The Four 'Stay With Me' Songs That Defined Global Music Decades: From City Pop Revival To Sam Smith's Updated Anthem

The simple, pleading phrase "Stay With Me" is one of the most powerful and enduring titles in modern music. As of late December 2025, this exact title is shared by at least four globally significant songs, each representing a different decade, genre, and cultural moment. From a Japanese City Pop classic that found new life on TikTok to a K-drama soundtrack breaking streaming records, the phrase has become a musical touchstone. The most recent and significant update involves a major artist revising their own multi-platinum hit, proving that even a decade-old song can remain fresh and relevant.

This deep-dive article explores the unique stories, enduring success, and current relevance of the most iconic songs to bear the name "Stay With Me," with a focus on the most recent, unique, and fresh updates that have cemented their place in music history.

The Cultural Phenomenon: Sam Smith's Updated Anthem and Biography

The most globally recognizable version of the title is undoubtedly the 2014 gospel-tinged ballad by English singer-songwriter Sam Smith. The song, which became a monumental commercial and critical success, is now back in the headlines due to a major re-recording that reflects the artist's personal journey.

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Sam Smith's Biography and Profile

• Full Name: Samuel Frederick Smith
• Born: May 19, 1992 (Age 33 as of 2025)
• Origin: London, England
• Pronouns: They/Them (Publicly came out as non-binary in 2019)
• Debut Album: In the Lonely Hour (2014)
• Breakthrough: Featured on Disclosure's "Latch" (2012) and Naughty Boy's "La La La" (2013)
• Major Awards: Four Grammy Awards (including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for "Stay With Me"), an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and three Brit Awards.
• Recent Work: The chart-topping single "Unholy" (2022) with Kim Petras, and the album Gloria (2023).

The 10th Anniversary Update and Lyric Change

To honor the 10th anniversary of their debut album, *In The Lonely Hour*, Sam Smith announced a re-recording of the iconic track in 2024. The fresh news that has captured the most attention is the subtle but significant lyric change to the chorus.

The original line was "Guess it's true, I'm not good at one-night stands / But I still need love 'cause I'm just a man."

The updated lyric, reflecting Smith's non-binary identity, is now "Guess it's true, I'm not good at one-night stands / But I still need love 'cause I'm just a person." This re-recording and lyric adjustment is a powerful statement of self-acceptance and a modern re-contextualization of a classic song, allowing it to resonate with a new generation while honoring the original's emotional core.

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The song's enduring legacy is also highlighted by recent high-profile collaborations, including a powerful live performance with Ed Sheeran and Brandi Carlile, and a special studio version featuring Japanese superstar Hikaru Utada, further cementing its status as a global anthem.

Miki Matsubara's 'Mayonaka no Door': The City Pop Resurgence

Decades before Sam Smith, a completely different "Stay With Me" was released on November 5, 1979, in Japan. This is the debut single by the late Japanese singer Miki Matsubara, officially titled "Mayonaka no Door" (Door of Midnight), but universally known to Western audiences by its subtitle: "Stay with Me."

The Viral TikTok Phenomenon

The most compelling and unique story surrounding this version is its unprecedented global resurgence. In late 2020 and early 2021, the song exploded in popularity, primarily driven by the video-sharing platform TikTok. Young users, many of whom were completely unfamiliar with the 1970s Japanese music scene, discovered the track and used it in millions of videos.

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This viral success propelled the song to the top of global streaming charts, an astonishing feat for a song released over 40 years prior. It became the first-ever City Pop track to hit 100 million views on YouTube, introducing the smooth, sophisticated sound of Japanese City Pop—a blend of disco, funk, R&B, and soft rock—to a massive international audience.

The song's composer, Tetsuji Hayashi, attributed its fresh success to the rise of streaming, which allows listeners to bypass traditional music gatekeepers and discover hidden gems from the past. The track’s melancholic yet groovy sound, combined with Miki Matsubara's powerful vocals, perfectly captured a nostalgic, retro aesthetic that resonated with a modern, digitally native generation.

Global Soundtrack: K-Drama and Funk-Pop Takes on 'Stay With Me'

The topical authority of "Stay With Me" must also acknowledge two other major contributions that have dominated their respective genres.

The K-Drama OST Champion: Chanyeol and Punch (2016)

In the world of K-pop and K-drama, "Stay with Me" holds a different, but equally iconic, status. This version is a duet by EXO's Chanyeol and singer Punch, released in 2016 as the original soundtrack (OST) for the immensely popular K-drama *Guardian: The Lonely and Great God* (Goblin).

This track is a historical record-breaker in the OST category. It was the first K-drama music video to hit 500 million views on YouTube and the first OST ever to reach 100 million streams on Spotify. Its enduring popularity solidifies its status as a quintessential K-pop ballad, known for its emotional depth and the perfect blend of Chanyeol's rap and Punch's soulful vocals.

The success of the song is inextricably linked to the global success of the *Goblin* series, making it a foundational piece of the Hallyu (Korean Wave) phenomenon and a must-know track for any K-drama enthusiast.

The Star-Studded Collaboration: Calvin Harris (2022)

Bringing the title into the modern dance and funk landscape is Scottish DJ and producer Calvin Harris. His 2022 track "Stay With Me" is a massive collaboration featuring American superstars Justin Timberlake, Halsey, and Pharrell Williams.

Released as the third single from his album *Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2*, this version is a sun-drenched, groovy track that channels a '70s funk and disco vibe, consistent with the album's aesthetic. The song is a testament to Harris's ability to pull together A-list talent for a feel-good, breezy summer anthem.

While perhaps not carrying the same emotional weight as Sam Smith's ballad or the nostalgic depth of Miki Matsubara's track, the Calvin Harris version is a masterclass in modern, multi-artist production, showcasing the song title's versatility across different musical eras and intentions.

The Enduring Power of a Simple Plea

The four most prominent "Stay With Me" songs—from Sam Smith's updated, non-binary anthem to Miki Matsubara's viral City Pop gem, the K-drama OST by Chanyeol and Punch, and the funk-pop collaboration by Calvin Harris—collectively illustrate the universal appeal of the phrase. Whether sung as a desperate plea for love, a nostalgic reflection on a fleeting moment, or a hopeful call for connection, the title transcends genre, language, and time. The fact that new, fresh updates and resurrections continue to happen, like Sam Smith's lyric change and the City Pop revival, ensures that the simple request to "Stay With Me" will remain a powerful and relevant force in the global music landscape for decades to come.