"If You Want Me To Stay" by Erik Hassle is a song about a person asserting their independence within a relationship. The lyrics suggest that the narrator is willing to stay and be available for their partner, but they need to be allowed to be themselves and not taken for granted. The song begins with the narrator stating that they will be around today to be available for their partner, but they are about to leave. They emphasize that in order to stay in the relationship, they need to be true to themselves. The lyrics imply that the partner should never doubt their commitment and that they should not rely on them too much. The narrator promises to be gone for a while and advises the partner to not try to reach them by phone. This suggests that the narrator needs some time away from the relationship to maintain their independence. The chorus addresses the partner directly, mentioning that when they meet again, the narrator hopes that the partner has become the person they truly are. This implies that the narrator wants their partner to grow and evolve, just as they are doing. The lyrics also touch on the issue of trust, as the narrator wonders why the partner would allow them to get out of line or engage in questionable behavior. They emphasize that they should always be the number one person in the relationship. Overall, "If You Want Me To Stay" is a song about asserting independence, maintaining personal freedom, and valuing individual growth within a relationship.
