Written in the Stars (Elton John and LeAnn Rimes song)

"Written in the Stars"
Single by Elton John featuring LeAnn Rimes
from the album Aida and I Need You
Released	February 23, 1999
Format	CD, audio cassette
Recorded	1999
Genre	Country, pop
Length	4:17
Label	Rocket, Curb, Walt Disney Records in Aida
Writer(s)	Elton John, Tim Rice
Producer(s)	Peter Collins, Wilbur Rimes[1]
Elton John chronology "If the River Can Bend" (1998) "Written in the Stars" (1999) "A Step Too Far" (1999) LeAnn Rimes chronology "Feels Like Home" (1999) "Written in the Stars" (1999) "Big Deal" (1999)

"Written in the Stars"
Song by Heather Headley and Adam Pascal from the album Aida
Released	June 13, 2000
Recorded	April 10-April 11, 2000
Genre	Rock musical
Length	3:18
Label	EMI
Writer(s)	Tim Rice
Composer(s)	Elton John
Producer(s)	Guy Babylon, Frank Filipetti, Chris Montan, Paul Bogaev
Aida track listing
"How I Know You (reprise)" (6) "Written in the Stars" (7) "I Know the Truth" (8)

"Written in the Stars" is a single released in 1999 by Elton John and LeAnn Rimes. In the US, it was certified Gold on 27 April 1999 by the RIAA.

This song came from the musical Aida written by Elton John and Tim Rice. In this scene in the musical, Radames informs Aida that he's calling off the wedding. Aida knows that this would ruin her father's escape and tells him he must go through with it. Radames agrees, on condition that she escapes to freedom on a boat he will provide. The two lovers lament the complication of the circumstances of their love together before parting.

For John, "Written In The Stars" was his 57th -- and to date, final -- top 40 single on the US Billboard charts as a performer. John posted at least one top 40 single on the US charts every year from 1970 to 1999, with this song being the last in the run.

Due to Rimes' previous country music success, made #74 on Canada's RPM country chart due to unsolicited airplay as an album cut.

There are two different recordings of the song, one with Rimes performing the first verse, the other with John. The song was later featured on Rimes' 2002 album I Need You and the concept album for the musical. The song was performed live at VH1 Divas Live 1999.

Charts and sales

Weekly charts Chart (1999) Peak position Australian Singles Chart[2] 85 Austrian Singles Chart 28 Canadian Singles Chart[3] 4 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[4] 1 Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[5] 74 Dutch Singles Chart 95 French Singles Chart 91 Swiss Singles Chart 34 UK Singles Chart[6] 10 US Billboard Hot 100[7] 29 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[8] 2 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[9] 36

Year-end charts Chart (1999) Position Canada Adult Contemporary Tracks (RPM)[10] 2 Certifications Country Certification (sales thresholds) United States Gold[11]

Track listing

• CD single^[12]

1. "Written in the Stars" – 4:17
2. "Written in the Stars" (Alternate Version) – 4:24
3. "Various Snippets" (My Strongest Suit/Not Me/A Step Too Far) – 2:27

Video

According to an episode of VH1's Pop-Up Video, the music video for this song was meant to evoke forbidden loves, as well as the separation between the two singers. Rimes was shown in colder, more heavenly backdrops; John was given warmer backgrounds, as in a milder depiction of hell.

External links

Written in the Stars Music Video on YouTube

References

1. Written in the Stars (CD single). Elton John, LeAnn Rimes. The Rocket Record Company, Curb Records. 1999. 314-566 918-8.
2. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
3. "Elton John - Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
4. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 7493." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. March 1, 1999. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
5. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 7451." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. April 19, 1999. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
6. "Elton John And LeAnn Rimes - Written In The Stars". Chart Stats. Retrieved 2012-04-08.
7. "Elton John – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Elton John.
8. "Elton John – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Elton John.
9. "Elton John – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Elton John.
10. "RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1999". RPM. December 13, 1999. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
11. "RIAA – Gold & Platinum: "LeAnn Rimes singles"". RIAA.com. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2012-04-08.
12. "Written in the Stars: Elton John, Leann Rimes: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-10-10.