My Friend Stan (1973)
My Friend Stan is Slade's first single from their fourth studio album Old New Borrowed and Blue. Released by Polydor on 28 September 1973, it reached No. 2 in the UK and remained in the charts for eight weeks. The single received a Silver certification from BPI in October 1973. The song was written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler.
Background
Both "My Friend Stan" and the compilation Sladest were Slade's first releases following Don Powell's near fatal car crash in July 1973. The accident threw the band's future into doubt, however Powell survived and was soon able to join the band in recording material for their new album. One of the earliest songs to be recorded, "My Friend Stan" saw Powell still walking with the aid of a stick. He had to be lifted onto his drum stool during its recording.
"My Friend Stan" was released in September 1973 and reached No. 2 in the UK. Prior to its release, Polydor had to import 100,000 copies of the single into the UK due to the high pre-order demand. It was reported in the Slade fan club that the song went on to sell the same amount of copies as the band's previous single "Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me" had, although it did not reach No. 1.
"My Friend Stan", a piano-based track, marked a change from the band's successful formula of guitar-based, anthemic songs such as "Cum On Feel the Noize". After Lea started writing the song, the band's manager Chas Chandler persuaded him to complete it after he had heard him playing the melody at his home piano.
Release
"My Friend Stan" was released on 7" vinyl by Polydor Records in the UK, Ireland, across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Japan. The B-side, "My Town", would later appear as an album track on Old New Borrowed and Blue.
Promotion
In the UK, the band performed the song on the music show Top of the Pops. In France, they performed it on the TV show Dimanche Salvador. Around the time of the single, a Germany TV company filmed the band aboard a jet named "Slade Express" on a trip between Frankfurt and Munich. The band mimed to parts of the song for the footage. In America, the band performed the song on the TV show Midnight Special in 1974.
Music video
A music video was filmed to promote the single, which was recorded at the Olympic Studios in Barnes. The video portrayed the band recording the song, and features Dave Hill uses his trademark Superyob guitar.
Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
Chart performance
Australian Singles Chart (Kent Music Report): #44
Belgian Ultratop 50 Flanders Chart: #7
Belgian Ultratop 50 Wallonia Chart: #8
Dutch Top 40 Chart: #13
Dutch Single Top 100: #10
French Singles Chart: #44
German Singles Chart: #5
Irish Singles Chart: #1
New Zealand Singles Chart: #25
Norwegian Singles Chart: #5
Swiss Singles Chart: #6
UK Singles Chart: #2
Formats
7" single
Personnel
Slade
Additional personnel
Cover versions
Background
Both "My Friend Stan" and the compilation Sladest were Slade's first releases following Don Powell's near fatal car crash in July 1973. The accident threw the band's future into doubt, however Powell survived and was soon able to join the band in recording material for their new album. One of the earliest songs to be recorded, "My Friend Stan" saw Powell still walking with the aid of a stick. He had to be lifted onto his drum stool during its recording.
"My Friend Stan" was released in September 1973 and reached No. 2 in the UK. Prior to its release, Polydor had to import 100,000 copies of the single into the UK due to the high pre-order demand. It was reported in the Slade fan club that the song went on to sell the same amount of copies as the band's previous single "Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me" had, although it did not reach No. 1.
"My Friend Stan", a piano-based track, marked a change from the band's successful formula of guitar-based, anthemic songs such as "Cum On Feel the Noize". After Lea started writing the song, the band's manager Chas Chandler persuaded him to complete it after he had heard him playing the melody at his home piano.
Release
"My Friend Stan" was released on 7" vinyl by Polydor Records in the UK, Ireland, across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Japan. The B-side, "My Town", would later appear as an album track on Old New Borrowed and Blue.
Promotion
In the UK, the band performed the song on the music show Top of the Pops. In France, they performed it on the TV show Dimanche Salvador. Around the time of the single, a Germany TV company filmed the band aboard a jet named "Slade Express" on a trip between Frankfurt and Munich. The band mimed to parts of the song for the footage. In America, the band performed the song on the TV show Midnight Special in 1974.
Music video
A music video was filmed to promote the single, which was recorded at the Olympic Studios in Barnes. The video portrayed the band recording the song, and features Dave Hill uses his trademark Superyob guitar.
Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
- Record Mirror stated: "This time it's not so much the mis-spelling, but the reversal of the letter "n". It's also a much slower Slade offering, and it's really rather subdued. Noddy's voice is there out front, but there's a backing group effect to it, and when it really builds... well, you know that it's yer ackshuall Slade. An obvious number one, and in some ways more memorable than some of the earlier rampagers."
- In October 1973, Record Mirror also posted the feelings of a Slade fan on the single: "If you listen to the b-side, you will hear a very good commercial song which should have been the a-side. Friends of mine say that "My Friend Stan" is Slade's worst single. True, until you get the record and listen to the b-side. Then it becomes Slade's best single!"
- Daily Mirror wrote: "One in the eye from Slade to prove the Wolverhampton stompers haven't lost their shine."
- John Hutson of Thanet Times commented: "This is a refreshing change from the Slade singles we have come to expect. It is much slower and quieter than the past singles, and is quite a pleasant tune. The 'B' side is much more like the Slade we are used to."
- The Runcorn Weekly News wrote: "Time for a real change for Noddy and the boys. Slower, much slower, than anything they've done since "Look At Last Nite" and very subdued in comparison with "Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me". And, possibly because it is such a change, it is an incredibly refreshing single."
Chart performance
Australian Singles Chart (Kent Music Report): #44
Belgian Ultratop 50 Flanders Chart: #7
Belgian Ultratop 50 Wallonia Chart: #8
Dutch Top 40 Chart: #13
Dutch Single Top 100: #10
French Singles Chart: #44
German Singles Chart: #5
Irish Singles Chart: #1
New Zealand Singles Chart: #25
Norwegian Singles Chart: #5
Swiss Singles Chart: #6
UK Singles Chart: #2
Formats
7" single
- "My Friend Stan" - 2:38
- "My Town" - 3:02
Personnel
Slade
- Noddy Holder - lead vocals
- Dave Hill - lead guitar, backing vocals
- Jim Lea - piano, bass, backing vocals
- Don Powell - drums
Additional personnel
- Chas Chandler - producer
Cover versions
- In 1973, Finnish singer Muska recorded a version of the song for her self-titled album. The song is titled "Ystävättäret".
- In 1993, Belgian band The Romans recorded a version of the song for their album Major Panic.