Miss America

Album: Moon Landing (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Blunt pays tribute to Whitney Houston on this '70s-tinged Rock ballad, which he was inspired to write after hearing news of the star's death. "It wasn't that I was a massive fan," Blunt told The Sun. "She had a phenomenal voice but the sideshow of her tragic life was hard to miss. And then it became the main show to her talent."

    "She had this incredible talent and an incredible life but it caged her at the same time," he added. "We put these celebrities on a pedestal. The red rope around the red carpet becomes a cage. Celebrity is a weird thing."
  • Blunt told MusicRadar.com about the background to this song: "I think it's a very sad story," he said. "What's worse is that it should be a great story. Her life should be a celebration. She was a phenomenal talent. She had a beautiful voice and she was an incredible-looking person. Inside and outside, there was something very special going on."

    "And yet, this sadness overtook it all, and I feel that we were the ones who were spectators to it," Blunt continued. "And we're the ones who enjoyed being spectators. We clicked online to read her story, to see her story; we bought the magazines. So we contribute in many ways, because every time you click on a link or buy a magazine, more paparazzi go out and follow those people. The same with Amy Winehouse and Princess Diana."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.

Grateful Dead Characters

Grateful Dead CharactersMusic Quiz

Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")Songwriter Interviews

Inspired by his dear friend, "Seasons in the Sun" paid for Terry's boat, which led him away from music and into a battle with Canadian paper mills.