“Stay the Night” by James Blunt
James Blunt concocted “Stay the Night” in a direct attempt to come up with an upbeat, happy tune as opposed to his usual, more depressingly-introspective norm at the time. He wrote it alongside two of his homeys, and likewise the meaning it is meant to convey is one of enjoying an evening out with your buddies. Indeed the idea its title is meant to allude to is the singer relishing such an experience so much that he does not want the night to end.
But as with many other hit tracks, the way he conveys an idea which on the surface has nothing to do with romance is rather by putting it into the context of a romantic relationship. Or stated otherwise the addressee is presented as a romantic interest.
But the sentiment is basically the same. The song’s story reads as if they are hanging out together with a few other friends. But as the night progresses the singer wants to spend quality, indeed even intimate, time with her alone. As such, the title, “stay the night”, is portrayed as a request he is making specifically to her. And despite his desire to ‘share a single bed’ with this lady, he doesn’t come off as being hell-bent on having bedroom fun with her. Indeed the singer even states that he’s “a patient man”. And if they don’t get the opportunity to be alone tonight – which it looks like they won’t – he can wait for another time.
Conclusion
So once again what it all leads back to is that even though the addressee is someone like a girlfriend to the singer, it is still the general concept of relishing friendship that comes off the strongest in the lyrics. And at the end of the day, perhaps the best way to classify “Stay the Night” is as a love song, albeit one with a strong undertone of camaraderie.
Facts about “Stay the Night”
This is the lead single from James’ third album titled “Some Kind of Trouble”. It was released by Atlantic Records and two other labels on 25 October 2010.
James Blunt premiered the song about a month prior, on 12 September, at a charity concert held in England called Help for Heroes.
Three of the four writers of this song are Ryan Tedder, James Blunt and the track’s producer, Steve Robson.
The fourth credited writer is actually reggae legend Bob Marley (1945-1981). This is because Blunt uses one of the lines from Marley’s classic 1978 tune “Is This Love” in “Stay the Night”.
“Stay the Night” topped music charts in Germany and Switzerland. It also made it onto the Billboard Hot 100 and the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart. And overall, it charted in over 20 nations, being certified Platinum in Australia in the process.
The music video to this James Blunt tune was directed by noted Norwegian director/photographer Ray Kay. Its filming took place on the beach side in California’s Malibu.
