Download Instrumental    It’s midnight – you’re getting ready to break at the end of your third set. You’ve got one more hour to go and you don’t want to lose half your crowd.  Whether you’re a single performer using my backing tracks or a full band, here’s some good advice – play this song with lyrics that say “Oh, please stay – just a little bit longer”.  Doesn’t hurt to beg, you know.  Tell them some of the great tunes you’ve got lined up for the final set or, if you’re really smart, save your “60’s set” for the final hour.  Everybody loves those oldies.  Your goal is to make them STAY…  and buy more drinks… which will make the club owner a very happy camper.

“Stay” was written by Maurice Williams (Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs) in 1959 and released as a single in 1960.  It became the shortest ever #1 hit in the United States – being only 1 minute, 37 seconds long.  A disc jockey in the 60’s didn’t even have time to run to the bathroom when he spun this one.  The Four Seasons later recorded an absolutely awful rendition of it – then The Hollies released a version that was even worse.  In 1978, Jackson Browne did it justice by combining it with a tribute to his “roadies” – the staff that loads and unloads the heavy concert equipment.  It’s Browne’s arrangement that I tried to emulate here.

Now, keep in mind, this is a break song – intended as a cute way (well, I think it’s cute) to entice your crowd to stay for one more set.  It’s a bit longer than the original because I added guitar and synth solos, in case you get some dancers.  You can sing the original lyrics first time around, then make up your own words to fit the venue.  Just keep it clean, folks.  I’d hate to think I helped trash a perfectly good song.