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 #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

Reg Dwight, whom would later become famous as Elton John, was an office boy at Mills Music, a Denmark Street music publishing house where Hiller worked.[4] Hiller knew he could sing and had him record the original demo for "United We Stand."[5]

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.[6]

It has been recorded by over 100 different artists.[7] 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.[7][8] 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".[9]

Cover versions

Chart history

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. Hiller, Leigh (15 November 2018). "Obituary: Tony Hiller". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  5. Leigh, Spencer (6 September 2018). "Tony Hiller: Songwriter who helped pen Brotherhood of Man's Eurovision classic 'Save Your Kisses for Me'". The Independent. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  6. Billboard. 14 March 1970. p. 64. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  7. "Tony Hiller and Brotherhood of Man : Songwriter Interviews". Songfacts.com. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  8. "Lee Sheriden | Metro News". Metro.co.uk. 27 October 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 May 2008. Retrieved 20 October 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. Dave Thompson. "Top of the Pops, Vol. 10 - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  11. "Reg Dwight – Reg Dwight's Piano Goes Pop (1994, CD)".
  12. Lyrics by Claude François.
  13. Lyrics by Michael Holm.
  14. Lyrics by Luigi Albertelli.
  15. "Phish Surprises With Rare 'Harpua' Encore And Bust Outs Galore In Spectacular Dick's Tour Closer". Live for Live Music. 7 September 2015.
  16. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  17. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – United We Stand". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  18. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  19. "Adult Contemporary Music Chart". Billboard.com. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  20. "Cash Box Top 100 7/11/70". Tropicalglen.com. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  21. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (doc). Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. {{cite book}}: |format= requires |url= (help)
  22. "Top 100 Hits of 1970/Top 100 Songs of 1970". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  23. "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1970". Tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
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