Featured Unknown/Underrated Song: Paul Young's "Come Back And Stay"

When one goes back and looks at the chart numbers for previous songs in the Rock Era, some of them defy explanation.  This song by Englishman Paul Young peaked at #22 in 1984.  Now 1984 was a great year in music, to be sure, but that doesn't explain a #22 peak for this song.  I was the research director at a radio station back then, and I can tell you unequivocally that it was one of the most popular songs we played.  Should have been Top 10:

Come Back And Stay

Paul Young

Lyrics and Music by Jack Lee

Since you've been gone
I shut my eyes
And I fantasize
That you're here with me

Will you ever return?
I won't be you satisfied
Till you're by my side
Don't wait any longer...

Why don't you come back?
Please hurry, why don't you come back?
Please hurry...
Come back and stay for good this time
Come back and stay for good this time

You said goodbye
I was trying to hide
What I felt inside
Until you passed me by

You said you'd return
You said that you'd be mine
Till the end of time
Don't wait any longer

Why don't you come back?

Please hurry, why don't you come back?
Please hurry...
Come back and stay for good this time
Come back and stay for good this time

Since you've been gone
Opened my eyes
And I realize
What we had together

Will you ever return?
I'll have you change your mind
If you won't stay mine
Just love me forever
Love me forever

Why don't you come back?
Please hurry, why don't you come back?
Please hurry, why don't you come back?
Please hurry, why don't you come back?
Please hurry, why don't you come back?
Please hurry
Just come back and stay for good this time
Come back and stay for good this time
Come back and stay for good this time
Come back and stay for good this time

Don't ever leave me

This Date in Rock Music History: July 5

1954:  Elvis Presley went into the recording studio for the first time, recording "That's All Right (Mama)" and "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.
1958:  Ray Charles' appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival was recorded for the live album Ray Charles at Newport.


1960:  Elvis Presley released the single "It's Now Or Never" on RCA Records.
1961:  Ray Charles recorded "Hit The Road, Jack" and "Unchain My Heart" at Bell Sound in New York City.
1963:  The Beatles played at the Plaza Ballroom in Handsworth, Staffordshire and a second show at the Plaza Ballroom in Old Hill.  (Note:  some websites naively say the Beatles played in Handsworth, West Midlands.  The West Midlands did not become a county until 1974, so it is physically impossible for the Beatles to have played in that county.)

This Date in Rock Music History: July 4

1955:  Gene Vincent was in a serious accident when a car in Norfolk, Virginia hit his motorcycle, crushing his leg.
1956:  Elvis Presley performed a charity concert for the Memphis Press-Scimitar's Milk Fund in Memphis, Tennessee.
1958:  Buddy Holly and Frankie Avalon performed three concerts at the Buck Lake Ranch in Angola, India.
1958:  The Everly Brothers rolled into the #1 position in the U.K. with "All I Have To Do Is Dream".
1959:  The Brothers Four recorded the song "Greenfields".
1960:  Brian Hyland had the highest-debuting song with "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini".

1960:  Connie Francis held down the #1 song for a second week with "Everybody's Somebody's Fool", with "Alley-Oop" from the Hollywood Argyles #2.  Brenda Lee moved up from 6 to 3 with "I'm Sorry" while Duane Eddy's great instrumental "Because They're Young" was #4 and the former #1 "Cathy's Clown" by the Everly Brothers was at #5.
1962:  Chris Blackwell started Island Records, which would eventually promote U2, Robert Palmer, Bob Marley and many others. 
1964:  The Beatles announced that their first tour of North America was a complete sellout.