Stay (I Missed You)

Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories, Lisa Loeb

About Stay (I Missed You)

"Stay (I Missed You)" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb. It was released in May 1994 as the lead single from the original movie soundtrack Reality Bites (1994). The song was written and composed by Loeb herself, while production was handled by Juan Patiño and Loeb, who previously produced some of her songs back with Nine Stories. "Stay" was originally conceived in 1990 when she formed the band Nine Stories, who were then featured in the song (they were credited separately from Loeb). Loeb's neighbor and friend, actor Ethan Hawke found out about the song and submitted it to actor Ben Stiller's directional film soundtrack Reality Bites which was then accepted. Musically, "Stay" is a pop rock song that was also influenced by folk music. Lyrically, the song deals with a relationship that is in trouble, but the singer tries to reconcile with her lover. "Stay" received positive reviews from most music critics, who praised the lyrical and production side and the song's commercial potential. Several critics had listed the song in some of the best song lists. "Stay" ultimately went on to become a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, earning her the distinction of being the first artist to top the US chart before being signed to any record label. The song was commercially successful in several other countries, including Canada, where it also reached number one, and in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The song's music video was produced and directed by close friend Ethan Hawke who lived near her apartment in New York City. For their performance of the song Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories were nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, but lost to All-4-One's "I Swear". 


93 
#1

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You say I only hear what I want to
You say I talk so all the time, so

And I thought what I felt was simple
And I thought that I don't belong
And now that I am leaving
Now I know that I did something wrong
'Cause I missed you
Yeah, yeah, I missed you

And you say I only hear what I want to
I don't listen hard
Don't pay attention to the distance that you're running
To anyone, anywhere
I don't understand if you really care
I'm only hearing negative, no no no (bad)

And so I, I turned the radio on I turned the radio up
And this woman was singing my song
Lover's in love and the other's run away
Lover is crying 'cause the other won't stay
Some of us hover when we weep for the other
Who was dying since the day they were born
Well, well this is not that
I think that I'm throwing but I'm thrown

And I thought I'd live forever but now I'm not so sure
You try to tell me that I'm clever
But that won't take me anyhow or anywhere with you

You said that I was naive
And I thought that I was strong
I thought, "Hey I can leave, I can leave"
Oh, but now I know that I was wrong
'Cause I missed you
Yeah, I missed you

You said you caught me 'cause you want me
And one day you'd let me go
You try to give away a keeper
But keep me 'cause you know
You're just so scared to lose
And you say, stay

And you say I only hear what I want to

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Lisa Loeb

Lisa Anne Loeb (born March 11, 1968), is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She launched her career in 1994 with the song, "Stay (I Missed You)", which was included in the film Reality Bites. She was the first artist to have a number one single in the United States while not signed to a recording contract. Her five studio CDs include her major label debut, the gold-selling Tails and its follow-up, the Grammy-nominated, gold-selling Firecracker. more »

1 fan

Written by: Lisa A. Loeb

Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


20 facts about this song

Artist's Accomplishment
"Stay (I Missed You)" skyrocketed Lisa Loeb to fame, and she holds the distinction of being the first independent artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Movie Involvement
This track was featured in the soundtrack for the 1994 movie "Reality Bites," starring Winona Ryder and Ethan Hawke.
Unique Writing Process
Lisa Loeb wrote the song as a response to a breakup, highlighting her personal experiences within the lyrics.
Song Duration
The official track of "Stay (I Missed You)" lasts for 3 minutes and 04 seconds.
Chart Success
The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States for three weeks.
Live Debut
Lisa Loeb performed "Stay (I Missed You)" live for the first time on David Letterman's late-night show.
Music Video Director
The music video was famously directed by Ethan Hawke, one of the lead actors in "Reality Bites."
High Chart Rankings
Apart from the US, the song also hit number 6 in the UK, number 5 in Australia, and number 2 in Canada.
Grammy Nomination
It earned Lisa Loeb a nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance at the 1995 Grammy Awards.
Certified Status
The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) has certified the song Platinum for sales exceeding 1 million copies in the United States.
Career Impact
This track is Lisa Loeb's most famous single and has defined her music career, making her a one-hit-wonder to many.
Inspirational Influence
"Stay (I Missed You)" has influenced numerous contemporary singer-songwriters, who draw heavily from Loeb’s introspective lyricism and vocal style.
The Song's Legacy
"Stay (I Missed You)" remains an iconic track of the 90s, often featured in various cultural retrospectives of the era.
Re-recordings
Over the years, Lisa Loeb has released different versions and remixes of the song, embracing different styles and tempos.
Cover Versions
Artists like Amber Riley (Glee) and The Maine have released their own cover versions of "Stay (I Missed You)" which has contributed to the song's continued relevance.
Philanthropy
Loeb often performs this song at charity events, reinforcing its relevance and using its popularity for a good cause.
Initial Release
The song was originally released on Loeb's debut album, "Tails," in 1995.
Licensing
"Stay (I Missed You)" has appeared in many films, television shows, and commercials, contributing to its continued popularity.
Voted Song
In 2008, VH1 ranked this song at number 93 in its list of the "100 Greatest Songs of the 90s".
Unexpected Surprise
Despite the success of the song, Lisa Loeb has said that she was surprised by its popularity, as she didn't initially perceive it as a single.

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