We take you behind the scenes and explore the making of one of our favorite tunes with The Song Remembers When…
In 2011, Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson reached number one and stayed there for three weeks with their song “Don’t You Wanna Stay.” The song, from Jason’s album My Kinda Party, was written by Andy Gibson, Paul Jenkins, and Jason Sellers.
It was Paul who had the title and a melody. And, all three agreed that it felt very simple yet romantic. So, Andy Gibson said that it wasn’t too gooey, that it was more realistic, and they wanted to keep it that way. And, Jason Sellers added that everyone in the business was telling songwriters that they wanted up-tempo, but if you can find the right ballad – something that would connect on an emotional level – people would want that.
Andy recalls that he went to see Jason Aldean play the song live and once he saw the reaction from the fans, he said that he stood there, a 6-foot-2, 200 pound lug crying like a baby because something he helped create was touching people the way it was.
The song went on to win the ACM for Single and Vocal Event of the Year back in 2012. And, it’s this week’s The Song Remembers When – Jason Adlean and Kelly Clarkson with “Don’t You Wanna Stay.”