Stand (R.E.M. song)

1989 single by R.E.M.

"Stand"

Single by R.E.M.
from the album  Green
B-side| "Memphis Train Blues"
Released| January 1989
Recorded| 1988
Genre|

* Pop rock[1]
* sunshine pop[2]
* bubblegum pop[3][4]

Length| 3:10
Label| Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)|

* Bill Berry
* Peter Buck
* Mike Mills
* Michael Stipe

Producer(s)|

* Scott Litt
* R.E.M.

R.E.M. singles chronology
| "Orange Crush"
(1988)  | "Stand"
(1989)  | "Pop Song 89"
(1989)

|
|

Music video
"Stand" on YouTube

"Stand" is a song by the American alternative rock band R.E.M., released as the second single from the album Green in 1989. The song peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming R.E.M.'s second top 10 hit in the United States, and topped both the Mainstream Rock Tracks and Modern Rock Tracks charts. The song reached number 48 on the UK Singles Chart and number 16 in Canada. It was placed on R.E.M.'s Warner Bros. Records "best of" album In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003 in 2003, as well as the 2011 compilation album Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage.

The song is an example of phrase modulation, as the last two rounds of the chorus are each one whole step higher than the one previous.[5] The song is meant to be a self-aware "tongue-in-cheek" 1960s-esque bubblegum pop song, meant to resemble the music of The Banana Splits, The Archies and The Monkees.[4] "Stand" was used as the theme song for the 1990–1992 Fox sitcom Get a Life, starring Chris Elliott. It was parodied by "Weird Al" Yankovic as the song "Spam" on the album UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff. While the song was originally published by Night Garden Music, with administration by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI), it is now administered by Universal Tunes (SESAC).

Friend of the band, Georgina Falzarano, inspired some of the lyrical content of the song. "It was based on a conversation with Georgina about directions, which way is north, which way is south, and so on, and Georgina's response was, 'I have a really bad time with directions but I know my house faces south,'" said Norm Spencley, Falzarano's partner of 24 years.[6]

## Meaning

[edit]

Singer Michael Stipe has said of the song's meaning, "It's about making decisions and actually living your life rather than letting it happen."[7] Stipe has said of the song's origin that he and the other band members were discussing The Banana Splits, The Archies, The Monkees, and similar 1960s pop groups. "They threw these super bubblegummy songs at me, and I said, 'I'll raise you and see you one.' And I wrote the most insane lyrics that I could possibly write. Now, it was a very intentional thing to do that. I really like most of those songs, in fact."[8] Guitarist Peter Buck described "Stand" as "without a doubt, [...] the stupidest song we've ever written. That's not necessarily a bad thing though", comparing the song to "Louie Louie" by the Kingsmen in terms of "stupid" lyrical content.[9]

## Critical reception

[edit]

Betty Page from Record Mirror commented, "Ah, this Michael Stipe — a god amongst men, apparently (along with Michael Hutchence, of course). What a curiously endearing accent the boy has. This is one of the REMers' more commercial gems — quirky but with an appealing guitar noise and a very nice tune to boot. This would make me want to go and listen to the LP, which I suppose is the idea. Stipe, you have Presence with a capital P."[10] The song was called "A splendid pop song...simultaneously stupid and profound. Stipe writes about the need for orientation in one's life, as if based on a series of steps for an unknown, invented, dance."[7]

## Track listing

[edit]

All songs written by Berry, Buck, Mills and Stipe except where indicated.

1st issue

7" Vinyl & Cassette single

1. "Stand" – 3:10
2. "Memphis Train Blues" – 1:38

12" Vinyl & 3" CD single

1. "Stand" – 3:09
2. "Memphis Train Blues" – 1:37
3. "(The Eleventh Untitled Song)" – 3:56

Notes: The UK 3" CD single with the catalogue number W7577 CDX came in a leaf-shaped sleeve.

"(The Eleventh Untitled Song)" is an extended instrumental version of the closing (eleventh) unlisted (untitled) track from the album Green.

2nd issue – released later in 1989 with different cover art (a picture of the band on stage) in the UK instead of "Pop Song 89."

1. "Stand" – 3:09
2. "Pop Song 89" (Acoustic) – 2:56
3. "Skin Tight" (Live Ohio Players cover, written by Jones, Pierce, Bonner, Middlebrooks) – 2:03

Note: live track recorded in Orlando, Florida 30 April 1989

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (1989)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[11] | 56
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[12] | 8
Ireland (IRMA)[13] | 17
UK Singles (OCC)[14] | 48
US Cash Box Top 100[15] | 6
US Billboard Hot 100[16] | 6
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[17] | 1
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[18] | 1

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (1989)  | Position

|

Canada Top Singles (RPM)[19] | 87
US Billboard Hot 100[20][21] | 76
US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard)[22] | 11
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)[22] | 4

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Pinnock, Tom (April 1, 2016). "R.E.M.: 'If we couldn't be successful being who we were, then we didn't want to be successful'". Uncut. Time Inc. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
2. ^ Greene, Andy (May 10, 2013). "R.E.M. Reflect on 'Green' on the Album's 25th Anniversary". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
3. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Green - R.E.M. | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
4. ^ a b Lukowski, Andrzej (November 23, 2011). "Album Review: R.E.M. - Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982-2011". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
5. ^ Cross, Alan (2006-09-10). "How To Talk Like A Rock Snob 6". The Ongoing History of New Music. CFNY-FM.
6. ^ Lebar, Erin (2017-07-04). "Jul 2017: California band's folk festival performance dedicated to Winnipegger they call 'a mentor figure'". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
7. ^ a b Buckley, David (2012-05-31). R.E.M. Fiction: An Alternative Biography. Random House. ISBN 978-1-4481-3246-1.
8. ^ Michael Stipe on "Stand", MTV.com
9. ^ Buck, Peter (2003). In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003 (booklet). Warner Bros. Records.
10. ^ Page, Betty (January 28, 1989). "45". Record Mirror. p. 29. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
11. ^ "25 Years Ago This Week: February 26, 1989". chartbeat.blogspot.com.au. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
12. ^ RPM Top Singles - April 24, 1989 RPM Magazine
13. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – R.E.M.". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
14. ^ "R.E.M.: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
15. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles". Retrieved November 19, 2022.
16. ^ "R.E.M. Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
17. ^ "R.E.M. Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
18. ^ "R.E.M. Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.
19. ^ "Top 100 Singles of '89". RPM. Retrieved March 28, 2025 - via Library and Archives Canada.
20. ^ "1989 The Year in Music: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 51\. December 23, 1989. p. Y-22.
21. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1989".
22. ^ a b "1989 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 51\. December 23, 1989. p. Y-58.

* v
* t
* e

R.E.M.

* Bill Berry
* Peter Buck
* Mike Mills
* Michael Stipe

* Bertis Downs
* Jefferson Holt

Studio albums|

* Murmur
* Reckoning
* Fables of the Reconstruction
* Lifes Rich Pageant
* Document
* Green
* Out of Time
* Automatic for the People
* Monster
* New Adventures in Hi-Fi
* Up
* Reveal
* Around the Sun
* Accelerate
* Collapse into Now

Live albums|

* R.E.M. Live
* Live at The Olympia
* Unplugged: The Complete 1991 and 2001 Sessions
* R.E.M. at the BBC
* Live at the Borderline 1991

Compilations|

* Dead Letter Office
* Eponymous
* The Best of R.E.M.
* The Automatic Box
* Singles Collected
* In the Attic
* In Time
* iTunes Originals
* And I Feel Fine
* Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982–2011
* Complete Rarities (I.R.S. · WB)
* 7IN—83–88

EPs|

* Chronic Town
* Not Bad for No Tour
* Vancouver Rehearsal Tapes
* Live from London
* Reckoning Songs from The Olympia

Other albums|

* Man on the Moon
* r.e.m.IX

Singles|

* "Radio Free Europe"
* "Talk About the Passion"
* "So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)"
* "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville"
* "Cant Get There from Here"
* "Driver 8"
* "Wendell Gee"
* "Fall on Me"
* "Superman"
* "The One I Love"
* "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)"
* "Finest Worksong"
* "Orange Crush"
* "Stand"
* "Pop Song 89"
* "Get Up"
* "Losing My Religion"
* "Shiny Happy People"
* "Near Wild Heaven"
* "Radio Song"
* "Drive"
* "Man on the Moon"
* "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite"
* "Everybody Hurts"
* "Nightswimming"
* "Find the River"
* "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?"
* "Bang and Blame"
* "Crush with Eyeliner"
* "Strange Currencies"
* "Tongue"
* "E-Bow the Letter"
* "Bittersweet Me"
* "Electrolite"
* "How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us"
* "Daysleeper"
* "Lotus"
* "At My Most Beautiful"
* "Suspicion"
* "The Great Beyond"
* "Imitation of Life"
* "All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)"
* "I'll Take the Rain"
* "Bad Day"
* "Animal"
* "Leaving New York"
* "Aftermath"
* "Electron Blue"
* "Wanderlust"
* "#9 Dream"
* "Supernatural Superserious"
* "Hollow Man"
* "Man-Sized Wreath"
* "Until the Day Is Done"
* "Mine Smell Like Honey"
* "Überlin"
* "Oh My Heart"
* "We All Go Back to Where We Belong"

Other songs|

* "Sitting Still"
* "Gardening at Night"
* "Perfect Circle"
* "Pretty Persuasion"
* "7 Chinese Bros."
* "Begin the Begin"
* "Cuyahoga"
* "Ages of You"
* "Turn You Inside-Out"
* "Texarkana"
* "Country Feedback"
* "First We Take Manhattan"
* "Ignoreland"
* "Dark Globe"
* "Star 69"
* "New Test Leper"
* "All the Right Friends"
* "Out in the Country"

Videos|

* Succumbs
* Tourfilm
* Pop Screen
* This Film Is On
* Parallel
* Road Movie
* In View
* Perfect Square
* When the Light Is Mine
* R.E.M. Live
* Live from Austin, TX
* REMTV

Support and
side projects|

* Nathan December
* Buren Fowler
* Peter Holsapple
* Barrett Martin
* Scott McCaughey
* Bill Rieflin
* Ken Stringfellow
* Joey Waronker
* The Baseball Project
* Filthy Friends
* Hindu Love Gods
* The Minus 5
* Tanzplagen
* Tuatara
* Tired Pony

Related articles|

* Discography
* List of songs
* Awards
* Tours
* 170 College Avenue
* Peter Buck
* Athens Andover
* "I Belong to You"
* Hib-Tone
* Surprise Your Pig: A Tribute to R.E.M.
* Drive XV: A Tribute to Automatic for the People

Category

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz work
* MusicBrainz release group

|

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template