Jennifer Nettles is shedding light on the unexpected source of inspiration behind one of Sugarland’s most beloved tracks, “Stay.”
As Sugarland embarks on a North American tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their acclaimed 2006 album Enjoy the Ride, Nettles shares how the Grammy-winning ballad materialized. “Stay,” released in 2007 as the album’s fourth single, uniquely narrates a complex affair from the point of view of the other woman, a perspective that intrigued fans and critics alike.
Reba McEntire’s Influence
“Stay” marked a pivotal moment for Sugarland, as it was the first song featuring lyrics exclusively penned by Nettles. She revealed to People that her creative spark came from a classic Reba McEntire hit. “The song is purely fictional,” Nettles emphasized, attributing her inspiration to McEntire’s 1986 track “Whoever’s in New England,” which presents the viewpoint of a woman who suspects her partner is being unfaithful during a business trip.
Nettles recalled how the song prompted her to consider the story from the other woman’s perspective: “There’s so many songs that are like this… and I thought, wouldn’t it be interesting to just try to put on the cloak of this other woman? What must she be going through?”
Success and Impact of ‘Stay’
Nettles collaborated with Kristian Bush to transform her concept into a powerful acoustic ballad that stood out from the rest of Enjoy the Ride. The track’s distinctiveness contributed to its success, reaching No. 2 on the Hot Country Songs chart and No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also earned Sugarland their first two Grammy Awards, solidifying the song’s legacy.
“It had such an impact. It just goes to show you… a good song, you can strip away all of the other instruments and play it as it was composed,” Nettles reflected. “If it can stand up like that, it can certainly stand up with everything else that you might want to add to it.”
As Sugarland continues to celebrate their two-decade milestone, fans remain captivated by the emotional depth and narrative complexity of “Stay,” a testament to the enduring power of storytelling in country music.