FAWM: "It's Up to You"

It's Up to You

2025 by @jonmeta

Liner Notes

Yesterday I was listening to the Staples Singers' "Freedom Highway" from 1965, and pretty much this whole song came to me and went into my phone while walking the dog later that day. It's a message song, so sitting on I-IV most of the time is fine, I think. It was fine for 'Pops' Staples. I sure wish I had Mavis on this one though!

The structure is simple, and guitar, bass, and piano were no problem, but the drums took a couple hours, because I couldn't get Logic Drummer to do anything remotely like I wanted, so ended up playing the drums on the keyboard! First time it's ever failed me.

Lyrics

It’s up to you, sisters and brothers, it’s up to you It’s up to you, there are no others, it’s up to you.

Your grandfathers / didn’t think twice When they told them / about freedom’s price Your grandmothers / didn’t bow the knee before fascist / tyranny Their generation / did their part If you’re gonna do yours / you better make a start. It's up to you...

Other folks did it / Why not you? If not you / then tell me, who? If you don’t do it / it won’t get done There’s nobody else / You’re the one. For your soul / there’ll be no rest Until you know / you’ve done your best. It’s up to you…

You can’t choose / the time or place All you can do / is run your race Lift your voice / with freedom’s sound We’ve come too far / to turn around They’ve got money / and they’ve got might But we’ve got the truth / We’ve got the right It’s up to you…

Additional verses:

The arc of justice / is bending low It's time to choose / which way to go So get your lamp / from under the bed Join the ones / who went on ahead

In just a while / you'll know the score When the wicked / are no more You will search / every place You won't find / a single trace Cruel injustice / will be gone Until then / Keep pressing on.

Comments

@wynia 2025

Lots of truths here to chew on! I like all the sounds you’re using in the accompaniment, especially the keys with the nod to the 60s

@ductapeguyMod 2025

You nailed both the zeitgeist and the antidote. This is such a clear call to action.

@tseaver 2025

Nice write! Hearkening back to the Greatest Generation is a nice hook.

Excellent groove, nice chord selections, and perfect vocal intensity make this one compelling.

@billwhite51 2025

the staples are a fitting inspiration for this song, as they were the first in america to bring protest lyrics into gospel music via mavis and her friendship with bob dylan. id like to hear the whole staples family behind you on this one. although in the tradition of social issue gospel, you dont lean on that style. rather, you pay homage to it in your own voice. we need more songs like this,

@davidtaro 2025

You’ve got to keep this kind of thing simple, it needs to plant itself in your head very quickly so you can sing along, which this absolutely achieves in spades. Kind of remarkable how you’ve made something that sounds like it was done in the late 60s (maybe a Vietnam protest song) but with lyrics very squarely aimed at our current predicament. Completely agree with your message too, it’s just right now feels like the end of Empire Strikes Back so it’s getting over that feeling that you’ve been defeated. Anyway, last point from me - from the liner I was expecting some really simple-ass drumming, but you’ve built up a proper groove in a way that makes me think you ‘get’ drumming (which for me is still a foreign land). Well done dude.

@coolparadisoMod 2025

a song I wouldn't have believed was necessary very long ago. freedom is up to everyone. good message delivered so well.

@deena 2025

I can hear a big group joining in on the chorus! Sounds great. You are such a fine instrumentalist!

@nancycunning 2025

Yeah, I can hear Mavis Staples wailing on it. You nail it by keeping things simple so people can learn it on the march (or in the armchair getting warmed up to march). That space is so important in letting the listener catch on to everything and pick up the torch and keep singing and marching and to feel good through the whole thing.