Why Would You Stay
by Kem

Album: Intimacy: Album III (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This ballad about infidelity and remorse features the backing of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's 16-piece string section. The piece was arranged by the late Motown legend David J. Van De Pitte whose credits include Marvin Gaye's What's Going On. Van de Pitte passed away on August 9th 2009, not long after this song was recorded.
  • Kem explained the song in an interview with SoulTracks: "Part of the concept behind the album was vulnerability, and I try to write the words that men don't know how to say that women definitely need to hear. I think 'Why.…' speaks to that. I know that there are a lot of brothers out there who feel the same way; those experiences aren't exclusive to me. We know when we're wrong and it's good to have music that you can put on when you don't have the words to help you express that sentiment."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mike Love of The Beach Boys

Mike Love of The Beach BoysSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist of The Beach Boys talks about coming up with the words for "Good Vibrations," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "Kokomo" and other classic songs.

Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds

Jim McCarty of The YardbirdsSongwriter Interviews

The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.