Released: 2021
At its core, “STAY” by The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber is an impassioned appeal to a loved one, a desperate urge for companionship wrapped in the raw honesty of personal shortcomings. This track paints a vivid picture of struggle in a relationship, and the fear of losing one’s better half due to personal failings.
First things first, let’s dig into that repetitive refrain. When LAROI and Bieber chant, “I do the same thing, I told you that I never would…I know that I can’t find nobody else as good as you”, they’re defining the crux of their missteps. These lines reveal the struggle of changing habits, a tug-of-war between the desire for personal growth and the pull of past behaviors. It’s an echo of their admission that they haven’t matured as promised, a constant repeating cycle of mistakes. But then there’s this: recognizing the value of what they have, knowing they need this person. “I need you to stay, need you to stay, hey.” It’s a cry for understanding and forgiveness.
When LAROI croons, “I get drunk, wake up, I’m wasted still…I’ll be fucked up if you can’t be right here”, he’s articulating a reliance on substances to cope with emotional pain, which may hint at a struggle with addiction. Though this could introduce additional strain into the relationship, it also underscores the magnitude of his fear of losing his partner. The line “I’ll be fucked up if you can’t be right here” is a stark testament to his emotional dependency, demonstrating an intense fear of loneliness.
Likewise, Bieber’s verse “When I’m away from you, I miss your touch…And you know that I know that I can’t live without you” is a nod to his own fears of isolation and separation. Expressing his difficulty in trusting others and his fear of messing things up, Bieber clearly reveals the vulnerability that lies underneath his pop star demeanor.
In essence, “STAY” is a deep dive into the complexities of love, commitment, anxiety, and the struggle with personal demons. Its repetition underscores the circular nature of these thoughts, a constant loop of doubt, remorse, and desperate need for reassurance. Whether it’s their inability to change, the fear of messing things up, or the fear of losing their love, this track lays bare some of the rawest emotions in a relationship, revealing a less glamorous but more human side to the artists.
