Stand By Your Man
Encyclopedia
"Stand by Your Man" is a song co-written by Tammy Wynette
and Billy Sherrill
and originally recorded by Tammy Wynette, released as a single in September 1968 in the USA. It proved to be the most successful record of Wynette's career and is one of the most covered
songs in the history of country music
and was placed at number one on CMT's
list of the Top 100 Country Music Songs.
Released as a single
in late 1968, the song reached number one on the U.S. country charts in late 1968 for three weeks. "Stand by Your Man" also crossed over to the U.S. pop charts
peaking at number nineteen, and elevated Wynette, then one of many somewhat successful female country recording artists, to superstar status. It reached number one in the UK
when the record was finally released in Britain in 1975. An album of the same name, which was also quite successful was released in 1968.
The song was selected by the Library of Congress
as a 2010 addition to the National Recording Registry
, which selects recordings annually that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Wynette in later years defended the song as not a call for women to place themselves second to men, but rather a suggestion that women attempt to overlook their husbands' shortcomings and faults if they truly love them (and in fact, the last line in the final verse says "after all, he's just a man"). Wynette always defended her signature song. The song remained contentious into the early 1990s, when soon-to-be First Lady Hillary Clinton
told CBS
' 60 Minutes
during an interview that she "wasn't some little woman 'standing by my man' like Tammy Wynette."
, starring Jack Nicholson
and Karen Black
, in The Blues Brothers
(1980), where it was sung by Dan Aykroyd
and John Belushi
, and it appeared at the end of the Academy-Award-winning 1992 film The Crying Game
, sung by Lyle Lovett
. The song resurfaced again in a string of other early 1990s films, including Sleepless in Seattle (1993), Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) and GoldenEye (1995).
The song is referenced in songs by British punk rock groups The Slits
("Typical Girls") and The Clash
("Train in Vain
").
Stand by Your Man is the title song of the German comedy show Dittsche
.
The song appears on the game Karaoke Revolution Country.
In 2003, "Stand by Your Man" was rated number one on CMT's 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music. In 2004, "Stand by Your Man" was rated number sixteen on CMT's 100 Greatest Country Love Songs.
In 1968 Italian singer Palma Calderoni recorded this song with Italian text, written by Mogol
and Claudio Daiano (title is Io voglio te).
The song was spoofed on Sesame Street
as "Stand By Your Can", performed by Hammy Swinette, a porcine parody of Wynette who, with the help of a Muppet trash can, urges people to put their trash in a trash can.
|-
!Country
!Provider
!Certification
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|United Kingdom
|BPI
|Gold
Tammy Wynette
Virginia Wynette Pugh, known professionally as Tammy Wynette , was an American country music singer-songwriter and one of the genre's best-known artists and biggest-selling female vocalists....
and Billy Sherrill
Billy Sherrill
Billy Sherrill is a record producer and arranger who is most famous for his association with a number of country artists, most notably Tammy Wynette...
and originally recorded by Tammy Wynette, released as a single in September 1968 in the USA. It proved to be the most successful record of Wynette's career and is one of the most covered
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
songs in the history of country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
and was placed at number one on CMT's
CMT
- Medicine :* California mastitis test* Certified Massage Therapist* Cervical motion tenderness, a sign of pelvic inflammatory disease* Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease* Chemically modified tetracyclines* Circus Movement Tachycardia...
list of the Top 100 Country Music Songs.
Released as a single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in late 1968, the song reached number one on the U.S. country charts in late 1968 for three weeks. "Stand by Your Man" also crossed over to the U.S. pop charts
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
peaking at number nineteen, and elevated Wynette, then one of many somewhat successful female country recording artists, to superstar status. It reached number one in the UK
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
when the record was finally released in Britain in 1975. An album of the same name, which was also quite successful was released in 1968.
The song was selected by the Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
as a 2010 addition to the National Recording Registry
National Recording Registry
The National Recording Registry is a list of sound recordings that "are culturally, historically, or aesthetically important, and/or inform or reflect life in the United States." The registry was established by the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, which created the National Recording...
, which selects recordings annually that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Background and writing
"Stand by Your Man" was reportedly written in the Epic studios in 1968 in all of 15 minutes, from an idea that came from Wynette's producer, Billy Sherrill, one of the two writers who wrote the song, Wynette was the other writer. Sherrill originally stated that before "Stand by Your Man"'s release, he thought that Wynette's "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" would be Wynette's career hit. However, after witnessing how successful the song came to be in America during that time, Sherrill then stated that "Stand by Your Man" was definitely Wynette's career hit.Content
Derided by the Feminist movementFeminist movement
The feminist movement refers to a series of campaigns for reforms on issues such as reproductive rights, domestic violence, maternity leave, equal pay, women's suffrage, sexual harassment and sexual violence...
of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Wynette in later years defended the song as not a call for women to place themselves second to men, but rather a suggestion that women attempt to overlook their husbands' shortcomings and faults if they truly love them (and in fact, the last line in the final verse says "after all, he's just a man"). Wynette always defended her signature song. The song remained contentious into the early 1990s, when soon-to-be First Lady Hillary Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she was the First Lady of the...
told CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
' 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
during an interview that she "wasn't some little woman 'standing by my man' like Tammy Wynette."
In popular culture
The song appeared at the beginning of the Academy-Award nominated 1970 film Five Easy PiecesFive Easy Pieces
Five Easy Pieces is a 1970 American drama film written by Carole Eastman and Bob Rafelson, and directed by Rafelson. The film stars Jack Nicholson, Karen Black, and Susan Anspach. The cast also includes Billy 'Green' Bush, Fannie Flagg, Ralph Waite, Sally Struthers, Lois Smith, Toni Basil, and...
, starring Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson
John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson is an American actor, film director, producer and writer. He is renowned for his often dark portrayals of neurotic characters. Nicholson has been nominated for an Academy Award twelve times, and has won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice: for One Flew Over the...
and Karen Black
Karen Black
Karen Black is an American actress, screenwriter, singer, and songwriter. She is noted for appearing in such films as Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, The Great Gatsby, Rhinoceros, The Day of the Locust, Nashville, Airport 1975, and Alfred Hitchcock's final film, Family Plot...
, in The Blues Brothers
The Blues Brothers (film)
The Blues Brothers is a 1980 musical comedy film directed by John Landis and starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as "Joliet" Jake and Elwood Blues, characters developed from a musical sketch on the NBC variety series Saturday Night Live. It features musical numbers by R&B and soul singers James...
(1980), where it was sung by Dan Aykroyd
Dan Aykroyd
Daniel Edward "Dan" Aykroyd, CM is a Canadian comedian, actor, screenwriter, musician, winemaker and ufologist. He was an original cast member of Saturday Night Live, an originator of The Blues Brothers and Ghostbusters and has had a long career as a film actor and screenwriter.-Early...
and John Belushi
John Belushi
John Adam Belushi was an American comedian, actor, and musician, best known as one of the original cast members of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, The Star of the Films National Lampoon's Animal House and the The Blues Brothers and for fronting the American blues and soul...
, and it appeared at the end of the Academy-Award-winning 1992 film The Crying Game
The Crying Game
The Crying Game is a 1992 psychological thriller drama film written and directed by Neil Jordan. The film explores themes of race, gender, nationality, and sexuality against the backdrop of the Irish Troubles...
, sung by Lyle Lovett
Lyle Lovett
Lyle Pearce Lovett is an American singer-songwriter and actor. Active since 1980, he has recorded thirteen albums and released 21 singles to date, including his highest entry, the number 10 chart hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, "Cowboy Man"...
. The song resurfaced again in a string of other early 1990s films, including Sleepless in Seattle (1993), Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) and GoldenEye (1995).
The song is referenced in songs by British punk rock groups The Slits
The Slits
The Slits were a British punk rock band. The quartet was formed in 1976 by members of the bands The Flowers of Romance and The Castrators. The members were Ari Up , who died of cancer in October 2010, and Palmolive , with Viv Albertine and Tessa Pollitt replacing founding members, Kate Korus and...
("Typical Girls") and The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
("Train in Vain
Train in Vain
"Train in Vain" is a song by the British punk rock band The Clash. It was released as the third and final single from their third album, London Calling...
").
Stand by Your Man is the title song of the German comedy show Dittsche
Dittsche
Dittsche: Das wirklich wahre Leben is a German improvisation comedy television show starring Olli Dittrich and Jon Flemming Olsen....
.
The song appears on the game Karaoke Revolution Country.
In 2003, "Stand by Your Man" was rated number one on CMT's 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music. In 2004, "Stand by Your Man" was rated number sixteen on CMT's 100 Greatest Country Love Songs.
In 1968 Italian singer Palma Calderoni recorded this song with Italian text, written by Mogol
Mogol (lyricist)
Giulio Rapetti , in art Mogol, is an Italian music lyricist. He is best known for his collaborations with Lucio Battisti.-Career:...
and Claudio Daiano (title is Io voglio te).
The song was spoofed on Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
as "Stand By Your Can", performed by Hammy Swinette, a porcine parody of Wynette who, with the help of a Muppet trash can, urges people to put their trash in a trash can.
Chart performance
| Chart (1968) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 19 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | 11 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 15 |
| Australian Go-Set Chart | 9 |
| Chart (1975) | Peak position |
| U.K. Singles Chart | 1 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 1 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 1 |
| Belgian VRT Top 30 | 1 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 31 |
Certifications
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"|-
!Country
!Provider
!Certification
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|United Kingdom
|BPI
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
|Gold
Cover versions
- In 1968, Patti PagePatti PageClara Ann Fowler , known by her professional name Patti Page, is an American singer, one of the best-known female artists in traditional pop music. She was the best-selling female artist of the 1950s, and has sold over 100 million records...
covered the song and released it as an easy listeningAdult contemporary musicAdult contemporary music is a broad style of popular music that ranges from lush 1950s and 1960s vocal music to predominantly ballad-heavy music with varying degrees of rock influence, as well as a radio format that plays such music....
single, peaking at #20. - In 1971, Candi StatonCandi StatonCandi Staton is an American soul and gospel singer, best known for her 1970 remake of Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man" and her 1976 disco hit "Young Hearts Run Free". In 2007, Staton was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame.-Early years:...
covered the song in 1970, peaking at #4 on the Billboard R&B chart. - SwedishSwedenSweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
pop and country singer Kikki DanielssonKikki DanielssonAnn-Kristin "Kikki" Danielsson is a Swedish country, dansband and pop singer. Sometimes, she also plays the accordion and she has also written some lyrics. She is also famous for yodeling in some songs. Kikki Danielsson gained her largest popularity in the Nordic region from the late 1970s until...
covered the song on her 1981 album Just Like a WomanJust Like a Woman (Kikki Danielsson album)Just Like a Woman is a 1981 studio album from Swedish country and pop singer Kikki Danielsson. The last track, God morgon, was performed by the pop group Sweets n' Chips as their Swedish Melodifestivalen 1981 entry, a group where Kikki Danielsson was a member.At the Swedish album chart, the album...
. It remains one of her most famous country recordings. - In 1981, David Allan CoeDavid Allan CoeDavid Allan Coe is an American outlaw country music singer who achieved popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. He has written and performed over 280 original songs throughout his career...
released a cover version as the sixth track on his Invictus (Means) UnconqueredInvictus (Means) UnconqueredInvictus Unconquered is an album released by country musician David Allan Coe. It was released in 1981 on Columbia.-Track listing:#"Rose Knows" – 2:27...
album. - In 1982, Lemmy and Wendy O. WilliamsWendy O. WilliamsWendy Orlean Williams , better known as Wendy O. Williams, was the lead singer for the American punk band the Plasmatics, as well as a solo artist...
recorded a cover version for their EP of the same nameStand by Your Man (EP)Stand by Your Man is a 7" EP by Lemmy of the British band Motörhead and Wendy O. Williams of the American punk rock band Plasmatics, recorded and released in 1982.-History:...
. - In 1992, The ChipettesThe ChipettesThe Chipettes are a fictional group of anthropomorphic chipmunk singers first appearing on the cartoon series Alvin and the Chipmunks in 1983. In this and related materials, the Chipettes served as female featured characters in their own right, starring in numerous episodes...
covered the song for the album Chipmunks in Low PlacesChipmunks in Low Places- Musicians and vocalists :* Alvin Chipmunk – vocals* Simon Chipmunk – vocals* Theodore Chipmunk – vocals* Brittany Miller – vocals* Jeanette Miller – vocals* Eleanor Miller – vocals* B. James Lowry – guitar* Roy Huskey, Jr...
featuring Tammy Wynette herself. - In 1992, ErasureErasureErasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
covered the song during their Phantasmagorical Entertainment tour. - In 2000, The Dixie Chicks covered the song and released it as the B-Side of the CD Single Goodbye EarlGoodbye Earl"Goodbye Earl", written by Dennis Linde, is a country music song. Initially recorded by the band Sons of the Desert for an unreleased album in the late 1990s, the song gained fame when it was recorded by the Dixie Chicks on their second studio album featuring Natalie Maines as lead vocalist on...
. - In 2001, Me First And The Gimme GimmesMe First and the Gimme GimmesMe First and the Gimme Gimmes is a punk rock supergroup and cover band that formed in 1995. The Gimmes work exclusively as a cover band. The band is named after a children's book of the same name by Gerald G. Jampolsky and Diane V. Cirincione...
covered the song on their album Blow In The Wind.