About the song
“Stay” by Jackson Browne is a heartfelt ballad that resonates with listeners through its poignant lyrics and soul-stirring melody. This timeless track was released in 1977 as part of Browne’s album “Running On Empty,” an album widely regarded as one of his masterpieces.
Written by Jackson Browne himself, “Stay” showcases his exceptional songwriting talent and his ability to capture complex emotions with simplicity and depth. The song’s tender lyrics speak of longing, regret, and the desire to hold onto fleeting moments of love and connection.
“Stay” received widespread acclaim upon its release, with critics praising Browne’s emotive vocals and the song’s beautiful arrangement. While it didn’t achieve the same commercial success as some of Browne’s other hits, it remains a beloved fan favorite and a staple of his live performances.
Although “Stay” didn’t chart as high as some of Browne’s other singles, its impact has endured over the years, solidifying its place as a classic in the singer-songwriter genre. Its inclusion on the “Running On Empty” album further enhanced its reputation, contributing to the album’s critical and commercial success.
With its timeless appeal and universal themes of love and longing, “Stay” continues to touch the hearts of listeners of all ages. Its ability to evoke deep emotions and resonate with personal experiences is a testament to Jackson Browne’s enduring influence as a songwriter and musician.
Video
Lyrics
Now the seats are all empty
Let the roadies take the stage
Pack it up and tear it down
They’re the first to come and last to leave
Working for that minimum wage
They’ll set it up in another town
Tonight the people were so fine
They waited there in line
And when they got up on their feet they made the show
And that was sweet
But I can hear the sound
Of slamming doors and folding chairs
And that’s a sound they’ll never know
Now roll them cases out and lift them amps
Haul them trusses down and get’em up them ramps
‘Cause when it comes to moving me
You know you guys are the champs
But when that last guitar’s been packed away
You know that I still want to play
So just make sure you got it all set to go
Before you come for my piano
But the band’s on the bus
And they’re waiting to go
We’ve got to drive all night and do a show in Chicago
Or Detroit, I don’t know
We do so many shows in a row
And these towns all look the same
We just pass the time in our hotel rooms
And wander ’round backstage
Till those lights come up and we hear that crowd
And we remember why we came
Now we got country and western on the bus
are and be ,
we got disco in eight tracks and cassettes in stereo
We’ve got rural scenes & magazines
We’ve got truckers on the CB
We’ve got Richard Pryor on the video
We got time to think of the ones we love
While the miles roll away
But the only time that seems too short
Is the time that we get to play
People you’ve got the power over what we do
You can sit there and wait
Or you can pull us through
Come along, sing the song
You know that you can’t go wrong
‘Cause when that morning sun comes beating down
You’re going to wake up in your town
But we’ll be scheduled to appear
A thousand miles away from here
People stay just a little bit longer
We want to play, just a little bit longer
Now the promoter don’t mind
And the union don’t mind
If we take a little time
And we leave it all behind and sing
One more song
Oh won’t you stay
Just a little bit longer
Please please please, say you will
Say you will
Oh won’t you stay
Just a little bit longer
Oh please please please stay
just a little bit long
I bet promotors don’t mind
And the roadies don’t mind
If we take a little time
And we leave this all behind
Singing one more song