Stars (Janis Ian song)

"Stars" is the title track on the sixth studio album of American singer-songwriter Janis Ian. The song is a somber guitar ballad about the pitfalls, fleetingness, and consequences of fame.

"Stars"
Song by Janis Ian
ReleasedFebruary 1974
RecordedMarch 1972 – 1973
Studio914 Sound Studios
Sound Recorders, Los Angeles
Sound Studios, New York State
GenreFolk
Length7:12
LabelColumbia
Producer(s)Brooks Arthur

Nina Simone version

Jazz and blues singer Nina Simone performed a modified version of "Stars" live at the 1976 Montreux Jazz Festival held in Montreux, Switzerland. Simone's version was played on the piano, included new lyrics, and had a more somber tone then that of Ian's, fitting the mental and financial struggles the artist was facing in the decline of her career.[1] A recording of Simone's performance was preserved.[2]

Simone released another rendition of "Stars" in her live compilation album Let it Be Me (1987) and posthumously, the Montreux version, in Nina Simone: The Montreux Years (2021).

Simone's Montreux cover version was played during the final moments of the season 3 finale of the Netflix adult cartoon BoJack Horseman. Jen Chaney wrote in New York magazine that the way the season's finale "unfold[s] the way it does to Nina Simone’s 'Stars,' is utterly crushing. It’s the most heartbreaking thing I’ve ever seen in an animated series."[3] The song was included in the show's soundtrack album.

References
  1. Okoth-Obbo, Vanessa (2020-07-29). "Nina Simone, Montreux Jazz 1976: a difficult, unsteady return to the limelight". the Guardian. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
  2. Nina Simone - Stars (at Montreux Festival in 1976), retrieved 2022-10-05
  3. Chaney, Jen (26 July 2016). "Deep Down, BoJack Horseman Is a Hopeful Show". Vulture. Retrieved 2022-10-05.


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