The Stars Are Out Tonight

When I was a child, I spent many hours outside with my telescope looking at stars, planets and the moon. Over 50 years later I was working at Google in California when some of the verses to this song came to me. In my mind I drove eastward from San Francisco and escaped the city lights. I ended up in Ahwahnee, called Yosemite by some. The music and the stargazing theme came to me a few months earlier when I was working in a very cold Chicago. Finally in 2021 the song came together. Rhesa Siregar listened to recordings I made on my phone and watched some YouTube videos I suggested, and was able to capture the jazz music I was aiming for. Belén Mariscotti sang the song beautifully. - Elton, November 30, 2021

Recreated the video using SDXL in March of 2024

(Verse 1)
San Francisco in my mirror
As we head for darker skies
Where the city lights invasion hasn't come
See the Milky Way shine brightly
And feel close enough to touch
Yes it takes me to a place I need so much

(Chorus)
Oh won’t you join me now the stars are out tonight
And let the heavens bathe us in their holy light
The starlight falling from above
Illuminates this land we love
While the future leaves us yearning for the past

(Verse 2)
Then we camp inside Ahwahnee
Called Yosemite by some
Searching for a star not seen by anyone
We will pack up our belongings
As the Sun begins to rise
Giving thanks for treasures hidden in the sky

(Repeat Chorus)
Oh won’t you join me now the stars are out tonight
And let the heavens bathe us in their holy light
The starlight falling from above
Illuminates this land we love
While the future leaves us yearning for the past

(Piano solo by Rhesa)

(Verse 3)
Now the future is a mystery
That grows clearer every day
As we live our lives
And watch our children play
Sometimes clouds hide the stars
Venus, Jupiter and Mars
I wish those clouds would just give up and blow away

(Repeat Chorus)
Oh won’t you join me now the stars are out tonight
And let the heavens bathe us in their holy light
The starlight falling from above
Illuminates this land we love
While the future leaves us yearning for the past


Copyright © 2021 Elton Smith

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