1995 single by The Notorious B.I.G.
"One More Chance / Stay with Me (Remix)" is a song written and recorded by American rapper The Notorious B.I.G. Three versions of the song exist: An original, lyrically explicit version prefaced by an answering machine performance featured on the album, and two versions released as singles, both of which contain identical lyrics by B.I.G. despite differing instrumentals and choruses. The first is an upbeat "Hip Hop Mix" that samples Marley Marl's "Droppin Science", and the second is a sultrier R&B remix parenthetically labeled the "Stay with Me Remix", which samples the namesake 1983 song by the band DeBarge. The lattermost remains the most popular, and features backing vocals and harmonies performed by his wife Faith Evans, as well as an uncredited appearances by Mary J. Blige and Bad Boy Records label boss Puff Daddy—who also produced the version with Rashad Smith.[A] It received platinum certification by the RIAA by July 31, 1995 and has sold 1.1 million copies.[3][4]
The song topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and debuted at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, where it then peaked at number two. At the time, it was tied as the highest-debuting single in the chart's history and matched Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson's 1995 single "Scream"; Jackson broke the record once more with his single released the following August, "You Are Not Alone", which debuted atop the chart. Notwithstanding, Puff Daddy's "I'll Be Missing You", a tribute to the then-recently deceased B.I.G., became the first hip hop song to debut in the top spot.
Synopsis
The song begins as a recording of an answering machine message in which one of B.I.G's daughters, having apparently been prompted by her mother, requests that women stop calling the household. This is followed by a number of messages left by jilted former lovers expressing a mixture of fondness, yearning, contempt and confusion towards Biggie.[5]
Following the introduction, the song largely centers on the rapper's sexual prowess. B.I.G makes a number of claims, such as comparing his sexual performance to the famous boxing match the Thrilla in Manila, and asserting that he has a very large and desirable penis.[5]
Aside from the above claims, B.I.G also expresses, towards the end of the song, that he prefers relationships based around sex, and prefers the women leave him alone afterwards. This is implicitly suggested to be the result of women having become too attached to him in the past, and it is alleged that some have stalked him.[5] The song closes with the titular chorus, which is a refrain of a female voice asking, 'Oh, Biggie, give me one more chance'.
"A hot record," remarked Jay-Z. "Sonically, it was amazing."[6]
Ready to Die version
The version that is on Ready to Die was produced by Sean Combs and features R&B trio Total and not Faith Evans. It samples "Hydra" by Grover Washington, Jr. and features an interpolation of "I Want You Back" by the Jackson 5 on the chorus. The lyrics on the album version are different and more profane from both remixes.
Lil' Cease's niece provides the voice of the child on Biggie's answering machine. His sister and her friends played the various women who leave messages.[7]
The original beat of the original version has a sample of DeBarge's "All This Love" and it can be found on D.J. Semi's Ready to Die: The O.G. Version.
Other versions
"One More Chance / Stay with Me (Remix)" (additional vocals by Faith Evans) – The official remix to the original version. The remix has a completely different sound than the original. It was produced by Rashad Smith and samples "Stay with Me" by DeBarge.[8] Appears on the single and the popular version. A music video was made for this song. The video was directed by Hype Williams and features appearances by Total, Luther Campbell, Heavy D, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Spike Lee, Da Brat, Jermaine Dupri, D-Nice, Patra, Miss Jones, Queen Latifah, Craig Mack, Cypress Hill, Tyson Beckford, Aaliyah, Changing Faces, Kid Capri, Junior Mafia, Zhane, and P. Diddy.
"One More Chance (Hip Hop Remix)" (featuring Total) - Also appears on the single and uses the verses from the "Stay with Me" remix except the beat and chorus is different. Also appears on the clean version of Ready to Die (instead of the original). Samples Lou Donaldson's "Who's Making Love?".
"Want That Old Thing Back" (featuring Ja Rule & Ralph Tresvant) - Appears on Greatest Hits and the bonus disc of Duets: The Final Chapter and features a different beat as well as a chorus by Tresvant and a verse by Ja Rule. Uses Biggie's verses from the original "One More Chance".
"Only One Thing" (featuring Lil' Kim) - Appears on Mick Boogie's Unbelievable mixtape and has a chorus and verse by Kim and uses Biggie's first verse from the original "One More Chance".
"Foolish"/"Unfoolish" - A single by Ashanti. The song samples "Stay with Me" by DeBarge so it uses the same beat as the "One More Chance" / "Stay with Me" remix. A remix, "Unfoolish", was made which features Biggie's first verse from "Fucking You Tonight" as the third verse. "Unfoolish" appears on We Invented the Remix Vol. 1 and Ashanti's debut album. The song would later feature R. Kelly on his album Life After Death, which was released after his shooting in 1997.
"One More Chance / The Legacy (Remix)" (featuring Faith Evans & CJ Wallace (their son)) - The official remix to the "Stay with Me" remix. Appears on the soundtrack of Notorious B.I.G.'s biopic Notorious.
This song played as tribute to Biggie in the Up in Smoke Tour, which was in 2000. Snoop Dogg announced that Biggie was his friend and wished the two had a better relationship before he passed. Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre played this song as homage to Biggie.
"M.V.P" - A single by Big L. This song samples "Stay with Me" by DeBarge and has the same meter and cadence as "One More Chance". It was released 2 months earlier and was produced by Lord Finesse.
Music video
The music video features cameos by Heavy D, Luke, D-Nice, Kid Capri, Craig Mack, Aaliyah, Patra, Tyson Beckford, Da Brat, Queen Latifah, and Jermaine Dupri.
