The Cryin' Shames was a mid-1960s English pop/beat group, produced by Joe M… Read Full Bio ↴The Cryin' Shames was a mid-1960s English pop/beat group, produced by Joe Meek. They had one UK hit single in 1966 with a cover of The Drifters' 1961 "Please Stay" (written by Burt Bacharach and Bob Hilliard).

The band started out as THE BUMBLIES. The line-up of the band was Charlie Crane, Joey Kneen, Phil Roberts, Charlie Gallagher, George Robinson and John Bennett who was replaced in THE BUMBLIES line-up by Ritchie Routledge in early December 1965.

That band changed their name to THE CRYIN' SHAMES and started gigging under the new name Just Before Christmas 1965.

DECCA released the bands their first single on February 18th 1966 PLEASE STAY / Whats News Pussycat. Produced by JOE MEEK which charted in the U.K. reaching 22 on The Melody Maker chart and 26 in The N.M.E. It was a No 1 selling record on Merseyside for a very long time after it's release and it was the No 1 selling single in Scotland on radio plays alone where it's still played today as THE LAST DANCE SONG

The band only made one local T.V. date to promote PLEASE STAY that was GRANADA T.V's Scene at 6-30 which spanned an area from Stafford to Cumbria North West England. Radio Caroline , Radio Luxembourg and Radio Scotland were mostly responsible for the records success.The record gets more plays on the BBC today than it did in 1966.

The original line-up changed in May 1966 when Derek Cleary replaced George Robinson on bass and went over to Paris with the band to do some live dates and some T.V to promote the release of PLEASE STAY in Europe he also played on the second single NOBODY WAVED GOODBYE / You Produced by JOE MEEK and released in June 1966

Charlie Crane and Ritchie Routledge left the band and formed PAUL and RITCHIE and THE CRYING SHAMES with a whole new line-up Brian Norris, Mike Espie, Pete Byrne, and Paul Commerford. That line-up played on the last single they recorded with JOE MEEK. SEPTEMBER IN THE RAIN / COME ON BACK. It was recorded on JULY 30th 1966 the day England won the World Cup and it was released on September 1st 1966. The following week The band done Ready Steady Go to Promote what was consided the A side at the time SEPTEMBER IN THE RAIN It reached No 40 on The Melody Maker Chart and stayed there for two weeks before dropping out of the chart. COME ON BACK a Crane / Routledge composition and a whole new generation of Mod / Freakbeat fans and bands like THE HORRORS who used the guitar intro on THE HORRORS GUIDE TO LONDON video that's on YouTube. Has made COME ON BACK a bigger hit than it was the first time around and it has enjoyed an amazing amount of airplay on Internet radio stations around the world for the last 10 years.

PLEASE STAY along with HAVE I THE RIGHT by THE HONEYCOMBS and TELSTAR by THE TORNADO'S are The Most Requested songs That JOE MEEK ever produced. and both of those songs were No 1 selling records. TELSTAR is still to this day the the biggest selling instrumental of all time. Some people believe that if the CRYIN' SHAMES had signed with Brian Epstein They would have had a much bigger hit than it was. JOE MEEK wanted the band to sign with BRIAN EPSTEIN.

Band Members CHARLIE (PAUL) CRANE vocals, harmonica JOEY KNEEN vocals RITCHIE ROUTLEDGE guitar, vocals PHIL ROBERTS organ CHARLIE GALLAGHER drums GEORGE ROBINSON bass DEREK CLEARY bass

PAUL AND RITCHIE AND THE CRYING SHAMES CHARLIE (PAUL) CRANE vocals RITCHIE ROUTLEDGE vocals BRIAN NORRIS bass MIKE ESPIE lead guitar PETE BYRNE organ PAUL COMMERFORD drums (other crying shames members) JOEY MOLLAND lead guitar ROBBIE HEWLETT bass DAVE POTTS drums TOMMY McGUIRE drums

Influences Zoot Money, Dylan,Beatles, Chuck Berry,Stones,Motown,Otis Redding,Marvin Gaye,Who,Small Faces,Merseys,Blues,Soul,Mod http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=403696042&albumID=440667&imageID=2300607

Please Stay
The Cryin' Shames Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If I got on my knees and I pleaded with you
Not to go but to stay in my arms
Would you walk out the door
Like you did once before

This time be different
Please stay don't go

If I call out your name like a prayer
Would you leave me alone in my tears
Knowing I need you so
Would you still turn and go

This time be different please stay
Don't go please stay

I loved you before I even knew your name
And I wanted to give you my heart
But now you came back after living me one time
Oh I knew, oh how I knew that the heartaches would start

If I called out your name like a song
It's was written for you, you alone
Would you still hurt my pride
Baby that I cried

This time be different
Please stay

Don't go please stay
You know I'll always love you Darling . . .

Please Stay
Don't go please stay

Overall Meaning

The Cryin' Shames's song "Please Stay" is a classic love song that expresses a plea from the singer to their love interest to stay with them instead of walking away. In the first verse, the singer asks if their plea would make any difference and whether the love interest would be willing to stay this time around. The second verse describes the singer's desperation, asking if their love interest would still leave them even if they were to call out their name like a prayer. The singer then reminisces about their love for the person even though they did not know their name, indicating that they have been in love with them for a long time. However, now that this person has returned after leaving them once, the singer is left with an unbearable heartache.

Overall, the lyrics express a deep longing for the love interest to stay, and the repetition of "please stay" emphasizes the desperation of the singer's plea. The song appears to be a plea from the singer to their love interest to give their relationship another chance, expressing that they will always love them.

Line by Line Meaning

If I got on my knees and I pleaded with you
If I humbly asked you to stay in my arms

Not to go but to stay in my arms
To choose to stay with me and not leave

Would you walk out the door
Would you leave me again

Like you did once before
Like the time when you left me before

This time be different
Let things be different now

Please stay don't go
Please choose to stay instead of leaving

If I call out your name like a prayer
If I'm desperately calling out your name

Would you leave me alone in my tears
Would you leave me to deal with my sadness alone

Knowing I need you so
Knowing how much I need you by my side

Would you still turn and go
Would you still leave me behind

I loved you before I even knew your name
I fell in love with you before I even knew who you were

And I wanted to give you my heart
And I wanted to give you all my love

But now you came back after living me one time
But now you returned after already hurting me once

Oh I knew, oh how I knew that the heartaches would start
I knew that our troubles would begin again

If I called out your name like a song
If I expressed my love for you through music

It's was written for you, you alone
It's a song specifically about you and my love for you

Would you still hurt my pride
Would you still make me feel bad about myself

Baby that I cried
That I shed tears for because of you

This time be different
Let's make things change for the better

Please stay
Please don't go

Don't go please stay
Please choose to stay with me

You know I'll always love you Darling . . .
You know I'll always have love for you my dear

Please Stay
Please choose to stay by my side

Don't go please stay
Please, I'm begging you to stay

Writer(s): John Themis, Bob Hilliard, Richard Frederick Stannard, Julian Gallagher, Burt F. Bacharach, Kylie Ann Minogue

Contributed by Nathan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@nareshsonwalarts

2y↑14

Lyrics:- If I got on my knees and I pleaded with you
Not to go but to stay in my arms
Would you walk out the door
Like you did once before?
This time
Be different
Please stay
Don't go
If I call out your name like a prayer
Would you leave me alone with my tears?
Knowing I need you so
Would you still turn and go?
This time
Be different
Please stay
Don't go
Please stay
I loved you before I even knew your name
And I wanted to give you my heart
But then you came back after leaving me one time
I knew that the heartache would start
If I called out your name like a song
That was written for you
You alone
Would you still hurt my pride?
Oh, hey, how I cried
This time
Be different
Please stay
Please stay, don't go
Please stay, don't go
Please stay

All comments from YouTube:

@TheJinty2010

5w↑2

My mum used to sing that song to me I cry every time I hear it xxx

@darranjmooredjm8459

39w↑29

My dad gave me this record when I was a child now 55 year of age I still have it, and I played it at his funeral, everybody was in tears, this song is very close to my heart ❤️

@helengreenmason5522

29w↑5

Richie front left.
Passed away this morning in NASHVILLE USA.
RIP

@markhenderson4429

11w

same

@yasminet6355

2y↑83

I feel sorry for today's teenagers. They'll never know the feelings and passion this song and ones like it inspired on the dancefloor at the end of the night.

@DavidSelley49

1y↑8

The memories of those feelings are never forgotten are they Yasmine.

@thomasr6855

1y↑4

Not lost

@nollem41

49w↑3

Total innocent young folk then toaday it's like Babylon.

@karenstewart893

28w↑1

Wanting you to have a last dance but was not chosen 😢

@angelaspowage2490

20w↑1

This came on my early morning radio on boom I had heard this some time long a go. Don't know why just makes me feel sad . I'm a 60.s child now 77. Yes today's kids won't have what we had saved this song on alexa on my playlist. X

1 More Replies...

@janmitchell6848

36w↑5

I met a boy when I was about 16, we had fun for the week he was here then went home. He had this song played on the radio for me a couple of days later.

@karenstewart893

28w↑7

I still remember this being played at school disco's in the early 70s

@user-uy3ig4gp6x

38w↑4

Always remember this as the last song. So many memories of teenage years. It catches me every time I hear it. Played at all the clubs in Edinburgh. A great time to be young.

@marianoflores5834

7w↑1

A place beyond the pines brought me here

@jackieward3971

52w↑9

Brings back so many happy memories, dancing to this wonderful record,the words are magical, best ever xxx

@magsduke7411

2y↑10

Takes me right back to the late 60's when I was a teenager in Edinburgh. Think we has the best dance halls and no booze. This was always played for the last dance.

@williamwallace5857

33w↑1

Emotionally wrought.

@Diane739

4y↑94

This is beautiful and haunting song, it breaks my heart thinking of what it makes me think of....my dad loved this song I loved music as a child. I’m an 80s kid and at 7 I had my dads old hi fi with his LPs...I would play songs over and over. This was always on in the car and it brings back so much happy memories which have all now turned so sour into adulthood. We just can’t fix things, so much has been said and done....

@mrsmiawallace3554

4y↑9

Its so haunting...i was a child of 80s too n this song was always played at the end of parties and i would watch all my aunts etc cry to it. Now its me that cries when it comes on...my cousins my age dont remember it. Sometimes i hate having such a good memory! x

@coupe662

3y↑10

⚘🌏👈Life can be hard. Hang in there. Give it all one more chance.
Sending my best of thoughts🌟

@dianedownie9907

3y↑8

I remember thus so well it's so sad but beautifil

@jerrysullivan113

3y↑3

Bless you and your precious memories!!!

@akshaybante625

3y↑1

❤❤

9 More Replies...

@gavinsmallmen6638

2y↑8

Joe Meek genius R.I.P. arkid!

@patriciabrand4848

2y↑25

Heard this for the first time in 1966 at the Orrell Park Ballroom. The band played there often. The room came to a standstill when they played it. The memories roll down my cheeks when I hear it.

@8800store

1y↑2

I’m 16 and that comment really hit me for some reason.

@DavidSelley49

1y↑1

Memories of that time do that for me too Patricia - especially when listening to this. A real end of the evening song. Can't believe how long ago it all was.

@yowzer49

1y↑2

Me too Patricia. Loved Saturday and Monday nights at the Orrell! Saw the Cryin Shames there too in their previous incarnation,The Bumblies! They used to run around the stage! Magical times,wish we could go back X

@carolegriggs3107

2y↑4

I’d forgotten about this beautiful song and the way it’s sung….Nothing like it nowadays..

@davidwinson2319

2y↑13

I get a shiver down my spine and tears in my eyes.

@ConnieVeenuhs

33w↑1

Haven’t ever wept to a song like I did this one , beautiful music

@rashedanik1937

51w↑3

This song hit me at another level! It gives me a flashback of so much memories.....Sweet memoriees with that special person. I wish I could have those moment with that person again! ❤

@chrislovell646

2y↑12

I love this,even though it makes me feel a bit sad.

@liverbird46

3y↑38

Love it. Haven't heard this song for years.

@liverbird46

3y↑8

I've played this video 5 times in a row this morning 😁

@kathybishop6172

3y↑13

This song breaks my heart every time I hear it.

@TheBellaBoo_YT

2y↑23

This was playing in my head when I woke up this morning, beautiful song

@fogman900

Me too 🥹

@doggone19

2y↑7

Lot's of memories , hearing this great tune..Best version for me.

@davidwalsh3439

4y↑28

This record is simply amazing.

@susanmassie9868

2y↑11

Brilliant, Cryin Shames so under valued, hope they all doing well now

@carolmarr6607

3y↑13

Such a romantic song. Reminds me of the 60's when it was played at clubs. A last slow dance everyone loved it.

@michaelbutcher3563

30w

Used to know a kid who was physically scared, of this track. Whenever anyone mentioned it he would say it gives him nightmares. That was in the Seventies however and i hadn't heard it then. Finally heard it in 1987 and guess what, haven't had a nightmare about it in my whole life since.

@bridie1947

11y↑47

This bring,s back memories to me this was the song I met my hubby it was the last dance at the pally and I am married to him now 44year,s now love this song

@edwardbranca54

7y↑3

The divorce lawyers must hate you and your hubby. Well, let the divorce lawyers starve. Society could use a lot fewer of them.

@jonwilob6458

6y↑3

44 years of marriage to 1 person-almost unheard of nowadays-congrats. 49 years of marital bliss for the wife and I.....Great song!

@PRECISIONxSLIM

2y↑12

This song is so beautiful !

@lornawhyte1868

15w↑2

Loved this song many last dance I had to this ❤️

@johndougall6429

3y↑4

Loved this song was always the lsat song of the night at my local disco in 1972

@kevinstevens1721

1y↑2

It takes me back to the days of The Domino club in Manchester.

@stephenturner6075

1y↑1

My Ma and Da used to play this brilliant record when they had parties in our living room in the 70's when i was a wee boy.

@erikaaraujoborges6641

6y↑14

The place beyond the pines. Listening this song and remember this movie makes me cry. This film its amazing.

@dananmckie9253

2y↑7

Love the song
It lingers in the back of my mind for so long after I’ve listened to it my hauntingly beautiful song
For those who begged loved ones not to leave them

@zoothornrollo9960

1y↑3

"For those who begged loved ones not to leave them". If you've never experienced that type of pain you've probably never loved.

@donthecap5691

1y↑4

Listened to this today, brought back so many good/bad memories. First time I heard it was after a break-up. The girl T came to my door handed me a small package, just said, "for you", and walked away. Inside was a hand written poem ( which she had made up herself) and this record. Sadly both lost in the passing of time. If by any odd chance she reads this, no hard feelings ( now). Hope everything worked out for you and you are keeping well. I'm sure you will recognise who this is, and like me, will wonder what could have been.

@wilmanew4830

21w↑1

Just beautiful. 🩵

@suerice5828

1y↑2

One of my all time favourites … memory of driving back to Germany with Mum and Dad. ❤ heard it for the first time in years on Boom Radio this morning ❤

@angelaspowage2490

20w

Me to heard it on boom radio this morning. Kept it on my playlist on alexa. Such a sad but beautiful song. .

@jorgeestomba9888

3y↑5

Very special , haunting , special!!

@jasperrasper2392

6y↑36

Joe meek ahead of his time...a Legend.

@PatriciaPageMosaicArtsCrafts

4y↑7

I just watched a documentary here on YouTube about Joe Meek, thats what bought me here👍

@stevebowness9435

3y↑5

Along with Phil Spector Joe Meek was one of the greatest Music Producers ever 💯

@kathleenburley2963

1y↑2

So full of emotion will bring tears to your eyes 👍

@yvonnemclaughlin3560

1y↑1

I was brought up with this song even though i was born 10 years later. Love it brings back good family memories.

@cocoaorange1

26w

I was born in 1967, this must be a rare early hit by them. I never knew the band had a slight R&B sound to some of their songs.

@nareshsonwalarts

2y↑14

@jamesturrell3003

5y↑21

Still give me that feeling today as the first time I heard it back in the 60s

@angelaspowage2490

20w

Me to.x

@jameshope398

6y↑29

A terrific song always loved getting up at the end of the night to dance to this one

@benjaminsamat5865

7y↑21

Memories remains, it's hurts. It's makes calm. People remember it's all just experience. But she didn't stay.

@martin4458

4y↑5

First time hearing this. Reminds me of lost love.

@glennhfriedman4571

33w

great cover. .. Saw them play atBradley University... They were on their way ..

@linnelson1119

9y↑43

This song is in The Place Beyond the Pines. Crushing

@mexicore17

3y↑4

that's how I discovered it from the soundtrack

@Nick-me6su

3y↑3

Same here.

@jhazmirazzz3878

3y↑3

@@Nick-me6su same

@steveosborne8139

38w

R.I.P. Joe Meek.

@wulliewatters4297

1y↑2

What a great song my wife says I can play it at her funeral

@hazeljones5417

3y↑4

This takes me back to when i was 12yrs old i loved this song

@michaelward7222

9y↑29

played with these in the late sixties, excellent band.

@johntaylor6596

5y↑8

my uncle is in the photo here, he is the one wearing black striped shirt, his name i think was colin green from liverpool can you verify this for me please,?[ i understand in those days they used different names tax reason etc,

@toniwillcocks6457

2y↑3

The Bay City Roller's ..🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿made a fine recording of this tune....

@tartantony08

1y↑2

They sure did

@sumsat23156

11y↑14

Numbed by the lines.....If I call out your name like a prayer ,Would you leave me alone with my tears......

@alicegray8541

1y↑2

Listening in 2022 one of my first music memories I'm almost 60 years 😊

@wasteyelo1

6y↑23

Fabulous tune. Joe Meek heard things differently, before anyone else considered it.

@beebob7772

What does Joe Meek have to do with this song?

@andriealinsangao613

2y↑4

@@beebob7772 He produced it, and I believe this song was his last top 10 hit before he... Blew his brains out.

@carolegriggs3107

2y↑2

Oh so very sad 😔

@davidreid6529

1y↑1

What a production absolutely brilliant

@johntate5722

25w↑1

He was very talented

@rhonawhite5278

4y↑7

Love this brings back some wonderful memories of my teenage years

@Oldez60s

2y↑3

Love this song! Listen to it often..

@mickthetinminer

4y↑2

Great Band that gave "feeling" to their songs. Almost saw them in 66 when they were due to play at Lewes Town Hall but for some reason they couldn't make it. Joe Meek - Music visionary much in front of his time but unfortunately left this world much too early.

@johntaylor6596

5y↑37

My uncle was in this band

@materialcompuesto9719

4y↑2

mine too

@erinstuart8710

4y↑1

My cousin was.

@materialcompuesto9719

How is your cousin these days? Heard he's living in Montana

@pinkjumpers4482

4y↑1

Same

@dorothyleightley8045

4y↑2

No relatives for me but some of my best memories. I was 15 then

3 More Replies...

@gjpercy

1y↑1

Heard this for the first time tonight on "The Place Beyond the Pines". Beautiful vibrato and tone, almost jazzy. 10/10

@oldgold11

50w

Same here. Then I looked up about the song and group. I cannot believe I did not know this song at the time or the group. My era.
I love the Drifters and looked up their version. Comparing the discs at the time I think this version was far better. They sand it with heart whereas I think the Drifters version was too jazzy and gimmicky. I think they might agree as I you tubed a live version of the Drifters singing it and it was much more fitting. You could believe the lead singer this time unlike the disc version.

@erika4ktrucking

4y↑6

So beautiful!❤

@winterweib

8y↑43

RIP, Joe Meek. Thank you for the music

@tomwalsh6655

1y↑1

My nan knew this band in Liverpool

@rogeralsop3479

46w↑1

Produced by Joe Meek on Holloway Road, Islington.

@alanlogan250

2y↑2

this was my first dance with my now wife on1973 and married 1974 still married 2022 xxxx

@Topper954

6y↑12

Joe Meek written all over it.A rare occasion when a cover is better than the Drifters orginal

@MsKathy1948

9y↑15

my biggest fave of all time

@caroldavis6928

2y↑1

Unique singer, great sound. Much missed.

@SOUTHEASTALLDAY

24w

This was played at mt mates funeral last week it's such a beautiful song

@graemerobb4860

2y↑2

First time hearing this song on the series "Succession". Simply a unique sound.

@gary0liver

1y↑1

Check out other Joe meek productions similar vibe and some great bands and singers

@Serching4JerryGarcia

14w

Real ones first heard this in the movie The Place Beyond The Pines

@drstevie

27w

Brilliant beyond....

@billykilpatrick88

33w

Isle of Man,,1966,,Jackie Banks from Preston..
Love to know what happened to her..

@tabascocat5102

1y↑1

Cheers Burt Bacharach. (And Bob Hilliard)

@angieburnham8612

2y↑1

Taken back to the sixties...fab!

@piterreed1221

3y↑2

I miss so many im dead myself

@davidhoult4653

3y↑2

Love this song since being a teenager in 60s so many memories

@Topper954

3y↑3

ONE OF THE FEW RECORDINGS BETTER THAN THE ORGINAL DOWN TO ONE MAN THE LEGENDARY JOE MEEK.

@shirleyanneyoung955

23w

My boyfriend at the time bought me this. He was always good with the gestures, pity about the rest.

@archiefyfe2020

4y↑2

Brings back precious memories.

@davidwinson2319

1y↑1

Why can’t they make songs like that anymore. ( tears in my eyes ) today’s music. ? (no tears ).

@angelaspowage2490

20w

I think the same. Some music is rubbish today..

@roycunningham1996

This takes me back to the Electric Garden in Glasgow in late sixties the ultimate snoggin track.

@Angela-Aberdeen

7y↑3

everlasting wonderful song and performed really good......
it's an amzing happy sad song...

@johnbruno7614

2y↑2

I really loved this song when it was played in the movie I thought the movie was really great too A PLACE BEYOND THE PINES even tho it was a really sad movie. Imho

@bettygriffin7981

My first love song .my favourite and always will be . Betty xx

@barriepeck4377

4y↑1

Wonderfull song and great great recording production

@paulangelosanto1388

3y↑1

Takes me back to the groove in leith in the 70s

@user-ow4ei1eb7r

39w

❤

@youmiyoumi488

This song changed my life

@FutureLegendRecords

5y↑9

Joe Genius Meek Enough said

@mikemcnulty8344

Love this song when liverpool band New Image sang it in the big house.rip Dave.

@NEWCASTLE.UNITED.

4y↑1

I was in this band, in my past life.

@jonlee1714

6y↑6

#

Please Stay Forever . !!!!

@

@RomyIgoeX

4y↑4

I heard this just last night on the soundtrack to a really depressing film on telly called 'Better Things'. Nonetheless, this song bowled me over so here I am checking it out.

@vladimiroficialr228

nice and memorable

@nandougal8021

8y↑5

My favourite record.

@edwardburnsenhicks7772

1y↑1

Picked up mint single today.

@gary0liver

1y↑2

There's was only one Joe meek other producers could be compared to him but none match unique

@mcalax5901

I once heard this song in a place, among the pines.

@williammitchell9974

51w

For All True Lovers ❤

@linamillar252

RIP aunty Trish shine bright 💚💜

@johnreid5798

5y↑1

Best love song ever. Saw them in Villa Marina Isle of Man in 1966 .
Jackie

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