After appearing in a school talent show in 1984, Patterson auditioned for the television show Kids Incorporated. Proving to be "a natural," he undoubtedly landed the part and was cast as "The Kid", remaining on the show for a number of years. Onward and upward, Patterson continued to evolve, gaining experience as a backup vocalist for several artists (including Kids co-star Martika). Following his vocal contributions on Colour Club's self-entitled album, as well as writing for other artists (his credits include Brandy's platinum Top 5 smash "Baby", and Tevin Campbell's hit "Back to the World"), Patterson signed with MCA Records. Collaborating with Keith Crouch and Jamey Jaz, among others, he released his own self-entitled debut in 1997.
Stirring rave reviews, the album launched Patterson into an even larger limelight (with the single "Where You Are" receiving widespread airplay on R&B radio). Patterson, soon after, developed global recognition, as well as a loyal following in the United States and abroad.
Patterson went to work, handcrafting his followup, Love in Stereo, with Jaz and new collaborators such as Van Hunt. When Love in Stereo was released in late 1999, its reviews topped those of its predecessor, slating Patterson as one, of few artists, whose vocal ability was classified as so "distinctive," he need not rely solely on the mainstream music market to gain his footing in the film and music industry, nor afford his music massive, worldwide, international appeal..
Although Patterson's path eventually diverged from MCA's, he remained indispensable amongst industry affiliates, continuing to perform live, working as a session singer, and contributing to both soundtracks (Brown Sugar) and compilation albums (Steve Harvey's Sign of Things to Come), while working on his next album.
After Hours, Patterson's third album, was released internationally early in 2004, again garnering positive reviews. Now, with the conception of his own label, the album released in the United States during late October 2004. Wine & Spirits followed in the Fall of 2007. Wine & Spirits, not only spoke to Patterson's consistency as a versatile, smooth-crooning performer, known for his scintillating, sultry provocative vocal style; but it also, signified, for Patterson, a career of longevity, divinely masterminded from his childhood endeavors to crossing the threshold as a multi-level, music mogul, independently signed, produced and operated. The project further evidenced Patterson's "musical muscularity," spawning itself in such diverse arrangements as the reflective lamentation of "Stars," to the smooth-jazz contours in one of the album's many "feel-good" hits, entitled "Feels Good," to Patterson's resident, high-frequency, timbres, echoing in the uptempo, "Higher Love," which, inevitably, served as the artist's professional and personal testimony of growth, triumph and spiritual ascension.
Patterson's next project, the highly anticipated CD, BLEUPHORIA, is scheduled to drop in the fall of 2010. It is expected to be nothing short of what Patterson's proud fanbase has always enjoyed from him: an astronomical, stellar work of art.
Stay a While
Rahsaan Patterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Brings to me joy
Unexplainable
Wanna have it this way
Till the dawning breaks
Right outside my front door
There's nothing better
Than you and I
Together in tune
Don't break it down
Don't tear it up
'Cause baby it's all around you
So won't you stay awhile
I need you to stay awhile
There's no way you can leave me now
I need you to stay awhile
Tell me you'll stay awhile
So won't you just stay awhile
From the very first day
You know that I've been watchin'
Eyeing your every move
And with my heart I can say
That forever and on......
I'll give myself to you
There's nothing better
There's nothing more true
Than you and I
Together in tune
Don't break it down
Don't tear it up
'Cause baby it's all around you
So won't you stay awhile
I need you to stay awhile
There's no way you can leave me now
I need you to stay awhile
Tell me you'll stay awhile
So won't you just stay awhile
I can't see tomorrow with out you
Because I would never be able to make it through
No, never without you
So why don't you stay
a while?
The lyrics of Rahsaan Patterson's song Stay a While convey a powerful message of love and devotion. The singer expresses how seeing their partner's face brings them unexplainable joy that they want to hold on to until the morning comes. The tone of the song is urgent and pleading, with the singer asking their partner to stay a while longer. They explain that there is nothing better or truer than being together with their partner, and that they want to give themselves fully to each other forever. The song speaks to the deep emotional connection between two people in love and their desire to never let go of each other.
The repetition of the phrase "I need you to stay awhile" emphasizes the singer's desperation and their belief that they cannot live without their partner. The line "I can't see tomorrow without you" underscores this sentiment, highlighting the depth of their love and the importance of their relationship. The song's message is simple yet powerful: love is all around you, so stay and take hold of it.
Line by Line Meaning
The mere sight of your face
Just seeing you brings me unexplainable joy
Brings to me joy
Brings happiness and delight to my life
Unexplainable
I cannot put into words the happiness you bring me
Wanna have it this way
I want to keep this feeling forever
Till the dawning breaks
Even as the sun rises outside my door
Right outside my front door
In the midst of the world's chaos, I find peace in you
There's nothing better
Nothing is better than you and me together
There's nothing more true
The truth is, we are meant to be together
Than you and I
Our love is the best thing in my life
Together in tune
We work so perfectly together, harmonious and balanced
Don't break it down
Please don't ruin what we have
Don't tear it up
Don't destroy the love we've built
'Cause baby it's all around you
Love surrounds and encompasses you
So won't you stay awhile
I don't want you to leave, so stay with me for a little longer
I need you to stay awhile
I need you by my side for an extended period of time
There's no way you can leave me now
I can't bear the thought of being without you
Tell me you'll stay awhile
Please reassure me that you won't leave
From the very first day
I've been watching you since day one
You know that I've been watchin'
I've been keeping an eye on you and your every move
Eyeing your every move
I've been observing you closely, studying your every action
And with my heart I can say
With all of my being, I know that
That forever and on……
Our love will endure the test of time
I'll give myself to you
I am fully committed to you and our future together
I can't see tomorrow without you
The thought of facing the future without you scares me
Because I would never be able to make it through
I wouldn't have the strength to go on without you
No, never without you
I need you in my life always
So why don't you stay
Please stay with me and never leave
Contributed by Juliana W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.