Shooting Star

Album: Shooting Star EP (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This optimistic tune is the title track of an EP that was released by Adam Young under his recording name of Owl City on May 15, 2012. The four-track disc was a pre-release sampler of material from his fourth album.
  • This song was recorded in New York and co-produced by the Norwegian songwriting and production team Stargate, who comprise Mikkel Eriksen and Tor Hermansen.
  • The synthesizer piano intro originated from something Young created for his 2009 Ocean Eyes set. "I could never make it work at the time," Young recalled to Billboard magazine, "but Stargate heard that little synth line and built a great track around it. It just kind of happened out of mid air."
  • Young explained the meaning of the upbeat lyrical content to Billboard. "I wanted to sort of capture the idea that everybody can start a movement," he said, "if we all unite and capture this sort of standing on the edge, ready to leap off kind of feeling, knowing that even though everyone has dark days, if we really work together we can make anything happen."
  • Young had sat on this track for a number of years until he met up with Stargate. "They kind of got what I do and I've been tuning into what they've been doing for years, so I get the kind of brushes they use to paint," he explained to MTV News. "I kind of get what they do, and I brought them some ideas that I had no idea where to go past the middle of the road with and they, right away, got what I do."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."