Stay
Second Sex Lyrics


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Come out, come out and play
Looks like a better day
The smoke has flown away, it′s over.
Roads are wide, streets are clear
Demons dead and nothing to fear
Sing it loud so that we can hear its over.
We close our eyes and try to see
We are better than we used to be
And think that days are safer than the nights.
No matter how you wear your skirt
You can always get hurt
And wonder what's the glory, what′s the pride?
There's nothing to conquer, no kingdom to find.
There's nothing so holy, it′s all in your mind.

She′s not your mother,
And she's not your sister,
And she′s not your daughter
She needs no protector.

Come out, come out and play
That's what the lovers say
Good wind is here to stay, it′s over.
Take your time and choose your seat
Feel your lungs and feel your feet
Theories are obsolete, it's over!
Society and consequence.
Overriding common sense
Future tense and stories of the wild.
No matter how you wear your skirt
You can always get hurt
And wonder what′s the glory, what's the pride?
There's nothing to conquer, no kingdom to find.
There′s nothing so holy, it′s all in your mind.





She's not your mother,
And she′s not your sister,
And she's not your daughter
She needs no protector.

Why do you need her
Tell me, why do you need her
Why do you need her
She needs not protector

Overall Meaning

The song "Stay" by Second Sex begins with an invitation to come out and play, as it seems like it's a better day and the smoke has flown away, indicating a situation where the air is cleaner after something chaotic, probably a fire or a conflict. The following lines suggest that the roads are wide, streets are clear, demons are dead, nothing to fear, and that we are better than we used to be. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for overcoming a difficult situation, taking control of one's life, and leaving the past behind. The lyrics further imply that it's a safer time now than it was before, as we can sing out loud in the open without fear.


However, the next set of verses indicates that there's still a sense of insecurity and concern. Regardless of how one chooses to present themselves, there's always a risk of getting hurt or facing some form of harm. The singer wonders about the pride and glory people associate with certain things and questions if it's worth it. The lyrics emphasize that there's nothing to conquer, and there's no kingdom to find. It's all in one's mind, which may suggest that the pursuit of external validation or power may not be fulfilling or essential.


The subsequent verses assert that the woman in question, to whom the lyrics refer, is not anyone's mother, sister, or daughter, and she doesn't need any protection. This statement could be a commentary on how women are viewed and treated in society and how there's a prevalent notion that they need to be sheltered and guarded. The chorus repeats the invitation to come out and play, and the wind is here to stay, which gives a sense of optimism and positivity.


Overall, "Stay" by Second Sex has a hopeful and empowering tone. The song suggests that despite the challenges and risks, we can embrace the present and move forward without the need for external validation or control.


Line by Line Meaning

Come out, come out and play
Encouraging someone to come out of their hiding and join the fun.


Looks like a better day
The singer observes that the day looks and feels better than before.


The smoke has flown away, it's over.
An end has come to something negative, which can be the singer's emotional baggage symbolically represented by the 'smoke.'


Roads are wide, streets are clear
A sense of openness and freedom.


Demons dead and nothing to fear
The source of fear in the past is gone, and there's nothing to be afraid of anymore.


Sing it loud so that we can hear it's over.
A closure to something hurtful and a fresh start for a better future.


We close our eyes and try to see
Trying to visualize or imagine something with closed eyes.


We are better than we used to be
The artist feels better, improved, or more capable than before.


And think that days are safer than the nights.
A perception that days are generally safer or more secure than nights.


No matter how you wear your skirt, you can always get hurt
No matter how one dresses or behaves, danger or harm can still happen to her.


And wonder what's the glory, what's the pride?
Questioning the meaning or value of putting too much emphasis on outward appearance or accomplishment.


There's nothing to conquer, no kingdom to find.
There are no external goals or achievements worth pursuing, no external validation needed.


There's nothing so holy, it's all in your mind.
The singer believes that all the external factors of one's life are relatively unimportant, as true holiness or fulfillment comes from one's mind or internal state.


She's not your mother, and she's not your sister, and she's not your daughter, she needs no protector.
A reminder that women are not subordinate to men and don't necessarily require men's protection or guidance.


Take your time and choose your seat, feel your lungs and feel your feet
Encouraging someone to take their time to make their own choices and to be connected to their body and surroundings.


Theories are obsolete, it's over!
Theories, especially sexist or oppressive ones, have no more place or influence in the artist's world and are done forever.


Society and consequence. Overriding common sense.
Challenging the norms of society and its consequences that override one's common sense or intuition.


Future tense and stories of the wild.
The future and its unknowns, as well as fantastical stories, are relatively unimportant or less real than the present.


Why do you need her? She needs no protector.
A repetition of the earlier stanza to emphasize the point that women don't need men's protection or validation.




Writer(s): Vincent Pierre Naigard, Sacha Bastien Naigard, Arthur Denis Thierry Verret, Timothee Bernelle

Contributed by London S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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