"Rise Up!," R. Kelly

[CLEM]

This is actually better than I expected. It has a great feel-good, inspirational, but not overly sappy vibe to it. I don't even know if radio will respond to this AT ALL though.

[TotallyEnormousExtinctDinosaur]

This is a Virginia Tech tribute:

R. Kelly has written a tribute to the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings, "Rise Up," and will release the track May 15 via digital services. All net proceeds will benefit the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund, which will assist those affected by the April 16 massacre in Blacksburg, Va.

A sample of the track is available on Kelly's Web site. The song includes such lines as "Rise up / when you feel you can't go on / rise up, and all of your hope is gone / rise up, when you're weak and you can't be strong."


According to his label, Jive Records, Kelly was inspired to write "Rise Up" while watching TV coverage of the shootings. It is not yet known if the song will appear on his upcoming album, "Double Up," due May 29.

I'm sorry but this comes off as pretentious as hell. Because it's R. Kelly who we know is total scum, I just think it's a desperate attempt to get positive press by exploiting a tragedy.

[nosuchthing9]

I"m more annoyed by him always stepping up as the saviour of mankind.

[backintime]

I f**king hate him. Just thought I'd throw that in there.

[breakthrough]

LOL. I think yall are being just a little too hard on him.

[breakthrough]

INTRO
"The Victims are what mean the most to us and that we cared so much about…."

"I just really feel that we are going to be known as the school that overcame."



VERSE
(whoa) I know you're feelin' pain right now

(whoa) And you don't wanna talk right now

(whoa) I know you're going through something

And you don't want to be bothered right now (whoa)

Not gonna lie and say I understand

(whoa) I just wanna be here for you if I can

(whoa) To hold your hand and be by your side

And together we will get through these times

And we will cry together (uh huh)

And we'll fight this together (uh huh)

And we'll be strong together

Stand together

Pray together



CHORUS
Rise up
When you feel you can't go on

Rise up
And all of your hope is gone

Rise up
When you're weak and you can't be strong

Rise up (rise up)

Rise up
And when the tears start to fall

Rise up

And you feel you've given it your all

Rise up
When your back is up against the wall

Rise

Rise up






VERSE

(whoa) Now I know the burdens that you bear

(whoa) And you don't think nobody cares

(whoa) A storm comes out of nowhere

And you feelin' like it just ain't fair (whoa)

Not here to preach about the brighter side (no)

Cause I understand and now is not the time (oh)

See I just want to help you make it right

Walk with you, holding up candle lights



CHORUS

And we will cry together (we will cry together)

And we'll fight this together (stand up and fight)

And we'll be strong together (hey)

Stand together (stand together)

Pray together

Rise up (woo)

When you feel you can't go on (feel like you can't go on)

Rise up
And all of your hope is gone (all your hope is gone)

Rise up
When you're weak and you can't be strong (hey)

Rise (you gotta rise up yeah)

Rise up
And when the tears start to fall (yeah)

Rise up
And you feel you've given it your all

Rise up
When your back is up against the wall

Rise (rise)



BRIDGE
You see struggle

Struggle has no color hey

No color (hey)

In the midst of crisis

You are my sister (hey) and I'm your brother (yeah)

And side by side we'll face this thing

Standin' tall (standin' tall)

You and me (hey)



VAMP
Rise up

Rise

Rise up

Rise (Woo)

Rise up (Hey)

Rise

We will rise

Rise up

Heads up to the sky

Rise up
Rise
When all hope has fallen yeah

Rise up
We'll stand tall and believe (yes we will)

Rise
Rise up
And we gotta know tomorrow will come (yeah) and

Rise
Rise up
You will have the victory

Rise up

Hey Rise up Rise up

Rise
Rise up
Hey hey hey hey hey

Rise
Rise up
In the middle… in the middle of your storm when you… (rise up)

When you think you… when you think you cannot make it rise up

Rise up (ooh)

Rise

Rise up (God bless you Virginia… our hearts go out to you and your families

Peace
Rise up

[duh5]

LMAO, I'm sorry, but this comes off so exploitative to me. He doesn't haven't a single genuine bone in his body. Nevermind, he does have one genuine bone, and that's his d*ck when a 13 year old walks by.

[breakthrough]

Sexual predators have hearts too!! And he's not making any money from it so I don't see the exploitation.

This isn't bad. It's a nice solid song.

[sleepy eat pepper]

The exploitation comes in the fact that this is someone who hasn't been successful in recent years, and who has been surrounded by bad press, and it's pretty clear that a charity single is his idea of a great way to get some attention again. It's completely irreverent, disgenuine and disgusting.

It's kind of sad too, because it seems like people don't care anymore about the Virginia Tech tragedy. It's not on the news anymore and I'm even shocked at how upset and moved I was two weeks ago, and how I've inexplicably been able to put it behind me and almost forget that it even happened present-day.

[cactus tree]

exactly. He wants the positive attention for doing this charity song, and hopes it'll make people forget that he pissed on a 13 year old and buy his new album. I think he's using the tragedy for his own ends.

[breakthrough]

LOL. I honestly just don't see it as being some kind of exploitation. He is getting plenty of "positive energy" right now because he is still making hit songs.... I mean he's released how many projects since we found out that he likes water sports? It's not like he's just been black listed by the industry or something, because he was never some huge pop star anyway. I just don't think its fair to question the sincerity behind it simply because of his current circumstances. Because going with the logic that he would make ONE song like this during all this time doesn't hold up. Because if anything, he would have made like 5 albums full of "I Believe I Can Fly" type songs. I'm just not turned off by him doing a song for charity. Its not like its gonna make his album a smash or something. Last I heard this wasn't even on the album.

[tozion]

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[tozion]

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