Stay (I Missed You)

Infobox Single
Name = Stay (I Missed You)


Artist = Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories
from Album = Reality Bites soundtrack
B-side = "Stay (I Missed You)" (Living Room Mix-acoustic)
Released = 1994
Format = CD single
Recorded =
Genre = Pop
Length = 3:04
Label = RCA
Writer = Lisa Loeb
Producer =
Certification =
Last single =
This single = "Stay (I Missed You)"
(1994)
Next single = "Taffy"
(1995)

"Stay (I Missed You)" is a song by Lisa Loeb, which became her breakthrough song in 1994. It was included on the "Reality Bites" soundtrack, as well as her debut album, "Tails".

"Stay" ultimately went on to become a number one hit on the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart, earning her the distinction of being the only artist to top the U.S. chart before being signed to any record label. ["If she had never made another record, Lisa Loeb would still go down in the record books as the first unsigned artist to top the American charts; her single "Stay" -- from the soundtrack to 1994's Reality Bites -- spent three weeks at number one soon after the film's release." http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:fxfixqr5ldhe] The song also reached #6 on the UK Singles Chart, and it peaked at #14 on the New Zealand RIANZ Top 40.

"Stay" later placed 93rd on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 90's. [ [http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/loeb_lisa_and_nine_stories/artist.jhtml Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories | Music Artist, Videos, Photos, News, Ringtones, Album and Movie Info | VH1.com ] ]

Background

Loeb was discovered by actor and friend Ethan Hawke, who lived in an apartment across the street from her in New York City.fact|date=April 2008 She met Hawke through mutual friends in the NYC theatre community. Loeb had been performing "Stay (I Missed You)" to positive response at her shows, and Hawke gave a tape of Loeb's song to director Ben Stiller during the making of the film "Reality Bites".fact|date=April 2008 Stiller subsequently agreed to use the song in the film and on the film's soundtrack.

This song was just named "Stay" originally. But at the time it was getting popular, there were several popular songs with "Stay" in their title (such as the U2 song "Stay (Faraway, So Close!)"). Because of this "(I Missed You)" was tacked on to the end to differentiate it from the others. [In addition to being said by Lisa Loeb during an MTV interview, most first pressings of CDs show it as "Stay". Further evidenced on her own website where she lists that track (repeatedly) as just "Stay": http://www.lisaloeb.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=6&Itemid=29]

Music video

The music video was directed by Ethan Hawke, and features Loeb (wearing a black dress and her trademark black-rimmed glasses) singing the lyrics while walking around in the empty New York City apartment in which she lived at the time.

The video was filmed in just one shot, with no editing.fact|date=April 2008

Cover versions

"Stay" was covered in 2007 by pop-punk band New Found Glory for "From the Screen to Your Stereo Part II" and featured Loeb on supporting vocals.

References