Kali Chapman
FSEM Prof. Snyder
Song analysis
November 10, 2015
Song analysis- Stay
Songs are full of literary devices and figurative language, paired with music another layer
of meaning is added to the mixture. an example for such a song is by Rihanna (Robyn Rihanna
Fenty) in her album titled “Unapologetic” with the song title “Stay”. Though Rihanna is usually
a solo singer, with this particular song she was accompanied by singer and songwriter Mikky
Ekko (John Stephen Sudduth). The song was recorded at two separate locations, Nightbird
Studios and Westlake Recording Studios, and then brought together by three different vocal
recorders and engineers. “Stay” was written by Mikky Ekko and Justin Parker with vocal
recording by Mike Gaydusek, Marcus Tovar and Kuk Harrel.
(Rihanna and Mikky Ekko)
“Stay” is mainly a piano ballad with guitar instrumentation. The chords used in this
emotive ballad are simple and soft so as to accompany and highlight the lyrical value of the
song. The song is played in a moderate tempo of 112 beats per minute with simple piano riffs
that repeat themselves throughout the song. Listed below are the chords used for the guitar and
piano instrumentation.
The choice of only two instruments (with moderate computer generated tones) has a more
powerful appeal to the words behind the lyrics instead of many instruments by keeping the song
from becoming overwhelmed. The repeating tones that overlap one another creates an easy
rhythm to listen to and follow.
Along with the simple chords and tones there is a melody with hooks that draw people in
and peaks their interests. Some of the key hooks within the song include how Rihanna uses her
voice in one stanza to show her confidence and in the next to show her vulnerability. Another is
when near the end of the song Rihanna sings the word “stay” but holds it out in a vocal run from
soft to powerful to emphasize her feelings only to return back to a softer voice to show her
vulnerability and questioning of herself. However Rihanna is not the only one in questioning
during the song. As Mikky Ekko’s lines begin he too is in doubt over how to feel about the
relationship and situation. His tone is soft as he confronts his partner of his own feelings with the
tune of the song staying mostly constant with a slight increase for one stanza. Accompanying the
chords, tune and melody of any good song are lyrics that invoke meaning to both the singer(s)
and the audience.
As the song begins there is only the piano playing with Rihanna later opening first. She
begins by saying,
All along it was a fever.
A cold sweat hot-headed believer.
I threw my hands in the air, said, "Show me something."
He said, "If you dare, come a little closer."
Rihanna speaks about how this lust has been a fever, not real love. She became lost in moments
that felt so real even though it was hurting her, burning her from the inside, like a fever. She goes
on to say “show me something” to her partner to prove that the love is still there. However, her
partner replies with a dare to come to him. This can be taken in context from the previous line on
how this relationship is a fever, and by coming closer the fever will only worsen. The chorus of
the song shows both Rihanna’s and her partners’ confusion about how to feel towards the
relationship.
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.
Rihanna and her lover (assumed to be towards Chris Brown after their relationship ended in her
being beaten) show their pain and confusion towards the relationship. They both talk about how
the “love” for one another has turned into a need, instead of a want for one another. So instead of
moving on to find someone else to love, they stay with one another even though their feelings
towards one another aren’t necessarily out of true love. The next stanza continues to reveal how
it feels as if the relationship is circling itself over and over again and going nowhere.
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
This stanza is a solo part sung by Mikky Ekko in an even, slow tone. It can be taken from context
that he talks about how the life they are living is not all that great or all that they have wanted,
but how life isn’t something that you can choose to have, it is instead a gift given to you. Within
their life they are encircling one another in an endless pattern, and this is demonstrated by
repeating the lyrics over and over again. Finally the second to last stanza is the explanation of
why the relationship is still holding.
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.
Sung together by both Rihanna and Mikky, they admit that the only reason why they are
continuing the relationship, is because there is a need to fill what feels like a hole inside of them.
They are not together out of love but just the desire to feel wanted. They continue to sing (to
each other) how that their partner is broken but they themselves are the ones who need to be
saved. And because they are both in need of being saved from themselves and each other, it is
hard to know who is breaking down when they are both equally in pain.
Rihanna and Mikky Ekko have created a song together with easy piano riffs, smooth
tones, and meaningful lyrics to both of their own personal lives. Rihanna’s vocals accompanied
by Mikky’s voice create a rhythmic flow that invokes feelings within themselves as well as those
who also feel a connection towards their powerful emotions.
Works cited
Baggs, Micheal. "Mikky Ekko Reveals Story behind Rihanna Duet 'Stay' | Gigwise."
Gigwise.com. Giant Digital LTD, 7 Jan. 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2015.
"Lyrics for "Stay" by Rihanna." Lyrics for "Stay" by Rihanna. Songfacts, 5 Oct. 2013. Web. 10
Nov. 2015.
N/A. "Rihanna - Stay Lyrics | LyricsMode.com." Rihanna - Stay Lyrics | LyricsMode.com. N/A,
2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015.
Penn, David. "Song Analysis of Rihanna's Stay." Music Producers Forum. N.p., 3 June 2013.
Web. 10 Nov. 2015.
Wikipedia. "Stay (Rihanna Song)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 1 Nov. 2015. Web. 10
Nov. 2015.