"Stargazer" is a song written, produced, and performed by English rock band
Siouxsie and the Banshees
Siouxsie and the Banshees were a British rock band formed in London in 1976 by vocalist Siouxsie Sioux and bass guitarist Steven Severin. They have been widely influential, both over their contemporaries and with later acts. ''Q'' magazine in ...
. It was released as the second single from the band's 11th studio album, ''
The Rapture''. It was the band's last single released, due to their disbandment the following year.
Background and music
The track is an up-tempo, guitar-driven pop tune. It was slightly
remix
A remix (or reorchestration) is a piece of media which has been altered or contorted from its original state by adding, removing, or changing pieces of the item. A song, piece of artwork, book, video, poem, or photograph can all be remixes. The o ...
ed by
Mark Saunders for its single release, bringing the bass further forward in the mix. Club remixes were produced by
Juno Reactor
Juno Reactor is a multi-national musical and performing group, primarily based in Brighton, UK. Known for their cinematic fusion of electronic, global influences, and orchestral symphonic approach, collaborating with composer Don Davis and compo ...
. Lyrically the song casts
Siouxsie Sioux
Susan Janet Ballion (born 27 May 1957), known professionally as Siouxsie Sioux, is an English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. She was the lead singer of the rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees (1976–1996). They released 11 ...
as a dreamer who looks up at the stars and wishes for a better life and to "escape this straitjacket of constraint".
"Stargazer" did not chart in the United States but peaked at No. 64 in the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
.
As of , it is the final single released by the band.
Shortly after the release of this single, Siouxsie and the Banshees disbanded, leaving Siouxsie and
Budgie
Budgie may refer to:
Arts
* Budgie (album), ''Budgie'' (album), the debut album by the Welsh heavy metal band Budgie
* Budgie (band), a Welsh heavy metal band from Cardiff
* Budgie (musician) (born 1957), English drummer
* Budgie (TV series), ''Bu ...
to direct their priorities to their other group
the Creatures
The Creatures were an English band formed in 1981 by vocalist Siouxsie Sioux and drummer Budgie (musician), Budgie of the group Siouxsie and the Banshees. The Creatures released their first extended play, EP ''Wild Things (EP), Wild Things'' in ...
.
The single remix version (which originally appeared on the CD single) was included on ''
The Best of Siouxsie and the Banshees
Universal Music Group released ''The Best of Siouxsie and the Banshees'' in 2002 as the first reissue of the Siouxsie and the Banshees remastered back-catalogue. The most successful singles of the band were presented in a non-chronological or ...
'' (2002), rather than the album version; it was the only track from ''
The Rapture'' to be included. The Saunders mix was also used in the music video for the song, which was featured on the DVD in the deluxe ''sound & vision'' edition of ''
The Best Of
A greatest hits album or best-of album is a type of compilation album that collects popular and commercially successful songs by a particular artist or band. While greatest hits albums are typically supported by the artist, they can also be crea ...
''.
Track listings
UK 7-inch and cassette single
# "Stargazer"
# "Hang Me High"
UK CD1
(glitter sleeve - limited edition fold out digipak)
# "Stargazer"
# "Hang Me High"
# "Black Sun"
UK CD2
# "Stargazer"
# "Stargazer" (Mambo Sun Mix)*
# "Stargazer" (Planet Queen Mix)*
# "Stargazer" (Mark Saunders Mix)
* Remixed by
Juno Reactor
Juno Reactor is a multi-national musical and performing group, primarily based in Brighton, UK. Known for their cinematic fusion of electronic, global influences, and orchestral symphonic approach, collaborating with composer Don Davis and compo ...
Charts
References
{{Authority control
1995 singles
1995 songs
Polydor Records singles
Siouxsie and the Banshees songs
Songs written by Siouxsie Sioux