United We Stand (song)

"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.[1] The song spent 15 weeks on the charts, and is ranked as the 64th biggest U.S. hit of 1970.[2] It also reached No. 8 in Australia.[3]

"United We Stand"
Single by The Brotherhood of Man
from the album United We Stand
B-side"Say a Prayer"
Released23 January 1970
GenrePop, soul
Length2:52
LabelDeram Records
Songwriter(s)Tony Hiller / Peter Simons
Producer(s)Tony Hiller
The Brotherhood of Man singles chronology
"Love One Another"
(1969)		 "United We Stand"
(1970)		 "Where Are You Going to My Love"
(1970)

Background

Billboard Magazine 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.[4]

It has been recorded by over 100 different artists.[5] 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.[5][6] 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".[7]

Cover versions
  • A sound-alike cover appeared on the 1970 album Top of the Pops, Volume 10.[8]
  • Edison Lighthouse covered the song on their 1971 album, Already.
  • Elton John covered "United We Stand" on his 1994 LP, Reg Dwight's Piano Goes Pop. It is sung as a duet with Kay Garner.[9]
  • 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)[10].
  • German singer Mary Roos covered the song in her language as In Gedanken (In thought)[11].
  • 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)[12].
  • Phish closed out their three-night stand at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, on 6 September 2015, to end a 7-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".[13]

Chart history
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References
  1. "united we stand - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  2. "Top 100 Hits of 1970/Top 100 Songs of 1970". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  3. Hung, Steffen. "australian-charts.com - Forum - 1970 (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". Australian-charts.com. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  4. Billboard. 14 March 1970. p. 64. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  5. "Tony Hiller and Brotherhood of Man : Songwriter Interviews". Songfacts.com. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  6. "Lee Sheriden | Metro News". Metro.co.uk. 27 October 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 May 2008. Retrieved 20 October 2008.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. Dave Thompson. "Top of the Pops, Vol. 10 - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  9. https://www.discogs.com/Reg-Dwight-Reg-Dwights-Piano-Goes-Pop/release/6108941
  10. Lyrics by Claude François.
  11. Lyrics by Michael Holm.
  12. Lyrics by Luigi Albertelli.
  13. "Phish Surprises With Rare 'Harpua' Encore And Bust Outs Galore In Spectacular Dick's Tour Closer". Live for Live Music. 7 September 2015.
  14. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  15. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – United We Stand". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  16. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  17. "Adult Contemporary Music Chart". Billboard.com. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  18. "Cash Box Top 100 7/11/70". Tropicalglen.com. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  19. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (doc)|format= requires |url= (help). Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  20. "Top 100 Hits of 1970/Top 100 Songs of 1970". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  21. "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1970". Tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
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