This song was written and performed by a woman from a different age, when most married women were housewives raising children and their husbands were secretive and kept their problems silent as they did their best to earn money for the home.
Hearing the song lately in an age that encourages equality and discourages stereotypes and gender roles, it sounds different to younger ears.
"Stand By Your Man"
Loretta Lynn
Sometimes it's hard to be a woman,
Giving all your love to just one man.
You'll have bad times, he'll have good times,
Doing things that you don't understand.
But if you love him, you'll forgive him.
Even though he's hard to understand.
And if you love him, oh be proud of him.
'Cause after all, he's just a man.
Stand by your man.
Give him two arms to cling to,
And something warm to come to
When the nights are cold and lonely.
Stand by your man.
And tell the world you love him.
Keep giving all the love you can.
Stand by your man.
2007-11-26 08:50:44 · 9 answers · asked by Megan 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music ➔ Lyrics
From a modern man's standpoint, the song could be encouraging a woman to support her hardworking husband who comes home every night from a stressful day at work and just wants to relax. He has it rough and his wife is in the best position to make his life easier.
To a modern woman's standpoint, the song seems to imply that women must go out of their way to ensure their hard-working husband's happiness, even if it's at the expense of their own happiness. When he's frustrating, the wife should forgive him and accept that she can't understand what he's going through. It's implicit that a woman's role is behind her husband.
2007-11-26 08:53:53 · update #1
I'm trying to figure out why love means instant gratification.
I suppose if a man has a few bad days he should expect divorce papers. No one is truly committed to relationships anymore. It's only about the wallet. "How do I love thee? Let me count the credit cards".
At what point do people stop worrying about bling and start loving a person for the simple things?
I have money and credit cards. I feel for me to find true love I should cut it all up and burn it, and see who's left, understanding this outburst.
If Tammy Wynette is all that's left, I think I'd be a lucky man.
2007-11-26 09:00:46 · answer #1 · answered by Your Uncle Dodge! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I do not find these lyrics offensive, I find them encouraging and empowering. I don't really see how it encourages women to never understand where the man is coming from, to just accept his behaviour, or whatever it was that you said (maybe I should re-read it.) Nor is it encouraging submissive behaviour. But it basically says that a woman should still show her man that she loves him and cares for him, and to listen to whatever may be on his mind if he's feeling angry or depressed. Maybe if more wives did this in their marriages, rather than nagging and complaining that they don't help around the house, etc. (NOTE; I'm not saying this about all women, but some) we'd have fewer separations/divorces today.
By the way, the real artist is Tammy Wynette, not Loretta Lynn. Lynn may have been the songwriter, but Wynette was the one who sang it.
2007-11-26 17:05:58 · answer #2 · answered by Sharon Newman (YR) Must Die 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow! All this time I thought it was Tammy Wynette who made that song popular. Yes, it was a different time, but I just read the lyrics again and I find nothing whatsoever offensive. However, I would hope men would feel the same way towards their wives. If people quit being so selfish, the divorce rate in America wouldn't be so outrageous. Amen, let's eat .. (yes, I've been married a long time!)
2007-11-26 17:00:54 · answer #3 · answered by devilicious_woman 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
OK, maybe your bra has stopped burning by now. The song is a woman's point of view that relationships are hard work and if you are really in love, you SACRIFICE, men and women alike. If you love someone, YES, you stand behind them, through good times and bad times. Unless, of course, you believe that wedding vows are offensive too.
2007-11-26 17:05:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
no they're true, you marry a person and you should try your hardest to stand by them, just because you have one bad day doesn't justify leaving someone, standing by "your man" or from a guys point there woman, they should try. When you're with someone you need to support him. I don't think she was saying slave over the kitchen and treat him like a king or royalty and then be treated like crap. finding this offensive would be point blank dumb
2007-11-26 17:01:49 · answer #5 · answered by CaptWoo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A woman's role is behind her husband! This is an example of liberal interpretation of something that does not even come close to meaning of what they misenterpret something as meaning.
2007-11-26 16:59:13 · answer #6 · answered by saq428 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think that's your interpretation of it, and you are certainly entitled to your opinion!
I do not however think that you speak for modern man, or modern woman.
2007-11-26 17:30:10 · answer #7 · answered by conchobor2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its not offensive, its amazingly true, shows true love, because, after all, true love is wanting whats best for the other person, even if it hurts you, or isnt the best for you!
2007-11-26 18:19:43 · answer #8 · answered by Candystripedlegs93 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let me see...today's lyrics...yesterday's lyrics...hmmm
NOT OFFENDED...and if you think of "your man" as you till death do us part husband...then it's doggone good advice.
2007-11-26 23:39:07 · answer #9 · answered by stillsweetp 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋