Elvis Costello's song "Please Stay" is a plea from the narrator to their lover, asking them not to leave. The lyrics express desperation and a deep desire for the person to stay in their arms instead of walking out the door, as they have done before. The narrator pleads with their lover, calling out their name like a prayer, hoping they won't leave them alone with their tears. The song acknowledges past heartaches and betrayal but still holds onto the belief that this time things can be different. The chorus repeats the plea for the lover to stay and not to go, emphasizing the narrator's vulnerability and need for their presence. The lyrics also touch upon how the lover had taught the narrator to love in a certain way and how the narrator still holds onto hope by being saved by their kiss. It reveals that the narrator loved the person even before knowing their name, demonstrating the deep emotional connection they share. By describing their life as a song written solely for their lover, the narrator expresses their profound dedication and reliance on this individual. They fear that the rejection and hurt they experienced in the past will continue if their lover leaves again. Overall, "Please Stay" is a heartfelt plea for love, intimacy, and commitment. It conveys the narrator's yearning for their lover to choose to stay and make a change in their relationship, hoping that this time things will be different.
