The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
To be happy
You are all I need
To make me happy
Because every time you're near
All the tears inside are raindrops
All the sadness in my lifetime goes away
Just believe in me
All I need is someone
Who believes in me
You're the good luck charm
You're the reason for the rainbows
God knows I'd hate to see you go away
Baby don't leave me this way
If you stay
If you stay, I'll give you what you want
I'll show you
I'll show you, I'm the only one for you baby
If you stay
If you stay with me
I'll show you
I'll show you how much I need you
Oh how much I need you
To be with you
I just wanna constantly be with you
It's only when you're around
All the problems solve my problems
All the clouds inside my garden roll away
Baby they roll away
If you stay
If you stay, I'll give you what you want
I'll show you
I'll show you, I'm the only one for you baby
If you stay
If you stay with me
I'll show you
I'll show you how much I need you
Oh how much I need you
Oh forever
You have all my gratitude forever
For being who you are
Brings me victory as a promise
My frustrations and my losses fly high away
They fly
If you stay
If you stay, I'll give you what you want
I'll show you
I'll show you, I'm the only one for you baby
If you stay
If you stay with me
I'll show you
I'll show you how much I need you
Oh how much I need you
Only if you stay, only if you stay
Only if you stay, only if you stay
You are all I need
To make me happy
Because every time you're near
All the tears inside are raindrops
All the sadness in my lifetime goes away
Just believe in me
All I need is someone
Who believes in me
You're the good luck charm
You're the reason for the rainbows
God knows I'd hate to see you go away
Baby don't leave me this way
If you stay
If you stay, I'll give you what you want
I'll show you
I'll show you, I'm the only one for you baby
If you stay
If you stay with me
I'll show you
I'll show you how much I need you
Oh how much I need you
To be with you
I just wanna constantly be with you
It's only when you're around
All the problems solve my problems
All the clouds inside my garden roll away
Baby they roll away
If you stay
If you stay, I'll give you what you want
I'll show you
I'll show you, I'm the only one for you baby
If you stay
If you stay with me
I'll show you
I'll show you how much I need you
Oh how much I need you
Oh forever
You have all my gratitude forever
For being who you are
Brings me victory as a promise
My frustrations and my losses fly high away
They fly
If you stay
If you stay, I'll give you what you want
I'll show you
I'll show you, I'm the only one for you baby
If you stay
If you stay with me
I'll show you
I'll show you how much I need you
Oh how much I need you
Only if you stay, only if you stay
Only if you stay, only if you stay
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
If You Stay Lyrics as written by James Bedford Attrell Stephen Cordes
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Good song! One of the older ones by them, I believe.