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Elvis SongPedia: Stay Away

Stay Away


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Basic Stats

(Just the facts, ma'am!)

Written by: Sid Tepper, Roy C. Bennett

Recorded: January 16-17, 1968, RCA Studio B, Nashville
Released master is take 15.

Single:w/ "U.S. Male", 47-9465, February 28, 1968
Also re-released on Gold Standard Series, 447-0664, July 15, 1969

Highest U.S. Charts Positions:
#67 on Billboard's Hot 100
#50 on Cash Box Top 100

1st LP release: Almost In Love - March 1973 (reissue. Original release in October 1970 contained "Stay Away, Joe" instead.) 		Click to download or buy
"Stay Away"
now from Amazon!



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For other versions, see
Lyrics and Downloads section below.


My Spin

(Just my opinion. Give us yours!)

The opening scenes of the film Stay Away, Joe fool you into believing it's going to be a decent movie. The camera pans over beautiful desert landscapes, and then the strains of this song fade in, and the opening credits begin. Unfortunately, after this tune ends, the actual film begins.

"Stay Away" is an up-tempo rendering of the old melody "Greensleeves", with new Tepper-Bennett lyrics. Earlier takes of the song are at a slower tempo, but, to me, the final version works better. Nice to hear Elvis' voice wrapped around this lovely tune, though, no matter what the tempo.

Other Spins

(What did the critics and fans say?)


..."Stay Away" is an adaptation of the English folk song "Greensleeves", but the words and arrangement do not come up to the haunting quality of the original. This is a pity, for this could have become a big hit for Presley.

Robert Matthew-Walker, Elvis Presley: A Study in Music, 1979



A take-off on the melody of "Greensleeves", with uneven orchestration and Elvis in sad, graceful voice.

Martin Torgoff, The Complete Elvis, 1982



Check out other Elvis fans' opinions on the Elvis News page for Stay Away


Check out other opinions at Rate Your Music



"Stay Away" Links

"Stay Away" Lyrics and Downloads

Ten thousand miles even though I roam
I can hear the call of the hills of home
The canyons high and the valleys low
Echo "How can you stay away"

My dreams are there where the eagle flies
Where the mountain tops seem to touch the sky
The winding streams and the winds that blow
Ask me "How can you stay away"

Far too long have I stayed apart
From this land that I love and divide my heart
Now, now I know I must go
Where the hills say "Don't stay away"
Where the hills say "Don't stay away" 		Download the Karaoke Version!

Stay Away karaoke - Elvis PresleyStay Away
Elvis Presley


Download or just listen to different versions from Amazon!



What's YOUR Spin on "Stay Away"?
Yea or Nay?

Yea! How Can You Stay Away!

Nay! Just Stay Away!


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Study Up Some More!

Elvis song reference books on Amazon!

Ernst Jorgensen's complete chronicle of Elvis' recording sessions, with loads of detailed information about each session and each song.
This is the definitive encyclopedia on Elvis' life details, as well as all the background and trivia you need for all the songs, movies, and TV appearances. Authors are Fred L. Worth and Steve D. Tamerius.
The subtitle of Ace Collins' book says it all: "The stories behind Elvis' #1 hits"!
"Elvis The #1 Hits: The Secret History of the Classics". Another self-explanatory book title. :)