Stand Above Me Explained

Stand Above Me
Cover:	Stand above Me.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Album:	Liberator
B-Side:	Can I Believe You
Released:	^[1]
Studio:	The Pink Museum, The Ministry (Liverpool, England)
Genre:	Synth-pop
Length:	3:33
Label:	Virgin
Producer:	Andy McCluskey Phil Coxon
Prev Title:	Call My Name
Prev Year:	1991
Next Title:	Dream of Me (Based on Love's Theme)
Next Year:	1993

"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
Europe (European Hot 100)^[6]	53
Europe (European Hit Radio)^[7]	19
UK Airplay (Music Week)^[8]	5
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)^[9]	11
US Dance Club Play (Billboard)^[10]	6
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)^[11]	5

Notes and References

1. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 23. 1 May 1993.
2. News: Record Reviews. Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 5 June 1993. 17 (Weekend, p. 3).
3. https://books.google.com/books?id=9A8EAAAAMBAJ&q=reviews "Stand Above Me" review
4. 8 May 1993. Mainstream: Singles. Music Week. 12.
5. True . Everett . 8 May 1993 . Singles . . 29 . Everett True .
6. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles . . 10 . 22 . 29 May 1993 . 35 . 29800226 . World Radio History.
7. EHR Top 40. Music & Media. 10. 27. 3 July 1993. 38. 9 April 2024.
8. Top 50 Airplay Chart. Music Week. 5 June 1993. 14. 29 April 2024.
9. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100) . . 24 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190924024132/https://www.billboard.com/music/orchestral-manoeuvres-in-the-dark/chart-history/bubbling-under-hot-100 . 24 September 2019.
10. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Chart History (Dance Club Songs) . Billboard . 24 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190427164711/https://www.billboard.com/music/orchestral-manoeuvres-in-the-dark/chart-history/dance-club-play-songs . 27 April 2019.
11. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Chart History (Alternative Songs) . Billboard . 24 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190924022425/https://www.billboard.com/music/Orchestral-Manoeuvres-in-the-Dark/chart-history/alternative-songs . 24 September 2019.