Slade: "My Friend Stan" Single (1973)

Slade
Sep 27, 1973
3 min read

Updated: Sep 22

Slade's "My Friend Stan" was released as a single, backed with "My Town", in the UK through Polydor Records on September 28, 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

Produced by Chas Chandler, it came during Slade’s commercial peak in 1973, a year when they dominated the UK charts with three No. 1 singles. "My Friend Stan" reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart, showcasing Slade’s signature stomping, anthemic sound and Noddy Holder’s distinctive vocals.

Due to demand, copies of this UK release were pressed in the US and France with the UK catalog number.

Some copies seem to have included a cloth 'patch' sticker, as seen on the image.

Track Details

A-Side:

"My Friend Stan" (2:41)

Written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, "My Friend Stan" was recorded in 1973, produced by Chas Chandler for Barn Productions Ltd. Released as a standalone single between the albums Slayed? (1972) and Old New Borrowed and Blue (1974), it was part of Slade’s prolific 1973 output. The song was first performed on BBC’s Top of the Pops on September 27, 1973, the day before its official release.

Publisher: Barn Publishing (Slade) Ltd.

Chart Performance:

Peaked at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart in October 1973, held off the top spot by David Cassidy’s “Daydreamer” / “The Puppy Song.” It also reached No. 1 in Ireland, No. 9 in Germany, and charted in other European countries like Norway (No. 5) and Belgium (No. 12). The single sold over 500,000 copies, earning a UK Silver certification.

B-Side:

"My Town" (3:02)

Also written by Holder and Lea, produced by Chas Chandler, and recorded in 1973. "My Town" was a non-album track, exclusive to the B-side of "My Friend Stan," though it later appeared on compilations like Slade’s Greats (1980) and The Slade Collection 81-87 (1991).

Publisher: Barn Publishing (Slade) Ltd.

Release Details

Label: Polydor Records

Catalogue Number: 2058 407

Release Date: September 28, 1973

Format: 7" vinyl, 45 RPM, stereo, manufactured in the UK.

Matrix/Runout (Based on Discogs and 45cat):Side A: 2058 407 A//2 420 05

Side B: 2058 407 B//2 420 05

Production:

Produced by Chas Chandler for Barn Productions Ltd. Recorded in 1973, likely at a UK studio (e.g., Olympic Studios, where Slade recorded much of their early material).

Packaging: Issued in a Polydor company sleeve or plain sleeve in the UK, with some international pressings (e.g., Germany, Belgium) featuring picture sleeves depicting the band in their glam outfits.

The UK pressing has a red Polydor label with black text, typical of their 1973 singles.

The Melanie flexi-disc “Slade Talk To Melanie Readers” (LYN 2645, 8 Sep 1973) was released three weeks earlier, tying into Slade’s promotional efforts.

Cultural Significance:

The single captures Slade at their glam rock peak, with their Top of the Pops performance showcasing their theatrical style. It bridges their anthemic hits and the upcoming “Merry Xmas Everybody,” reinforcing their dominance in 1973.

Fan Reception: Discogs and eBay reviews highlight nostalgia, with collectors valuing the single’s chart success and Slade’s working-class authenticity. Some fans prefer the B-side for its grit, while others see “My Friend Stan” as a lighter, accessible hit.

Sources

Discogs: Slade – My Friend Stan / My Town (1973, Vinyl)

45cat: Slade – My Friend Stan / My Town – Polydor – UK – 2058 407

Rate Your Music: My Friend Stan / My Town

Wikipedia: Slade, My Friend Stan

Official Charts: Slade songs and albums

eBay UK: Slade My Friend Stan 7” vinyl

The single was also released in the following countries.

Australia - Polydor - 1973

Austria - Polydor - 1973

Belgium - Polydor - 1973