"Stand By" by Roman Holliday

Song#:  1492
Date:  06/18/1983
Debut:  95
Peak:  54
Weeks:  9
Genre:  Swing, New Wave



Pop Bits:  The swing revival sound of this seven-man British band got the attention of Arista Records who signed the band to their offshoot Jive label. They prepared a self-titled debut EP that featured this first single. With lots of interest in retro styles (thanks to the rockabilly revival of The Stray Cats), the song got some attention at radio and on MTV. It was enough to get the single near the top half of the Pop chart. The song would stall at #61 in their UK homeland.

ReduxReview:  I don't mind me some good revival of a style once in a while, but I'm not real crazy about this one. I have a feeling that this band was probably far better in concert than on record where their energy couldn't be fully captured. The song is just okay. It's one that doesn't stick in my head for very long. I know I've got this on an 80s comp that I've played several times, but I couldn't remember a thing about it. Even after hearing it again, it still didn't ring a bell. That's usually not a good sign.

ReduxRating:  4/10

Trivia:  There were rumors that this band was initially a vehicle for singer Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits, who scored 11 Top 10 hits from '64 to '67. Unfortunately, the rumor is not true. When the band began to form in 1980, they did have a bassist named Peter Noone, but it was not the famous singer. In their heyday, Herman's Hermits rivaled the Beatles in popularity and sold out venues all over the place. There is also a famous story that when The Who did their very first US tour in 1967, they were the opening act for Herman's Hermits. This one is true. Hard to believe now.

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