Wikipedia

Shooting Star (Owl City song)

"Shooting Star" is a song by American electronica project Owl City from his second extended play of the same name. The song premiered exclusively via Billboard on May 10, 2012, before it was released as the lead single from the EP on May 15, 2012.[1] The song peaked at No. 176 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 49 on the Japan Hot 100. It was featured twice in the 2013 animated film Escape from Planet Earth.[2]

"Shooting Star"
Single by Owl City
from the album The Midsummer Station
ReleasedMay 15, 2012
GenreSynth-pop
Length4:07
LabelUniversal Republic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Owl City singles chronology
"Youtopia"
(2011) 		"Shooting Star"
(2012) 		"Good Time"
(2012)

Background edit

Adam Young began to write "Shooting Star" in 2008 with Relient K's Matt Thiessen.[3] The song was planned for inclusion on Owl City's Ocean Eyes album (2009), but it didn't make the cut. As work began on the album, The Midsummer Station (2012), Young brought a 90-second demo of the "old leftover instrumental idea" to Norwegian record producing and songwriting team Stargate, who helped complete the composition.[3] Young recalled, "All the lyrics were basically written on the spot during those two days... and then I went back home to my own studio in Minnesota to cut the final (version). I think I tweaked some lyrics here and there to make everything feel better, and then the song was finished."[3] "Shooting Star" was recorded in New York and was co-produced by the Stargate team.[1]

The song was originally intended to be the lead single from The Midsummer Station, but the success of Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" led to Owl City's management choosing the duet "Good Time" instead.[4] An acoustic version of the song was also released in 2013, on Owl City's The Midsummer Station - Acoustic EP.[5]

Reception edit

"Shooting Star" peaked at No. 36 on the US Christian Songs chart, No. 49 on the Japan Hot 100 chart, and No. 176 on the UK Singles Chart. Scott Fryberger of Jesus Freak Hideout wrote that the song is "still poppy and very accessible, and Owl City fans will probably feel mostly at home, but it has a bit more of a dance music vibe than the synthpop we're used to."[6] Tris McCall of The Star-Ledger called the song "the least successful thing" on The Midsummer Station. McCall added that "while Young can discharge a self-affirmatory verse with the conviction of a choirboy, the song does skirt a bit too close to Katy Perry territory for comfort."[7] Dave Lewis of Uproxx called the track a "danceable, extremely upbeat and positive pop anthem."[8]

Music video edit

On May 14, 2012, Owl City uploaded an official audio stream for "Shooting Star" to his YouTube channel.[9] On May 17, a lyrics video for the song was released via Vevo. The video features a montage of twinkling stars, swirling beams of light, bright nebulas, and atmospheric clouds.[10]

Young posted screen-shots of the upcoming video on his Twitter account for Shooting Star prior to its release. The MTV website includes an interview with Young about the filming of the video.

On October 25, 2012, Owl City uploaded the official music video for "Shooting Star" to his official YouTube channel.[11] The video's setting is nighttime in an urban area. The video features scenes of Young playing an electric piano under the street lights and people (who emit light from their chests) running, slowly gathering to all run together in the same direction.[12]

Use in media edit

This song is featured in the 2013 3D animated film, Escape from Planet Earth, twice.

It is also featured in the third trailer of Epic,[citation needed] and in the 2015 Nickelodeon TV show, Bella and the Bulldogs.[citation needed]

Track listing edit

Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Shooting Star"4:07

Charts edit

Release history edit

Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various May 15, 2012 Digital download Universal Republic Records [1]
United States November 27, 2012 Contemporary hit radio [21]
United Kingdom December 10, 2012 [22]

In popular culture edit

The song was used in a flash mob that happened during an ice hockey game on February 10, 2013, as part of an annual anti-bullying campaign in British Columbia.[23]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Gary Graff (May 10, 2012). "Owl City Exclusive: Listen to Shooting Star". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  2. ^ "Escape From Planet Earth - Owl City Music Video - Shooting Star (2013) HD". YouTube. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c Gary Graff (October 3, 2012). "Owl City Eyes 'Shooting Star' as Next Single". Billboard. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  4. ^ Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City: The Story Behind 'Good Time'. Billboard. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  5. ^ Anna Dinger (July 22, 2013). "Owl City: The Mid-Summer Station Acoustic EP To Release July 30 30". Music Times. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  6. ^ CD Reviews: Owl City - Shooting Star EP. Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  7. ^ CD reviews: Owl City, 'Red Hook Summer,' Joshua Radin. The Star-Ledger. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  8. ^ Dave Lewis (February 2, 2013). "Owl City gets happy in new Shooting Star video from Escape From Planet Earth". Uproxx. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  9. ^ "Owl City release "Shooting Star" video". Alternative Press. May 14, 2012. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  10. ^ Cristin Maher (May 17, 2012). "Owl City, Shooting Star – Lyric Video Premiere". PopCrush. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  11. ^ Rob Houston (October 31, 2012). "Owl City Is A Shooting Star". HM. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  12. ^ Tehrene Firman (November 6, 2012). "Watch Owl City's Shooting Star Music Video!". Seventeen. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  13. ^ "Owl City – Shooting Star" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  14. ^ "Owl City Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  15. ^ "Owl City Chart History (Mexico Ingles Airplay)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  16. ^ "Gaon Chart: 2012/05". GAON. Archived from the original on May 30, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  17. ^ "New Chart Entries > May 26, 2012". zobbel.de. May 26, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  18. ^ "Chart Highlights: Maroon 5 Tops Pop Songs, Adult Pop Songs". Billboard. July 2, 2012.
  19. ^ "Chart Highlights: Rolling Stones Debut on Dance/Club Play Songs". Billboard. January 7, 2013.
  20. ^ "Cross Rhythms– Year-End 2013". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  21. ^ "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". Archived from the original on December 15, 2010. Retrieved January 28, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  22. ^ "Owl City - The Midsummer Station". Female First. November 8, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  23. ^ "Flash mob busts a move at Vancouver Giants hockey game - British Columbia - CBC News". CBC.ca. February 10, 2013. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
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