Lizzy McAlpine - Staying

Update: 2024-05-29

Digest

Lizzie McAlpine, known for her viral hit "Sealing," shares the story behind her song "Stay" from her third album, "older." She initially recorded the song with a producer, but after almost a year, she felt the production didn't match the raw emotion of the lyrics. She scrapped the entire album and started over with a new band, finding a more intimate and organic sound. The song explores a complex relationship from college, where McAlpine felt trapped in a cycle of on-again, off-again love. The song's bridge, originally cut, was added back in to represent McAlpine's journey of self-discovery and healing. The final version, recorded in a small home studio, captures the vulnerability and honesty of McAlpine's songwriting, making it one of her favorites.

Outlines

00:00:00

Song Exploder Introduction

This Chapter introduces the Song Exploder podcast, where musicians break down their songs and share the stories behind their creation.

00:00:06

Lizzie McAlpine's Journey

This Chapter introduces Lizzie McAlpine, a musician who gained significant success with her first two albums. Despite her success, she decided to scrap her third album after almost a year of recording, feeling the production didn't match the raw emotion of the lyrics.

00:00:45

The Story Behind "Stay"

This Chapter focuses on Lizzie McAlpine's song "Stay" from her third album, "older." She shares the inspiration behind the song, which stems from a complex relationship from college. She describes the on-again, off-again nature of the relationship and the emotional toll it took on her.

00:08:21

Reimagining "Stay"

This Chapter details Lizzie McAlpine's decision to re-record "Stay" with a new band. She explains her desire for a more intimate and organic sound, which led her to record in a small home studio. She emphasizes the importance of capturing the raw emotion of the lyrics through her vocals and the band's performance.

Keywords

Lizzie McAlpine

Lizzie McAlpine is an American singer-songwriter known for her introspective and emotionally resonant music. She gained popularity with her debut album "Give Me a Reason" in 2020 and followed up with "When the World Was at Home" in 2022. Her music often explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, resonating with a wide audience. She is known for her unique vocal style and her ability to create intimate and relatable songs.

Song Exploder

Song Exploder is a popular podcast hosted by Rishikesh Herway, where musicians break down their songs and share the stories behind their creation. The podcast features a diverse range of artists from various genres, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process. Song Exploder has gained a loyal following for its insightful interviews and its ability to provide a deeper understanding of the music we love.

Stay (Lizzie McAlpine song)

"Stay" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lizzie McAlpine from her third album, "older." The song explores a complex and emotionally charged relationship from McAlpine's college years. It captures the feelings of being trapped in a cycle of on-again, off-again love and the struggle to move on. The song's raw and honest lyrics, combined with its intimate production, have resonated with listeners who have experienced similar situations.

Japanese House

Japanese House is a British electronic music producer and singer-songwriter known for their atmospheric and introspective music. Their music often features dreamy synths, intricate melodies, and emotionally charged vocals. Japanese House has gained a following for their unique sound and their ability to create music that is both captivating and relatable.

Ryan Bady

Ryan Bady is an American musician known for his energetic live performances and his blend of indie rock and folk influences. He has released several albums and has toured extensively, gaining a following for his catchy melodies and his ability to connect with audiences.

Pedal Steel Players House

The Pedal Steel Players House is a recording studio located in Nashville, Tennessee. It is known for its intimate and homey atmosphere, which is conducive to creating organic and authentic music. The studio has been used by a variety of artists, including Lizzie McAlpine, who recorded her song "Stay" there.

Q&A

Why did Lizzie McAlpine decide to scrap her third album after almost a year of recording?
Lizzie McAlpine felt that the production of her third album didn't match the raw emotion of the lyrics. She wanted a more intimate and organic sound that would better capture the vulnerability of her songwriting.
What inspired Lizzie McAlpine to write the song "Stay"?
"Stay" is inspired by a complex relationship from Lizzie McAlpine's college years. She describes the relationship as on-again, off-again and the emotional toll it took on her.
How did Lizzie McAlpine change the sound of "Stay" for the final version?
Lizzie McAlpine re-recorded "Stay" with a new band in a small home studio. She wanted a more intimate and organic sound, which she achieved by recording live with the band and focusing on capturing the raw emotion of the lyrics through her vocals.
What is the significance of the bridge section in "Stay"?
The bridge section of "Stay" represents Lizzie McAlpine's journey of self-discovery and healing. It was originally cut from the song but was added back in to represent her growth and her ability to move on from the relationship.
What is the overall message of "Stay"?
"Stay" is a song about the complexities of love and the struggle to let go of a relationship that is no longer healthy. It captures the feelings of being trapped in a cycle of on-again, off-again love and the journey of self-discovery and healing that follows.

Show Notes

Lizzy McAlpine released her first album in 2020, and her second album in 2022. And between the two, she’s had a lot of success. One of her songs, "Ceilings," was a viral TikTok hit, and has been streamed over half a billion times. So you might think, with all that success, you’d want to keep working in way that’s been working. But while Lizzy was making her third album, Older, after almost a year into the process of recording, she threw the whole thing out. She brought in a new band, and started over with a totally different approach. I talked to her about the song "Staying," from her new album. You’ll hear her original voice memos, as well as the first version she made in the studio, and then how it really came to life once she reimagined it.

For more, visit songexploder.net/lizzy-mcalpine.