The Mixed Emotions and Meaning Behind Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man”

For as long as anyone can remember songs and their lyrics have always been interpreted in positive and negative ways. Furthermore, the intention in the lyrics is also often misconstrued and twisted to fit into someone’s personal agenda. Well, both these practices are incredibly relevant when it comes to Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man.”

Upon its release in 1968, fans were praising the song for its themes of loyalty and monogamy. On the contrary, critics were scrutinizing it due to its anti-feminists and antiquated ideals. Wynette seemingly never viewed the song as being polarizing. Nevertheless, listeners comprehended it as such and the backlash that ensued was monumental to her career.

Woman For and Against Tammy Wynette

According to Wynette’s publicist, Evelyn Shriver, Wynette said, “It’s unbelievable to me that a song that took me 20 minutes to write, I’ve spent 20 or 30 years defending.” Regardless of Wynette’s intended message, feminist groups of the ’60s saw the song as hindering to the movement. Lyrics such as Stand by your man and And if you love him, oh be proud of him / ‘Cause after all he’s just a man, do have negative connotations regarding a woman’s agency in a romantic relationship.

Whereas, other interpretations believe the song to be a celebratory anthem of working-class American women. Nevertheless, the lyrics are specific, yet vague enough to lend themselves to an interpretation contrary to the Wynette’s intended meaning. It goes both ways, and one can’t help but side with one version of the song.

Tammy Wynette’s Turmoil

A quote from Wynette seemingly articulates her plight with the song—”One side of me needs singing and the life on the road. But I was raised to believe in marriage as a woman’s greatest fulfillment,” per VMP. According to the quote, Wynette expresses her need to be independent; however, she also expresses the importance of fulfilling gender stereotypes. Needless to say, she is just as conflicted as the song’s lyrics.

Despite this moral contradiction, Wynette’s intention was never to write a divisive tune. Rather, “All we were trying to do was write a pretty love song, and we had to write it from a woman’s point of view. We didn’t mean to say, you know, just take anything in the world that he dishes out,” said Wynette to Martha Hume in 1984.

Even though Wynette’s intention is important to upholding her character. Interpretative perspectives are crucially important for a multitude of reasons, and for one to question the lyrics and motives behind them is healthy for the progress of society. However, in the end, Wynette’s intention was seemingly never to subvert the perspectives of other women.

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