"Stay Another Day" is a song recorded by British boy band East 17, released on 21 November 1994 as the third single from their second album, Steam (1994). It is their only number-one song on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the Christmas number one of 1994. "Stay Another Day" also topped the charts of Denmark, Ireland, and Sweden and peaked within the top 10 of the charts in several other countries, including Australia, France, and the Netherlands. Two different music videos were produced for the song.
"Stay Another Day" | ||||
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Single by East 17 | ||||
from the album Steam | ||||
Released | 21 November 1994 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 4:29 | |||
Label | London | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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East 17 singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Stay Another Day" on YouTube |
Background
edit"Stay Another Day" was the third single from East 17's second album, Steam, following up "Around the World" and the album's title track. It was their first ballad, written by the band's lead songwriter Tony Mortimer about the suicide of his brother Ollie. Mortimer explained:
"It was based on my brother's suicide and losing someone. What would you do if you had one more day with a loved one?... It was all based on conversations I'd had with my brother and I was trying to change it into a love song about the end of a relationship."[1]
Mortimer was aided in the composition by his co-manager Rob Kean and songwriter Dominic Hawken, who had once been Boy George's keyboard player.[2] Christmas bells were included towards the end of the song to appeal to the lucrative Christmas singles market. The most familiar arrangement is unusual among pop records in that it uses almost no drums, save for timpani rolls during the introduction and towards the end of the track.
Reception
editCommercial reception
editIn late November 1994, "Stay Another Day" entered at number seven on the UK Singles Chart.[3] The following week it climbed to its peak of number one.[4] For the last three weeks of the year, "Stay Another Day" faced stiff competition for the 1994 Christmas number-one from the popular Mariah Carey single "All I Want for Christmas Is You".[5] It outsold Carey's hit single for the weeks commencing 11, 18 and 25 December, selling roughly 130,000, 120,000 and 160,000 copies respectively.[5] The sales lead over Carey in the week before Christmas was around 60,000, and thus securing 1994's Christmas number one to East 17.[5]
It was also the 4th biggest selling boy band single of the 1990s in the United Kingdom.[citation needed] The single is also the 31st biggest seller of the 90s decade.[citation needed] As of December 2019, the single has accrued 1.14 million charts sales, including streams.[5]
Tony Mortimer won an Ivor Novello songwriting award for this song.[citation needed] The single was also nominated for 'Best Single' at the 1995 Brit Awards.[6]
"Stay Another Day" was not released as a single in the United States but did receive limited Christmas-time airplay on KYSR-FM "Star 98.7" in Los Angeles in 1996, owing to the market's influence and exposure to international hit singles; after its success in the UK it went on to become a major hit all over Europe and internationally, topping the charts in five European countries, as well as reaching the top spot in Zimbabwe and reaching the Top 3 in Australia.
Critical reception
editThe song received largely positive reviews from critics. Ross Jones from The Guardian felt that "teen-town's hard men show their soft side on a Christmas number one contender" and "a beautiful thing".[7] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton noted, "East 17 prove that there is more to them than the usual 'bad boy' image and sing in astonishingly perfect harmony to create what is certain to be one of the biggest seasonal successes, especially when you consider they were a fixture of the Christmas charts last year with "Its Alright"."[8] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "Like anybody else the Walthamstowe posse knows that this time of the year is reserved for woeful ballads. The "less sad", "even more sad" and "not so sad" remixes, however, have a club spirit."[9] Alan Jones from Music Week gave the song five out of five, naming it Pick of the Week. He wrote, "This exquisitely arranged, close harmony ballad, piano-led and draped with strings, is a hot favourite for the Christmas number one but may fail by being released a tad too early. East 17's most accomplished piece of work yet, and a song that will be played in years to come, long after Steam has evaporated."[10] A reviewer from Sunday Mirror commented, "A tinkling piano, a gorgeous melody, a sweet and soulful lead vocal those little devils East 17 have gone all angelic for Christmas. The result, a slow and lovelorn ballad called 'Stay Another Day'".[11]
Music videos
editTwo music videos were made for the song. One video features the band recording and performing the song in a studio. The other video features the band in a black background. The group are seen wearing white fur trimmed parkas and black leather jackets. A woman wearing a dress and veil also appears whilst it snows. The latter video is shown usually around Christmas, while the first version is shown outside Christmas. The black-and-white video version was published on YouTube in 2017.[12]
Legacy
editBritish newspaper The Guardian ranked "Stay Another Day" number 41 in their list of "The 100 greatest UK No 1s" in 2020.[13] Ben Beaumont-Thomas wrote:
"One of the greatest Christmas No 1s of all time is a triumph of emotional candour. It resembles a breakup song with its talk of final kisses, but was written by Tony Mortimer after his brother killed himself. The pain of those sudden calls of 'stay now' is so acute, voicing the suddenness of loss."
The song has featured on Christmas compilation albums and is usually a mainstay on radio during the festive period. However, scepticism remains within the British public as to whether the song should be labelled a Christmas song.[14] In December 2017, YouGov carried out a poll asking the British public whether they agreed if "Stay Another Day" is a Christmas song. Just over one third, or 34% disagreed, while 29% agreed. This left a large proportion of 37% in the don't know category, which includes all of those who were unaware of the song.[14]
Track listings
edit- CD single
- "Stay Another Day" (S.A.D. mix) – 4:29
- "Stay Another Day" (less sad mix) – 4:42
- "Stay Another Day" (S.A.D. mix) – 4:29
- "Stay Another Day" (less sad mix) – 4:44
- "Stay Another Day" (more sad mix) – 8:34
- "Stay Another Day" (not so sad mix) – 6:16
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
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Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA)[58] | Gold | 35,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria)[59] | Gold | 25,000* |
Germany (BVMI)[60] | Gold | 250,000^ |
Sweden (GLF)[61] | Gold | 25,000^ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[62] | Gold | 25,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[63] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
editRegion | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
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United Kingdom | 21 November 1994 |
|
London | [64] |
Japan | 19 December 1994 | CD | [65] |
Girls Aloud version
edit"Stay Another Day" | |
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Song by Girls Aloud | |
A-side | "Sound of the Underground" |
Released | 16 December 2002 |
Genre | Pop |
Length | 4:24 |
Label | Polydor |
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Background
editGirls Aloud were formed through Popstars: The Rivals by a public vote on 30 November 2002.[66] The concept of the programme was to produce a boyband and a girlband who would be "rivals" and compete for the Christmas number one single in 2002. Girls Aloud competed against One True Voice, managed by music producer Pete Waterman. Girls Aloud recorded a cover version of "Stay Another Day", intended as their debut single,[67] with Cheryl Cole providing lead vocals. After Girls Aloud recorded "Sound of the Underground", "Stay Another Day" was instead released as its B-side. The release was originally meant to be a double A-side,[68][69] and it is often mistakenly labelled as such.[70][71] "Stay Another Day" was performed on This Morning, Top of the Pops and Top of the Pops Saturday to promote its parent single.[72][73][74] Backing vocals were provided by Easther Bennett of fellow UK Girl-group Eternal.
Girls Aloud gave the song a "romantic slant," which surprised East 17's Mortimer since it is about his brother's suicide.[75] Mortimer insisted that he loves Girls Aloud, but said, "I found it really odd they were singing a song about my dead brother. It should've been left alone for a few years."[75]
Reception
editColin Paterson of The Guardian remarked on the unoriginality of Girls Aloud's cover: "A group formed on a TV show by a phone poll and then doing a cover of a former Christmas No 1. Life seldom gets less imaginative."[69]
Waltham Forest Youth Choir version
editOn 3 December 2019, London Recordings uploaded a new version of the song to YouTube, performed by Waltham Forest Youth Choir, with Mortimer on piano. Mortimer himself appears in the video. The track was released to raise money for mental health charity CALM.[76]
Jorja Smith version
edit"Stay Another Day" | |
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Single by Jorja Smith | |
Released | 9 November 2023 |
Genre | Pop |
Length | 2:42 |
Label | FAMM |
Songwriter(s) |
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"Stay Another Day" was covered in 2023 by British singer Jorja Smith as part of the Amazon Music Originals series. It was released on 9 November 2023.[77][78][79] "Stay Another Day" debuted at number 3 on the UK's Official Trending Chart.[80]
Charts
editChart (2023) | Peak position |
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UK Singles (OCC)[81] | 16 |
UK Indie (OCC)[82] | 2 |
References
edit- ^ Hooton, Christopher (23 December 2016). "The sad story behind the lyrics to East 17's 'Stay Another Day'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
- ^ 1000 UK Number One Singles by Jon Kutner & Spencer Leigh, page 402
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100: 27 November 1994 – 03 December 1994". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100: 04 December 1994 – 10 December 1994". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- ^ a b c d Copsey, Rob (12 December 2019). "Official Charts Flashback 1994: Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- ^ Clark-Meads, Jeff (21 January 1995). "Brit Awards". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 3. p. 85. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- ^ Jones, Ross (19 November 1994). "Reviews: Singles". p. 31. The Guardian.
- ^ Masterton, James (27 November 1994). "Week Ending December 3rd 1994". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 3 December 1994. p. 8. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
- ^ Jones, Alan (12 November 1994). "Market Preview: Mainstream – Singles – Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. p. 14. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ Sunday Mirror. 20 November 1994. p. 48.
- ^ "East 17 – Stay Another Day (Official Video)". 28 September 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2020 – via YouTube.
- ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben; Petridis, Alexis; Snapes, Laura (5 June 2020). "The 100 greatest UK No 1s: 100-1". The Guardian. London. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- ^ a b Cashin, Declan (18 December 2017). "Is East 17's Stay Another Day actually a Christmas song?". BBC. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
- ^ "East 17 – Stay Another Day". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "East 17 – Stay Another Day" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ^ "East 17 – Stay Another Day" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "East 17 – Stay Another Day" (in French). Ultratop 50.
- ^ Billboard 21 January 1995. Nielsen Business Media. 25 February 1995. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
hits of the world.
{{cite book}}
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ignored (help) - ^ Billboard 28 January 1995. 28 January 1995. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
{{cite book}}
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ignored (help) - ^ "Adult Contemporary Europe Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. 28 January 1995. p. 25. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. 4 February 1995. p. 44. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
- ^ source: Pennanen, Timo: Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972. Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava, 2006. ISBN 9789511210535. page: 280
- ^ "East 17 – Stay Another Day" (in French). Les classement single.
- ^ "East 17 – Stay Another Day" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
- ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 21 January 1995. p. 20. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Stay Another Day". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ 2 weeks at No. 1 (28 November 1994 & 5 December 1994)
- ^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 28 May 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "East 17".
- ^ Oricon Singles Chart Oricon Singles Chart (Retrieved 2 November 2012)
- ^ "M-1 TOP 40". M-1.fm. 18 December 1994. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ "UK World Hits: Macedonia" (PDF). Music Week. 4 March 1995. p. 20. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – East 17" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- ^ "East 17 – Stay Another Day" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "East 17 – Stay Another Day". VG-lista.
- ^ "Major Market Airplay – Week 5/1995" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 5. 4 February 1995. p. 53. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "East 17 – Stay Another Day". Singles Top 100.
- ^ "East 17 – Stay Another Day". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). 10 December 1994. p. 4. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ * Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
- ^ url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ugsEAAAAMBAJ&lr=&rview=1
- ^ "Jaarlijsten 1994" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Archived from the original on 2 November 2003. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1994" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ 1995 Australian Singles Chart aria.com (Retrieved 30 March 2009)
- ^ 1995 Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at Archived 24 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 30 March 2009)
- ^ 1995 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved 20 May 2009)
- ^ 1995 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved 30 March 2009)
- ^ "1995 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ "Snepmusique.com, le site du Snep". Disqueenfrance.com. Archived from the original on 31 March 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ "INFINITY CHARTS: German Top 20". Ki.informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de. 28 November 1997. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ "Single top 100 over 1995" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
- ^ "JAAROVERZICHTEN – Single 1995". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
- ^ "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single Vinter 1995". Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
- ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1995" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
- ^ Steffen Hung. "Swiss Year-End Charts 1995". swisscharts.com. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1995". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
- ^ "Austrian single certifications – East 17 – Stay Another Day" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (East 17; 'Stay Another Day')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Stay Another Day')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ "British single certifications – East 17 – Stay Another Day". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 19 November 1994. p. 39. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
- ^ "ステイ・アナザー・デイ | East 17" [Stay Another Day | East 17] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "Popstars girl group picked". BBC News. 2 December 2002. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
- ^ "Blobby voted worst Christmas hit". BBC News. 3 December 2002. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
- ^ "Derry's Nadine wins Popstars place". RTÉ.ie. 2 December 2002. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
- ^ a b Colin Paterson (7 December 2002). "The real meanie of Christmas". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
- ^ "Girls Aloud's year at the top". BBC News. 20 October 2003. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
- ^ "Girls Aloud to pop into Playhouse on first tour". The Scotsman. 4 December 2004. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
- ^ girls aloud stay another day this morning dec 02 on YouTube
- ^ Girls Aloud: Top Of The Pops 10.01.2003 – Stay Another Day on YouTube
- ^ Girls Aloud – Stay Another Day (Live @ TOTP's Saturday 21/12/2002) on YouTube
- ^ a b Fiona Edwards (11 May 2006). "Mortimer shocked at Girls Aloud cover". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
- ^ "East 17's Tony Mortimer re-records Stay Another Day with Walthamstow choir for Christmas". itv.com. 5 December 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (7 November 2023). "Jorja Smith – "Stay Another Day" (East 17 Cover)". Stereo Gum. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Folk, Antwane (7 November 2023). "Jorja Smith Remakes East 17's 'Stay Another Day' for Amazon Music". Rated RnB. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Griffiths, George (7 November 2023). "Amazon Music Original reveals new Christmas songs for 2023 from Sam Ryder, Anne-Marie and Jorja Smith". Official Charts. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Smith, Carl (28 November 2023). "Sam Ryder's You're Christmas to Me tops Official Trending Chart". Official Charts. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 December 2023.