9. “STAY STAY STAY”
BEHIND THE MUSIC
Keeping that same mix of good-spirited pep and digs at ex-boyfriends from the previous track, Taylor penned a song that celebrates the little moments — good and bad — that make up a relationship.
BETWEEN THE LINES
If “Never Ever” makes breaking up almost seem fun, “Stay Stay Stay” skips in to remind listeners that sometimes it can be worth hanging in there. Plucky and earnest, it shifts away from the slick pop of the last song and back to her pop-country roots. Despite the opening fight, “Stay Stay Stay” depicts quite a peaceful relationship compared to the other roller coasters on the album. Taylor said the song is “based on what I’ve seen of real relationships, where it’s not perfect, there are moments where you’re just so sick of that person and you get into a stupid fight, [but] it’s still worth it to stay in it, because there’s something about it that you can’t live without.”
FUN FACTS
American Songwriter highlighted this track as one on the album that showcases how “phenomenally good at capturing those moments in tangible detail” Taylor Swift is in her songwriting.
DIARY DECODER
“Daydreaming about real love” implies this one’s not based on Taylor’s personal experience.
CHARTING SUCCESS
Not an official single, "Stay Stay Stay" still managed to sneak onto the Billboard Hot 100, thanks to strong digital sales, and it landed at #91. It also hit #24 on Billboard's Country Songs chart.
(Excerpted from our book about the Swift One: Taylor Swift: The Platinum Edition, available at book retailers everywhere!)
Thank you to @WolfGirl54 for the Swift Notes cover!
ВЫ ЧИТАЕТЕ
Swift Notes: Red (A Guide to Taylor Swift's Songs)
ФанфикA song-by-song analysis of Taylor Swift's RED album, excerpted from our just-released-in-stores Taylor Swift: The Platinum Edition.
