Jodeci "Stay"

Album: Forever My Lady (Uptown/ MCA)
Songwriters: DeVante Swing
Hit #1: February 8th, 1992 (2 Weeks)

Three months after setting the R&B world afire with their Al. B Sure-assisted debut "Forever My Lady", Jodeci reclaimed what had become a comfortable perch atop the singles chart with their second single, "Stay".

Written and produced by their own in-house hitmaker in groupmate DeVante Swing, "Stay" continued "Forever..."'s use of honest emotions brought to fruition with extended gospel-flared vocal workouts. Interspersed with Dalvin's smooth, spoken word nibblets (his main puprose seemed to be relegated to the nude chest-baring sex symbol role), he provides the build-up for powerhouse siblings K-Ci & Jojo doing their best to make soul beggin' sound cool again. Apologizing for being the cause of a break-up, the boys strain their throats to make their women realize that it would do both sides a huge benefit to just get back together. If she gets even a minor notion that it might not be a good idea, they will beat her upside the head with their combined vocal strengths until she gives in.

These boys don't even need verses as much as a strong hook to repeat over and over, ad-libbing their way through DeVante's creamy soul concoctions like they are testifying at the pulpit. Poor Keith Sweat was probably really perspiring after hearing this, wondering why he couldn't move people in the same way anymore.



DL: "Stay" (YFH)