move mountains
We gonna walk it out
And move mountains…
Below Day sings it:
II. “Rise Like a Phoenix“ by Conchita Wurst
Austrian Tom Neuwirth, AKA Conchita Wurst, identifies as queer. He won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014 with this stunner. By the way, he’s no fly-by-night, and I highly recommend his album “From Vienna With Love” that features this song as well as many classics performed with a symphony orchestra.
III. “Rise” (originally by Katy Perry)
Perry’s song is performed below by Superfruit (Scott Hoying and Mitch Grassi, who are also in Pentatonix), Mary Lambert, Brian Justin Crum, and Mario Jose.
…This is no mistake, no accidentWhen you think the final nail is in, think againDon’t be surprised, I will still rise…
IV. “Stand Up (from Harriet)” by Cynthia Erivo
This is the main theme song of a 2019 film about Harriet Tubman, the famous abolitionist. Erivo stars as Tubman.
…I’m gonna stand upTake my people with meTogether we are goingTo a brand new homeFar across the riverI hear freedom callingCalling me to answerGonna keep on keepin’ onI can feel it in my bones…
V. “Stand Up” by Jazmine Sullivan
Same title but different song, different movie. This one’s from the 2021 Till, about the murder of young Emmett Till and his mother’s attempts to get justice.
…Take up your space
Baby, shake up the place
You can break all the rules
Someone’s countin’ on you
Do believe in yourself (Believe in yourself)
‘Cause ain’t nobody else (Nobody else)
Who can do what you do…
Unfortunately, the available YouTubes are audio only:
