B-side "No Sweet Lovin'" Format 7" single Label Atlantic | Released 1961 Length 2:14 | |
Writer(s) Burt Bacharach, Bob Hilliard | ||
"Please Stay" (also known as "(Don't Go) Please Stay") is an early hit of The Drifters featuring the new lead singer Rudy Lewis, who replaced Ben E. King. It is one of songwriter Burt Bacharach's early pop hits, featuring Dionne Warwick's sister Dee Dee Warwick and Doris Troy on background vocals. This and "Some Kind of Wonderful" and "Sweets for My Sweet" were all recorded in the same session. The musicians who backed the Drifters on this record include George Barnes and Allan Hanlon on guitar, Abie Baker on bass, Bobby Rosengarden and Ray Kessler on percussion and Ed Shaughnessy and Gary Chester on drums.
The song was covered by The Cryin' Shames (1966, UK #26), Lulu (Melody Fair album, 1970), The Bay City Rollers (1974), Jonathan Butler (1975, SA #2) Elvis Costello on Kojak Variety (1995), Marc Almond (2001) and Zoot Money, who also changed the lyrics. Aaron Neville included a version on his 1991 album Warm My Heart.
Peter Kember recorded the song with his band Spectrum, released on the 1992 EP True Love Will Find You in the End.
"Please Stay" was covered by Welsh singer Duffy for the deluxe edition her debut album, Rockferry, adapting The Cryin' Shames' arrangement.
Westlife version
Nicky Byrne from Irish pop group Westlife revealed on his Twitter page that the band had recorded a cover of the song in memory of Byrne's late father as the B-side for their single, "Safe". Later, a preview of the recorded song was played on Byrne's radio show he guested. Also, Westlife performed the whole song on their exclusive acoustic gig in O2 Arena Dublin, Ireland in August 2010.