"I Will Stand by You" is a song written by Steven Lee Olsen and Robert Ellis Orrall. It was recorded by Canadian country group High Valley and released as the lead single to the group's second self-titled album in early 2010. The song reached the top 20 of the Billboard Canada Country chart. The song was also recorded by American country duo The Judds and released as a single in September 2010. The song was the only single released off of the 2011 compilation album, I Will Stand by You: The Essential Collection. Background, reception and release The original version of "I Will Stand by You" was recorded in 2009 by High Valley in preparation for their debut studio release. The song was recorded in sessions held at three studios: Fool on the Hill, Six Degrees, and The Grip. Additional material was cut that later appeared on the duo's debut studio album. Released in February 2010, "I Will Stand by You" reached number 16 on the Billboard Canada Country chart later that year. It became the duo's first major hit as recording artists. "I Will Stand by You" was released on the duo's self-titled debut studio album, which also was issued in 2010. Three additional singles would be released following the song's success: "On the Combine," "A Father's Love (The Only Way He Knew How)" and "Call Me Old Fashioned." Chart performance Personnel All credits are adapted from Discogs. High Valley Brad Rempel – vocals Bryan Rempel – vocals Curtis Rempel – vocals Additional musicians Shannon Forrest – drums Jimmie Lee Sloas – bass guitar Adam Shoenfeld – electric guitar Ilya Toshinsky – banjo, acoustic guitar, mandolin Travis Toy – banjo, pedal steel guitar The Judds version Background "I Will Stand by You" was recorded in 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The session was produced by Don Potter. Potter had previously assisted in the production of The Judds's studio releases in the 1980s. The song was recorded in promotion of the duo's 2011 compilation album release and national tour. The song was one of two new tracks featured on the compilation. The second new recording, "Back Home," was a duet with Alison Krauss. The song was recorded in a contemporary country style backed by an uptempo beat and a mix of various instruments. The song's instrumentation mostly featured acoustic guitars, banjos, and kick drums. Critical reception "I Will Stand by You"