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! scope="row"| US [[Mainstream Top 40 (Pop Songs)|Pop Songs]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/1537717/chart-highlights-one-direction-plants-kiss-on-pop-songs-taylor|title=Chart Highlights: One Direction Plants 'Kiss' On Pop Songs, Taylor Swift Still No. 1|publisher=Billboard|accessdate=February 4, 2013}}</ref>

Revision as of 00:30, 6 February 2013

"Stay"
Song

"Stay" is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her seventh studio album Unapologetic (2012). Featuring guest vocals by Mikky Ekko, the song was released as the second single from the album on January 7, 2013. "Stay" was co-written and co-produced by Ekko, Elof Loelv and Justin Parker. It is a pop and R&B ballad, featuring piano and guitar chords. The lyrical content regards the temptation and failure of resisting a true love.

The song garnered a mostly positive response from music critics. They were divided in their opinion regarding the balladry, with most describing it as a standout track on the album, while a few labeled it as boring. However, critics were unified in their opinion of praising her vocal performance and emotion. Upon the release of Unapologetic, "Stay" charted on multiple charts worldwide. Following its release as a single, it has reached the top five of both the UK Singles Chart and UK R&B Chart, and in Ireland and Scotland. It has also reached the top ten in New Zealand and the top twenty in Australia, France and Germany.

Rihanna premiered "Stay" on Saturday Night Live in the United States, while she performed the song in the United Kingdom on the ninth series of The X Factor. The track was also included on the set list of the majority of her 777 Tour promotional tour dates, in support of the album.

Background and release

"Stay" was co-written and co-produced by Mikky Ekko, Justin Parker and Elof Loelv.[1] Ekko also appears as a featured artist courtesy of RCA Records.[1] Rihanna's and Ekko's vocals were recording at two recording locations by three different people: Mike Gaydusek at Nightbird Studios and Marcus Tovar and Kuk Harrel at Westlake Recording Studios, both in Los Angeles, California.[1] Vocal engineering was carried out by Gaydusek and was assisted in the process by Blake Mares and Robert Cohen.[1] Vocal production was completed by Kuk Harrell.[1] It was mixed by Phil Tan at Ninja Club Studios in Atlanta, Georgia.[1] Additional/assistant production was helmed by Daniella Rivera.[1]

"Stay" impacted the United Kingdom on January 7, 2013 as the second single from Unapologetic.[2] In the United States, "Stay" was released to contemporary hit radio and rhythmic radio on January 29, 2013, as the third single in the country following "Diamonds" and "Pour It Up".[3][4] It will be released as a CD single in Germany on February 15, 2013.[5]

Composition and lyrics

"Stay" is a contemporary pop and R&B ballad[6] that consists of piano and guitar instrumentation.[7][8][9] It is written in the key of C major at a moderate tempo of 112 beats per minute. Rihanna's vocal range in the song ranges from the low note of F4 to the high note of E6.[6] Greg Kot for the Chicago Tribune described the song as being "stripped-bare".[10] The lyrics revolve around "failing to resist true love", according to Dan Martin for NME,[8] as Rihanna sings "Funny, you're the broken one/ But I'm the only one who needed saving."[10] According to Jocelyn Vena for MTV, Rihanna "punctuates the emotions of the track" on the lyric "It's not much of a life you're living/ It's not just something you take that's given."[9] Rihanna also makes a plea to her lover, singing "Round and round and round and round we go/ Now tell me, tell me now, tell me now you know/ Not really sure how to feel about it/ Something in the way you move/ Makes me feel like I can't live without you/ and it takes me all the way/ I want you to stay."[9] Lewis Corner for Digital Spy wrote that Rihanna's vocals glow over the simple yet effective piano riffs.[11]

Critical reception

A picture of a man wearing purple vest and a cap
Dan Martin for NME thought that the lyrical content of "Stay" puts a "vulnerable spin" on her relationship with Chris Brown (pictured).[8]

"Stay" received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Jon Dolan for Rolling Stone was complimentary of Rihanna's execution of the song, writing that she performs it "within an inch of its life" and "pleads at the piano."[7] Dolan continued to state that it is "stark" and "shadowy" which is "confrontationally honest."[7] Dan Martin for NME described "Stay" as Unapologetic's highlight, writing that it is a "gorgeous piano ballad."[8] Martin continued to write that the song "puts a vulnerable spin on the Brown situation, repeating another theme of the album", a reference to her relationship with Chris Brown.[8] Smokey Fontaine for the Huffington Post also praised "Stay", placing emphasis on Rihanna's vocal performance. He wrote that "Three years ago, no one would have paid attention to a beautiful piano-ballad like 'Stay.' Not because of the events we all witnessed, but because of how honest and emotionally-connected her vocals are."[12]

Lewis Corner for Digital Spy awarded "Stay" four out of five stars, commenting that Rihanna "doesn't need all the controversial romp to top the charts." Corner also compared "Stay" to the work of "some of 2012's most successful female balladeers" Emeli Sandé and Lana Del Rey and concluded by stating that Rihanna "never [follows] the pack" but "[airs] her seemingly complex emotions through music's current trend."[11] The song garnered a mixed review from Genevieve Koski for The A.V. Club, writing that the album is "heavy on the sort of milquetoast ballads that have never been Rihanna's specialty" with regard to "Stay" and "What Now".[13] However, Jon Caramanica for The New York Times negatively critiqued the song, writing that it is "dull piano driven song."[14] The reason he gave for it being "dull" was that he felt "Stay", along with "Get It Over With" and "Lost in Paradise", were the "least texturally confrontational" and therefore "by far the least successful."[14]

Chart performance

"Stay" entered the singles chart in New Zealand at number 28 on December 24, 2012. The following week it climbed to number 25 and in its third week to a new peak of 16. On January 14, 2013, it peaked at number nine, where it has remained for four consecutive weeks.[15] The song has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand for sales of 7,500 copies.[16] In Australia, "Stay" debuted at number 43 for the issue dated January 20, 2013. The following week it climbed to number 28, and into the top twenty to number 12 the week after. In its fourth week, the song made a new peak of number 11.[17]

In the United Kingdom, it debuted on the the UK R&B Chart at number 16 on November 25, 2012, due to strong digital download sales following the release of Unapologetic.[18] It also entered the UK Singles Chart at number 102 in the same week.[19] Following Rihanna's performance of the song on The X Factor the previous week, "Stay" re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number six on December 22, 2012.[20] The following week it climbed to a new peak of number four.[21] "Stay" debuted in Ireland at number 15 for the week ending December 13, 2012.[22] Elsewhere in Europe, the song debuted at number 53 in both France and Switzerland, following the release of the album.[23][24] After three weeks of charting outside of the top 100, "Stay" returned to its former peak of 53 in France on January 5, 2013. It has currently reached a peak of number 18.[23] The song entered the Canadian Hot 100 at number 58, for the week dated December 8, 2012.[25]

Live performances

Rihanna performing during her 777 Tour in Mexico.

As part of promotion for the release of Unapologetic on November 19, 2012, Rihanna premiered "Stay" on Saturday Night Live on November 10, 2012. She also performed the album's lead single "Diamonds".[26][27] Rihanna performed a solo version of "Stay", without guest vocalist Ekko.[28] Rihanna wore a Bob Marley dress and adorned red lipstick.[9] Jocelyn Vena for MTV praised the singer's performance, writing "Rihanna used her touching vocals to prove that not only can she sex up a performance but she can also sing the heck out of one."[9] Erika Ramirez noted that Rihanna "belted out the song."[29] During the seven days prior to the release of the album, Rihanna embarked on the 777 Tour, a seven-date promotional tour where she performed seven concerts in seven different cities in seven different countries across North America and Europe.[26]

Not included on the set list at the first concert in Mexico City,[30] she performed "Stay" at the second concert in Toronto as part of a medley with "Love the Way You Lie".[31] The solo version of the song was performed the third concert in Stockholm.[32] At the fourth concert in Paris, it was performed as the ninth song out of 13 in between "S&M" and "Where Have You Been", preceded by a snippet of "Take Care".[33] The fifth and sixth concerts were held in Berlin and London, respectively, where Rihanna performed "Stay" both nights in between "S&M" and "Unfaithful".[34][35] The seventh and final concert was held in New York City, where "Stay" was also performed.[36] Erika Ramirez for Billboard attended all seven concerts as part of the press committee, where she described the audience as being in a "trance" as the singer performed the song.[36] Rihanna performed "Stay" at the final of the ninth series of The X Factor on December 9, 2012.[37] Once she had finished performing the song, it transitioned into an acoustic version of "We Found Love" followed by the original version.[37] Rihanna wore a short white dress, with white T-bar shoes, diamond earrings and matching silver jewellery.[37]

Credits and personnel

Recording
  • Recorded at Nightbird Studios, Los Angeles, California; Westlake Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California.
  • Mixed at Ninja Club Studios, Atlanta, Georgia.
Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Unapologetic, Def Jam Recordings, SRP Records.[1]

Charts and certifications

Radio and release history

Country Date Format Label
United Kingdom[2] January 7, 2013 Impact day Mercury Records
United States[3][4][51] January 29, 2013 Contemporary hit radio Def Jam Recordings
Rhythmic radio
Germany[5] February 15, 2013 CD single Universal Music Group

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h (Media notes). {{cite AV media notes}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Format= ignored (|format= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Type= ignored (|type= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b Corner, Lewis (November 30, 2012). "Rihanna confirms new single 'Stay' - listen". Digital Spy. Nat Mags. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Top 40/M Future Releases (January 29, 2013)". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on January 10, 2013. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases (January 29, 2013)". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on January 10, 2013. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Stay (2-Track) [Single]". Amazon.com, Inc (DE). Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  6. ^ a b "Stay - Rihanna Digital Sheet Music". Music Notes. February 1, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c Dolan, Jon (November 20, 2012). "Unapologetic". Rolling Stone. New York: Jann Wenner. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d e Martin, Dan (November 24, 2012). "Rihanna - 'Unapologetic'". NME. London: IPC Media (Time Inc.). Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  9. ^ a b c d e Vena, Jocelyn (November 12, 2012). "Rihanna's Sincere 'Stay' Shines Under 'SNL' Spotlight". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  10. ^ a b Kot, Greg (November 19, 2012). "Album review: Rihanna, 'Unapologetic'". Chicago Tribune. Chicago: Tony W. Hunter. Retrieved November 19, 2012. (subscription required)
  11. ^ a b "Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko: 'Stay' - Single review". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. December 13, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  12. ^ Fontaine, Smokey (November 20, 2012). "Rihanna's Unapologetic Triumph". The Huffington Post. New York: AOL. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  13. ^ Koski, Genevieve (November 20, 2012). "Rihanna: Unapologetic". The A.V. Club. Chicago: The Onion, Inc. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  14. ^ a b Caramanica, Jon (November 21, 2012). "Rihanna, Icy Hot and Steely-Strong". The New York Times. New York: Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr. p. C1. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  15. ^ "Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko - Stay (song)". charts.org.nz, Hung Medien. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  16. ^ a b "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 28 January 2013". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
  17. ^ "Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko - Stay (song)". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  18. ^ a b "2012 Top 40 R&B Singles Archive - 1st December 2012". Official Charts Company. December 1, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  19. ^ "Chart: CLUK Update 1.12.2012 (wk47) - Chart log UK: New Entries Update". Official Charts Company. Zobbel. December 1, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  20. ^ "2012 Top 40 Official Singles Archive - 22nd December 2012". Official Charts Company. December 22, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  21. ^ "2012 Top 40 Official Singles Archive - 29th December 2012". Official Charts Company. December 29, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  22. ^ "Top 100 Singles, Week Ending 13 December 2012". GFK Chart Track. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
  23. ^ a b c "Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko - Stay". lescharts.com. Hung Medien. December 1, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  24. ^ a b "Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko - Stay". hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. December 9, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  25. ^ a b "Canadian Hot 100 - Week of December 8, 2012". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. December 8, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  26. ^ a b "Rihanna announces '777' Tour". Universal Music Canada. October 31, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  27. ^ "Rihanna to Perform on 'SNL'". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. October 21, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  28. ^ "Rihanna's 'Stay': Singer Performs New Song And 'Diamonds' On 'SNL'". The Huffington Post. New York: AOL. November 11, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  29. ^ Ramirez, Erika (November 11, 2012). "Rihanna Debuts New Song 'Stay' on SNL". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  30. ^ Ramirez, Erika (November 15, 2012). "Rihanna's 777 Tour Diary: Day One, Mexico". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  31. ^ Collins, Leah (November 16, 2012). "Rihanna clearly Unapologetic about 777 Tour stop in Toronto". Vancouver Sun. Vancouver: Kevin D. Bent. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  32. ^ Rosenthal, Jack (November 17, 2012). "Rihanna's '777' Tour, Day 3: Tending Bar in Stockholm". Rolling Stone. New York: Jann Wenner. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  33. ^ Ramirez, Erika (November 18, 2012). "Rihanna's 777 Tour Diary: Day Four, Paris". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  34. ^ Ramirez, Erika (November 19, 2012). "Rihanna's 777 Tour Diary: Day Five, Berlin". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  35. ^ Ramirez, Erika (November 20, 2012). "Rihanna's 777 Tour Diary: Day Six, London". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  36. ^ a b Ramirez, Erika (November 20, 2012). "Rihanna's 777 Tour Diary: Day Seven, New York City". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  37. ^ a b c Saunders, Louise (December 9, 2012). "Take A Bow! A demure Rihanna wows in a white cutaway ensemble as she performs at X Factor final alongside One Direction and Emeli Sandé". Daily Mail. Daily Mail and General Trust. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  38. ^ "Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko – Stay". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  39. ^ "RIHANNA FEAT. MIKKY EKKO - STAY (SONG)". austriancharts.at. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  40. ^ "Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko – Stay" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  41. ^ "Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko – Stay" (in French). Ultratip.
  42. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 20133 into search.
  43. ^ "RIHANNA FEAT. MIKKY EKKO - STAY (SONG)". danishcharts.com. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  44. ^ "Single - Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko, Stay". charts.de. January 19, 2012. {{cite web}}: no-break space character in |title= at position 35 (help)
  45. ^ "Chart Track: Week 05, 2013". Irish Singles Chart.
  46. ^ "Charts.org.nz – Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko – Stay". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
  47. ^ "2012 Top 40 Scottish Singles Archive - 22nd December 2012". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  48. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 20133 into search.
  49. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  50. ^ "Chart Highlights: One Direction Plants 'Kiss' On Pop Songs, Taylor Swift Still No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
  51. ^ Radio1 Rodos Greece ::: USA Forthcoming Singles:::Charts, DJ Promos,Lyrics, Free Mp3 Sample Downloads

External Links

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