IT is one of the most loved Christmas songs of all time but there are few who know about the heartbreaking meaning behind East 17’s ballad Stay Another Day.
The boyband’s lead songwriter Tony Mortimer penned the 1994 hit, which spent five weeks at number one, after tragically losing his older brother Ollie to suicide. In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Mail to mark the songs 30th anniversary the dad-of-two said he will never get over the death of his brother who took an overdose in 1989 aged just 22.
But Tony, 54, admitted it brings him great comfort that the ballad means so much to so many people and has helped raise lots of money for charity over the last three decades. The singer, who along with Brian Harvey, John Hendy and Terry Coldwell made up the 90s supergroup East 17, said: “I can’t believe it has been 30 years since Stay Another Day became our biggest hit. It’s amazing how quickly time flies.
“The song was inspired by personal pain as I had lost my brother a few years before when I was just 19. It was supposed to be an album ballad. I never planned for it to be released but the record label loved it and so did everybody else. I still find it strange a song that came from such a dark place became a Christmas classic but perhaps that’s why it resonated as it came from a place of innocence. Tragedy sometimes makes the best art.”
Londoner Tony, who is re-releasing the track on vinyl on December 13 to mark the songs 30th birthday, added: “Everyone would give anything for a loved one they lost to ‘stay another day’ so they could say all the things they needed to say.
“I get incredibly emotional every time I sing the song or hear it played as I would love to have my brother for one more day so I could say goodbye to him. Writing the song was my way of getting everything I was feeling at the time off my chest and I just love that it has struck a chord with so many others.
“There are also a lot of people who don’t know the true meaning behind the words and remember it as the Christmas hit where a boyband wore huge white parka jackets and snow goggles and that’s okay too.”
Tony, who won an Ivor Novello award for writing the song which went to number one in eight countries, has re-released the song several times over the years – raising money and awareness for mental health charities.
This Christmas a percentage of the profits from the single will go to music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins who use the power of music to break through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, disability, social isolation and autism.
Tony, who grew up in Walthamstow which leant its postcode to the band’s name, said: “I really want to raise awareness of how music can offer hope, expression and healing to people everywhere just like it did for me after my brother died.
“I do wonder sometimes what he would make of it all. It makes me emotional just thinking about it. I think he would like that I am using a song inspired by him to help others especially kids with autism.
“There is a probability that my brother was autistic as he had social problems. The work Nordoff and Robbins do to support kids and their families is incredible and I am delighted we can use this song to help the charity.”
Tony, who has two daughters Atlanta, 29, and Ocean, 31, with partner Tracey, added: “In 2019 on the 25th anniversary we teamed up with CALM a mental health charity to raise awareness of depression and suicide.
“Men still aren’t good about talking about their feelings and more often than not the first sign that someone is struggling comes when they take their own life. Suicide is a permanent decision based on a temporary emotion and it’s so damaging to other people’s lives.
“To know this song is raising awareness of these issues makes me happy and I know my brother would be proud to know what a huge impact the lyrics about him are having on others.
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“When we meet again we will certainly have lots to talk about – part of me wonders did he write it and pass it on to me – I just don’t know but it’s a possibility.”
Stay Another Day returns to the charts every December – its timeless status assisted by covers by everyone from Jorja Smith and Kylie Minogue to Girls Aloud and Chvrches.
Tony will be performing a special rendition of the much-loved song, which in 2023 amassed 20 million streams, at the Nordoff and Robbins carol service at St Luke’s in Chelsea alongside festive performances from Jamie Cullum and Lemar.
When new boyband East 17 hit the music scene in 1991 they took everyone by surprise with their charm, charisma and looks.
They became firm favourites with radio stations, competition for Take That, collaborated with the world’s biggest artists and had thousands of adoring fans screaming after them wherever they went.
The band had six years of hits and international success before their split in 1997 not long after lead singer Brian Harvey caused controversy by proclaiming ecstasy was a safe drug.
There have been several reunions over the years with and without Mortimer but the success of the 90s was never to be repeated.
Granddad-of-three Tony, who is writing a children’s book, said: “I had a lot of fun in the band but it’s so long ago now. My daughters have spent their life avoiding any reference to me and East 17. They used to come home from school mortified that their teachers used to listened to my music when they were younger. They even banned me from picking them up because the thought of me being recognised for being in a boyband was embarrassing.
“My family are my life and I am looking forward to a wonderful Christmas with them all. Now I have three grandkids the magic I lost when my girls flew the nest has returned. I am looking more like Santa as the years go on, so I might wear a red suit and practice my ho ho hos.
“I am looking forward to 2025 and there will definitely be another trip to Scotland. We love the Highlands. The whole country is just so gorgeous. We’ve done the North Coast 500 and in August we stayed in a 16th century cottage in Braemar. Life is pretty good and I’m looking forward to marking many more anniversaries of Stay Another Day.”
To purchase the re-release go to www.stayanotherday.co.uk
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