"Stay" is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her seventh studio album Unapologetic (2012). Featuring guest vocals by Mikky Ekko, the song was released as the second single from the album on January 7, 2013. "Stay" was co-written by Mikky Ekko and Justin Parker. It is a pop ballad, featuring piano and guitar chords. The lyrical content regards the temptation and failure of resisting a true love. The song garnered a mostly positive response from music critics. They were divided in their opinion regarding the balladry, with most describing it as a standout track on the album, while a few labeled it as boring. However, critics were unified in their opinion of praising the vocal performance and emotion.
Upon the release of Unapologetic, "Stay" charted on multiple charts worldwide. Following its release as a single, it has reached number one in Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark and Israel and the top five in twenty-one countries worldwide including Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It has also charted at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Rihanna's twenty-fourth top ten on the chart, thus surpassing Whitney Houston's tally. Furthermore, it has charted at number one on the US Pop Songs chart and 19 on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart.
The song's music video, directed by Sophie Muller, depicts Rihanna naked in a bathtub filled with cloudy water, while Mikky Ekko performs in a separate bathroom. Critics likened the vulnerability and raw emotion in the video to the song itself. Rihanna premiered "Stay" on Saturday Night Live in the United States, while she performed the song in the United Kingdom on the ninth series of The X Factor. Rihanna and Ekko also performed "Stay" at the 2013 Grammy Awards. The track was included on the set list of the majority of her 777 Tour promotional tour dates, in support of the album, while it is included on Rihanna's fifth headlining tour, the "Diamonds World Tour".
Rihanna's Stay is a song from her seventh album "Unapologetic" featuring Mikky Ekko."Stay" by Rihanna featuring Mikky Ekko is listed #4 in the Hot 100 Billboard charts.
Lyrics
All along it was a fever
A cold sweat hot-headed believer
I threw my hands in the air I said show me something
He said, if you dare come a little closer
Round and around and around and around we go
Ohhh now tell me now tell me now tell me now you know
Not really sure how to feel about it
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
It takes me all the way
I want you to stay
It's not much of a life you're living
It's not just something you take, it's given
Round and around and around and around we go
Ohhh now tell me now tell me now tell me now you know
Not really sure how to feel about it
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
It takes me all the way
I want you to stay
Ohhh the reason I hold on
Ohhh cause I need this hole gone
Funny you're the broken one but i'm the only one who needed saving
Cause when you never see the lights it's hard to know which one of us is caving
Not really sure how to feel about it
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
It takes me all the way
I want you to stay, stay
I want you to stay, ohhh