"Stay" is a song by Russian-German electronic music producer Zedd and Canadian singer-songwriter Alessia Cara. The single was released on 23 February 2017 through Interscope Records, and is also featured on the Japanese edition of Cara's second studio album, The Pains of Growing. The official music video was released on YouTube on 18 April 2017. Commercially, the song reached the top ten in ten countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. It is certified Platinum or higher in seventeen countries.
Composition "Stay" is a dance-pop song influenced by contemporary R&B performed in the key of F minor in common time with a tempo of 102 beats per minute. It follows a chord progression of D–F–E, and Cara's vocals span from F3 to D5. The song introduction contain a sample from Banks's 2016 track "Poltergeist".
Music videos A lyric video for "Stay" was released on February 23, 2017, and has over 560 million views as of October 2025.
A music video for "Stay" directed by Tim Mattia was released on April 18, 2017, and has 124 million views as of October 2025.
Chart performance "Stay" peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Mainstream Top 40, becoming both Zedd and Cara's third top ten song on the chart.
Track listing
Charts
Weekly charts + Chart (2017) Peak position Australia Dance (ARIA) 1 Colombia (National-Report) 54 Denmark (Tracklisten) 12 France (SNEP) 38 Ireland (IRMA) 8 Italy (FIMI) 21Italian Airplay (EarOne) 68 Malaysia (RIM) 6 Mexico Airplay (Billboard) 22 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 9 Norway (VG-lista) 17 Romania (Airplay 100) 48 Spain (PROMUSICAE) 40 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) 9
Year-end charts + Chart (2017) Position Australia (ARIA) 14 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 31 Belgium (Ultratop Flanders) 52 Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia) 81 Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) 97 Canada (Canadian Hot 100) 22 Denmark (Tracklisten) 38 France (SNEP) 92 Germany (Official German Charts) 57 Hungary (Stream Top 40) 19 Italy (FIMI) 63 Japan (Japan Hot 100) 66 Latvia Airplay (LaIPA) 11 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 46 Netherlands (Single Top 100) 33 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 29 Portugal (AFP) 39 Spain (PROMUSICAE) 92 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) 42 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 52 UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 37 US Billboard Hot 100 17 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) 16 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard) 12 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard) 3 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) 3 US Rhythmic (Billboard) 50 Chart (2018) Position Japan (Japan Hot 100) 87 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) 14 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard) 12
Decade-end charts + Chart (2010–2019) Position US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard) 11
Certifications
Riri version
Japanese singer Riri covered "Stay" during a live performance at a Line Live special event. The cover eventually was released to digital stores on 20 June 2018 due to fan requests, by Interscope Records and Sony Music Associated Records.
Background In February 2017, Zedd performed "Stay" in Japan at a festival. He proposed a Japanese cover to Universal wanting the song to be "known to everyone in Japan". Amongst many candidates, Riri ultimately was chosen to cover the song. The cover was announced in March 2018 by Universal Music Japan. The song later was released digitally on 20 June 2018 in Japan only. The cover was included on the Japanese digital version of Riri's second studio album, Neo.
Music video A music video of Riri performing the song live was released by Universal Japan on 18 March 2018.
Live performances Riri performed the song live in Japan at a Line Live special event in Japan in March 2018. During the event, Zedd spoke with Riri regarding the cover.
Radio and release history +Release history and formats for "Stay" Region Date Format Version Label United States 23 February 2017 Digital download Original Interscope Italy 24 February 2017 Contemporary hit radio Universal United States 7 March 2017 4 April 2017 Rhythmic radio Australia 2 June 2017 Digital download Remixes EP Interscope United States 9 June 2017 Acoustic Germany 31 October 2017 CD single Original Japan20 June 2018Digital DownloadCovered by Riri
References