"Folding Stars" is a song by Scottish band

Biffy Clyro Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band that formed in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, composed of Simon Neil (guitar, lead vocals), James Johnston (bass, vocals), and Ben Johnston (drums, vocals). Currently signed to 14th Floor Records, they have r ...

from their 2007 album, '' Puzzle''. It was released as the third physical single from ''Puzzle'', on 16 July 2007 and reached number 18 on 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 ...

Overview

"Folding Stars" was inspired by the death of Simon Neil's mother, Eleanor, in March 2004.''Kerrang!'' #1159, p. 22 The song has been described as a "huge, hands-in-the-air anthem",''Rock Sound'' #96, p.49 "the album’s finest heart-on-sleeve moment" and "raw, honest and breathtaking".

Simon Neil Simon Alexander Neil (born 31 August 1979) is a Scottish vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter. He is known for his work in the bands Biffy Clyro and Marmaduke Dukeand also new band with Mike Vennart, Empire state bastard. Career Biffy Clyr ...

has commented on the song, saying: The song was first performed live on 8 July 2007, at the Radio 1/NME Stage at T in the Park 2007. Mike Vennart of

Oceansize Oceansize were an English rock band from Manchester, formed in 1998. The band consisted of Mike Vennart (vocals, guitar), Steve Durose (guitar, backing vocals), Richard "Gambler" Ingram (guitar, keyboards), Mark Heron (drums) and Jon Ellis (bas ...

, a long-time friend of the band, provided second guitar for this performance. On 26 August 2007, the band played at Leeds Festival and stated that it was the last time that Folding Stars would be played live. They however reneged on this decision when the song was played live at

Brixton Academy Brixton Academy (originally known as the Astoria Variety Cinema, previously known as Carling Academy Brixton, currently named O2 Academy Brixton as part of a sponsorship deal with the O2 brand) is a mid-sized concert venue located in South Wes ...

on 21 November 2007. An acoustic version of this song was performed by Simon on his own at their Wembley Arena show in 2010. It was played again by the band on BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge on 19 August 2013, and later as part of the band's headline performances at Reading and Leeds festivals, 25 and 23 August, respectively. Simon Neil later played the song on 3 April 2020 as part of a Facebook live session in the coronavirus lockdown. The physical release of the single topped the UK Physical Singles Chart, while the single overall peaked at number 18 on the

Music video

The song's official music video was directed by

Howard Greenhalgh Howard Douglas Greenhalgh (born 19 February 1963) is a British director of music videos and advertising. Biography Greenhalgh was born in Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire and studied at the Royal College of Art, setting up the firm Why No ...

and filmed at

Painshill Painshill (also referred to as "Pains Hill" in some 19th-century texts), near Cobham, Surrey, England, is one of the finest remaining examples of an 18th-century English landscape park. It was designed and created between 1738 and 1773 by Charl ...

, a landscape park in Surrey. It features the band playing at various locations in the park, including the Gothic Temple, Abbey and Crystal Grotto.

Track listing

Music and lyrics by Simon Neil. * CD 14FLR24CD #"Folding Stars" – 4:15 #"Asexual Meat Kitchen" - 3:29 * 7" #1 14FLR24V1 #"Folding Stars" – 4:15 #"Coward" - 3:40 * 7" #2 14FLR24V2 #"Folding Stars" – 4:15 #"A Headline" - 3:39 * Digital download #"Folding Stars" – 3:56 * iTunes exclusive #"Folding Stars (Demo)" - 4:30

Personnel

* Simon Neil – guitar, vocals * James Johnston – bass, vocals * Ben Johnston – drums, vocals * Garth Richardson – producer

Charts

References

External links

"Folding Stars" Lyrics

"Folding Stars" Guitar Tablature
{{authority control Biffy Clyro songs 2007 singles Albums with cover art by Storm Thorgerson Songs written by Simon Neil Song recordings produced by Garth Richardson Commemoration songs Music videos directed by Howard Greenhalgh 2007 songs