"Stay" is a song by Zedd featuring Alessia Cara which was released as a single on February 23, 2017 through Interscope Records, and is also featured on the Japanese edition of Cara's second studio album, The Pains of Growing.
Background[]
When he heard a song by Alessia Cara on the radio, Zedd believed she would be the perfect fit for "Stay," since her voice was similar to the demo. They were then asked to perform at the Halo Awards together. Upon meeting her, Zedd asked her if she would like to be on the song. She loved the track, so she agreed to feature on it. When he played an almost finished version of the song, Cara was surprised at the fact that it's just her singing during the chorus, with no instrumentals.[1]
Composition[]
"Stay" is a dance-pop song influenced by contemporary R&B performed in the key of F minor in common time with a tempo of 102 beats per minute. It follows a chord progression of D♭–F5–E♭, and Cara's vocals span from F3 to D♭5. The song introduction contain a sample from Banks's 2016 track "Poltergeist".[2]
Chart Performance[]
The song peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Mainstream Top 40.
Music Video[]
The music video was released on April 18, 2017, and was directed by Tim Mattia. The video shows multiple timelines where the outcomes are very different. In one, Zedd runs towards an elevator that Cara is taking, but doesn't make it in time. In the other, Zedd makes it and they meet, which results in them spending time together and falling in love. However, this timeline ends badly, as it ends in Zedd being hit by a car, though it is not revealed whether he was simply injured or killed. The video shows how small events and differences in timing can greatly change one's life.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
Waiting for the time to pass you by
Hope the winds of change will change your mind
I could give a thousand reasons why
And I know you, and you've got to
[Pre-Chorus 1]
Make it on your own, but we don't have to grow up
We can stay forever young
Living on my sofa, drinking rum and cola
Underneath the rising sun
I could give a thousand reasons why
But you're going, and you know that
[Chorus]
All you have to do is stay a minute
Just take your time
The clock is ticking, so stay
All you have to do is wait a second
Your hands on mine
The clock is ticking, so stay
[Post-Chorus]
All you have to do is
All you have to do is stay
[Verse 2]
Won't admit what I already know
I've never been the best at letting go
I don't wanna spend the night alone
Guess I need you, and I need to
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Make it on my own, but I don't wanna grow up
We can stay forever young
Living on my sofa, drinking rum and cola
Underneath the rising sun
I could give a million reasons why
But you're going, and you know that
[Chorus]
All you have to do is stay a minute
Just take your time
The clock is ticking, so stay
All you have to do is wait a second
Your hands on mine
The clock is ticking, so stay
[Post-Chorus]
All you have to do is
All you have to do is stay
[Bridge]
All you have to do is stay
So stay, yeah
[Chorus]
All you have to do is stay a minute
Just take your time
The clock is ticking, so stay
All you have to do is wait a second
Your hands on mine
The clock is ticking, so stay
All you have to do is stay
Audio[]