STAND BY YOUR MAN

Description

Released in August 1970, in addition to going top 5 R&B, hitting No. 4, “Stand By Your Man” became a breakthrough single for Candi Staton, spending 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 24. For the follow-up to “Stand By Your Man”, the formula was repeated with Candi covering another country song “She Called Me Baby”. This song was written by country singer Harlan Howard and appeared on ‘Harlan Howard Sings Harlan Howard’ released in 1961. It was first drenched in strings and sung from the female perspective as “He Called Me Baby” by Jeanne Newman in 1965, then, in a more soulful form, by Ella Washington, whose version reached No. 77 in the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969. As with the Newman and Washington versions, Rick Hall dressed the song in strings as well as brass. Staton’s definitive Southern soul version of “He Called Me Baby” charted at No. 9 R&B and No. 52 in the Billboard Hot 100 on its release in January 1971. “Stand By Your Man” and “He Called Me Baby” – along with their flips “How Can I Quench The Flame (When You Keep The Fire Burning)” and “What Would Happen To Me” – appeared on Staton’s second album “Stand By Your Man”, released in late 1970. As with her singles and debut LP “I’m Just A Prisoner”, Capitol’s promotional rodeo went wild and one ad even included the line “Stand by your radio. Stand by your shelves. Stand by for Candi Staton, a new star of American song.” “Stand By Your Man” is one of the cornerstones of Southern Soul. In addition to the tracks listed above, it features other ear-Candi such as “Mr And Mrs Untrue”, Freedom Is Just Beyond The Door” and “Sweet Feeling”. Ace Records is thrilled to re-issue it on 180g vinyl with notes penned by our captive scribe Ian Shirley.