Expert: Bong Santos - 5/1/2007

Question
I can't remember the name of a song that came out in the late 80s.  I thought it was "stay" but I can't find it and I don't know the singer.  All, I can remember is that the chorus was "You'd better hope and pray that you make safe back in your own world."  Can you help?

Answer
Dear Brad,

This one is actually from the 90's but, what the heck, we're talking here of music!!

STAY is the title alright. And the artist: SHAKESPEAR'S SISTER. They were a band formed by Irish-born SIOBHAN FAHEY who used to be 1/3 of BANANARAMA and American musician MARCELLA DETROIT, former back-up vocalist of ERIC CLAPTON in the 70's. They formed in 1988, the same year SIOBHAN left BANANARAMA. The name SHAKESPEAR'S SISTER was taken from a 1985 song by THE SMITHS which first appeared on their LOUDER THAN BOMBS compilation released 1987.

SHAKESPEAR'S SISTER released their debut album in 1989 called SACRED HEART but they hit pay dirt with their second and last album, 1992's HORMONALLY YOURS. The album spawned two US smash hit singles with STAY peaking at #4 on September 19, 1992. It's follow-up, I DON'T CARE reached #55 on January 23, 1993. They then split-up in 1993 upon SIOBHAN's release from a psychiatric unit where she admitted herself to in 1992 due to severe depression. SHAKESPEAR'S SISTER carried on with SIOBHAN as its sole member releasing records, the latest being 2005's LONG LIVE THE QUEENS!

Here's the lyrics to STAY:

STAY / SHAKESPEAR'S SISTER

If this world is wearing thin
And you're thinking of escape
I'll go anywhere with you
Just wrap me up in chains
But if you try to go alone
Don't think I'll understand

Stay with me
Stay with me

In the silence of your room
In the darkness of your dreams
You must only think of me
There can be no in between
When your pride is on the floor
I'll make you beg for more

Stay with me
Stay with me

You'd better hope and pray
That you make it safe
Back to your own world
You'd better hope and pray
That you'll wake one day
In your own world
Coz when you sleep at night
They don't hear your cries
In your own world
Only time will tell
If you can break the spell
Back in your own world

Stay with me
Stay with me
Stay, stay with me
Stay, stay, stay, stay, stay
Stay with me


Maraming salamat po!!

BONG M. SANTOS
Manila, Philippines