The 'Stay With Me' meme centers on Miki Matsubara’s 1979 debut single, which unexpectedly became a global viral sensation in 2020. Propelled by TikTok and the burgeoning global interest in Japanese City Pop, the track—and its iconic cover photo—became shorthand for late-night nostalgia and sophisticated retro vibes. The meme often features creators reacting to the track's soulful transition into the chorus or using the aesthetic to convey feelings of 'vibing' in a neon-lit, 80s-inspired setting. It gained particular traction through videos of people playing the song for their parents, bridging generational gaps through music. Today, the image of Miki Matsubara smiling is synonymous with the joyful discovery of high-quality Japanese pop and is used frequently to highlight things that 'hit different'.