Waiting for a Star to Fall
Encyclopedia
Waiting For a Star to Fall is a song released by the pop duo Boy Meets Girl in 1988. A worldwide hit, it became the duo's signature song.
had seen at one of Whitney Houston
's concerts at the Greek Theatre. Initially the duo did not consider to record it, and instead submitted the song to Clive Davis
for consideration on Whitney Houston
's next album, but he rejected it, citing it didn't suit her. The song was then offered and recorded by Belinda Carlisle
for her 1987 release Heaven On Earth at the insistence of her label. But Carlisle disliked the song, and she ultimately refused to include it on the album, though it has circulated in her trading circles for years on a disc of that album's outtakes.
. Released as a single on September 1988, the song became a hit in the United States, slowly climbing the charts and eventually reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100
in December, and #1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart. Released in the UK on November 30, 1988, the song reached number 9 in the UK
charts during January 1989, having entered the chart in December 1988. It also reached #35 on Australia's ARIA Charts
in April 1989.
The song was used as the closing track to the 1990 movie Three Men and a Little Lady, and the single was re-released as a movie tie-in, with a new picture sleeve featuring the actors of the film. It peaked at #76 in the UK.
remixed the song as "Star to Fall," although it could be argued that it is a cover due to the re-recording of the lyrics for the remix. Their remix made number 4 in the UK charts in March 2005. In the same month another remix, by Sunset Strippers
, made number 3 under the name "Falling Stars." The Sunset Strippers remix, unlike the Cabin Crew one, used the original recording. This caused some confusion at the time, with two songs being released into the charts at the same time that sounded essentially the same. Dan Winter recorded another remix in 2007; his version is titled Carry Your Heart.
A song titled "In My Arms
" sampled this song and was featured on the album Destroy Rock & Roll
, which Scottish
electronic
musician
Mylo
released. This version also sampled the instrumental of Kim Carnes
's version of "Bette Davis Eyes
," and it made #13 in the UK, also in 2005.
Background
The song was inspired by an actual falling star that Shannon RubicamShannon Rubicam
Shannon Rubicam is an American female singer/songwriter who is best remembered for being half of the mid to late 1980s pop duo Boy Meets Girl....
had seen at one of Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
's concerts at the Greek Theatre. Initially the duo did not consider to record it, and instead submitted the song to Clive Davis
Clive Davis
Clive Davis is an American record producer and music industry executive. He has won five Grammy Awards and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. From 1967 to 1973 he was the President of Columbia Records. He was the founder and president of Arista Records from 1975...
for consideration on Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
's next album, but he rejected it, citing it didn't suit her. The song was then offered and recorded by Belinda Carlisle
Belinda Carlisle
Belinda Jo Carlisle is an American singer who gained worldwide fame as the lead vocalist of the Go-Go's, one of the most successful all-female bands and the first such group whose members wrote their own songs and played their own instruments...
for her 1987 release Heaven On Earth at the insistence of her label. But Carlisle disliked the song, and she ultimately refused to include it on the album, though it has circulated in her trading circles for years on a disc of that album's outtakes.
Release and reception
Merrill and Rubicam decided to record the song themselves for their second album Reel LifeReel Life (Boy Meets Girl album)
Reel Life is the second album released by the duo Boy Meets Girl. Released in 1988 by RCA Records/BMG, the album featured the band's sole top ten hit, "Waiting For a Star to Fall," as well as the minor follow-up, "Bring Down the Moon."...
. Released as a single on September 1988, the song became a hit in the United States, slowly climbing the charts and eventually reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in December, and #1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart. Released in the UK on November 30, 1988, the song reached number 9 in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
charts during January 1989, having entered the chart in December 1988. It also reached #35 on Australia's ARIA Charts
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
in April 1989.
The song was used as the closing track to the 1990 movie Three Men and a Little Lady, and the single was re-released as a movie tie-in, with a new picture sleeve featuring the actors of the film. It peaked at #76 in the UK.
Music Video
The videoclip, directed by Australian director Claudia Castle, features scenes of the duo singing the song on a beach, and scenes of the duo singing inside a house with Merrill also playing the piano. Also featured are scenes of a group of children playing with bubbles. One of those children is Merrill and Rubicam's daughter, Hilary.Charts
| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
9 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
5 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States... |
1 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 25 |
| Australian ARIA Singles Chart | 35 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
5 |
| German Singles Chart | 22 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 62 |
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
76 |
Remix
The song has been remixed three times, resulting, each time, in new interest in both the original and the Boy Meets Girl duo. The dance outfit Cabin CrewCabin Crew
Cabin Crew are a dance music duo from Sydney, Australia, that consists of Ben Garden and Rob Kittler.-Career:...
remixed the song as "Star to Fall," although it could be argued that it is a cover due to the re-recording of the lyrics for the remix. Their remix made number 4 in the UK charts in March 2005. In the same month another remix, by Sunset Strippers
Sunset Strippers
Sunset Strippers are an electronic music group from the UK. They are known for their 2005 song "Falling Stars", which is a remix of the 1988 hit song "Waiting For a Star to Fall" by Boy Meets Girl, and was involved in a sampling battle with Cabin Crew...
, made number 3 under the name "Falling Stars." The Sunset Strippers remix, unlike the Cabin Crew one, used the original recording. This caused some confusion at the time, with two songs being released into the charts at the same time that sounded essentially the same. Dan Winter recorded another remix in 2007; his version is titled Carry Your Heart.
A song titled "In My Arms
In My Arms (Mylo song)
"In My Arms" is a dance track recorded by Mylo. The song appears on the album entitled Destroy Rock & Roll and was released as a UK single in 2005. It contains samples from "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes, and "Waiting for a Star to Fall" by Boy Meets Girl.-Trivia:The video was shot in Los...
" sampled this song and was featured on the album Destroy Rock & Roll
Destroy Rock & Roll
Destroy Rock & Roll is the first album by Scottish record producer and DJ Mylo, released in 2004. The album was re-released in 2005, containing a new remix of "Drop the Pressure", called "Doctor Pressure" , which was also released as a single...
, which Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
Mylo
Mylo
Myles MacInnes , better known by the stage name Mylo, is a Scottish electronic musician and record producer.-Career:...
released. This version also sampled the instrumental of Kim Carnes
Kim Carnes
Kim Carnes is an American singer-songwriter. She is a two-time Grammy Award winner noted for her distinctive raspy vocal style. Some people have called her "The Female Rod Stewart" due to her raspy voice....
's version of "Bette Davis Eyes
Bette Davis Eyes
"Bette Davis Eyes" is a song written in 1974 by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon and made popular by American singer-songwriter Kim Carnes.-History:...
," and it made #13 in the UK, also in 2005.