StandByMe
StandByMe
JUNE/2020
Overview
The True Colors Music Video 2020 brings together the talents, energies and hearts of more than 40 performing artists with disabilities from 15 countries / areas.
Powered by the aim to raise awareness and inspire action in support of people with disabilities during the global COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, this original commissioned music video presents an updated version of the Ben E. King classic hit, “Stand By Me”.
Did You Know?
of the world’s population are persons with disabilities
the number of people with disabilities, making them the world’s largest minority
countries in the world collect data on chronic illness and disability
of disabilities are acquired between the core working ages of 18 and 64
of the estimated 100 million children in the world with a disability live in developing countries
of children with disabilities who live in developing countries don’t attend primary or secondary school
of businesses focus on making offerings that are inclusive of disability
That’s the spending power of the estimated 1.3 billion people in the world with disabilities and their friends and families
of published books are available in formats for the visually-impaired
Behind the Lyrics
Stand By Me
Song ID: 532583
Writers: Ben E. King/Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller
Publishers: Atlantic Recording/Belinda Aberbach Stevenson Agar Revocable
Trust/Imagem Music Inc OBO Susan Aberbach Revocable Trust/Sony/ATV Songs
Updated version produced and arranged by Dr Sydney Tan
When the night has come
and the land is dark
and the moon is the only light we see
No, I won’t be afraid
No, I won’t be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
So darling, darling, stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Oh, stand now (Stand by me)
Stand by me (Stand by me)
If the sky that we look upon
should tumble and fall
And the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won’t cry, I won’t cry
No I won’t (No I won’t) shed a tear (shed a tear)
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darling, darling, stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Oh, stand now (stand by me)
As you stand (stand by me) stand by me (stand by
me)
Yo
Oh, stand by me
Stand by me
By me
Stand by me
Let’s go
Yo
I know sometimes we feel like we’re alone
Facing the demons that live in our home
(our home)
I know when the sun don’t rise
I know when the moon don’t shine
(moon don’t shine)
Shivering cold as ice
You feel like you’re losing your mind
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Lyrics written and performed by
Wheelsmith, Rapper (Singapore)
“Stand By Me” is a song that is asking for an assurance, to have a companion through thick and thin. My rap verse is the answer to it. Yes, I’ll be there for you.”
But don’t back down I’mma stand by you
till we see the light
Look to the right, to the left
Look the front, to the back
Everybody right here
Shoulder to shoulder, we lifting the weight
Now we blazing the fire
Let it rain, let it come
I’mma stand by you (I’mma stand by you)
Lyrics written and performed by
Wheelsmith, Rapper (Singapore)
“Stand By Me” is a song that is asking for an assurance, to have a companion through thick and thin. My rap verse is the answer to it. Yes, I’ll be there for you.”
Stand by me
Stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
Stand by me
Stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
Stand by me in the darkest night
Stand by me so I see the light
Stand by me when I need you most
Stand by me so I cannot boast
Stand by me when I wanna give up
Stand by me so I know I’m enough
Stand by me when I feel alone
Stand by me so I know I’ll reach home
(I’mma stand by you)
We’ll make it out through these painful times
We’ll pass over every storm and shine
One day this’ll be over and we’ll laugh
We’ve already won as a matter of fact
No matter how long and dark the night
The sun will always rise
We just have to walk towards the end together
Stand by you
Would you stand by me
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Lyrics written and performed by
Sparsh Shah, Rapper (US)
“My inspiration for the verse I wrote was the message of standing by each other that was so prominent throughout the song “Stand by Me”. For the first part of the verse, I was aiming to express what it means to stand by someone; for the second part, I wanted to encourage everyone that we will leave this crisis behind us one day, so we must keep our heads held high while the storm passes over.”
Meet the Artists
Adrian Yunan
Adrian Yunan is a singer/songwriter from Indonesia. After losing his sight to disease, he discovered a keener sense of hearing. He released his solo studio album Sintas in 2017, a single Mencar in 2019 and held his own solo concert Akrabi Adrian Yunan in 2019. Adrian continues to break new ground to re-define his musical identity.
Aliènette Coldfire
Born blind, Katchry Jewel Golbin, known by her stage name Aliènette Coldfire, started singing at an early age. Captivated by Edith Piaf, she learned French through social media and from native speakers. After a recording of her rendition of Mariah Carey’s I’ll Be There went viral, she took part in 2016’s La France a un Incroyable Talent (France’s Got Talent) and placed third. She regularly performs a mixed repertoire of French and Filipino songs.
Kazuyo Morita
Kazuyo Morita first ventured into the arts by way of acting when she was 18 years old. Born with spina bifida and scoliosis, she began exploring dance and the possibility of new expressions while working as an actor and dancer with prosthetics. Kazuyo works with artists who specialize in various genres, exploring physicality beyond disability.
Kim Seong Il
The jazz piano major from Baekseok University in South Korea has numerous accolades to his name, among them the King of Kings Competition at the Grand Prix of the KBS National Disabled Personality Festival and first prize at Korea’s The Sound Festival.
Kohshi Kishita
Kohshi Kishita became visually impaired a month after birth. At just two years old, he discovered a passion for playing the piano. At 10, he was featured in an NHK documentary and has since performed at the UN headquarters in New York and at the ParaFes and ParaEkiden in Tokyo.
Signmark
Signmark, aka Marko Vuoriheimo, is a rapper. Born deaf, he raps in sign language. He became famous when he performed at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009, and in the same year, made history as the first Deaf artist in the world to score a record deal with Warner Music. He performs all over the world as a global champion for recognition of Deaf rights and culture.
Sparsh Shah
Sparsh Shah aka “Purhythm” is a 17-year-old singer, songwriter, rapper and motivational speaker. Born with a genetic disorder that affects the bones, he is trained in classical Indian and American vocal music, and has performed at over 150 events. He became an internet sensation with his cover of Eminem’s Not Afraid, garnering a combined 75 million views across social media sites.
Tony Dee
Tony is a singer who was born with spina bifida. He gained global recognition when he performed in Channel 4’s (UK) Rio Paralympics ad which garnered over 10 million views online and on broadcast and has won dozens of advertising awards. He has since gone on to perform at multiple galas and events, released a single and performed at the Sydney Opera House on Australia Day.
Wheelsmith
Wheelsmith is a rapper from Singapore. Diagnosed at four with muscular dystrophy, he looked to hip hop to be recognized for his talents. Wheelsmith is an accomplished rapper, beatboxer, songwriter and producer who has performed at the 2019 National Day Parade in Singapore. He is currently working on his debut EP of original music.
Yusuke Anazawa
He is a violinist, violist, composer and accomplished speaker who has heart issues and vision impairment. He has released 18 albums, with two of his works used as theme songs on national radio. He has also won the Grand Prix at the 7th Gold Concert, an international music contest for the disabled in Japan, and delivers over 30 lectures every year about his life and journey as an artist.
The Bleinders
The Bleinders is a Taiwanese a cappella group made up of nine singers who are blind or have low vision. The group first performed together at the Taiwan International Vocal Festival and emerged as champions. They have been touring in Taiwan for the past three years.
Garry Shieh
Hank Tseng
Jenny Zhen
Marton Huang
Mia Shu
Mu Guei Huang
Sherry Lai
Tiffeny Pai
Ying-Ting Shi
The Bleinders
The Bleinders is a Taiwanese a cappella group made up of nine singers who are blind or have low vision. The group first performed together at the Taiwan International Vocal Festival and emerged as champions. They have been touring in Taiwan for the past three years.
You can do it alone, but did you know that there’s tremendous power in collaboration?
This project is, for me, proof of the extraordinary power that technology has to bring us humans together, regardless of who and where we are in the world.
We Are One
We Are One (WAO) is a dance group composed of some artists who are wheelchair users and others who have hearing loss and speech issues. The group was founded in 2016 by Mr. Husnain, a professional wheelchair dancer with disability. The group has performed in more than 15 countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Russia, Italy and Kuwait. Seven members of WAO are performing in “Stand By Me”.
Priya Kumari
Karuna Sarkar
Gulshan Kumar
Vijay Kumar
Harbeer
Husnain
Arjun
We Are One
We Are One (WAO) is a dance group composed of some artists who are wheelchair users and others who have hearing loss and speech issues. The group was founded in 2016 by Mr. Husnain, a professional wheelchair dancer with disability. The group has performed in more than 15 countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Russia, Italy and Kuwait. Seven members of WAO are performing in “Stand By Me”.
BOTAN
BOTAN is a troupe of seven dancers with disabilities formed specially for the True Colors Concert in 2018 in Singapore. Before that, each of them was engaged in dancing in their respective communities. Just like the peony flower the group is named after, their skills and abilities overlap to create a single unified whole. Six members of BOTAN are performing in “Stand By Me”.
Hiroko Higashino
Ken Kanokozawa
Daiki Nishimura
Reika Nema
Nagisa Takeda
Dancing Lucky Boy Soushin
BOTAN
BOTAN is a troupe of seven dancers with disabilities formed specially for the True Colors Concert in 2018 in Singapore. Before that, each of them was engaged in dancing in their respective communities. Just like the peony flower the group is named after, their skills and abilities overlap to create a single unified whole. Six members of BOTAN are performing in “Stand By Me”.
Through the making of the video and singing the song “Stand By Me”, I want to share the same love and spirit from Indonesia to the world. Let’s get through this and win together.
We hope to bring people together and inspire them to stand by one another, no matter what obstacles come their way.
Caliph Buskers
This five-member group was busking on the streets when they were invited to compete in Anugerah Juara Lagu 2015, Malaysia’s most prestigious music awards show. They became a regional phenomenon and are the only group with disabilities in the mainstream Malaysian music industry. Along the way they clinched an award for “Best Song” at the Anugerah Planet Muzik (Music Planet Award) competing against artists from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei.
Azmi
Zaki
Nirwan
Fendy
Nadira
Caliph Buskers
This five-member group was busking on the streets when they were invited to compete in Anugerah Juara Lagu 2015, Malaysia’s most prestigious music awards show. They became a regional phenomenon and are the only group with disabilities in the mainstream Malaysian music industry. Along the way they clinched an award for “Best Song” at the Anugerah Planet Muzik (Music Planet Award) competing against artists from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei.
Drake Music Scotland
Formed in 2016, Drake Music Scotland is the world’s first disabled youth orchestra. The musicians in this digital orchestra use technologies including a bio-feedback system (Brainfingers), digital drum pads, laptops and iPads. The orchestra has performed original works for audiences like the Scottish Parliament and have collaborated with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. Four members of Drake Music Scotland are performing in “Stand By Me”.
Andrew Giffin
Rhona Smith
Stephanie Forrest
Steven Thornton
Drake Music Scotland
Formed in 2016, Drake Music Scotland is the world’s first disabled youth orchestra. The musicians in this digital orchestra use technologies including a bio-feedback system (Brainfingers), digital drum pads, laptops and iPads. The orchestra has performed original works for audiences like the Scottish Parliament and have collaborated with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. Four members of Drake Music Scotland are performing in “Stand By Me”.
We’re not afraid, as long as our hearts stay together… Look up and don’t lose hope.
It’s an honor to be involved in a project where everyone is working together to create one thing, regardless of their nationality or persona!
ILL-ABILITIES™
ILL-ABILITIES™ is an international breakdance crew made up of some of the world’s best differently-abled dancers. Formed in 2007 with the goal to inspire audiences with their incredible dance moves, the seven-member crew from six countries are individually recognized internationally and locally for the work they do within their local communities. Two members of ILL-ABILITIES™ are performing in “Stand By Me”.
Redouan “Redo” Ait Chitt
Luca “Lazylegz” Patuelli
ILL-ABILITIES™
ILL-ABILITIES™ is an international breakdance crew made up of some of the world’s best differently-abled dancers. Formed in 2007 with the goal to inspire audiences with their incredible dance moves, the seven-member crew from six countries are individually recognized internationally and locally for the work they do within their local communities. Two members of ILL-ABILITIES™ are performing in “Stand By Me”.
Amber Galloway Gallego
Often praised for her ability to show the connection between lyrics and sounds, Amber’s music interpretations demonstrate the emotional bonds which have always enticed music lovers to concerts. Deaf audiences at her shows have said they could connect to music performances more than ever, while her interpretations have delighted and inspired hearing music aficionados to learn sign language.
Ma Li and Zhai Xiao Wei
Ma Li was already an accomplished dancer at 19 when she lost an arm in an accident, while Xiao Wei had lost a leg, also in an accident, when he was four. They met, teamed up and became the first disabled pair to win, eventually coming in second, at the 4th edition of the prestigious CCTV national dance competition. Since then, they have traveled the world and often perform their signature number Hand in Hand.
Find Out More
Learn more about the unique challenges people with disabilities face, how COVID-19 impacts their lives and what must be done to build a better, more inclusive society for all.
Coronavirus and human rights: New guidance highlights support for persons with disabilitiesUnited Nation Human Rights
New UN report calls for disability-inclusive recoveryUnited Nation News
COVID-19’s isolated world is the norm for people with disabilitiesWorld Economic Forum
COVID-19 and the rights of persons with disabilities: GuidanceUnited Nations Human Rights
Take Action
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Take a survey to raise awareness for people with disabilities who are affected by COVID-19
COVID-19 Disability Rights Monitor
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