"Stand Up", officially titled "Stand Up (from Harriet)", is a song performed by English singer Cynthia Erivo and co-written by Erivo with Joshuah Brian Campbell. It was released on 25 October 2019, as the lead single from the soundtrack to the biographical film Harriet, which also stars Erivo.
Background and composition
In 2017, English singer and actress Cynthia Erivo was cast to portray abolitionist and activist Harriet Tubman in the biographical film eponymously titled Harriet.[1] Following the completion of filming, Erivo collaborated with composer Joshuah Brian Campbell to write the song for the end credits of the film.[2]
Written by Erivo and Campbell, "Stand Up" was produced by Will Wells and Gabe Fox-Peck.[3] The song was described by Rolling Stone's Jon Blistein as a "slow-burning, gospel-tinged ballad."[4] Rania Aniftos of Billboard noted that it chronicles themes of "hope, overcoming obstacles and kindness for others."[5] The song's lyrics also make use of Tubman's last words before her death in 1913: "I go to prepare a place for you."[6]
Music video
The music video for "Stand Up" was released on 8 November 2019.[5] It shows Erivo performing the song on an "empty but beautifully lit soundstage."[4]