The Meaning of Stay With Me by Sam Smith

I don’t believe it was necessarily the song or its lyrics that made this song popular, but rather, the impressive voice of Sam Smith. There are 6 pieces of this song and 4 of them are the Chorus, while the lyrics are few, the impact of this song is massive.

The song dwells on the feelings, wants, and desires that can emerge from having a one night stand. If you’ve been there you can feel the song deep down inside. If you haven’t been there you can only imagine what it’s like to go from a very serious high to a very serious low upon realization that it isn’t going to last.

So let’s take a look at the lyrics.

Guess it’s true, I’m not good at a one-night stand
But I still need love ’cause I’m just a man
These nights never seem to go to plan
I don’t want you to leave, will you hold my hand?

“Not good at a one-night stand” means he doesn’t have the emotional capacity to share what can be one of the peak emotional bonding experiences with another human being without the intent for it to last.

“But I still need love cause I’m just a man” means that he’s willing to do it anyways because he knows no other way. His innate primal instincts are to seek love.

“These nights never seem to go to plan” is an ironic statement because one night stands are typically never planned, however, it also indicates that he hopes through this type of meeting with someone that he could make it last.

“I don’t want you to leave, will you hold my hand?” is an attempt to keep alive what he felt that night and holding hands is a physical bonding experience commonly expressed by those in relationship. Holding hands is also a symbol of unity and never letting go.

This is followed up by the chorus:

Oh, won’t you stay with me?
‘Cause you’re all I need
This ain’t love, it’s clear to see
But darling, stay with me

He is well aware that they are not in love but he’s asking her to stay anyways, perhaps to give them a chance, or perhaps to allow the feelings to last a little bit longer.

Then the 2nd verse.

Why am I so emotional?
No, it’s not a good look, gain some self-control
And deep down I know this never works
But you can lay with me so it doesn’t hurt

For some reason he is attached to this person more than he normally would be and he’s telling himself to get a hold of himself because he knew what he was getting into prior.

“Deep down I know this never works” is insight that he’s maybe done this so many times before it hasn’t worked, but a deeper meaning and realization is that most people having one night stands are not always available.

Some of them might be on vacation and others might be in a relationship already.

Let’s pretend this goes beyond a one night stand and is more of a short-term affair. Imagine that you met someone so perfect while on vacation and you know once you leave you have to return back to your normal life.

This becomes a real possibility with the last line, “But you can lay with me so it doesn’t hurt”.

This is very indicative that the other person feels the same emotional bonding with him and maybe doesn’t want to leave but realizes that they have to because of prior obligations and commitments.

This is followed up by alterations of how the chorus is emphasized. It’s a beautiful song with a lot of emotional connection, especially for how short it is. It’s a conversation that most people can relate to.