Butler formed the duo McAlmont & Butler with David McAlmont. They released two singles, Yes and You Do. A compilation album, The Sound of McAlmont and Butler, was released after the split. Butler went on to release two albums under his own name, People Move On and Friends and Lovers, before a second McAlmont & Butler album, Bring it Back, and two singles, Falling and Bring it Back.
Since then Butler formed a new band, The Tears with former Suede cohort, Brett Anderson. They released their highly anticipated debut LP, Here Come The Tears, produced by Butler, in June 2005. Singles include Refugees, which reached #9 in the UK charts, and Lovers.
In between his own projects he has played on and produced records by Sparks, Edwyn Collins, Aimee Mann, Neneh Cherry, Tim Booth (of James), Manic Street Preachers, Eddi Reader, Hopper, Roy Orbison, Bert Jansch and The Libertines. He created the soundtrack to the 1997 film The James Gang and played on the soundtrack of Velvet Goldmine, alongside Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead. He has played live with The Cranberries, Paul Weller, Teenage Fanclub and Manic Street Preachers.
He helped shape the sound of newcomer Duffy in 2008. For his production work on her debut album Rockferry, Bernard won the Producer's Award at the 2009 BRIT Awards, and Producer Of The Year at the 2008 Music Producers' Guild awards.
Stay
Bernard Butler Lyrics
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The kind I'd rather save
Don't go, stay
Don't go, stay
I, I hope it don't rain
The sky is laughing again
Don't go, stay... this time
Don't go, just stay... this time
I know I've gotta move with the times
For you to be mine, for you to be mine
I tried to believe what you say
That you won't change if you just stay
Don't go, just stay... this time
I know I've gotta move with the times
For you to be mine, for you to be mine
I tried to believe what you say
That you won't change if you just stay
Don't go, stay... this time
Don't go, just stay... this time
You remember that fear's on your side
Good people gonna keep you alive
And you remember the tears in my eyes
When all the things you do blow your mind
Don't go, stay... this time
Don't go, just stay... this time
Stay, stay
Don't go
Stay...
Don't go
Don't go
The song "Stay" by Bernard Butler is a plea to his lover to stay with him despite the changes in their lives. At the beginning of the song, Butler laments that the days are wasting away, the type of days that he would rather save. He urges his lover not to leave him and to stay with him. He hopes that the sky does not rain because rain often represents sadness or sorrow. Butler pleads with his lover to stay with him this time, suggesting that she has left him before. He knows that he has to move with the times for her to be his, but he wants her to understand that he believes in her and thinks that she will not change if she stays with him.
In the chorus, Butler repeats the phrase "Don't go, stay," emphasizing his desperate plea for his lover to remain with him. He believes that her fear is on her side and that good people will keep her alive, implying that she has fears outside of their relationship that could lead her to leave. Butler remembers the tears in his eyes when all the things she does "blow his mind," which could be a reference to her changing behavior.
Overall, "Stay" is a poignant and impassioned plea for love and stability. Butler's lyrics convey a strong emotional connection between two people, and the emotional intensity of the song is intensified by his powerful and expressive vocals.
Line by Line Meaning
These days are wastin' away
The present moment is slipping away and could be better used.
The kind I'd rather save
I would prefer to hold onto these precious moments rather than lose them.
Don't go, stay
I do not want you to leave, I want you to stay here with me.
I, I hope it don't rain
I hope an event or circumstance that would make things worse does not occur.
The sky is laughing again
The universe seems to be mocking the situation in a way that is not appreciated.
Don't go, stay... this time
Please stay with me this time, I do not want to be alone.
Don't go, just stay... this time
I need you to remain with me, do not leave like you have before.
I know I've gotta move with the times
I understand that things change over time and I must adapt to keep up.
For you to be mine, for you to be mine
I want a future with you in it, and in order to have that, I need to change as well.
I tried to believe what you say
I attempted to have faith in what you told me.
That you won't change if you just stay
You reassured me that you will not change if you stay with me.
You remember that fear's on your side
Do not forget that fear can motivate and protect you in certain situations.
Good people gonna keep you alive
Surrounding yourself with trustworthy and kind people is essential to survival.
And you remember the tears in my eyes
Reflect on how your actions may have caused hurt or sadness to someone you care about.
When all the things you do blow your mind
When you are amazed or overwhelmed by what you or others have accomplished.
Stay, stay
Please remain here with me.
Don't go
Do not leave, stay with me.
Don't go
Please do not leave me alone.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bernard Butler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind