Stars in Your Heart

"Stars in Your Heart"
Single by Bonnie McKee
ReleasedDecember 16, 2016[1]
Recorded2008, 2013–2014
GenreLounge pop
Length4:47
Label
  • Bonnie McKee Music
Bonnie McKee singles chronology
"I Want It All"
(2016) 		"Stars in Your Heart"
(2016) 		"Thorns"
(2017)
Music video
"Stars in Your Heart" on YouTube

"Stars In Your Heart" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bonnie McKee. The song was independently released to digital outlets as a standalone release on December 16, 2016, and was later included on McKee's second studio album, Hot City (2024).

The original song was recorded by McKee in 2008 for her then-forthcoming second studio album under Reprise, though it was shelved. McKee later re-recorded the video during her time with Kemosabe and Sony, filming a space-inspired video in 2013 with plans to release it as a single. Following further label issues, plans for the release of the video were shelved. McKee eventually released the video as a gift to fans in December 2016.[2]

Background and conception

McKee had originally teased the song back in 2008 by posting a demo to her MySpace page alongside other songs including "Thunder", "Worst In Me", and "To Find You", all of which she intended to be on her second studio album under Reprise Records.[3] Following her dismissal from the label, McKee worked on writing songs for other artists including Katy Perry, Britney Spears, and Kesha,[4] obtaining eight number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100.[5][6] She then signed a joint-deal with Kemosabe Records and Sony Music, releasing the single "American Girl" in the summer of 2013.[7][8] Around this time, McKee had intended to release "Stars In Your Heart" as a single and filmed a video for the song, though plans never came to fruition.

Following several label complications with Sony and Kemosabe,[9][10] McKee was released from her contract in 2014 and continued as an independent artist, releasing the EP Bombastic (2015). She then released several previously-teased songs including "Sleepwalker" and "Stars In Your Heart" as singles.

Composition

The song is lyrically about staying with your lover and "keeping them warm" even amidst the end of the world ("when all of the magic is gone", "after the world is frozen").[11]

Music video

Inspired by "vintage" 1960s and 1970s space films such as Barbarella, the video features McKee playing the role of Bambi and David John Craig as Khron Valgard. The video begins with an homage to the famous stripping scene in the spaceship as featured in Barbarella. Various shots show McKee walking through a blue-skied icy plant where she stumbles upon a magical yellow stone, steering the spaceship in a psychedelic star-explosion filled sequence, and healing her dying lover, who then subsequently joins her in a similar Barbarella-esque stripping sequence.

The video was directed by David Richardson and edited by Christopher Bredeson.[12] The production was filmed in 2013 and originally planned to be released that winter but saw delays due to troubles McKee was having with her label. Nylon premiered the video on their website in 2016 with McKee as a Christmas gift to her fans.[13]

Critical reception

Lucas Villa of Axis praised the song and its video, comparing the composition to that of a James Bond theme song.[14]

References

  1. ^ "‎Stars in Your Heart - Single by Bonnie McKee on Apple Music". Music.apple.com. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  2. ^ [1][dead link‍]
  3. ^ "new by Bonnie McKee | Album | Listen for Free on Myspace". Myspace.com. 2008-11-25. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  4. ^ Gil Kaufman (2014-10-14). "Kesha's Shocking Abuse Allegations Against Dr. Luke: A History Of Their Complicated Working Relationship". MTV. Archived from the original on October 16, 2014. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  5. ^ "Bonnie McKee on songwriting, her upcoming debut album and her hopes for the future". The Washington Post. 2013-08-11. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  6. ^ "On the Verge: Songwriter Bonnie McKee ready for spotlight". Usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  7. ^ Billboard (2013-08-13). "Singles Lady: Bonnie McKee Is Looking Out for Number One". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  8. ^ "Interscope Promotion Vet Greg Marella Joins Dr. Luke's Kemosabe Records". Hollywood Reporter. 2013-11-08. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  9. ^ Share Tweet Email. "Kesha's Rocky History With Dr. Luke Goes Way Back | E! News". Eonline.com. Retrieved 2020-01-19. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  10. ^ Katherine St. Asaph (2016-02-24). "10 Questions We Still Have About the Kesha Legal Drama". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  11. ^ "Bonnie McKee – Stars In Your Heart Lyrics | Genius Lyrics". Genius.com. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  12. ^ "Bonnie McKee - Stars In Your Heart". YouTube. 2016-12-16. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  13. ^ Syra Aburto (2016-12-16). "Bonnie McKee Will Put "Stars In Your Heart" With Her Out Of This World Visual". NYLON. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  14. ^ "Bonnie McKee gives fans the gift of shelved music video for 'Stars in Your Heart' - AXS". www.axs.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2022.