Stay (Post Malone song)

Last updated
"Stay"
Song by Post Malone
from the album Beerbongs & Bentleys
Studio Henson Recording Studios
Genre
Length3:28
Label Republic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Post Malone
  • Andrew Watt

"Stay" is a song by American rapper and singer Post Malone from his second studio album Beerbongs & Bentleys (2018). He wrote and produced it with Andrew Watt, with Louis Bell also receiving a writing credit. The song is an acoustic ballad with lyrics that center on a failing relationship.

Contents

Writing and production

Post Malone and Andrew Watt started to work on "Stay" after the singer expressed his wish to create folk music and use live instrumentation. [1] They met up at the Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles where they wrote the song together. [2] While recording its instrumental, they played two guitars at the same time, with Watt using a 1946 Martin O-18 and Malone using a 1953 Gibson J-45. [1]

The working title of the song was "George Forever", a reference to George Harrison. Before the release of Beerbongs & Bentleys , they decided to change the title to "Stay". [1]

Music and lyrics

"Stay" is an acoustic ballad. [3] It is composed in the key of C major, with a tempo of 86 beats per minute. Malone's vocals span from C4 to G5. [4] Billboard said of the track that it has a "1970s AM radio vibe" [3] and described it as "a hybrid of Britpop melody and emo bloodiness". [5] Writing for The Line of Best Fit , Ross Horton described the song's genre as country folk. [6]

The lyrics center on a falling relationship. [7] Larry Bartleet of NME noted that Malone also sings about his bad habits and their effects, comparing this record to "Feeling Whitney", a bonus track from the artist's first studio album Stoney . [8]

Release and promotion

On April 4, 2018, a preview of "Stay" was posted on Yahoo! Entertainment's website. [9] Later that day, Malone performed it on stage for the first time during a live show played in Nashville, Tennessee as part of Bud Light's Dive Bar tour. The performance was simultaneously live streamed online. [10]

On February 10, 2019, Malone performed a three-songs medley during the 61st Annual Grammy Awards ceremony. He started by performing "Stay" on the main stage while playing an acoustic guitar. It was followed by a solo rendition of "Rockstar" performed by the singer in a smokey tunnel. He carried on by joining the Red Hot Chili Peppers on the main stage for a joint performance of the band's 2016 single "Dark Necessities". [11]

Critical reception

Writing for Vanity Fair , Erin Vanderhoof praised the song's lyrics, calling "Stay" a "testament to Malone's skills as a songwriter". [12] Beth Smith of Melodic , wrote that it is "lyrically one of the strongest tracks of the album" and thought that it helped showcasing the singer's vocal ability. [13]

Commercial performance

In the US, "Stay" debuted at 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart dated May 12, 2018. It was one of the singer's nine entries on the chart's top 20 that week, making him the singer with the most simultaneous top 20 songs, surpassing the record formerly held by The Beatles and J. Cole. [14] On March 13, 2019, "Stay" was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for track-equivalent sales of one million units. [15]

Cover version

A cover of "Stay" was recorded by Australian boys band 5 Seconds of Summer and released in August 2018 for Spotify Singles alongside a toned-down version of their own single "Lie to Me". [16] Most of the vocals were provided by Luke Hemmings and Michael Clifford. The band's drummer Ashton Irwin explained on Twitter that they chose to cover this song because they find it "beautifully written", comparing it to the work of The Beatles. [17]

Charts

Chart (2018)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [18] 30
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [19] 65
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [20] 15
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) [21] 51
Denmark (Tracklisten) [22] 38
Greece (IFPI) [23] 39
Ireland (IRMA) [24] 16
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [25] 66
Netherlands (Tipparade) [26] 15
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [27] 20
Norway (VG-lista) [28] 37
Portugal (AFP) [29] 20
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) [30] 24
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [31] 46
UK Audio Streaming (OCC) [32] 21
US Billboard Hot 100 [33] 17

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [34] Gold35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada) [35] 3× Platinum240,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [36] Gold45,000‡
Portugal (AFP) [37] Platinum10,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [38] Gold400,000‡
United States (RIAA) [15] Platinum1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Go Flex</span> 2016 single by Post Malone

"Go Flex" is a song by American rapper and singer Post Malone. It was released through Republic Records as the third single from his debut studio album, Stoney, on April 21, 2016. Malone wrote the song alongside Cashio and producers Rex Kudo and Charlie Handsome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Post Malone discography</span>

The discography of American rapper and singer Post Malone consists of five studio albums, one mixtape, one compilation, and 42 singles. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), he has sold 13 million albums in the United States and 95 million digital singles, making him the eighth best-selling digital artist of all time. Malone was ranked by Billboard as the tenth top artist of the 2010s. On August 26, 2016, Malone released his debut mixtape, August 26.

<i>Stoney</i> (album) Album by Post Malone

Stoney is the debut studio album by American rapper and singer Post Malone. It was released on December 9, 2016, by Republic Records. The album features guest appearances from Justin Bieber, Kehlani, and Quavo. The deluxe edition was released on the same day. It features an additional guest appearance from 2 Chainz. The production on the album was handled by Malone himself, Mustard, Metro Boomin, Vinylz, Frank Dukes, Illangelo, Charlie Handsome, Rex Kudo, Foreign Teck, and Pharrell Williams, among others. Malone generally sing-raps on the album, which is noted for its woozy, contemporary R&B-hip hop production. The album also features influence from country and outlaw country music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Congratulations (Post Malone song)</span> 2017 single by Post Malone

"Congratulations" is a song by American rapper and singer Post Malone featuring fellow American rapper and singer Quavo. The song, at first released as a promotional single from Malone's debut studio album Stoney (2016) on November 4, 2016, was released on January 31, 2017, as the fifth official single from the album. Malone and Quavo wrote the song with Carl Rosen and producers Metro Boomin, Frank Dukes, and Louis Bell. A remix, which includes an additional feature from fellow American rapper Future, was released on June 16, 2017.

"I Fall Apart" is a song by American rapper and singer Post Malone. It was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio through Republic Records on October 17, 2017, as the sixth and final single from his debut studio album, Stoney (2016). Malone wrote the song with producer Illangelo alongside Billy Walsh. A viral performance was released on social media.

<i>Beerbongs & Bentleys</i> 2018 album by Post Malone

Beerbongs & Bentleys is the second studio album by American rapper and singer Post Malone, released by Republic Records on April 27, 2018. The album features guest appearances from Swae Lee, 21 Savage, Ty Dolla Sign, Nicki Minaj, G-Eazy, and YG. It includes production from frequent collaborators Louis Bell and Frank Dukes, alongside London on da Track, Andrew Watt, Tank God, Twice as Nice, Teddy Walton, Scott Storch, and PartyNextDoor, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Candy Paint (song)</span> 2017 single by Post Malone

"Candy Paint" is a song by American rapper and singer Post Malone from the soundtrack of the 2017 action film The Fate of the Furious. The track was released by Republic Records on October 20, 2017, as the second single from Malone's second studio album, Beerbongs & Bentleys (2018). The song was released alongside the film and the rest of the soundtrack for the film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rockstar (Post Malone song)</span> 2017 single by Post Malone featuring 21 Savage

"Rockstar" is a song by American rapper and singer Post Malone featuring Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage. It was released on September 15, 2017, by Republic Records as the lead single from Malone's second studio album Beerbongs & Bentleys (2018). The song was written alongside Carl Rosen, Joey Bada$$, and producers Louis Bell & Tank God.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psycho (Post Malone song)</span> 2018 single by Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla Sign

"Psycho" is a song by American rapper and singer Post Malone featuring fellow American singer Ty Dolla $ign. It was released through Republic Records on February 23, 2018, as the third single from Malone's second studio album, Beerbongs & Bentleys (2018). The artists wrote the song with Louis Bell, who produced it with Malone. Lyrically, the song discusses the artists' lifestyle and explores the theme of excessive fame and trust issues. The song entered at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 behind Drake's "God's Plan", and reached number one in June 2018, becoming Malone's second and Ty's first chart-topper.

"Paranoid" is a song by American rapper and singer Post Malone and the opening track of his second studio album Beerbongs & Bentleys (2018). It was produced by Cashio, with co-production from Blueysport and additional production from Louis Bell.

"Better Now" is a song by American rapper and singer Post Malone from his second studio album, Beerbongs & Bentleys (2018). It was written by Post Malone, Billy Walsh, Louis Bell and Frank Dukes, with production handled by the latter two. The song was released to UK contemporary hit radio on May 25, 2018, and US contemporary hit radio on June 5, 2018, as the album's fifth and final single. It has reached the top 10 of the music charts in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand. The song was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.

"Ball for Me" is a song by American musician Post Malone featuring vocals Nicki Minaj. It was written by the artists and producer Louis Bell. The song was released through Republic Records on May 8, 2018, as the fourth single from Malone's second studio album, Beerbongs & Bentleys (2018), the song was also featured on the soundtrack to the EA Sports Video Game Madden NFL 19. The song debuted and peaked at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100, reached the top 10 in Canada and the top 20 in Australia and Slovakia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackie Chan (song)</span> 2018 single by Tiësto and Dzeko featuring Preme and Post Malone

"Jackie Chan" is a song with vocals by Canadian rapper Preme, featuring vocals from American rapper and singer Post Malone. The track was originally featured on Preme's debut full-length album, Light of Day, released on May 4, 2018. Upon hearing the vocal in the studio, Dutch DJ Tiësto and Canadian DJ Julian Dzeko decided to produce an alternate version with crossover club appeal, for release as a single.

"Sunflower" is a song performed by American rappers and singers Post Malone and Swae Lee. It was released on October 19, 2018, as a single from the soundtrack to the 2018 animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and was later included on Post Malone's third studio album Hollywood's Bleeding (2019). An official remix features Latin singers Nicky Jam and Prince Royce.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wow (Post Malone song)</span> 2018 single by Post Malone

"Wow" is a song by American rapper and singer Post Malone, released as the lead single from his third studio album, Hollywood's Bleeding (2019), via Republic Records on December 24, 2018. The song was written by Malone alongside Billy Walsh, Anthoine Walters, Carl Rosen, and producers Louis Bell and Frank Dukes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodbyes (Post Malone song)</span> 2019 single by Post Malone featuring Young Thug

"Goodbyes" is a song by American rapper and singer Post Malone featuring fellow American rapper and singer Young Thug. It was released as the second single from Malone's third studio album, Hollywood's Bleeding, via Republic Records on July 5, 2019, one day after Malone's 24th birthday. The song was written by the artists, Billy Walsh, Val Blavatnik, Jessie Foutz, and producers Brian Lee & Louis Bell It became Malone's seventh top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100, as well as his sixth number-one on Billboard's Rhythmic chart. Along with "Sunflower" and "Wow", Malone achieved three consecutive US Rhythmic No. 1s to come from one album, and was the first time the feat was achieved after Drake's Scorpion spawned three chart leaders in 2018.

"Enemies" is a song by American rapper and singer Post Malone, featuring fellow American rapper DaBaby. It was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio as the fourth single from Post Malone's third studio album, Hollywood's Bleeding on September 17, 2019. The song was written by the artists, along with Billy Walsh and producer Louis Bell. The track became Malone's seventh number one and DaBaby's first on Billboard's Rhythmic Songs Chart in November 2019.

"Take What You Want" is a song by American rapper and singer Post Malone, featuring vocals from English singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne and fellow American rapper and singer Travis Scott. The song was written by the artists, Billy Walsh, and producers Louis Bell and Andrew Watt. The song appears on Malone's third studio album, Hollywood's Bleeding (2019), and later appeared on Osbourne's twelfth studio album Ordinary Man (2020). The song was serviced to US contemporary hit radio on October 15, 2019, as the sixth single from the aforementioned album.

"Saint-Tropez" is a song by American rapper and singer Post Malone from his third studio album, Hollywood's Bleeding (2019). Its name is taken from the French town of Saint-Tropez. It was written by Post Malone, Frank Dukes, Jahaan Sweet, Billy Walsh, Nima Jahanbin, Paimon Jahanbin, and Louis Bell, with production handled by Frank Dukes, Jahaan Sweet, and Wallis Lane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cooped Up</span> 2022 single by Post Malone and Roddy Rich

"Cooped Up" is a song by American rapper and singer Post Malone featuring fellow American rapper and singer Roddy Ricch. It was released through Mercury Records and Republic Records on May 12, 2022, as the second single from Malone's fourth studio album, Twelve Carat Toothache (2022).

References

  1. 1 2 3 Fu, Eddie (July 26, 2018). "The Making of Post Malone's "Stay" with Watt". Genius . Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  2. ↑ Reiff, Corbin (April 6, 2018). "Post Malone Doesn't Give a Damn About Genres and Neither Do His Fans". Uproxx . Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Post Malone Debuts New Song 'Stay,' Announces Album Release Date at Dive Bar Gig in Nashville". Billboard. April 5, 2018. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Post Malone "Stay" Sheet Music in B minor". Musicnotes.com. 17 May 2018. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Post Malone's Beerbongs and Bentleys Will Silence Some Naysayers, But Not the Ones He Should Actually Listen To (Critic's Take)". Billboard. April 27, 2018. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  6. ↑ Horton, Ross (April 27, 2018). "On beerbongs & bentleys, Post Malone hinted at his true potential". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Post Malone Previews New Song "Stay"". Rap-Up. April 4, 2018. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  8. ↑ Bartleet, Larry (April 27, 2018). "Post Malone – beerbongs & bentleys Review". NME. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  9. ↑ Parker, Lyndsay (April 4, 2018). "First Listen: Preview Post Malone's Brand-New Song, "Stay"". Yahoo!. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  10. ↑ Reiff, Corbin (April 5, 2018). "Post Malone Debuted His New Single "Stay" During His Dive Bar Tour Show in Nashville". Uproxx. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  11. ↑ Grow, Kory (February 10, 2019). "Grammys 2019: Watch Post Malone, Red Hot Chili Peppers Team for Rap-Rock Medley". Rolling Stone . Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  12. ↑ Vanderhoof, Erin (April 27, 2018). "Post Malone, America's Most Surprising Suburban Rapper, Goes Far-Out on Beerbongs & Bentleys". Vanity Fair. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  13. ↑ Smith, Beth (May 2, 2018). "ALBUM REVIEW: Post Malone // Beerbongs & Bentleys". Melodic. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  14. ↑ Zellner, Xander (May 7, 2018). "Post Malone Breaks Record For Most Simultaneous Top 20 Hot 100 Hits, Besting The Beatles & J. Cole". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  15. 1 2 "American single certifications – Post Malone – Stay". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  16. ↑ Tornow, Sam (August 1, 2018). "5 Seconds of Summer Take on Post Malone's "Stay", Release Stripped-Back "Lie to Me" for Spotify Singles". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  17. ↑ Neustaeter, Brooklyn (August 2, 2018). "5 Seconds of Summer Cover Post Malone's "Stay", Release Stripped-Back Version of "Lie to Me"". iHeartRadio . Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Post Malone – Stay". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Post Malone – Stay" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Post Malone Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  21. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201818 into search. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Post Malone – Stay". Tracklisten. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  23. ↑ "IFPI Charts". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Post Malone – Stay" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Top 40 - Tipparade - week 16 (20 April 2019)" . Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Post Malone – Stay". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Post Malone – Stay". VG-lista. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Post Malone – Stay". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  30. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201818 into search. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Post Malone – Stay". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Post Malone Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  34. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Post Malone – Stay". Music Canada . Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Post Malone – Stay". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  37. ↑ "Portuguese single certifications – Post Malone – Stay" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa . Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  38. ↑ "British single certifications – Post Malone – Stay". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved May 28, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.