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‘Stay Another Day’ Celebrates 30 Years with a Special Release

December 13th, 2024 - 2:15 PM

‘Stay Another Day’ Celebrates 30 Years with a Special Release

London Records has announced the release of East 17’s iconic Christmas ballad ‘Stay Another Day’, as a limited-edition ice-clear 7-inch vinyl, available today (13 December). The record includes a previously unreleased live version of the song from the 1995 ‘Letting Off Steam’ Arena Tour, adding a fresh layer of nostalgia for long-time fans. 

Originally released in 1994, the emotive ballad soared to the top of the charts in multiple countries, spending five weeks as the UK No. 1 on the Official Charts and notably surpassing Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ for the Christmas No. 1 title that year. The song’s enduring appeal continues, as it amassed 20 million streams last year and is expected to re-enter the charts this festive season. 

This vinyl release aligns with the growing trend of younger audiences preferring older music, alongside the increasing popularity of vinyl records. In 2023, vinyl sales in the UK grew by over 11% to 5.9 million units, the highest level since 1990. This marks 16 consecutive years of growth, fueled by both classic albums and new releases. For instance, contemporary albums from artists like Lana Del Rey and Taylor Swift have topped vinyl charts, indicating the format is embraced by both nostalgic listeners and modern fans. 

With the music industry increasingly investing in older catalogs (songs older than 18 months) and catalog tracks claiming a third of Spotify’s charting songs as of 2022, the changing tide in music is evident. This trend is influenced by several factors including nostalgia, which plays an important role as older songs often resonate emotionally with listeners, and the use of older music in TV and Film leading classic songs back into pop culture. 

East 17’s release of the vinyl taps into this trend and coincides with the celebration for the 30th anniversary of ‘Stay Another Day’. 

Tony Mortimer, who wrote the song, wished to honour the inspiration for the song as it reaches 30 years. The lyrics “Baby if you’ve got to go away/ Don’t think I could take the pain/ Won’t you stay another day?” are often interpreted as a romantic plea. However, ‘Stay Another Day’ is a tribute to Mortimer’s brother, who died tragically by suicide, and stems from Mortimer’s personal grief.

Discussing mental health with Music Week, Mortimer said: “It wasn’t spoken about as much back then, and had it been, it would have helped in a lot of ways”. Consequently, he has partnered with the music therapy charity Nordoff And Robbins to promote mental health awareness and acknowledge how music “can offer hope, expression, and healing to people everywhere.” 

For all items sold through www.stayanotherday.co.uk, London Records will donate £1 to the charity. Nordoff and Robbins is the UK’s largest music therapy charity, with more than 60 years of practice the charity uses music to “break through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, disability, and social isolation.” Mortimer joined them at their Carol Service on 10 December, showing his commitment to the charity.

Speaking about the collaboration, Mortimer expressed his belief in “the healing power of music” and hopes to use the song as a platform to support parents and children who might benefit from music therapy. 

While reflecting on the song’s legacy, Mortimer shared that he initially didn’t intend to release the record but was persuaded by his record company and management who confidently predicted it would become a Christmas No. 1. The poignant lyrics, ringing bells, and lush orchestration have cemented the song as a Christmas anthem. Mortimer says: “It’s humbling to go to Christmas markets 30 years later and still hear it playing in the background.”

Despite its origins in personal tragedy, ‘Stay Another Day’ has transcended its initial meaning to become a beloved Christmas classic. Mortimer describes the tracks as no longer his own, saying “It’s the public’s song. And when that happens, it’s the ultimate compliment.” This new release serves as both a celebration of the song’s enduring appeal and as a meaningful contribution to the conversation around mental health.

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