This was the only US Top-40 hit for Argent, who were named for their keyboard player Rod Argent, who was previously a member of The Zombies. This song was written by Chris White, who was The Zombies' bass player. Argent performed the song on Top Of The Pops, and attracted a much wider audience as a result. In Cream magazine, July 1972, their guitarist Russ Ballard explained: "People are getting a shock when they realize that not all of our numbers are like 'Hold Your Head Up.' We're attracting a lot of people who've seen us on Top Of The Pops – people who would normally dismiss us as being just another progressive band. The song was written for us by Chris White who was in the Zombies and who now produces us as well as being a co-writer with Rod. Originally it was just another album track but CBS chose it as being suitable for a single. I would say that Chris has adapted his writing recently to the way we play on stage. Even now with 'Hold Your Head Up,' disc jockeys talk over part of the introduction because it's a bit distasteful to mother's ears!"
The songs starts with a rolling organ lick, a signal, a call to arms. Then the bass comes in, playing on a single note on the beat, double with the bass drum and a snare hit on the four. It feels like the start of a parade, but not exactly a happy one. This very serious intro gets some guitar added to the mix in very tailored guitar chords. Everything is very nice and neat and orderly. As the vocals come in and it almost sounds like Russ is singing behind you. It’s the perfect soundtrack to marching down the street in front of an audience of everyone who wronged you. You can’t look down or side to side, only head your head straight and high.
And if it’s bad
Don’t let it get you down,
you can take it
And if it hurts
Don’t let them see you cry,
you can make it
Hold your head up,
hold your head up
Hold your head up,
hold your head high
And if they stare
Just let them burn
their eyes on you moving
And if they shout
Don’t let them change
a thing that you’re doing
Do any of the following describe your life From the time you can remember you have been put down by others. Nothing was ever good enough. Perhaps you have has a series of embarrassing failures at work, perhaps you grew up poor, perhaps you were "One of them" A racial, ethnic, religious minority growing up in a community of intolerance. In any of these situations and others to numerous to mention you could not hold you head up, over time you tried and were not able to do it. You are more than your community, you are you. You are more than a number or a thing.
Are you able to hold your head up most of the time, and feel proud of who you are and what you have done with your life? YES? The appropriate response is not any form of arrogance but rather a profound sense of willingness to help others who still live with their heads bent. For they are more than what is attached to them.
If you are still somewhere in the early part of the process of lifting your head up after a difficult childhood, an adult tragedy, or a series of major failures, don't be discouraged, help is at hand. You are more than a number. More than the names people attach to you.
Get in touch with your inner strength, your successes, and what ever resilience has been able to get you this far. Seek further strength by speaking with a friend or church pastor and develop a plan of recovery, that will bring freedom and resilience into your life. That will help your fears and your doubts for you are more than a number.
Finally do you know someone who might need help with their self-esteem. Can you do anything to reach out to them and lift their spirits for the too are more than a number.
In Paul's letter to the Romans Paul lists people that he pays tribute to. People who matter to him and to the mission of Jesus Christ.
Romans 16: 1-27 "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5 Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s peoplewho are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings. 17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heardabout your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. 21 Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews. 22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings. 25 Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen."
These are all people who are all very different. On this list we find two people "Tertius" and "Quartus" mentioned. Tetras means "Third" and Quartus means "Fourth" Basically 3 and 4. (Highlighted) These are slave names and Paul includes them as people of honour. Yes, hold your head up as everyone matters to Paul and of course Jesus. Don't get overwhelmed by other peoples views. You may think you are just a number but you really matter, you may have treated people as if they were numbers. Today "hold your head up" walk in the knowledge that to God you are more than the sum of what people label you with. You are honoured by Jesus today so "Hold your head up". My prayer would be that you will lift someone else up this day and let them know that they are highly honoured by Jesus. That they too can lift and hold their head up as you minister to them.
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