Talk ’90s to me Stay Another Day – The story of East 17's accidental Christmas classic with Tony Mortimer
7 snips
Dec 15, 2025 
In this lively discussion, Tony Mortimer, a founding member of East 17 and the mastermind behind the iconic holiday hit 'Stay Another Day,' reveals how personal tragedy inspired the song. He shares the journey of crafting the track in just six weeks and the surprising marketing insight that led to its festive association. The conversation also explores the band's rise to fame, their image struggles, and the unexpected competition with Mariah Carey for the Christmas No. 1 spot. Plus, Tony reflects on his life after the band and the evolution of his songwriting.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
A Line From A Morgue Table
- The specific dark line "I touch your face while you are sleeping" came from Mortimer seeing his brother on the morgue table.
- Mortimer never expected people to hear or ask about those literal lines when the song became huge.
Two Videos, One Iconic Look
- Two music videos were made: a low-budget piano studio version and a bigger hangar shoot funded after the label rejected the first.
- The iconic snowy hangar video was filmed in a freezing West London hangar with white parkas and leather sequences.
Song Strength Beats Big-Machine Promotion
- Despite being up against Mariah Carey's major machine, East 17's modest label and grassroots promotion beat her to Christmas No.1 in 1994.
- A strong song and public attachment can overcome marketing inequalities.
