East 17’s huge Christmas hit Stay Another Day has tragic story fans don’t know about
East 17’s Stay Another Day has become a bonafide Christmas classic since it topped the UK charts in 1994, but many fans may not realise the heartbreaking story behind the iconic Christmas hit. Written by the band’s lead songwriter, Tony Mortimer, the song was actually inspired by the tragic loss of his brother, Ollie, who took his own life.
Tony opened up about the song’s little-known but deeply personal meaning during an interview with The Big Issue, The Mirror reports. He shared: “It’s so odd that it’s a Christmas song,” he said. “I wrote it about my brother’s suicide - so it’s about the end of a relationship and missing someone.”
Despite its heavy inspiration, Stay Another Day has resonated with audiences as a song about loss, longing, and reflection, particularly during the festive season.
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Tony reflected on its enduring appeal: “That’s what it’s based on, and I think people like that. It might have been a hit because people felt sorry for me or whatever, but it’s also a very nostalgic song for Christmas, for looking back over the year and times gone by.”
The song was an instant hit on its release, reaching Number 1 in the UK charts and staying there for five weeks. Its emotional lyrics, paired with a simple yet striking music video featuring the band in white puffer jackets against a black background with falling snow, captured the mood of the season and cemented its place as a Christmas classic.
Tony also admitted he struggled with the song’s success at first, particularly as it became an annual fixture during the holidays: “There was a time when that song just didn’t go away - it was a nightmare… Now I’ve got over it. I’ve accepted that.”
The poignant lyrics, including lines like, “Baby if you’ve got to go away, I don’t think I can take the pain. Won’t you stay another day,” are originally about Tony’s grief and yearning for his brother, though they’ve taken on a universal meaning for fans over the years.
Aside from their iconic Christmas hit, East 17 have had some huge ups and downs - from now having their own families and kids, to one devastating incident.
Most recently, the 90s boyband were part of the BBC documentary, Boybands Forever, which explored the influential group’s chequered past - here’s the interesting story behind how the band was formed.
