I'll Stand by You

"I'll Stand By You" is a song by The Pretenders. It was released in 1994. It was for their sixth studio album, Last of the Independents. It was written by Chrissie Hynde with help from Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg. "I'll Stand By You" became a hit song for the group and their most popular recording. It became their last successful single in North America.

"I'll Stand by You"
Song by The Pretenders
from Last of the Independents"
B-side	"Rebel Rock Me"
Released	July 21, 1994
Recorded	Sire Warner Bros. Records WEA Records
Genre	Alternative rock
Length	3:59
Label	Sire, Warner Bros., WEA
Songwriter(s)	Chrissie Hynde, Tom Kelly, Billy Steinberg
Producer(s)	Ian Stanley
The Pretenders singles chronology
""Night in My Veins" (1994) I'll Stand by You ""977" (1994)

The song is a power ballad. It talks about love and faithfulness in times of feeling down or worthless. Since its release, the track had also became a major hit for the British girl group Girls Aloud in 2004. American singer Carrie Underwood recorded the song in 2007. She did so as a charity single to help others. Colombian singer Shakira recorded the song as a charity single as well. It was to raise money for the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Charts

Chart (2007)	Peak position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)	10
US Billboard Hot 100	6
US Country Songs (Billboard)	41A

• ^A Charted from unsolicited airplay.

Peak positions

Chart (1994)	Peak position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart	8
UK Singles Chart	10
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	16
U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks	21
Swedish Top 60 Singles	21

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End of year charts

End of year chart (1995)	Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	95

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Year-end chart

Chart (2004)	Peak position
United Kingdom (2004)	34

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Certification

Country	Certification (sales thresholds)
United Kingdom	Silver

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Chart procession and succession

Preceded by "Vertigo" by U2

UK Singles Chart number-one single 21 November 2004 - 28 November 2004

Succeeded by "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid 20

Chart performance

Chart (2010)	Peak position
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)	53

Other versions

• Patti Labelle (2005)
• Rod Stewart (2006)
• American Idol Season 6 contestant Gina Glocksen performed the song in the Top 10 round.
• The cast of Glee (2009)
• The girl group "Belle Amie" performed the song in the 2010 X Factor finals.
• One of American Idol Season 10 Top 24 Girls, Pia Toscano, performed this song, in which the judges made their first standing ovation of the season.
• Kim Wilde (2011)
• Girl Group Fifth Harmony performed the song on the second season of The X Factor USA during Thanksgiving week.
• During the 12th season of American Idol, contestant Angela Miller performed the song.