Stay Another Day

Twenty-five years after its first release, original label, London Records, in collaboration with Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture 2019, released a brand new recording of the classic East 17 Christmas No1, Stay Another Day.


In October 2019, school children from five schools across the borough of Waltham Forest were joined together by the Waltham Forest Music Service, to create the Waltham Forest Youth Choir.

The choir vocals for the 25th anniversary re-recording of Stay Another Day were recorded in Walthamstow Assembly Hall, in the heart of Walthamstow.

L-R:

Mary Mycroft - Waltham Forest Music Service

Sam Jones - Engineer and producer

Joe Duddell - Composer and arranger

Tony Mortimer - East 17 founding member and writer of Stay Another Day

Rebecca Baxter was the Vocal Animateur for the project, guiding the choir throughout the process.

East 17 were formed in Walthamstow. Tony Mortimer wrote the song at home in the town, close by to where this re-recording was created.

The Walthamstow Assembly Hall is a Grade II listed building, situated next to Walthamstow Town Hall.

A group shot of the Waltham Forest Youth Choir, Tony Mortimer and others who worked on the song upon finishing the recording inside Walthamstow Assembly Hall.

The final version of the song also features East London Brass, who recorded their parts at St Mary's Music Hall in Walthamstow.

The single was released on December 3, 2019, in Partnership with CALM. 25% of all proceeds generated from the single go directly to the charity, who are leading a movement against suicide.

Though it is now seen as a Christmas favourite, Stay Another Day was originally written by Tony Mortimer for his brother, who committed suicide.

The beautiful video was shot by Glashier, during recording sessions at Walthamstow Assembly Hall and around the Town Hall Campus.

The Waltham Forest Youth Choir performed the song with Tony Mortimer at Forest Uprising, the Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture 2019 finale on December 14 & 15, 2019 at Leyton Sports Ground.

An image taken from the set of the original video recording of Stay Another Day by East 17 in 1994.