🔘 My Friend Stan – Single: Sep. 1973

Vintage 1973 Polydor record sleeve featuring Slade's single "My Friend Stan," produced by Chas Chandler, with distinctive UK design branding. more sleeve variations below

A stomping, piano‑driven glam‑pop gem, “My Friend Stan” showed Slade leaning into a more melodic, good‑humoured sound while still delivering the band’s trademark energy and charisma.

Released on September 28, 1973, the single arrived as the follow‑up to the chart‑topping “Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me.” Issued by Polydor Records under catalogue number 2058 422, the track featured a jaunty, music‑hall‑tinged arrangement built around Jim Lea’s piano riff and Noddy Holder’s unmistakable vocal swagger. Backed with “My Town,” the release continued Slade’s run of hit singles during their peak glam‑rock period. Entering the UK Singles Chart in early October, it climbed into the Top 5 and became another major success for the band.

Label: Polydor Records

Catalogue Number: 2058 422

Format: 7" Vinyl Single (Push‑Out Centre)

Released: September 28, 1973 (UK)

🔘 Track List

UK 7" Single — Polydor – 2058 422 — 1973

A. My Friend Stan

B. My Town

Written by: Noddy Holder, Jim Lea

Produced by: Chas Chandler

Recorded: 1973

🔘 Key Highlights

• Released September 28, 1973

• Follow‑up to the No. 1 hit “Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me”

• B-side: Non‑album track

• Chart debut: Early October 1973

• Peaked at No. 2 in the UK

• Recorded at: 1973 Polydor/Chandler sessions

🔘 The Story

By late 1973, Slade were one of the biggest bands in Britain, scoring hit after hit with their blend of glam‑rock stomp, sing‑along choruses, and working‑class humour. “My Friend Stan” offered a slightly softer, more melodic twist on their formula, driven by Jim Lea’s playful piano line and Noddy Holder’s warm, charismatic vocal.

The track’s upbeat charm and catchy hook made it an instant favourite with fans. The B‑side, “My Town,” provided a grittier, guitar‑driven contrast, showcasing the band’s rock‑and‑roll backbone beneath the glam sheen.

Commercially, the single was another triumph. Entering the UK charts in early October, it climbed to No. 2 and extended Slade’s extraordinary run of early‑’70s hits.

🔘 Variants (UK)

• 7", 45 RPM, Push‑Out Centre — Polydor – 2058 422 — UK — 1973

• 7", 45 RPM, Solid Centre — Polydor – 2058 422 — UK — 1973

• 7", 45 RPM, Demo — Polydor – 2058 422 — UK — 1973

• Issued in standard Polydor company sleeve

🔘 Chart Performance

UK — Official Singles Chart

8 — October 6, 1973

4 — October 13, 1973

2 — October 20, 1973

2 — October 27, 1973

5 — November 3, 1973

10 — November 10, 1973

19 — November 17, 1973

31 — November 24, 1973

45 — December 1, 1973

Total Weeks: 9

🔘 Context & Notes

• A-side: Melodic glam‑pop single from Slade’s peak era

• B-side: Non‑album rocker

• Production: Chas Chandler

• Sleeve notes: Standard Polydor company sleeve

• Historical placement: Another major hit in Slade’s extraordinary 1973 run

• Reissues / compilation appearances: Featured on numerous Slade collections

🔘 Related Material

• “Cum On Feel the Noize” (1973)

• “Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me” (1973)

• “Merry Xmas Everybody” (1973)

• *Old New Borrowed and Blue* (1974)

🔘 Discography

Cum On Feel the Noize — 1973

Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me — 1973

My Friend Stan — 1973

Merry Xmas Everybody — 1973

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

✦ 1973 — Recorded during Polydor sessions

✦ Sep 28, 1973 — UK single released

✦ Oct 6, 1973 — Enters UK Singles Chart

✦ Oct 20 & 27, 1973 — Peaks at No. 2

✦ Dec 1, 1973 — Completes 9‑week chart run

🔘 Glam Flashback

A jaunty glam‑pop charmer — melodic, cheeky, and unmistakably Slade.

#ReleaseChronicle #Slade #MyFriendStan #1973 #Polydor #GlamRock

🔘 Sources

Primary reference sources: Polydor Records, Discogs, Official Charts Company, contemporary music‑press documentation, archival references.

The single was also released in the following countries.

Australia - Polydor - 1973

Austria - Polydor - 1973

Belgium - Polydor - 1973

France - Polydor - 1973

Germany - Polydor - 1973

Ireland - Polydor - 1973

Italy - Polydor - 1973

Netherlands - Polydor - 1973

New Zealand - Polydor - 1973

Norway - Polydor - 1973

Philippines - Polydor - 1973

Portugal - Polydor - 1973

Spain - Polydor - 1973

Switzerland - Polydor - 1973

USA - Polydor - 1973

Yugoslavia - Polydor - 1973

Japan - Polydor - 1974