"Stay Stay Stay" is the ninth track from the standard edition of American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift's fourth studio album, Red, released on October 22, 2012, through Big Machine Records. It is also the ninth track from her second re-recorded album, Red (Taylor's Version), released on November 12, 2021, through Republic Records.
Background[]
On the album, "Stay Stay Stay" follows "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together". Swift has said "I went through a few roller coasters. Trying to chronicle each step of the way was challenging, because you go to some really dark places with the lyrics. Then in the next track, you're talking about how amazing it is to meet somebody new." She also told MTV News how she transforms her emotions into songs. "When I'm writing a song, I'm so in that zone that it's really sort of a trance I go into," she explained, "and I'm just kind of thinking about what I would say to this person that I'm writing the song about if I could just say whatever I wanted to them right now; that's kind of where I go in my head. And then the next thing is, I edit the song for a couple of days in my head and make sure that every line is as tight as I want it to be."
Hidden message[]
Hidden message: Daydreaming about real love.
This song was written about an imaginary relationship in which Swift and her partner stay together and the drama of her current relationship is absent.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
I'm pretty sure we almost broke up last night
I threw my phone across the room, at you
I was expecting some dramatic turn away
But you stayed
This morning, I said we should talk about it
'Cause I read you should never leave a fight unresolved
That's when you came in wearing a football helmet
And said, "Okay, let's talk"
And I said
[Chorus]
Stay, stay, stay
I've been loving you for quite some time, time, time
You think that it's funny when I'm mad, mad, mad
But I think that it's best if we both stay
[Verse 2]
Before you, I'd only dated self-indulgent takers
Who took all of their problems out on me
But you carry my groceries and now, I'm always laughing
And I love you because you have given me
No choice but to
[Chorus]
Stay, stay, stay
I've been loving you for quite some time, time, time
You think that it's funny when I'm mad, mad, mad
But I think that it's best if we both stay, stay, stay, stay
[Bridge]
You took the time to memorize me
My fears, my hopes, and dreams
I just like hanging out with you all the time
All those times that you didn't leave, it's been occurring to me
I'd like to hang out with you for my whole life
[Breakdown]
Stay and I'll be loving you for quite some time
No one else is gonna love me when I get mad, mad, mad
So I think that it's best if we both stay, stay
Stay, stay, stay, stay!
[Chorus]
Stay, stay, stay
I've been loving you for quite some time, time, time
You think that it's funny when I'm mad, mad, mad
But I think that it's best if we both stay, stay
Stay, stay, stay, stay!
[Chorus]
Stay, stay, stay
I've been loving you for quite some time, time, time
You think that it's funny when I'm mad, mad, mad
But I think that it's best if we both stay
[Outro]
Ha-ha-ha, it's so fun
Taymoji pack[]
 But you carry my groceries, and now I’m always laughin’  Please!  Talk about lovey-dovey.  You push my buttons.  I heart PB and J.  I think that it’s best if we both stay, stay, stay...  You took the time to memorize me...  I’ve been lovin’ you for quite some time.  Box |
Trivia[]
- This song was on the setlist for the Red Tour but was later removed.
Live performances[]
"Stay Stay Stay" was performed as part of the main setlist of the Red Tour until the July 20, 2013 show in Philadelphia, when it was removed from the setlist. It was also performed as a surprise song on The Eras Tour on July 29, 2023, in Santa Clara, California.
Official audios[]
| RED | ||
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| "State Of Grace" • "Red" • "Treacherous" • "I Knew You Were Trouble" • "All Too Well" • "22" • "I Almost Do" • "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" • "Stay Stay Stay" • "The Last Time" • "Holy Ground" • "Sad Beautiful Tragic" • "The Lucky One" • "Everything Has Changed" • "Starlight" • "Begin Again" | ||
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