Stay

by

Shakespears Sister

Album: Hormonally Yours

Released: 1992

Charted:

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This song is about a woman realizing her lover is about to die and fighting with the angel of death over him. Marcella Detroit does the role of the lover, and Siobhan Fahey that of Death.

This "stayed" at #1 in the UK for 8 weeks. It was also #1 in Ireland, where Fahey is from.

This was Shakespears Sister's only hit in the US, although they had two albums and a large number of other singles before and after this.

The track is mainly synth and drum based, except for the parts where Death is singing, which are backed with a simple guitar line. (thanks, Kian - Dublin, Ireland, for all above)

This won the 1993 BRIT Award for Best Video. The video shows Marcella Detroit on a spaceship caring for a dying man. Siobhan Fahey, playing the angel of death, comes to take him away, but walks down the steps awkwardly. It was rumored that she had to wait on the set for 12 hours before filming her part, and killed the time by drinking vodka, which made it hard for her to balance.

"Stay" returned to the UK singles chart in November 2010 after X Factor contestant Cher Lloyd performed the track on the show.

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Comments (8):

This is an awesome song and the video is even better!

- Dion, Covington, LA

Awesome, haunting song!

- Anna, NYC, NY

Good song this. Reminds me a bit of Phil Collins track 'In the Air Tonight' how halfway into the track killer drums kick in.

- Nelson, Melbourne

I remember this song from when I was like 8 or 9 years old, I loved the song, it actually made me cry (which is rare, I assure you). I remember it appearing on a compilation of love songs, a cd called "Reasons To Believe" and it was the only song that I would listen to. Very powerful song writing here! It's too bad that these two broke up, they could've made some (more) great music together.

- Reese, Calgary, Canada

Siobhan Fahey played the angel of death, not Marcella.

- Claire, West Midlands

I was in college while this was getting radio play. I bought this album and its good all the way around. I guess it wasn't what the grunge crowd was into during those years.

- Dee, Indianapolis, IN

Marcella Detroit had had 'a few too many' before shooting this video but said in an interview that in her own opinion the alcohol improved her performance. She also pointed out that the happ hazard way in which she walks down the steps is because she was finding it hard to keep her balance! Tensions were already running high between Siobhan Fahey and Marcella at the time this video was shot, it eventually led to their demise.

- Leona, Edinburgh, Scotland

Siobhan Fahey was a member of the popular 80's girl group Bananarama. When she left, Jacqui O' Sullivan took her place.

Siobhan is married to Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame.

- Alan, Singapore, Singapore

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