Stellar by Incubus

Album: Make Yourself (1999)

Charted: 107

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

The word "stellar" means of the stars. In this song, Incubus lead singer Brandon Boyd pays tribute to the girl who fits the description. He explained: "The lyrics were inspired by my lover, Jo English. It's about love as a transcendental feeling, like free-floating in outer space. It's kind of a traditional song in that way."

Boyd dated English for about three years, but their relationship became a casualty of the band's success when the Make Yourself album took off. They were on the road promoting it for almost two years, then got right to work on their next album, Morning View. The lead single from that album, "Wish You Were Here," finds Boyd missing her as he enjoys the spoils of their success.
"Stellar" was the second single from the third Incubus album, Make Yourself, following "Pardon Me." These songs were huge for the band, earning them airplay for the first time as Modern Rock and Alternative radio stations jumped on them. The next single, "Drive," crossed them over to a much wider audience, and they were off and running, selling over two million copies of the album just in America. Their next album, Morning View, sold just as well, powered by the lead single, "Wish You Were Here."
Jo English, who inspired the song, also stars in the video, which takes her and the band to outer space. It was directed by Phil Harder, who also helmed their video for "Drive."
Make Yourself was the first Incubus album with turntablist Chris Kilmore in the lineup. He's a big part of this song, creating the celestial sounds in the mix.

Comments: 15

Zero from Nowhere, NjI think DJ Kilmore uses a sample from the Supremes' "Reflections" on this song (the spacey sounds in the beginning and throughout the song). I just heard that song on the radio and it sounded the same.
Emily from St. Louis, MoBack when this came out I heard something on the radio about Brandon writing this song for his girlfriend at the time. Meet me in outer space meaning meet me in our secret place away from the media and fame, let's just pretend we're two normal people in love. That never really jived with the lyrics for me, but thought I would share with everyone anyway. Awesome song, performed with the conviction of someone truly in love.
Tbsfan from Zapata, TxI think this song is a love song. When he says "i need you to see this place, it might be the only way that I can show you how it feels to be inside of you" I think he is referring to them making love. They're love making is so amazing and out of this world that outerspace is the only way to describe it. Maybe thats why the video is sortof like that as well. When hes "inside" of her he feels sooo connected to her and its nothing he has ever felt before.
Shelly from Nmb, Sca love song for sure and very trippy.almost a 60-ish vibe to it.i gave me an out of body expirence.
Ashley from Moncton, CanadaI wouldn't call it romantic, or a love song. It's about love, and it's so amazingly good. It just describes being in love so well. Especially the line "Meet me in outer space, I will hold you close if you're afraid of heights" and then the chorus "How do you do it, make me feel like I do" is so great. This song is love.
Matt from Dallas, TxOn "Live at the Red Rocks", they play The Police's Do Do Do Da Da Da during the bridge.
The Police are large musical influence on the band.
Tim from Abilene, TxYeah this is a Good song, Me and my wife p[layed it as the closing song to our wedding, Our first great experience together was an incubus concert at the riveria in chicago
Tim from Pittsburgh, PaOut of all of Incubus's songs, this is my number one favorite.
Renee from Saint John, CanadaI love this song. One of my favorite songs ever.
Erika from Yuma, Azsimply put, theire most romantic song ever.
Mel from Sydney, Australiathe song is not about how Brandon feels inside the band "it might be the only way that i can show u how it feels to be inside of you" hes refering to the connection he felt with jo English & the connection was so deep he felt "inside" of her, knew her inside out
Belinda from Miami, FlThe girl in the video was his girlfriend at that time.
Nate from Lansing, MiActually i heard/think that this song is about how Brandon Boyd feels inside of the band. It tells of how important the band is to him and how it makes him feels. It makes me think of the band like when it says" it might be the only way i can show you how it feels to be inside you"
Tim from Pittsburgh, Pait was the 2nd single off their breakthrough album "make yourself" released in 1999. peaked at #2 on the modern rock charts.
Desirae from Harrison, OhThis is a beautiful song, it tells you exactly how it feels to be in love

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Foolish GamesJewel

A guy Jewel fell for when she was 16 inspired her hit "Foolish Games."

(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and UnderstandingElvis Costello

"(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" was written by Nick Lowe in 1974. The original version with his group Brinsley Schwarz was kind of somber, but Elvis Costello made it a classic with his 1978 uptempo take.