7'' front cover U.K.

7'' rear cover U.K.

7'' a side U.K.

7'' b side U.K.

"My Friend Stan" was written by lead singer Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea and produced by Chas Chandler. The single was released via Polydor Record Label on 28th September 1973.
This single reached number 2 on the U.K. chart, the single marked the band's 1st attempt to musically move away from their usual athemic rock sound, being more piano based and sounding more like a novelty track.
"My Friend Stan" appeared on their 1974 album "Old New Borrowed And Blue".

Background
At the time, Jim Lea was persuaded to complete this song by manager Chas Chandler who'd heard him playing the melody on the piano at his home. Noddy Holders lyrics were full of innuendo which was quite risque for the time. During recording, drummer Don Powell was walking with the aid of a stick and had to be lifted on to his drum kit, due to his near fatal car accident in July 1973.
"My Friend Stan" and the b-side "My Town" both appeared as album tracks on the early 1974 album "Old New Borrowed And Blue".
The single originally entered the charts at number 4, staying in the top 10 for 5 weeks. Despite only reaching number 2 on the U.K. chart, the single sold the same amount as the previous single "Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me". In Ireland, the single was very sucessful, peaking at number 1.

Recording
"My Friend Stan" was released via Polydor Record Label on 28th September 1973.
And was the band's 9th top 20 single in a row.
Upon release, Record Mirror magazine published a short article based on the feelings of a certain fan towards the single. "If you listen to the b - side of "My Friend Stan", you will hear a very good commercial song "My Town" which should have been the a - side. Friends of mine say that "My Friend Stan" is Slade's worst single. True, until you get the record and listen to the b - side. Then it becomes Slade's best single! It's certainly worth buying it if only for the b - side."

Release
"My Friend Stan" was originally released on 7" vinyl.
Shortly before release, Polydor record label had to import 100,000 copies of the single into the U.K., due to the phenomenal demand of the record.
The song was later certified Silver by the BPI, based on UK sales.
Subsequent to the original release, "My Friend Stan" has appeared on several Slade compilation albums, including "Slade Smashes", "Slade's Greats", "Greatest Hits", "Wall Of Hits", and "The Very Best Of Slade".

Promotion
Aside from the band's live performances, the band promoted the single on TV, although Don Powell was still recovering from his car accident.
The song was performed on the U.K. show Top of the Pops as well as the French TV show Dimanche Salvador. Around the time of the single's release, a German TV company filmed the band aboard a jet titled 'Slade Express' on a trip between Frankfurt and Munich. The band mimed to parts of the song.
A Polydor record label promotional video was recorded at the Olympic Studios in Barnes, supposedly of the band actually recording "My Friend Stan". Noddy Holder is seen in a grandad t - shirt, making funny faces and yawning, whilst Jim Lea tries to hide behind the piano from the film cameras. Guitarist Dave Hill uses his trademark Superyob guitar, and Don Powell is seen with short hair the filming taking place shortly after Don Powells near fatal car crash.

Chart Performance
"My Friend Stan" reached number 2 on the U.K. chart.

Track listing - 7" U.K. Single
A1. My Friend Stan (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 2:38
B1. My Town (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 3:02

My Friend Stan
"My Friend Stan" written by Holder and Lea, was originally released via Polydor Record Label on 28th September 1973 and reached number 2 on the U.K. chart.
The song itself has a novelty feel with piano as the leading instrument.
At the time, Lea was persuaded to complete this song by manager Chas Chandler who'd heard him playing the melody on the piano at his home. During recording, drummer Powell was walking with the aid of a stick and had to be lifted on to his drum kit due to his near fatal car accident of the time.
This single appeared on their album "Old New Borrowed And Blue".

My Town
"My Town" written by Holder and Lea, this was the b - side to Slades original single "My Friend Stan".
Chris Ingham of Rock Back pages described the track as "raucous". Allmusic wrote ""My Town" offers little that Slade wasn't already well renowned for and that, perhaps, was what the band members were thinking as well."
Imgham also wrote "One of the standout tracks on their album "Old New Borrowed and Blue", "My Town" is the sort of punchy, confident rocker which Slade were turning out as a matter of course by now. From Powells flam on the snare to bring the band in to the chromatic coda on guitars, this lean track represents Slade at their economic, no nonsense peak."

Credits
Dave Hill - Lead guitar, backing vocals
Noddy Holder - Lead vocals, guitar
Jim Lea - Bass guitar, piano, backing vocals
Don Powell - Drums
Chas Chandler - producer