"Stay Awake" is a song by British musician Example from his third studio album, Playing in the Shadows. The song was written by Example and produced by British electronic music trio Nero. It was released on 28 August 2011 as the album's second single and was added to the BBC Radio 1 playlist.[2] The song premiered on BBC Radio 1 as Zane Lowe's 'Hottest Record in the World' on 4 July 2011.[3] On 4 September 2011, the single debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number one.
| "Stay Awake" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Example & Nero | ||||
| from the album Playing in the Shadows | ||||
| Released | 28 August 2011 | |||
| Genre | Dubstep[1] | |||
| Length | 3:24 | |||
| Label | Ministry of Sound | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Example | |||
| Producer(s) | Nero | |||
| Example singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background and release
editExample told British online newspaper The Independent that his inspiration for the song was how kids at the time seemed to be engaging in drug use, alcohol consumption, and sex more often and at younger ages. Noticing other people did not discuss this subject in music, Example decided to do so himself. He then met up with Nero, who played several of their compositions for him, but they decided that the recording would not appeal to the public, so they wrote a new song with that quality. Nero commented that the final result was something that they would not do themselves, but it worked well for Example. "Stay Awake" was released in the United Kingdom on 28 August 2011.[4]
Critical reception
editStay Awake generally received a positive response upon its release. Robert Copsey of Digital Spy gave the song a 4/5 star rating and stated it is "the perfect pick-me-up for those on a post-festival comedown... and a harsh lesson for those who aren't.[5]
Chart performance
editThe song debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, marking his second number one and sixth top 40 hit. It sold 73,402 copies, beating "Moves like Jagger" by Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera to the top spot by just 266 copies, the smallest gap between the top two in the UK since March 2009.[6]
Music video
editA music video to accompany the release of the single "Stay Awake" was first released on YouTube on 18 July 2011. The video lasts 3 minutes and 30 seconds.[7]
Live performances
editExample performed the song live at V Festival 2011 on the 4Music stage.[8]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Stay Awake" (radio edit) | 3:24 |
| 2. | "Stay Awake" (extended mix) | 5:06 |
| 3. | "Stay Awake" (Alvin Risk remix) | 5:29 |
| 4. | "Stay Awake" (Delta Heavy remix) | 4:36 |
| 5. | "Stay Awake" (Steve Pitron & Max Sanna club mix) | 6:02 |
| 6. | "Stay Awake" (Micky Slim remix) | 5:39 |
| 7. | "Stay Awake" (Moám remix) | 6:09 |
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
|
Year-end chartsedit
|
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[21] | Silver | 200,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom[9] | 28 August 2011 | Ministry of Sound |
|
| Australia[22] | 9 September 2011 |
References
edit- ^ James Conlon (19 July 2011). "Example Unveils 'Stay Awake' Video – Watch Now". Stereoboard.
- ^ "BBC – Radio 1 – Playlist". BBC Radio 1.
- ^ "BBC – Zane Lowe's Hottest Records blog: Hottest Record: Example – Stay Awake". BBC.
- ^ "Example – Stay Awake". Story of Song. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ Music – Singles Review – Example: 'Stay Awake'. Digital Spy
- ^ Jones, Alan (5 September 2011). "Two in a row for Example on singles". Music Week. Intent Media. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ^ Example - 'Stay Awake' (Official Video). YouTube. 18 July 2011.
- ^ YouTube. YouTube.
- ^ a b "Stay Awake (Remixes)". Apple Music. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ "Example – Stay Awake" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
- ^ "Example – Stay Awake" (in French). Ultratip.
- ^ "Example – Stay Awake" (in Dutch). Ultratop Dance. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ "Example – Stay Awake" (in French). Ultratop Dance. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Stay Awake". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201150 into search.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2011". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
- ^ "British single certifications – Example – Stay Awake". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ "Stay Awake (Remixes)". iTunes. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2021.