Welcome to the February edition of Songful Style! Hosted by myself, Shelbee (Shelbee on the Edge) and Marsha (Marsha in the Middle), Songful Style is a collaboration featuring outfits inspired by songs. We’re also inviting anyone who would like to join us to post their own outfits in the link-up below. It doesn’t matter from what angle the song inspires the outfit—it can be from the lyrics, the title, the tune itself, the album cover, or even the music video. Last month our song was chosen by me and was Humankind by Coldplay. This month, our Songful Style inspiration song was chosen by Shelbee, and is I’m Still Standing by Elton John (scroll right down to the bottom to read the lyrics).
I’m Still Standing is one of those songs that just gets the juices flowing, right? The feet start tapping, the head starts bobbing and all you want to do is dance! At least that’s what happens with me. It’s a classic 1980s tune, with a video to match the upbeat, positive tone it oozes and I just love it!
I’m Still Standing is like an anthem of resilience and strength, isn’t it? It’s all about standing tall, being unbreakable, and not letting life’s curveballs knock you down. I reckon it’s one of those songs you blast when you need a boost or after overcoming something.
When deciding how to interpret this fab song, I watched the video a couple of times and spotted a woman with pink swirly body paint which made me think of the blouse Michael bought for me a year ago from Desigual (and I still haven’t worn it!!). The print is quite similar to the body art so I knew I must incorporate it into my outfit. It was then that I decided perhaps some kind of suit would work, considering Elton’s penchant for wearing them. Not having anything brightly coloured like him, I opted for the only ‘suit’ I have, a slim fitting black one that isn’t a suit at all, but merely a jacket and leggings / trousers that just happen to have the same faux leather detailing. Once I’d put it together, I quite liked the result, so I simply added a chunky pair of platform knee-high suede boots (so old), and my favourite Kurt Geiger rainbow bag. I completed the look with a new pair of rainbow hoop earrings (Parfois) and a chunky multi-coloured ring (inherited). Et voila! My outfit inspired by Elton John’s I’m Still Standing.
It’s not the craziest 80s-inspired look but I think it has elements of the 1980s that Elton would approve of. If only I had a huge pair of over the top bright and colourful glasses to match (if I lived anywhere near Emma, I could’ve borrowed a pair from her, considering she’s the queen of mad sunglasses!).
Did you know that Bruno Tonioli (Strictly Come Dancing) is one of the dancers in the I’m Still Standing video? He appears in almost all the scenes, sometimes wearing very, very little! The video was choreographed by Arlene Philips (also from Strictly). It’s a really fun music video with lots of scantily clad dancers, body paints and so on. Very Elton, and very 80s indeed. Oh and it was shot in Nice and Cannes!
Don’t forget to check out how Shelbee (Shelbee on the Edge) and Marsha (Marsha in the Middle) interpreted this fun song, and do link up your posts below! And join us next month for another fabulous song… This Girl Is On Fire by Alicia Keyes, chosen by Marsha. See you soon!
I’m Still Standing lyrics
You could never know what it’s like
Your blood like winter freezes just like ice
And there’s a cold and lonely light that shines from you
You’ll wind up like the wreck you hide behind that mask you use
And did you think this fool could never win
Well look at me, I’m coming back again
I got a taste of love in a simple way
And if you need to know while I’m still standing you just fade away
Don’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I’m still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind
I’m still standing yeah yeah yeah
I’m still standing yeah yeah yeah
Once I never could hope to win
You starting down the road leaving me again
The threats you made were meant to cut me down
And if our love was just a circus you’d be a clown by now
Y’ know, I’m still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I’m still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind
I’m still standing yeah yeah yeah
I’m still standing yeah yeah yeah
Don’t you know that I’m still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I’m still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind
I’m still standing yeah yeah yeah
I’m still standing yeah yeah yeah
I’m still standing yeah yeah yeah
I’m still standing yeah yeah yeah
