Starry Night

Album: Not Far Away (2010)
Charted: 121
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Songfacts®:

  • This is a single from Not Far Away, the debut release of Contemporary Christian Music singer/songwriter Chris August under the Fervent record label, and his second record in total. A native of Dallas, Texas and a self-taught pianist, guitarist and producer, the year August turned 15 was a "huge turning point" for him. Not only did he become a Christian, but also it was also the time period when he began playing, writing, and recording music. After recording, producing, mixing and mastering his first independent album, his work was soon noticed and earned him a recording contract with Geffen Records. After moving to Los Angeles to work on his album, August also began to write, record, and produce for other performers. This included a year-long stint as the keyboard player and opening act for pop singer Ashlee Simpson.
  • In our interview with Chris August, he explained the celestial inspiration for this song: "I took astronomy when I was in high school, seeing the stars and how big that is. I mean, it is huge. If you think about it, even our whole galaxy is just tiny in the whole grand scheme of things. And it's crazy to think that the creator of all that cares about us so much and also wants to have this personal relationship with us. To me that's always been mind blowing."
  • Chris says that January 18, 2009, was the day that he both rededicated himself to God, and recorded the vocals to this song. After moving to Los Angeles and signing with Geffen Records in 2005, he made secular music and found himself drifting away from his faith. When he signed with the Christian label Fervent Records, this song materialized. "The vocals that you hear that are on the radio and are on my album, the vocals on that song, those were recorded the night that I rededicated my life to Christ," Chris told us. "I did that in my studio that night at like 2 in the morning when I wrote that song. Those are the original ones."
  • There is a popular Don McLean song called "Vincent," which is also known as "Starry, Starry Night" and is about the painter Vincent Van Gogh (who did a famous painting called "Starry Night"). Chris tells us that he had never heard the song until after he released his own "Starry Night," and friends turned him on to the Don McLean song.

Comments: 2

  • Krw from Kearney, NeI believe in God, it's just really hard sometimes, but this gives me hope. Thanks, Chris.
  • Mike from Norwalk, CtAwesome. Gives me inspiration to get closer to God.
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