Pop band East 17 released Stay Another Day in 1994, and it quickly rose to become the Christmas number one of that year.
The song continues to put “food on the table” – and some petrol in the tank – for its writer, Tony Mortimer.
East 17 songwriter Tony Mortimer on Christmas hit
The fan-favourite track puts food on the table for Tony. But not, you know, lobster or caviar, or anything like that.
Speaking to the Daily Star’s Wired columnist (via Music News), Tony said he’s “grateful” when he hears East 17 hit Stay Another Day on the radio.
He wrote the Christmas number one in 1994 after his late brother Ollie died by suicide.
But, while it may still get some regular radio play, Stay Another Day isn’t the moneymaker listeners might imagine it is.
“It doesn’t make me billions, unfortunately, in case you wondered! But it always puts a bit of food on the table and some petrol money, definitely. It’s not a million a year, or whatever.”
It was never about the money
East 17 beat Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas is You to the top spot during the 1994 festive season, but its longevity is what counts, not the money it brings in.
“That’s not what it is about. It’s about the song, and the recognition of people loving it, and the fact that it’s going 30 years later,” Tony told the paper.
On another note, Tony confirmed there are no plans to reunite East 17. They haven’t spoken in a long time. Let sleeping dogs lie, and all that.
“I think East 17 is viewed by the outside as a living thing, but it doesn’t really exist any more, but with us. Obviously the name does, and Stay Another Day always brings it back every year. We’ll always be joined by it. It’s weird.”
The song has two music videos. One features the band performing the song in the studio. The other has them playing in front of a black background, wearing fur-trimmed parkas and leather jackets.
Look out for the second video around Christmastime!
Or… catch it here.
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So, have you heard Stay Another Day on the radio yet this year? Have you been Whamageddoned? Let us know on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.