At 16, Riley was signed to Capitol CMG and sky-rocketed onto the scene with her 2017 debut hit single “Broken Prayers”, which has amassed over 30M global streams since its release. Riley followed up the song with her self-titled debut album in August 2018, which debuted at No. 13 on the US Heatseekers Albums chart. In June 2019, she released her single “Fighting For Me”, which was one of only two female songs to reach Top 5 on the National Christian Audience radio chart in 2019, establishing Riley as a radio mainstay. Riley was then nominated for “New Artist of the Year” at the 2019 Dove Awards and named a feature performer. She also hosted the award shows’ official pre-telecast.
An accomplished composer, performer, and recording artist, Riley is inspired by numerous genres, from classic artists such as Fleetwood Mac and Barbara Streisand to 2000s female pop vocalists Ariana Grande and Katy Perry.
I'll Stay
Riley Clemmons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's hard to write a pretty rhyme
When all I hear is a symphony
Of things that don′t make sense to me
"Everything will be okay"
Sounds like an empty phrase
When I can't say anything
That takes the weight of everything
I can't make a rainbow out of rain
I can′t write a song to heal the pain
But I′ll be standing here while the world turns away
I won't pretend like I can save the day
Say the words to make it all okay
But while the world turns away
I′ll stay, I'll stay
You′re stuck with all the "could have beens"
The worst is playing in your head
And every doubt is echoing
And it feels like no one's listening
But I′m listening
And I can't make a rainbow out of rain
I can't write a song to heal the pain
But I′ll be standing here while the world turns away
I won′t pretend like I can save the day
Say the words to make it all okay
But while the world turns away
I'll stay, I′ll stay
When it all comes crashing down
Breaking down, you hit the ground
I'll be the oneIf it feels like there is no defense
Life can hurt and make no sense
But I′ll be forever here, here...
I won't pretend like I can save the day
Say the words to make it all okay
While the world turns away
I′ll stay, I'll stay
I'll stay, I′ll stay
In "I'll Stay," Riley Clemmons delivers a message of support and presence for someone who is going through a difficult time. The opening lines reveal the singer's struggle to find the right words to express her sympathy when the world feels heavy on the shoulders of others. Despite her difficulty, she is prepared to sit with the person, even when it seems like the rest of the world has turned their backs in the form of melodious distractions. She acknowledges that some problems run too deep for words to solve, but that it is essential to have someone who is willing to stand by and offer comfort through a tough period.
The lyrics imply that the song is relevant to experiences like depression and anxiety that can make one feel helpless and isolated, trapped in a swirl of negative thinking. The song's theme encourages people going through difficult moments to lean on those who care for them and to accept their support in times of struggle. The chorus reinforces this message of commitment by pledging to remain there despite the world's distractions or downtimes.
The second verse addresses situations where people find themselves fighting difficult battles within themselves, unable to escape from the negativity that surrounds them. Clemmons reassures such people that they do not have to pretend that everything is okay or that they can handle things on their own. She lets them know that they have someone who is listening, even when no one else does, and someone who is ready to stand with them, even when they don't feel like they can hang on anymore.
Overall, the song's lyrics emphasize the importance of human relationships, specifically as expressed through empathy and support for people who are experiencing difficult situations. "I'll Stay" reminds people to reach out when they are going through a rough patch, to find comfort in those who care, and to be continually available to those who need it.
Line by Line Meaning
It's hard to find the words sometimes
Expressing oneself appropriately can be difficult
It's hard to write a pretty rhyme
Creating a poetic verse that satisfies can be a challenge
When all I hear is a symphony
When everything is coming at once, in a chaotic way
Of things that don't make sense to me
In a situation when there is confusion and uncertainty
"Everything will be okay"
An overly used expression that is beginning to sound hollow or disingenuous
Sounds like an empty phrase
The expression "Everything will be okay" lacks substance and fails to provide comfort
When I can't say anything
It is difficult to comfort someone when you have no words of solace to offer
That takes the weight of everything
No words can take away the burden of the problems
I can't make a rainbow out of rain
One cannot transform unfortunate circumstances into something wonderful
I can't write a song to heal the pain
A single song cannot magically alleviate the hurt of someone's heartbreak
But I'll be standing here while the world turns away
Although others may turn their backs, the singer will still be present and supportive
I won't pretend like I can save the day
The artist cannot single-handedly fix all of life's troubles
Say the words to make it all okay
Words alone cannot fix the underlying problems
You're stuck with all the "could have beens"
Regret is holding you back
The worst is playing in your head
The most terrible scenarios are running in your mind
And every doubt is echoing
Each hesitation is amplified
And it feels like no one's listening
It seems like nobody is paying attention or cares about what is happening
But I'm listening
The singer is present and offers an ear to lend
When it all comes crashing down
When everything falls apart
Breaking down, you hit the ground
It is emotionally and mentally draining, and the person just can't take it anymore
I'll be the one
The artist will be there to provide emotional support
If it feels like there is no defense
When someone feels vulnerable and defenseless
Life can hurt and make no sense
Existence may result in nothing but pain and confusion
But I'll be forever here, here...
The artist will always be available to lend support indefinitely
I won't pretend like I can save the day
The singer cannot single-handedly fix all of life's troubles
Say the words to make it all okay
Words alone cannot fix the underlying problems
While the world turns away
Despite others looking away
I'll stay, I'll stay
The artist will remain present and supportive
Writer(s): Matt Armstrong, Riley Clemmons, Josh Bronleewe
Contributed by Lucy V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@anao.4661
I'll Stay- Riley Clemmons
[Verse 1]
It's hard to find the words sometimes
It's hard to write a pretty rhyme
When all I hear is a symphony
Of things that don't make sense to me
"Everything will be okay"
Sounds like an empty phrase
When I can't say anything
That takes the weight of "Everything"
[Chorus 1]
But I can't make a rainbow out of rain
I can't write a song to heal the pain
But I'll be standing here while the world turns away
I won't pretend like I can save the day
Say the words to make it all okay
But while the world turns away-ay-ayy
I'll stay-ay-ayy, I'll stay-ay-ayy
[Verse 2]
You're stuck with all the "could have beens"
The worst is playing in your head
And every doubt is echoing
And it feels like no one's listening
But I'm listening, oh-ohh-ooh
[Chorus 1]
But I can't make a rainbow out of rain
I can't write a song to heal the pain
But I'll be standing here while the world turns away
I won't pretend like I can save the day
Say the words to make it all okay
But while the world turns away-ay-ayy
I'll stay-ay-ayy, I'll stay-ay-ayy
[Bridge]
When it all comes crashing down, breaking down
You hit the ground
I'll be
If it feels like there is no defense
Life can hurt, it makes no sense
But I'll be
[Chorus 2]
I won't pretend like I can save the day
Say the words to make it all okay
While the world turns away-ay-ayy
I'll stay-ay-ayy, I'll stay-ay-ayy
I'll stay… I'll stay-ay-ayy
@chrisstewart7027
My second daughter is a huge fan of yours and when she sings this song she ushers in the Spirit of God right into the living room. This is a beautiful song.
@gracegrace5414
❤
@baileys_yt
THE HIGH NOTE!! CHILLS EVERY. SINGLE. TIME!!
@florence5500
This is still the best song you have ever written in my opinion!
@singingangi
You deserve a lot more air time on contemporary Christian radio than you receive. Your vocals are breath taking Riley....
@alinabuzulan4583
Wow those really high notes when she hit , my heart stopped for a moment ...
@banana_supremacy
She's the reason I can now sing in three octaves. As well as Britt Nicole, whoee! Insane! I love it tho!!
@alinabuzulan4583
It’s amazing ,and hitting the notes isn’t even the sturggle,it’s hitting them with such a strong tone like she does and right on point ...
@banana_supremacy
@@alinabuzulan4583 Aw yes. If u listen to Riley Clemmons Fighting for Me the piano version, there's a big long high not that I can finally got really nicely!
@KS-dg6hx
Music you can be proud of even after you leave this earth to be with the Lord 🙏😍