East 17’s “Stay Another Day” Lyrics Meaning
In “Stay Another Day”, the narrator appears to be grieving the departure of a loved one. By pleading with this person to stay just one more day, it is highly possible that this person is either dying or leaving their relationship.
The singer in this song is heartbroken because it has become clear that this person is leaving him. He is transparent about the pain he feels because of this departure and expresses his wish for them to stay together if it’s even for just one last day.
The line in which the singer mentions touching this person’s face while they are sleeping has dark connotations. The ‘sleep’ the writer is referring to is likely a metaphor signifying the death of this person. As the writer stresses on what seems to be his loved one’s unexpected goodbye, the main emotion depicted is that of a sudden pain, surprise and loneliness.
“(Stay now, stay now)
Baby if you’ve got to go away
Don’t think I could take the pain
(Stay now, stay now)
Won’t you stay another day?
(Stay now, stay now)
Oh don’t leave me alone like this
Don’t you say it’s the final kiss
(Stay now, stay now)
Won’t you stay another day?
(Stay now, stay now)”
Tony Mortimer reveals the meaning of “Stay Another Day”
Lead songwriter Tony Mortimer in a 2012 interview told NME that the song is about his brother Ollie, who committed suicide, and was also inspired by a close friend of his who lost her father.
Summary
“Stay Another Day” speaks about the untold pain and emotional trauma a person goes through when they lose a person they cherish.
“Stay Another Day” Facts
Writing: Mortimer penned this pop song with songwriters Dominic Hawken and Rob Kean
Production: Ian Curnow in association with Phil Harding
Album: East 17’s 1994 studio album, “Steam”
Release: 21st November, 1994
Was “Stay Another Day” a single-release?
Yes. East 17’s “Steam” project produced 5 singles. This was one of them.
Commercial Success
Till date, this remains East 17’s most successful work. Shortly upon release, went straight to the top of British singles chart. Here (UK singles chart), it spent a total of 5 weeks. This was East 17’s first song to ever achieve that feat. In addition to topping the chart, it also became Britain’s Christmas No. 1 single for the year 1994. Also, it is considered one of the most successful singles released in the 1990s.
Outside of Britain, it also topped the official singles charts of Denmark, Sweden and Ireland.
Cover Versions
Since East 17 dropped this classic back in 1994, it has been covered quite extensively. Some of the most famous covers include Girls Aloud’s 2002 version. Interesting to note is that while covering this song, Girls Aloud weren’t aware that the song wasn’t a breakup song. Owing to this, they ignorantly covered it in a very strong romantic style. Despite finding their version “odd”, Mortimer said he liked it.
Another popular version was recorded in 2019 by the Waltham Forest Youth Choir. The official music video of this choir’s version features Mortimer playing a piano.
