Stay Down (Mary J. Blige song)

"Stay Down" is a song by American singer Mary J. Blige, taken from her eighth studio album, Growing Pains (2007). It was written by Blige along with Johnta Austin and Bryan-Michael Cox, while production was helmed by Box. Released as the album's third and final single, it replaced "Hurt Again", that was released for a short time for airplay, but at the last minute was canceled in the favor of "Stay Down".

"Stay Down"
Single by Mary J. Blige
from the album Growing Pains
ReleasedMarch 18, 2008
GenreR&B
Length4:22
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Bryan-Michael Cox
Mary J. Blige singles chronology
"Work That"
(2007)
"Stay Down"
(2008)
"Remember Me"
(2009)
Music video
"Stay Down" on YouTube

Critical reception

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BET.com wrote of the song: "One of Mary's strongest assets is her relatability – she always makes the listener feel like each song could be about their own life. And for anyone who's struggled to keep a long-term relationship going, this earnest single [...] will seem all too real. Don't miss the hilariously random Weezy reference."[1]

Music video

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A music video for "Stay Down" was directed by Hype Williams and premiered on April 17, 2008. It features several close shots of Blige as well as many landscape scenes.

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from the Growing Pains liner notes.[2]

  • Johnta Austin – writer
  • Nick Banns – additional engineer
  • Mary J. Blige – vocals, writer
  • Dru Castro – additional engineer
  • Bryan-Michael Cox – producer, writer
  • Ron Fair – arrangement, conductor
  • Kuk Harrell – vocal producer, recording
  • Alec Newell – recording
  • Chris "Tek" O'Ryan – additional engineer
  • Sam Thomas – recording

Charts

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Chart (2008) Peak
position
New Zealand Urban Airplay (RMNZ)[3] 22
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[4] 34

References

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  1. ^ "Mary J. Blige's 50 Best Songs – MJB's What's the 411? was released 22 years ago today". BET.com. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  2. ^ Blige, Mary J. (2007). Growing Pains (Compact Disc). Mary J. Blige. MCA Records.
  3. ^ "RadioScope100 – June 15, 2008 – RadioScope New Zealand". RadioScope. June 15, 2008. Archived from the original on October 16, 2008. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  4. ^ "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-01-04.