“Stay” is a haunting and emotionally charged ballad by British duo Shakespears Sister, released in January 1992 with “The Trouble with Andre” on the B-side as the second single from their second studio album, Hormonally Yours. Written by Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit, along with Eurythmics’ David A. Stewart (under the pseudonym “Jean Guiot”), the song became the group’s most successful and iconic hit, showcasing their unique blend of pop, rock, and theatrical drama.

Shakespears Sister - Stay - single cover

The lyrics of “Stay” explore themes of love, desperation, and loss, with one partner pleading for their lover to remain by their side despite the inevitability of separation. The song begins as a gentle, melancholic ballad, led by Marcella Detroit’s ethereal and haunting vocal performance. As the track progresses, Siobhan Fahey’s deeper, more dramatic vocals enter, creating a tense and climactic contrast. The interplay between their voices enhances the song’s emotional intensity, with the production featuring sparse synths, subtle percussion, and atmospheric effects that build to a powerful crescendo.

“Stay” was a massive commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, where it remained for eight consecutive weeks, making it one of the longest-running UK chart-toppers of the 1990s. It also charted highly internationally, including in the United States, where it reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The music video, directed by British direcotr Sophie Muller, is a striking and gothic visual interpretation of the song. Set in a surreal, otherworldly environment, it features Detroit as a celestial figure trying to save a lover (played by Dave Evans, former boyfriend of Fahey’s Bananarama bandmate Keren Woodward), while Fahey appears as a dark, menacing presence vying for control. The video’s theatrical imagery and dramatic narrative perfectly complement the song’s emotional and otherworldly themes, contributing to its iconic status.

Shakespear’s Sister – Stay – Lyrics