The legacy of ‘Stay’ and Maurice Williams

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As a music enthusiast who grew up listening to the golden era of doo-wop and R&B, I can wholeheartedly say that Maurice Williams was a name synonymous with timeless hits and unforgettable melodies. The man behind “Little Darlin'” and the shortest No.1 hit ever on the Billboard Hot 100, “Stay”, has left an indelible mark on music history.

On August 6th, 2024, Maurice Williams, aged 86, sadly passed away. Though not widely recognized by many, Williams significantly impacted the doo-wop and R&B genres in the ’50s and ’60s. Among his notable works are “Little Darlin’,” a hit song from 1957, and “Stay,” released in 1960, which both helped shape the era’s soundscape.

Williams achieved lasting recognition with “Stay,” a song that became the briefest No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, as recognized by the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.

Incredibly, the song “Stay” continues to resonate with various generations due to its cover versions and soundtrack placements.

The history Maurice Williams’s timeless hit “Stay”

“Stay” has stood the test of time

Back in November 1960, a record that sold over a million copies peaked at the number one spot on the charts – an event that occurred approximately 65 years ago. What sets “Stay” apart is its enduring popularity, which seemed to increase with each subsequent cover version. The Hollies released their rendition in 1963 as part of their debut album, and it gained significant recognition. Not long after, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, who later became famous through the musical Jersey Boys, also covered “Stay” in 1963, and their version made it to the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In the 1970s, Jackson Browne reintroduced the classic hit “Stay,” initially released in a different era, to a fresh audience. Remarkably, Browne’s rendition climbed up to the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Additionally, Andrew Gold recorded “Stay” for his 1976 album titled “What’s Wrong With This Picture?”.

In 1995, Dreamhouse introduced a reggae adaptation of the song “Stay” to the British music industry. Their initial album containing this track was initially launched in the United States in 1998. The pop icon Cyndi Lauper recorded her rendition of “Stay” in 2003, which appeared on her album titled “At Last.”

As a gamer, I’d say: “From the groovy ’60s to the rad ’80s, this tune called ‘Stay’ was a constant hit! Whether it was in the disco era of the ’70s or the arcade craze of the ’90s, it never lost its charm. And who knows? With a fresh cover popping up sometime in the future, this classic could be dominating the charts once again!”

The influence of Dirty Dancing

One of the most memorable films from the 80s is “Dirty Dancing,” which first hit screens in 1987 and left an indelible mark on popular culture. Featuring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, this classic movie gained fame for its popular soundtrack. Notably, Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs’ rendition of “Stay” was featured, reintroducing the original 1960 tune to the public more than two decades later.

Williams’s other hits

Though “Stay” is often seen as Maurice Williams’s most renowned piece, it was actually “Little Darlin'” that catapulted him into stardom. At just a teenager, Williams’s rendition peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard R&B charts in April 1957. The Diamonds popularized the song later in the same year, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame notes that Williams experienced a third million-selling single, “May I”, in 1961.

As a music enthusiast, if I were to compile a playlist showcasing timeless hits from the 1950s and 60s, there’d be no doubt that “Little Darlin'” and “Stay” would grace that list. The remarkable talent of Maurice Williams is something that deserves continued recognition in the annals of music history.

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2024-08-16 00:00