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

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Music Video Director David Hogan

Music Video Director David HoganSong Writing

David talks about videos he made for Prince, Alabama, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, DMB, Melissa Etheridge and Sisters of Mercy.

Kevin Godley

Kevin GodleySongwriter Interviews

Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Grammar In Lyrics

Grammar In LyricsMusic Quiz

Lyrics don't always follow the rules of grammar. Can you spot the ones that don't?

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.