STAY

"Stay" achieves maximum emotional impact with minimal harmonic material. The three-chord loop of C-D-Em avoids traditional dominant-tonic resolution, creating a sense of perpetual yearning that mirrors the lyrics. The non-diatonic D major chord (containing F#) adds a subtle brightness that lifts the progression beyond a standard pop loop, while the movement to E minor provides emotional weight. This harmonic simplicity is a deliberate production choice — it allows the vocal performances and dynamic arrangement to carry the song's arc, making it instantly learnable yet emotionally resonant.

"Stay" was crafted by a large team of songwriters and producers, including The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber, Charlie Puth, Omer Fedi, Blake Slatkin, Cashmere Cat, Finatik, Zac, and HAAN. The song emerged from collaborative sessions where the writers channeled the raw emotion of wanting someone to remain in your life despite personal shortcomings.

"Stay" pairs The Kid LAROI's raw vocal urgency with Justin Bieber's melodic instinct over a deceptively simple synth-pop production. Released in July 2021, the track shot to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the defining songs of the post-pandemic pop landscape, blending hip-hop-adjacent vocals with infectious dance-pop energy.