Commercially, the song peaked at number 10 in the United Kingdom and number 15 in Minogue's native Australia, where it was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), selling over 35,000 copies.[1] An accompanying music video was shot for the single, directed by James Frost and Alex Smith. It featured Minogue abandoning a bedroom to visit a group of partygoers in an underground room. The song has been performed live by Minogue on her KylieFever2002 and Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour.
Peter Robinson from NME praised the song for being a "breezy little number, much like Kylie herself."[2] Dooyoo.co.uk also gave it a positive review, writing, "With a slight drift from the camp disco, 'Please Stay' indulges in a light, fast acoustic sound, backed up by a thumping beat and lauded by soothing, inviting vocals from Minogue...she draws you into it and makes you feel like you're strutting the romantic streets of Paris."[3]
"Please Stay" saw moderate success worldwide. The song debuted at No. 15 in Minogue’s native Australia, but did not remain on the charts for long; however, the song was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry of Australia (ARIA). The song debuted at No. 69 on the Dutch charts, but fell-out the next week at No. 77. The song debuted at No. 47 in Sweden, staying on the charts for three weeks. The song peaked at No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart (one of its higher positions), but did not go further; ”Please Stay” remained on the British charts for seven weeks.
Music video
A music video was shot by James Frost and Alex Smith. The clip opens with Minogue driving a car through the night, intercut with images of her lying on a round rotating bed whilst wearing a gold silk mini-dress with slashed sleeves. After the first chorus, Minogue gets up off the bed in order to pull on a candelabra, revealing the opening to a fireman's pole within the wall. Sliding down it, she comes out the other side into an underground room filled with partygoers, and her gold dress changed into an identical red one. Minogue commences a dance routine with the partygoers involving a pool table, until the clip fades out over images of a pinball machine featuring the "Light Years" album cover.[4]
Live performances
Minogue performed a medley of "Spinning Around" and "Please Stay" on the Royal Variety Performance, which aired on 17 December 2000 by BBC One.[5] She performed "Please Stay" on the KylieFever2002 tour, as part of the "In Your Eyes" medley which included the titular song and "Rhythm of the Night". It was included again on the setlist of her Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour in 2005 as part of the What Kylie Wants, Kylie Gets section. Minogue was unable to complete the tour as she was diagnosed with early breast cancer and had to cancel the Australian leg of the tour.[6] The performance of the song was included in the Showgirl video album (2005).[7]
Track listings
Australasian and UK CD1, UK cassette single[8][9][10]
^Please Stay (Australasian CD1 liner notes). Kylie Minogue. Festival Mushroom Records. 2000. 020042.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Please Stay (UK CD1 liner notes). Kylie Minogue. Parlophone. 2000. CDRS 6551, 7243 889732 2 9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Please Stay (UK cassette single sleeve). Kylie Minogue. Parlophone. 2000. TCR 6551, 7243 889732 4 3.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Please Stay (Australasian CD2 liner notes). Kylie Minogue. Festival Mushroom Records. 2000. 020062.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Please Stay (UK CD2 liner notes). Kylie Minogue. Parlophone. 2000. CDR6551, 7243 889732 0 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Please Stay (European enhanced CD single liner notes). Kylie Minogue. Parlophone. 2000. 7243 8 89791 0 8.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Please Stay (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). Kylie Minogue. Parlophone. 2000. 12MINWL 004.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)