"Stand" by R.E.M.

Top 10 Alert!

Song#:  3769

Date:  01/21/1989

Debut:  97

Peak:  6

Weeks:  19

Genre:  Alternative Rock

Pop Bits:  The band's first four albums consistently did better on the chart, which signified a growing audience. Yet they still were looking for a bigger breakthrough and it finally came with their 1987 album Document. It would reach #10 and go platinum thanks in part to their first Pop Top 10 hit "The One I Love" (#9). After that success, R.E.M. were not happy with the promotional skills of their label, I.R.S. Records. After their obligations to the label were finished, the band packed up and moved over to Warner Bros. After finishing their sixth album, Green, the band released  the lead-off single "Orange Crush.". It would do very well on the Rock and Modern Rock charts hitting #1 on both. Unfortunately, the song failed to reach the pop chart. The label then released this follow up single. Like the first single, it would hit #1 at Rock and Modern Rock. The song would then debut low on the Pop chart, but eventually wound its way up the positions until it finally got to #6. It was their second Pop Top 10 hit and their highest peaking at the time. Although the album would just miss out on the Top 10 (#12), it would become the band's second platinum seller.

ReduxReview:  I read somewhere that this song comes off as a bubblegum pop with comparisons to material by The Archies and The Banana Splits. I'm not totally sure I agree with that, but the quirky tune was one of R.E.M.'s most commercially viable at the time. It did have a power pop feel that was supported by a memorable chorus and shouts of "stand!" It was a bit different from the typical R.E.M. fare and I think that helped its charting chances.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  This song would later serve as the theme to a TV sitcom. Get a Life was a 1990 comedy/farce co-createded by and starring comedian Chris Elliott. R.E.M. was approached about using "Stand" for the show and they agreed. The show, which was quirky and odd, didn't fully catch fire and was cancelled after its second season. Elliott had been spent six years as a writer on the David Letterman Show before breaking out on his own and developing Get a Life. After the show ended, Elliott would get small roles in various TV shows and films. In 1994, he co-wrote and starred in the film Cabin Boy. It was a box office bomb that made several "worst of" lists. Elliott's starring role earned him a Razzie nomination for Worst New Star. On a better note, Elliott was part of the ensemble cast of the hit TV show Schitt's Creek. The Emmy-winning series would last for six seasons.

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