“Stand By Your Man” is Tammy Wynette’s defining song and easily one of the most well-known, influential country songs of all-time.
Released as the lead single to Wynette’s fourth studio album of the same name, which came out on this day in 1969, “Stand By Your Man” went to #1 on the Billboard Country Charts, propelling the album to #2 on the Billboard Country Album Charts.
But “Stand By Your Man was somewhat controversial when first released, as on surface level it seems directly at odds with the feminist movement of the 60’s and 70’s – although Tammy later clarified it was only about overlooking some of the shortcomings and problems with your man, since no one, including you, is perfect.
The song lead to Tammy winning the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, the second Grammy of her career. And it was later selected by the Library Of Congress to be included in the National Recording Registry, which recognizes and preserves culturally significant works of art.
It’s one of the most iconic country songs of all time, and its effects on country music are still being felt today – like serving as the inspiration for the great Hannah Dasher‘s cooking video series Stand By Your Pan.
Cheers to a real one.
