Star-Crossed

Album: Star-Crossed (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Kacey Musgraves first met her future husband Ruston Kelly when she attended a showcase for songwriters at Nashville's Bluebird Cafe in March 2016. As soon as Kelly started performing, Musgraves knew she wanted to write with him. They set a writing appointment for that May, and when they got together the pair immediately connected. They talked and laughed and enjoyed each other's company so much, Kelly didn't leave until about 3 a.m.

    Musgraves soon fell in love and penned "Butterflies" about Kelly coming into her life. The pair married on October 14, 2017, but sadly, theirs isn't a happily-ever-after story. Their marriage hit the rocks, and the two filed for divorce in July 2020.

    This song is the title track of Star-Crossed, an album inspired by Musgraves' process of heartache and healing following the breakdown of her marriage.
  • "Star-Crossed" is the opening song and sets the scene for the rest of the album. Over a Latin guitar, Musgraves mournfully recounts signing the divorce papers and Kelly moving out of the home they'd made together. Unlike many songs that deal with divorce, in this one there's no blame attached.
  • Recorded in Nashville in early 2021 in under three weeks, Star-Crossed is an epic concept album structured as a three-act tragedy in the style of classic Greek theater and Shakespeare. Musgraves accompanied the record with a 50-minute film version, also called Star-Crossed,, directed by Barbia Zeinali and co-written with the director and Musgraves herself. Actors Eugene Levy and Victoria Pedretti, singer-songwriter Princess Nokia, RuPaul's Drag Race winner Symone, and comedian Megan Stalter all make cameos.
  • Some of Musgraves' country music friends contribute background vocals. They include T.J. and John Osborne of the Brothers Osborne, their sister Natalie, John Osborne's wife, Lucie Silvas, The Black Keys backup singer Leisa Hans, and Daniel Tashian.
  • The instrumentation is:

    12 String Acoustic Guitar: Todd Lombardo
    Acoustic Guitar: Todd Lombardo
    Nylon String Guitar: Todd Lombardo
    Baritone Guitar: Daniel Tashian
    Bass: Ian Fitchuk
    Harp: Daniel Tashian and Kirsten Agresta Copely
    Keyboards: Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk
    Piano: Ian Fitchuk
    Percussion: Ian Fitchuk

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The Devil

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The DevilSong Writing

Just how much did these monsters of rock dabble in the occult?

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.