Stand Above Me

"Stand Above Me"
Single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
from the album Liberator
B-side"Can I Believe You"
Released3 May 1993 (1993-05-03)[1]
StudioThe Pink Museum, The Ministry (Liverpool, England)
GenreSynth-pop
Length3:33
LabelVirgin
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Andy McCluskey
  • Phil Coxon
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark singles chronology
"Call My Name"
(1991) 		"Stand Above Me"
(1993) 		"Dream of Me (Based on Love's Theme)"
(1993)
Music video
"Stand Above Me" on YouTube

"Stand Above Me" is a song by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released by Virgin Records as the first single from their ninth album, Liberator (1993) (released a few weeks ahead of the album), and their 26th single overall. It was the last OMD single released on a 12-inch format before the group took a break in 1996. The next 12-inch to be released under the OMD name was "Metroland" in March 2013.

An "anonymous" club 12-inch was released as "Liberator: Stand Above Me". It appeared to be credited to the act "Liberator". The song peaked at number five on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number six on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart.

Reception

The Huddersfield Daily Examiner named "Stand Above Me" their "Single of the Week", observing "a strong slice of synth-pop with a grinding bass swell".[2] Billboard wrote, "For public tastes that run to infectiously upbeat bubblegum pop with some muscle, this track, from the chronically overlooked venerable British pop outfit, will do the trick. Features fat, raspy synths, a rollicking beat, and sweet, strong vocal harmonies."[3] Music Week scored the single 3/5 but considered it "bland" in comparison to OMD's earlier work.[4] Everett True of Melody Maker was negative in his review, stating it was "for people who like their pop pre-digested" and asking, "Is it possible to sound any more soulless?"[5]

Track listings

  • 7-inch and cassette single
  1. "Stand Above Me" – 3:33
  2. "Can I Believe You" – 3:52
  • 12-inch single
  1. "Stand Above Me" (Transcendental Constant Viper Trip mix)
  2. "Stand Above Me"
  3. "Stand Above Me" (A 10 Minute Therapy Session into Hyperlife mix)
  • CD single
  1. "Stand Above Me" – 3:33
  2. "Stand Above Me" (Transcendental Constant Viper Trip mix) – 10:15
  3. "Stand Above Me" (Hypnofunk mix) – 5:58
  4. "Can I Believe You" – 3:52

Charts

Chart (1993) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[6] 29
Europe (European Hot 100)[7] 53
Europe (European Hit Radio)[8] 19
Germany (GfK)[9] 33
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[10] 39
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[11] 28
UK Singles (OCC)[12] 21
UK Airplay (Music Week)[13] 5
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[14] 11
US Dance Club Play (Billboard)[15] 6
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)[16] 5

References

  1. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 1 May 1993. p. 23.
  2. ^ "Record Reviews". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 5 June 1993. p. 17 (Weekend, p. 3).
  3. ^ "Stand Above Me" review. Billboard. 12 June 1993. p.70. Archived at Google Books. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  4. ^ "Mainstream: Singles". Music Week. 8 May 1993. p. 12.
  5. ^ True, Everett (8 May 1993). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 29.
  6. ^ "OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) – Stand Above Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 22. 29 May 1993. p. 35. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  8. ^ "EHR Top 40" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 27. 3 July 1993. p. 38. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  9. ^ "OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) – Stand Above Me" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  10. ^ "OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) – Stand Above Me". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  11. ^ "OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) – Stand Above Me". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  12. ^ "OMD: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  13. ^ "Top 50 Airplay Chart" (PDF). Music Week. 5 June 1993. p. 14. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  14. ^ "Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 24 September 2019. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  15. ^ "Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  16. ^ "Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Chart History (Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 24 September 2019. Retrieved 24 December 2020.