Mayer Hawthorne Adds ‘Sexy Barry White Funk’ to Rihanna’s ‘Stay’

As Cuffing Season sets in, Mayer Hawthorne gives us a cold-weather breakup classic and covers Rihanna's ballad 'Stay.'

"I know it may be surprising for my fans to hear that, but I think that's one of the best pop songs that's been written in the past decade," he tells Esquire. "I mean, I think it's just a great pop song. That one spoke to me."

The Michigan singer, who has covered other recent pop tracks including Lorde's 'Royals,' says he threw funk on his version of the Bajan chanteuse's tune. "The only thing that was missing from the original version of the song was the funk," he says. "So we took it to that sexy Barry White funk zone. Any time I'm doing a cover of a song, I'm trying to do it better than the original. I'm trying to beat the original. Otherwise I don't see the point of doing a cover."

Do you think Mayer Hawthorne sings Rihanna's 'Stay' better than she did? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Listen to Mayer Hawthorne's Cover of Rihanna's 'Stay'

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