"[4] The lyrics in "Stay the Night" feature a reference to Bob Marley's classic "Is This Love" in the lines: Just like the song on my radio said / We’ll share the shelter of my single bed.

Ryan Brockington of the New York Post has called the song "very chipper and up-tempo", comparing it in sound to that of Train's hit "Hey, Soul Sister".

[7] Matthew Horton from BBC Music said that: "The single Stay the Night is a deceptively bright introduction, a joyous bit of fluff that sees Blunt waiting to make his move at a California party ("We’ve all been singing Billie Jean" – at least that's plausible, right?)".

[8] Molloy Woodcraft from The Guardian said: "The first single "Stay the Night" is a cheery, ramshackle workout reminiscent of David Gray or Natalie Imbruglia, quotes Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" and name-checks "Billie Jean".

[9] Rick Pearson from Evening Standard was also positive, saying: "There's the folksy skip of the opening number, Stay the Night, which showcases Blunt's keening vocal".