“Stay”: Bonnie Bianco & Pierre Cosso’s Timeless Ode to Romance
Back in 1984, “Stay” started as a romantic duet tucked into the Italian film Cenerentola ’80—a modern Cinderella tale starring Bonnie Bianco and Pierre Cosso. But what began as a soundtrack ballad turned into something much bigger. After the movie aired as an extended TV version in Germany in 1987 (Cinderella ’87), the song exploded into one of the decade’s defining romantic hits, especially in German-speaking countries.
Written by Guido De Angelis, Maurizio De Angelis, and Cesare de Natale, “Stay” was crafted specifically for the film Cenerentola ’80, and produced by the De Angelis brothers alongside de Natale. Their experience in crafting cinematic music shines through—the song’s emotional arc and sweeping arrangement feel tailor-made for the story’s romantic peaks and valleys. It’s rich, expressive, and hits the sweet spot between pop and movie score magic.
Romance with cinematic sweep
“Stay” is built like a classic movie moment—gentle piano, sweeping strings, and rich orchestration that gradually rises into a full-on emotional crescendo. It sounds like something made for a slow-dance scene in the rain or a tearful reunion at a train station. It’s pure ‘80s soundtrack grandeur, and it works.
The arrangement is clean and expressive—dramatic but not overdone—designed to make hearts swell.
Chemistry you can hear
The magic really comes from Bonnie Bianco and Pierre Cosso’s vocals. Bianco delivers the emotional punch—her voice is clear, soulful, and strong. Cosso adds charm and softness, with a delivery that feels sincere and just vulnerable enough to balance things out. Their duet doesn’t feel like two singers trading lines—it sounds like two people having a moment.
Their performance mirrors their on-screen connection, giving the song a believable romantic core.
Huge in Germany—and beyond
The song’s real breakout came in 1987, after Cinderella ’87 aired on German television. “Stay” quickly climbed the charts, reaching number 1 in Germany, where it held the top spot for four weeks and remained on the chart for a total of 17. In Austria, it peaked at number 3 and stayed for 16 weeks, while in Switzerland it reached number 2 and held on for 11 weeks. The duet’s success was closely tied to the popularity of the film, turning a soundtrack ballad into a full-blown pop phenomenon across German-speaking Europe
A Timeless Romantic Classic
“Stay” was remixed and released as “Stay (The 1993 Remix)”, appearing first on Bonnie Bianco’s 1992 compilation Stay – The Very Best of Bonnie Bianco, and later issued as a standalone single in 1993. The song still shows up on nostalgic radio and ’80s playlists. It’s one of those romantic ballads that never really left—simple, sincere, and emotionally timeless.
It’s not flashy, but it doesn’t have to be. Some songs just hit the heart directly.
