I'll Stand by You

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"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. It 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]

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by London-based director Zanna. [20] [21] 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". [20]

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." [22]

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) [46] Gold35,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [52] Gold30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [53] Silver200,000‡

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

Girls Aloud versions

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  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 ]
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  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.
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  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.
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  17. ↑ "Picks and Pans Review: Last of the Independents". People . May 16, 1994. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
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  19. ↑ Evans, Paul (December 29, 1994-January 12, 1995). "The year in recordings". Rolling Stone . Issue 698/699.
  20. 1 2 "Music Video: Production Notes". Billboard . May 28, 1994. p. 34. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
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"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
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