Stand (R.E.M. song)

"Stand" is a song by R.E.M. released as the second single from the album Green in 1989. The song quickly rose up the charts, peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming R.E.M.'s second top 10 hit in the United States. The song reached #48 on the UK Singles Charts. The song reached #16 in Canada.

The lyrics speak of finding direction in one's life ("Think about direction / Wonder why you haven't before"), and of doing more than only contemplating change or wishing for it ("If wishes were trees / The trees would be falling").

Michael 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 ’60s 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 inane 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.”^[1]

"Weird Al" Yankovic parodied "Stand" for his 1989 album, UHF, as "Spam".

"Stand" was used as the opening theme to the early 1990s Fox comedy Get a Life, starring Chris Elliott.^[2]

The song 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.

Alvin and the Chipmunks covered the song as a bonus track on their 2007 video game of the same name.

The song is an example of "truck driver's gear change", as the last two rounds of the chorus are each one whole step higher than the one previous.^[3]

Track listing

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

References