The original version of "I Will Stand by You" was recorded in 2009 by High Valley in preparation for their debut studio release.
[1] Released in February 2010, "I Will Stand by You" reached number 16 on the Billboard Canada Country chart later that year.
[1] 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.
[6] The song was recorded in a contemporary country style backed by an uptempo beat and a mix of various instruments.
"Her performance misses the mark on all accounts: she blasts her notes with so much splashy aggression that they can barely find their pitch, and her phrasing is painfully affected," she commented.
In addition, Seetharam also criticized harmony vocals performed by Naomi Judd, calling them "off-key."
While negatively reviewing the song's vocal performance, Seetharam called the production "kinda cool," comparing it to that of Mary Chapin Carpenter and Keith Urban.
[8] One month later, the duo appeared on the Grand Ole Opry to promote the single, helping to raise awareness for cancer.