United We Stand (song) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "United We Stand" |
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| Single by The Brotherhood of Man | ||||
| from the album United We Stand | ||||
| B-side | "Say a Prayer" | |||
| Released | 23 January 1970 | |||
| Genre | Pop, soul | |||
| Length | 2:52 | |||
| Label | Deram Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Tony Hiller / Peter Simons | |||
| Producer(s) | Tony Hiller | |||
| The Brotherhood of Man singles chronology | ||||
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"United We Stand" is a song written by Tony Hiller and Peter Simons (aka group member Johnny Goodison). It was first released in 1970 by The Brotherhood of Man (in their original, pre-Eurovision line-up), becoming the band's first hit, peaking at #13 in the U.S., #9 in Canada, and #10 in the U.K. The song spent 15 weeks on the charts, and is ranked as the 64th biggest U.S. hit of 1970. It also reached #8 in Australia.
Background
Billboard gave the song a favourable review on 14 March 1970 calling it a "strong production" and (correctly) predicting it would become a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
It has been recorded by over 100 different artists. In 1977, it was used as the closing theme song of the short-lived Brady Bunch Hour. Thirty years after the original 1970 hit it was popularised again by becoming a patriotic and spiritual anthem for many during the post 9/11 recovery. It has also been used as a football chant and by gay rights groups. Taken literally, the song's lyrics convey two lovers who tell each other that no matter what hardships come their way, they will always be together. In general terms, it relates a message of strength in unity.
The song was later included on an album of the same name and was followed by another hit "Where are You Going to My Love".
Cover versions
- A sound-alike cover appeared on the 1970 album Top of the Pops, Volume 10.
- Edison Lighthouse on their 1971 album, Already.
- Elton John on his 1994 LP, Reg Dwight's Piano Goes Pop. It is sung as a duet with Kay Garner.
- Sonny and Cher on their album "All I Ever Need Is You".
- Irish Popstars winners Six also recorded a version which appeared on their album in 2002.
- Belgian singer Liliane Saint-Pierre covered the song in French as Nous resterons unis (We will remain united).
- German singer Mary Roos covered the song in her language as In Gedanken (In thought).
- In Italy, in the 1972, the pop duo Wess and Dori Ghezzi reached the local top ten chart covering the song in Italian as Voglio stare con te (I want to be with you).
- Phish closed out their three-night stand at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, on 6 September 2015, to end a 8-song encore with the song, playing to 26,000 people in attendance and a live stream on the Internet. The encore spelled out "THANK YOU".
