Released on 28 September 1973, “My Friend Stan” is a single by British glam rock band Slade and the lead single from their album Old New Borrowed and Blue. The song was written by band members Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler.
The track achieved major success, reaching No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and spending eight weeks on the chart.
What makes “My Friend Stan” particularly notable is how it arrived at a turning point for the band: their drummer, Don Powell, had suffered a near-fatal car crash just months earlier, and the band’s continued vitality was in question.
The song is a more piano-led, lighter-toned work compared to some of Slade’s heavy rock stompers — showing their versatility and resilience.
Slade – My friend Stan
“My Friend Stan” features a prominent piano riff (courtesy of Jim Lea) rather than the usual heavy guitar blast associated with Slade.
Though still rooted in glam rock energy, the song’s tone is somewhat more subdued, reflective and melody-driven. Critics at the time noted it as a “refreshing change” for the band.
Its lyrics present a quirky narrative voice — the singer observing a friend whose life is a little “off”, “funny old man”, aches, restlessness — all wrapped up in the big Slade sound.
The release of “My Friend Stan” followed Don Powell’s serious car crash in July 1973; during its recording Powell was reportedly still using a stick to walk and had to be lifted onto the drum stool.
The song was the first single off Old New Borrowed and Blue, an album where Slade attempted to broaden their musical range beyond their earlier glam-rock formula.
Despite strong sales (250,000 advance orders in the UK) the song was kept off the No. 1 spot by another release.
The track includes witty wordplay: e.g., referencing “you’ve been gettin’ to him” in the chorus — a signature Noddy Holder approach of blending rock swagger with conversational lyricism.
