Honestly, it is kind of wild how a song written for a movie credits roll back in 2014 still manages to pop up on everyone’s "feel good/cry hard" playlists over a decade later. We're talking about All of the Stars by Ed Sheeran.
Most people know it as that song from The Fault in Our Stars. You know, the one where Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort made us all collectively lose our minds over a metaphor about cigarettes and oxygen tanks. But there’s a lot more to this track than just being a "sad movie song." It was a pivotal moment in Ed's career. It sat right between his raw, loop-pedal indie beginnings and the "Shape of You" stadium-filler era.
The Story Behind the Song
Ed Sheeran didn't just phone this one in. He actually watched the movie first.
Basically, he wanted to capture that weird, bittersweet feeling the book and film are famous for. He described the vibe he was going for as "sad, yet euphoric." He wanted to lift people up a little bit even though they probably just spent two hours crying into their popcorn.
He teamed up with Johnny McDaid from Snow Patrol to write it. If you listen closely, you can hear that Snow Patrol influence in the build-up. It’s got that "Chasing Cars" DNA—simple, repetitive, but emotionally heavy.
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Why the Lyrics Stuck
The lyrics are super straightforward, but that’s why they work.
- "It's just another night and I'm staring at the moon."
- "I saw a shooting star and thought of you."
It’s classic Ed. He takes these universal, almost cliché images and makes them feel like a private conversation. Interestingly, the song isn't just about the movie characters, Hazel and Gus. It’s about the distance we feel from people we love, whether they’re across the world or just... gone.
What Most People Get Wrong About "All of the Stars"
A lot of casual fans think this was a lead single for his album x (Multiply). It wasn't.
Technically, it was the lead single for The Fault in Our Stars soundtrack. While it eventually showed up as a bonus track on the physical deluxe version of x, it was never meant to be a radio juggernaut like "Sing" or "Don't."
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Another thing? The music video. It doesn't actually have any footage from the movie. Instead, it’s filled with fan-submitted notes and messages of encouragement. It was a very "early-internet" way of connecting with fans, and it made the song feel bigger than just a promotional tool for a film.
The 2026 Perspective: Why It’s Still Charting
Fast forward to today, 2026. Ed Sheeran has released Subtract, Autumn Variations, and his latest 2025 project, Play. He’s a different artist now. He’s a dad, he’s dealt with heavy personal loss, and his music has gotten much more experimental.
But All of the Stars remains a staple. On his recent 2025 tours, fans were still screaming for it. It has this "legacy" status now.
Maybe it’s because it represents a time when pop music felt a bit more earnest. Or maybe it’s just the fact that "okay" is still our "always."
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The Technical Side (For the Nerds)
The song is actually a masterclass in dynamic range. It starts with just a piano and Ed’s voice. Then the guitar kicks in. By the end, you’ve got these layered harmonies and a full band sound that feels massive.
Johnny McDaid’s production keeps it clean. There aren't a million synths or distracting beats. It’s built to let the vocal carry the weight. If you're a songwriter, study the way the melody in the chorus ("So open your eyes and see...") jumps up an octave. It’s a classic trick to trigger an emotional response in the listener. It works every time.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Creators
If you’re looking to dive back into this era of Ed’s music or you’re a songwriter yourself, here’s how to actually use this info:
- Listen for the Transition: Play "All of the Stars" immediately followed by "Photograph." You can hear how Ed was refining his "ballad" formula during this exact window of time.
- Study the "Faucet Theory": Ed often talks about his "faucet theory" of songwriting—turning on the tap and letting the muddy water run until it’s clear. This song is a perfect example of a clear, "late-stream" idea.
- Check the Collaborations: If you like the vibe of this track, look up other Ed Sheeran/Johnny McDaid collabs like "Photograph" or "Bloodstream." They have a very specific "moody acoustic" signature that defines Ed's best work.
Whether you're mourning a fictional character or just missing someone on the other side of the skyline, this song still holds up. It’s not just a soundtrack filler; it’s a core piece of the Ed Sheeran puzzle.