The “retro” tag is added to almost any contemporary work that sounds like it was originally recorded between 1966 and 1974, and Hawthorne, among the newest contributors to the genre, is aware of how trends come and go. After being introduced to Stones Throw Records label head Peanut Butter Wolf by mutual friend Noelle Scaggs of the Rebirth, even his current boss was skeptical. “He showed me two songs and I didn’t understand what I was listening to,” Wolf recalls. “I asked him if they were old songs that he did re-edits of – I couldn’t believe they were new songs and that he played all the instruments.”
And after meeting in person, it was even harder for Wolf to believe that Hawthorne was also the lead vocalist. Few expect such heartfelt sentiment to come from a 29-year-old white kid from Ann Arbor, but he has caught the ear of his family at Stones Throw, as well as BBC Radio 1 host Gilles Peterson and producer/DJ Mark Ronson. Expectations are high for the admitted vinyl junkie who never planned on taking his crooning public. Hawthorne’s hanging-by-a-string falsetto and breakbeat production on his first recorded effort, the tender “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out,” are simultaneously Smokey and J Dilla – equal parts “The Tracks of My Tears” and “Fall in Love.” “It’s soul,” he explains, “But it’s new.”
Hawthorne has produced and played instruments for much of his life, but never intended to become a singer. He isn’t formally trained, and never sang in a choir or in any of the bands he was in before founding the County (formerly the County Commissioners). But here he is, new school soul sensation, who has taken the Motown assembly-line production model and eliminated nearly every element but himself and a few hired hands. “I think Mayer is the only artist in the history of the label that I’ve signed after hearing only two songs,” says Peanut Butter Wolf. “Sometimes, you just know it’s the right thing to do.”
And for those willing to believe anything is possible, be grateful to have Mayer Hawthorne on the scene. It’s not just throwback music anymore – this revival is all about progression.
Stick Around
Mayer Hawthorne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out running all over town
He's always bringing you down pretty darling
Why do you stick around
Now I remember last time that I saw your sparkling eyes
They were blood shot red black makeup all down the sides
He ran off for a midnight rendezvous with Desiree
Now he's back and he's oh so sorry
Wants you near and you can't say no
Girl you know you'd be so much better
Why don't you walk out that door
He's always fooling around on you darling
Out running all over town
He's always bringing you down pretty darling
Why do you stick around
If you were my girl baby I'd love you so tenderly
And you would never have to worry
Bout a thing as long as you were with me
But you stay with a no good nothing
Who don't know what he has
And know you breaking my heart
When I see the way he treats you so bad makes me sad
Now he's back and he's oh so sorry
Wants you near and you can't say no
Can't you see you'd be so much better
Why don't you walk out that door
He's always fooling around on you darling
Out running all over town
He's always bringing you down pretty darling
Why do you stick around
Why do you stick around
Why do you stick around
The song "Stick Around" by Mayer Hawthorne tells the story of a woman who is in a relationship with a man who constantly cheats on her and treats her poorly. Despite this, she continues to stay with him, prompting the singer to question why she "sticks around." The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the woman's struggles, describing her bloodshot eyes and the way her boyfriend runs off to rendezvous with another woman.
The chorus of the song repeats the question, "Why do you stick around?" suggesting that the singer is frustrated with the woman's inability to leave the toxic relationship. He offers himself as a better alternative, promising to love her tenderly and to take care of her so she won't have to worry about anything.
Line by Line Meaning
He's always fooling around on you darling
He is constantly cheating on you, my dear.
Out running all over town
He's going everywhere else but here, looking for love.
He's always bringing you down pretty darling
He's continuously making you sad, my lovely.
Why do you stick around
What makes you continue to stay with him?
Now I remember last time that I saw your sparkling eyes
I recall the last time I saw your eyes shining brightly.
They were blood shot red black makeup all down the sides
They were reddened and blackened from the makeup running down.
He ran off for a midnight rendezvous with Desiree
He went for a late-night meeting with Desiree.
And they were dancing all night downtown at some cabaret
They danced for hours in a city club.
Now he's back and he's oh so sorry
He's returned and is apologizing profusely.
Wants you near and you can't say no
He wants to be close to you, and you can't refuse.
Girl you know you'd be so much better
You're aware that you'd be better off without him.
Why don't you walk out that door
Why not just leave him behind you?
If you were my girl baby I'd love you so tenderly
If you were mine, I'd shower you with gentle love.
And you would never have to worry
You wouldn't have to fret about a thing.
Bout a thing as long as you were with me
As long as I'm here, everything will be fine.
But you stay with a no good nothing
But you remain with a worthless man.
Who don't know what he has
He doesn't recognize how fortunate he is.
And know you breaking my heart
And you're hurting my heart now.
When I see the way he treats you so bad makes me sad
It saddens me to see how badly he treats you.
Can't you see you'd be so much better
Don't you understand that you'd be much better off without him?
Why don't you walk out that door
Why don't you just leave him behind and walk out that door?
He's always fooling around on you darling
He is constantly cheating on you, my dear.
Out running all over town
He's going everywhere else but here, looking for love.
He's always bringing you down pretty darling
He's continuously making you sad, my lovely.
Why do you stick around
What makes you continue to stay with him?
Why do you stick around
What makes you continue to stay with him?
Why do you stick around
What makes you continue to stay with him?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDREW M COHEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind