Starz In Their Eyes

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I’m just happy my most well known song has a real and enduring message, and a bit of timelessness in the production. I’m pretty sure the spark that started the lyrics was a story I happened to see about UK Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus. However, upon stopping, the sudden change from three decades of constant work and pressure to an abundance of free time turned the star to alcohol and very nearly caused an untimely demise. Yes, they get paid up to a point, but there is little concern for the mental pressure that is put on largely unprepared youngsters who are suddenly thrust into the media meat grinder. At this point I was pretty happy with what I’d got, but never could have foreseen what the song would later become in the studio.

Although probably not the original intention of the lyrics, I am also reminded of television talent shows at this part of the song. Released on 15 January 2007, it was the lead single from his second studio album, Overtones (2007), which was released two weeks later. The tabloids exploit personal hardships and document their fall from grace, suggesting that fame is fleeting.When it came to recording the parts the idea for the big tom drums in the intro came from hearing a snippet of an Adam Ant tune (on my way back from the loo) being played in a neighbouring studio. I went from being a low key, left of centre, bedroom producing, rapper/singer/stoner, to being on Top Of The Pops, and Conan O’Brien in NYC, and countless other places I would never have expected. The dance classic is upbeat and fun with a catchy riff that is bound to pull people onto the dancefloor. What they don’t show on TV however is that these shows usually require video auditions and face-to-face off-camera auditions before people are even allowed onto the stage.

Overall, the song "Starz in their Eyes" critiques the fascination with fame and the detrimental effects it can have on individuals.I know he just wanted it to sound as good as it could on the radio, and he must have cracked it because it became one of the top three radio airplay tunes of 2007.