I'll Stand by You

Last updated

"I'll Stand by You"
The-Pretenders-Ill-Stand-By-You-33264.jpg
One of color variant artworks
Single by the Pretenders
from the album Last of the Independents
B-side "Rebel Rock Me"
ReleasedApril 11, 1994 (1994-04-11) [1]
Length3:59
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Ian Stanley
The Pretenders singles chronology
"Night in My Veins"
(1994)		"I'll Stand by You"
(1994)		"Night in My Veins"
(1994)

"I'll Stand by You" is a song recorded by English-American rock band the Pretenders from their sixth studio album, Last of the Independents (1994). The song was written by Chrissie Hynde and the songwriting team of Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg, and produced by Ian Stanley. The song is a ballad in which the singer pledges love and faithful assistance to a loved one in times of personal darkness.

Contents

Released on April 11, 1994 by Sire, Warner Bros. and WEA, "I'll Stand by You" peaked at number 1 in Israel and reached the top 20 in several countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The accompanying music video was directed by London-based director Zanna, featuring Hynde taking care of an ill man in a hut. "I'll Stand by You" also became a major hit for British girl group Girls Aloud in late 2004 and American country singer Carrie Underwood in early 2007, both times recorded as a charity single. Colombian singer Shakira performed the song for the live charity telethon Hope for Haiti Now in early 2010; her cover version was released on the charity benefit album, which was also entitled Hope for Haiti Now .

Release and commercial reception

"I'll Stand by You" was released as the second single from the album Last of the Independents (1994), and it reached number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 21 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart, and number 10 in the United Kingdom. It charted higher in the UK and the US than "Night in My Veins", the album's first single. The music video for "I'll Stand by You" was released in 1994 and features Chrissie Hynde caring for an ill man. [2] On the long-running BBC program Songwriters Circle, Hynde mentions her embarrassment at having set out to write a "hit." She goes on to say that she felt better about the song after Noel Gallagher said "he wished he'd written it.". [3] Since 2010 the song has been used in an appeal advert for the NSPCC, [4] and also the Girls Aloud version was used in an advert for Aptamil follow-on milk.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that Chrissie Hynde "returns with a worn, but warm vocal that evokes a powerful, moving presence." [5] Steve Baltin from Cashbox felt that "from the opening note, this song oozes "nice". Hard to believe this is the same Chrissie Hynde who, in the song "Precious", once told the world to "fuck off". Fourteen years ago, what drew people to her was the conviction she sang with. Though this song has a decidedly different tone, the feeling is as strong as ever. In addition, Hynde's singing has grown to where she can wail with the best of them, as she does here against a backdrop that increases perfectly with the rising emotion in her voice." [6] Ken Tucker from Entertainment Weekly stated that the singer "matches form with content again and again" on the album, noting that she is "pledging solemn faithfulness to a loved one on the somber anthem". [7] Irish Evening Herald opined that the song "showcases an updated Pretenders' sound." [8] Linda Ryan from the Gavin Report declared it one of the album's "beautiful, heart-stopping ballads", adding that it "will be a monster hit in a variety of formats." [9] Caroline Sullivan from The Guardian remarked its "simple vow". [10]

Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel viewed it as "straightforward and endearing". [11] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton wrote, "Stand by to have your heartstrings tugged." He explained that it is "a gorgeous ballad of the kind Ms Hynde can churn out easily if she puts her mind to it. A potential classic to rival "2000 Miles" and the ode to motherhood that was their last chart hit, the track may well rise further." [12] Caren Myers from Melody Maker deemed it "an unsurprising single which works better as a humble track", [13] while Paul Mathur called it the "worst track" of the album. [14] Pan-European magazine Music & Media named it "this spring's biggest ballad", adding, "Such symmetry between big time sensuality, kitsch, pathos and wall of sound!" [15] Alan Jones from Music Week gave it four out of five and named it Pick of the Week, writing, "Unlike Pretenders' hits of the past it is slightly formulaic but it nonetheless a seductively swaying rock anthem." [16] A reviewer from People Magazine felt it's the "weakest track" of the album, describing it as "an anthem of blind support." [17] Sandwell Evening Mail viewed it as "excellent". [18] Paul Evans from Rolling Stone stated that Hynde "nails devotion" on the song, "and like any master, makes it all seem easy." [19] Roy Wilkinson from Select wrote that it "may have a lighter-wielding tendency that should keep a few OPEC members smiling". [20]

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by London-based director Zanna. [21] [22] It takes place in an old wooden hut, featuring Hynde singing the song towards a man who is in a worried state. Throughout the video, Hynde tries to comfort and take care of him. When he arrives in the beginning, she greets him and knocks over a glass of milk before singing in his direction. It is unclear whether the man hears her or is even aware of her presence. The man, obviously worried, holds a bullet in his hand. He also looks into a map. Other times he plays with a coin or a card deck. Hynde tries to comfort him. She holds her arms around him, and also mends his clothes with needle and sewing thread. She helps him with tools when he tries to fix a machine. Later after struggling with awakening him, she carries the ill man to a bath tub, where she washes and nurses him. In the end, the man, now fully dressed again, leaves the hut, while Hynde watches him. On the table lies an ace card with a knife stuck through it. Zanna also previously directed the video for the band's previous single, "Night in My Veins". [21]

Legacy

Idolator included "I'll Stand by You" in their ranking of "The 50 Best Pop Singles of 1994" in 2014. An editor, Jonathan Riggs, said, "Regardless of how representative of Hynde's oeuvre with the Pretenders it really was, "I'll Stand By You" continues to resonate decades later." [23]

Track listing

7-inch single, UK (1994)
No.TitleLength
1."I'll Stand by You"3:59
2."Rebel Rock Me"3:08
CD single, Europe (1994)
No.TitleLength
1."I'll Stand by You"3:59
2."Rebel Rock Me"3:08
3."Bold as Love"3:23
CD single (CD2), Europe (1994)
No.TitleLength
1."I'll Stand by You"3:59
2."Message of Love"3:24
3."Don't Get Me Wrong"3:48
4."Brass in Pocket"3:04

Personnel

Additional musicians

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [47] Gold35,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [53] Gold30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [54] Silver200,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Girls Aloud versions

  1. ↑ "Single Releases" (PDF). Music Week . April 9, 1994. p. 23. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  2. ↑ Music video, accessed 12/12/2018
  3. ↑ Byers, Michele; Lavery, David (2007). Dear Angela: Remembering My So-called Life. Lexington Books. p. 53. ISBN   978-0-7391-1692-0.
  4. ↑ "NSPCC 'Enough is Enough' advert - Advertising Showcase | UTalkMarketing". www.utalkmarketing.com. Retrieved October 20, 2017.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. ↑ Flick, Larry (August 13, 1994). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  6. ↑ Baltin, Steve (August 27, 1994). "Pop Singles: Reviews" (PDF). Cashbox . p. 7. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  7. ↑ Tucker, Ken (May 13, 1994). "Last of the Independents". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  8. ↑ "UB40 to top city's hottest gig". Evening Herald . June 15, 1994. page 17. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  9. ↑ Ryan, Linda (May 6, 1994). "Gavin Picks — Albums" (PDF). Gavin Report . Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  10. ↑ Sullivan, Caroline (May 13, 1994). "Music: Haines's pains - Rock/pop". The Guardian .
  11. ↑ Campbell, Chuck (May 27, 1994). "Hynde Endures, Shows Strength On New Album". Knoxville News Sentinel .
  12. ↑ Masterton, James (April 17, 1994). "Week Ending April 23rd 1994". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  13. ↑ Myers, Caren (May 14, 1994). "Albums". Melody Maker . p. 30. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  14. ↑ Mathur, Paul (April 23, 1994). "Singles". Melody Maker . p. 27. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  15. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 11, no. 17. April 23, 1994. p. 6. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  16. ↑ Jones, Alan (April 16, 1994). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles - Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. p. 18. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Picks and Pans Review: Last of the Independents". People . May 16, 1994. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Pretenders - I'll Stand By You". Sandwell Evening Mail. September 20, 1994. page 15.
  19. ↑ Evans, Paul (December 29, 1994-January 12, 1995). "The year in recordings". Rolling Stone . Issue 698/699.
  20. ↑ Wilkinson, Roy (July 1994). "New Albums". Select . p. 87. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  21. 1 2 "Music Video: Production Notes". Billboard . May 28, 1994. p. 34. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  22. ↑ "The Pretenders: I'll Stand by You (Music Video) (1994)". FilmAffinity . Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  23. ↑ Riggs, Jonathan (November 20, 2014). "The 50 Best Pop Singles of 1994 (Featuring New Interviews With Ace Of Base, TLC, Lisa Loeb, Real McCoy & Haddaway)". Idolator . Archived from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Pretenders – I'll Stand by You". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Pretenders – I'll Stand by You" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2620." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2635." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 11, no. 21. May 21, 1994. p. 22. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Adult Contemporary Europe Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 11, no. 26. June 25, 1994. p. 30. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Pretenders – I'll Stand by You" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Pretenders – I'll Stand by You" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  32. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (26.05.1994 – 01.06.1994)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). May 26, 1994. p. 24. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  33. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I'll Stand by You". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 23. June 4, 1994. p. 14. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Regional Airplay: South" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 11, no. 21. May 21, 1994. p. 35.
  36. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 24, 1994" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Pretenders – I'll Stand by You" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  38. ↑ "Pretenders – I'll Stand by You". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  39. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  40. ↑ "Pretenders – I'll Stand by You". Singles Top 100. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  41. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  42. ↑ "Pretenders Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  43. ↑ "Pretenders Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  44. ↑ "Pretenders Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  45. ↑ "Pretenders Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  46. ↑ "Pretenders Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  47. 1 2 "1994 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA . Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  48. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1994" (in Dutch). Ultratop . Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  49. ↑ "RPM 100 Hit Tracks of 1994". RPM . Library and Archives Canada . Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  50. ↑ "Jaarlijsten 1994" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Archived from the original on November 2, 2003. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  51. ↑ "Top 100 Singles 1994". Music Week. January 14, 1995. p. 9.
  52. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1995". Archived from the original on August 11, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  53. ↑ "Spanish single certifications – Pretenders – I'll Stand by You". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España . Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  54. ↑ "British single certifications – Pretenders – I'll Stand by You". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  55. 1 2 3 Robinson, Peter (2009). "I'll Stand By You". The Singles Boxset (Booklet). Girls Aloud. London, England: Fascination Records. p. 19.
  56. 1 2 3 "Girls Aloud help Children In Need". CBBC Newsround . BBC. November 5, 2004. Retrieved February 28, 2008.
  57. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . November 13, 2004. p. 25.Misprinted as November 13 on source.
  58. ↑ "Girls Aloud – What Will The Neighbours Say?". Virgin Media . Virgin Group. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved February 28, 2009.
  59. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (November 26, 2004). "Girls Aloud, What Will The Neighbours Say?". The Guardian . London. Retrieved February 28, 2008.
  60. ↑ David Hooper. "Girls Aloud, What Will The Neighbours Say?" . Retrieved February 28, 2009.
  61. ↑ Sam Shepherd. "Girls Aloud – I'll Stand By You (Polydor)". musicOMH.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2009.
  62. ↑ William B. Swygart (December 13, 2004). "Girls Aloud – What Will The Neighbours Say?". Stylus Magazine . Archived from the original on October 2, 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2009.
  63. ↑ "Girls Aloud seize number one slot". BBC News . BBC. November 21, 2004. Retrieved February 28, 2008.[ dead link ]
  64. ↑ "Girls Aloud hold on to top spot". CBBC Newsround . BBC. November 28, 2004. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  65. ↑ Karen Attwood (December 6, 2004). "Band Aid heads for Christmas number one spot". Manchester Evening News . Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on November 12, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  66. ↑ "Band Aid 20 retains number one spot". BBC News . BBC. December 12, 2004. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  67. 1 2 "Girls Aloud – I'll Stand By You". Official Charts Company . Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  68. ↑ "Girls Aloud". The Official UK Charts Company . British Phonographic Industry. November 27, 2004. Archived from the original on April 27, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2008.
  69. ↑ "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  70. ↑ "Sarah Harding: Sales and streams of Girls Aloud's back catalogue soar in tribute". Official Charts Company . Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  71. ↑ "Top 50 singles, week ending 18 November 2004". Irish Singles Chart . GfK. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  72. ↑ "Top 50 singles, week ending 25 November 2004". Irish Singles Chart . GfK. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  73. ↑ "Top 50 singles, week ending 2 December 2004". Irish Singles Chart . GfK. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  74. ↑ "Top 50 singles, week ending 9 December 2004". Irish Singles Chart . GfK. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  75. ↑ "Top 50 singles, week ending 16 December 2004". Irish Singles Chart . GfK. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  76. ↑ "Top 50 singles, week ending 23 December 2004". Irish Singles Chart . GfK. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  77. ↑ "Top 50 singles, week ending 30 December 2004". Irish Singles Chart . GfK. Archived from the original on February 29, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  78. ↑ "Top 50 singles, week ending 6 January 2005". Irish Singles Chart . GfK. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  79. ↑ "Top 50 singles, week ending 12 January 2005". Irish Singles Chart . GfK. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  80. ↑ "Trudy Bellinger: Music Videos". Merge @ Crossroads. Retrieved December 29, 2008.
  81. ↑ "Girls Aloud - The Show EP". Spotify. December 1, 2023.
  82. ↑ "Hits of the World – Eurocharts" (PDF). Billboard . Vol. 116, no. 50. December 11, 2004. p. 49. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  83. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I'll Stand by You". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  84. ↑ "Girls Aloud – I'll Stand by You" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  85. ↑ "Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 4, saptamina 31.01 – 6.02, 2005" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on February 23, 2005. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  86. ↑ "Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: March 25, 2005". TopHit . Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  87. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  88. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  89. ↑ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2004" (PDF). UKChartsPlus . Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  90. ↑ "British single certifications – Girls Aloud – I'll Stand by You". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  91. ↑ "Hot Country Songs" (PDF). Billboard. May 26, 2007. p. 51.
  92. ↑ Carrie Underwood sets record with iTunes track Archived December 20, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  93. ↑ Billboard Archived February 23, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  94. ↑ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  95. ↑ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  96. ↑ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  97. ↑ "Hope For Haiti Now: A Global Benefit For Earthquake Relief". Hope For Haiti Now. Archived from the original on January 25, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  98. ↑ "Hope For Haiti Now". Amazon.com (US). Amazon. January 22, 2010. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  99. ↑ "Shakira feat. The Roots – I'll Stand by You". Singles Top 100.
  100. ↑ "BBC - BBC Children in Need, Children's Choir: Around the UK". BBC. November 14, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  101. ↑ "Bradford College's new building to host region's Children in Need coverage". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. November 10, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  102. ↑ "BBC - BBC Children in Need, Children's Choir - Norwich". BBC. November 14, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  103. ↑ "BBC - BBC Children in Need, 2014, Wales's Best Bits". BBC. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  104. ↑ "Barra Best and Jo Scott present Northern Ireland Children in Need". BBC News. November 14, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  105. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04phrw1 [ bare URL ]
"I'll Stand by You"
Illstandbyyou.jpg
Single by Girls Aloud
from the album What Will the Neighbours Say?
B-side "Real Life"
ReleasedNovember 15, 2004
Recorded2004
Length3:44
Label Polydor
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Girls Aloud singles chronology
"Love Machine"
(2004)		"I'll Stand by You"
(2004)		"Wake Me Up"
(2005)
Audio sample
Studio albums
Live albums
Extended plays
Compilation albums
Songs
Chrissie Hynde solo
Related articles
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.