Stay

Album: Permanence (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This beat-driven track is the debut single from No Devotion, a band formed by the remaining members of Lostprophets after singer Ian Watkins was jailed for 35 years in December 2013 for a string of child sex offenses. Bassist Stuart Richardson said: "We didn't know if we would ever make music again or if people would look us in the face. Everything felt like it was over."
  • Watkins is replaced by Geoff Rickly, formerly of Metal band Thursday and current United Nations member. The original plan was for Rickly to make a documentary about Lostprophets' former members' efforts to start a new band. "Then," Rickly recalled to Billboard magazine, "I went to dinner with their manager and she was like 'No, you should sing for the new band.'"

    Unsure at first, some instrumental demos lured Rickly with a sound he'd never tackled before. "In Thursday we were never known for hooks," he told Billboard. "But the lyrics are totally one hundred percent autobiographical. I guess that's the one thing I've carried over from Thursday… United Nations is dark humor about politics; this is very sincere and heartfelt."
  • The song was mixed by Mercury Rev and Flaming Lips producer Dave Fridmann.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Glen Burtnik

Glen BurtnikSongwriter Interviews

On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

David Bowie Lyrics Quiz

David Bowie Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

How well do you know your David Bowie lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."