Stay (Eternal song)
"Stay" | ||||
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Single by Eternal | ||||
from the album Always & Forever | ||||
B-side | "Don't Say Goodbye" | |||
Released | September 20, 1993 | |||
Recorded | 1993 | |||
Studio | Sarm West (London) | |||
Genre | New jack swing[1] | |||
Length | 3:50 | |||
Label | EMI | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Nigel Lowis | |||
Eternal singles chronology | ||||
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Alternative Cover | ||||
![]() Japanese CD cover |
"Stay" is a song written by Bob Khozouri and Mark Stevens, and originally recorded by American singer Glenn Jones and released in 1990. It reached number six on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart. The song became a worldwide hit for British girl group Eternal in 1993 and 1994.
Eternal version[]
Three years after the first recording, "Stay" was the debut single of British girl group Eternal. It released on September 20, 1993, as the lead single from their 1993 debut album, Always & Forever.[2] The single entered the UK Singles Chart at number 16 on September 26, 1993, eventually peaking at number four on October 17, 1993. The single was also a hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 19 on March 12, 1994 and selling over 220,000 copies in the US.[3]
Critical reception[]
Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as a "shuffling, hip-hop-flavored pop ditty". He added that "sweet lead vocals and pillowy backing harmonies have enough of a soulful edge to hold up against heavy hitting US counterparts SWV and Xscape. Tune is a simple love song, laced with a memorable melody and a fun, sing-along chorus. Expect multiformat acceptance within moments."[4] Gavin Report called the groove "sexy and confident".[5] Music & Media said the group is the British answer to En Vogue, adding that "this uptempo tune certainly has the necessary staying power." Marc Stingl, music director of Radio Gong/Nuremberg received fabulous feedback from his listeners after he made it powerplay. He said, "Our so-called 'hit hammer' is played 36 times a week. According to our rules we never tell what it is, because we want enthusiasts to phone in. Well, it's an absolutely sensational song, a sure-to-be European hit, so our phones were red hot."[6] Alan Jones from Music Week deemed it a "powerful" remake, adding that the girls "have excellent voices".[7] John Kilgo from The Network Forty noted that a "contagious groove, spiced with vintage harmonies, makes this masterpiece incredibly hip".[8] Steven Wells from NME stated that the song "pack a surprising bite", calling it "dead classy".[9] People Magazine described it as "lighter-than-air".[10] Mark Frith from Smash Hits labeled it as "poppy swingbeat".[11]
Music video[]
The music video for "Stay" was filmed in New York City, directed by German director Marcus Nispel, and features the girls executing choreographed dance moves against colorful backdrops. The video became a staple on the American cable network BET's Video Soul in early 1994.
Track listings[]
# | Title | Time |
---|---|---|
CD (UK) CDEM283 | ||
1. | "Stay" [7" Mix] | 3:50 |
2. | "Stay" [12" Mix] | 4:51 |
3. | "Stay" [Original Mix] | 5:00 |
4. | "Don't Say Goodbye" | 4:16 |
7" Vinyl (UK) EM283 | ||
A. | "Stay" | 3:50 |
B. | "Don't Say Goodbye" | 4:16 |
CD (US) E2-58113 | ||
1. | "Stay" | 3:50 |
2. | "Stay" [Extended Mix Radio Edit] | 3:43 |
3. | "Stay" [Extended Mix] | 4:53 |
4. | "Stay" [Club Mix] | 4:36 |
5. | "Stay" [Eternal Mix] | 4:36 |
CD (US) DPRO-19830 | ||
1. | "Stay" [A/C Mix] | 3:32 |
CD (Japan) TODP-2447 | ||
1. | "Stay" [7" Mix] | 3:57 |
2. | "Stay" [Extended Mix Radio Edit] | 3:43 |
Charts and sales[]
Glenn Jones original[]
Chart (1990) | Peak position |
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US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[12] | 6 |
Eternal version[]
Weekly charts[]
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Year-end charts[]
Certifications and sales[]
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References[]
- ^ Martin, Dan (January 15, 2013). "Why Songs Called 'Stay' Rarely Fail". NME. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
- ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Music Week. September 18, 1993. p. 25. Retrieved June 22, 2021. Misprinted as September 13.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Billboard (3 Dec 1994)". Billboard. Vol. 106 no. 49. Prometheus Global Media. December 3, 1994. p. 3. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
- ^ "Single Reviews: New and Noteworthy" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ "Urban: New Releases" (PDF). Gavin Report. January 14, 1994. p. 15. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. November 6, 1993. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
- ^ Jones, Alan (September 25, 1993). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 16. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ "Mainstream: Music Meeting" (PDF). The Network Forty. January 14, 1994. p. 20. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
- ^ Wells, Steven. "LOUISE / ETERNAL – Woman In Me / Greatest Hits". NME. Archived from the original on August 17, 2000. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ "Picks and Pans Review: Always & Forever". People. April 18, 1994. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- ^ "New Albums". Smash Hits. November 24, 1993. p. 52. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ "Glenn Jones Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ "Australian-charts.com – Eternal – Stay". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2442." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
- ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 2422." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10 no. 45. November 6, 1993. p. 17. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – Eternal – Stay" (in French). Les classement single.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Eternal – Stay" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Stay". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "Eternal – Stay" (in Dutch). top40.nl. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Eternal – Stay" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Eternal – Stay". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Eternal: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
- ^ "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. October 9, 1993. p. 28. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ "Eternal Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Eternal Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Eternal Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ^ "Eternal Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Eternal Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Eternal Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ Cash Box Top 100 Singles, March 26, 1994[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Top 100 Singles 1993". Music Week. January 15, 1994. p. 24.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "1994 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ "Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1994". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1994". Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1994". Retrieved July 18, 2018.
External links[]
- 1990 songs
- 1993 debut singles
- EMI Records singles
- Eternal (band) songs
- Glenn Jones songs
- Music videos directed by Marcus Nispel
- New jack swing songs