You know that feeling when a song just feels like a specific place? Not just a physical location, but a mood. That's exactly what happened when Ryan Gosling first whistled those opening notes on the Hermosa Beach pier. City of Stars isn't just a track on a soundtrack; it’s the heartbeat of La La Land. It’s a song about hope, but it’s also kind of a song about the crushing weight of being a "nobody" in a town that only celebrates "somebodies."
Honestly, it’s rare for a movie song to become a cultural touchstone these days. Most original songs in films feel like they were written by a committee to fill a radio quota. But Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul did something different here. They wrote a song that feels like a demo tape. It’s raw. It’s a bit shaky. And that is exactly why it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
The Anatomy of a Melancholy Anthem
Most people think of City of Stars as a romantic ballad. They aren't wrong, but they're missing the bittersweet layers hidden in the composition. Justin Hurwitz, the composer, has talked openly about how he wanted the music to feel both hopeful and tragic. It’s written in a minor key, which usually signals sadness, but the lyrics keep reaching for something brighter.
It’s about the duality of Los Angeles.
Think about the lyrics for a second. "Are you shining just for me?" That’s the ultimate dreamer’s question. It’s narcissistic and vulnerable at the same time. The song doesn't promise a happy ending. Instead, it asks if the struggle is actually worth the payoff. When Ryan Gosling sings it alone on the pier, it’s a solitary meditation. When he sings it later with Emma Stone at the piano, it becomes a shared delusion—or maybe a shared dream.
The production is intentionally sparse. You can hear the keys hitting the bed of the piano. You hear the breath between the notes. In an era of over-produced pop, this kind of sonic honesty is basically a superpower. It makes the listener feel like they’re eavesdropping on a private moment in a messy apartment rather than watching a polished Hollywood production.
📖 Related: Big Brother 27 Morgan: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Why Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone’s "Imperfection" Worked
Let’s be real: neither Ryan Gosling nor Emma Stone are Broadway-caliber vocalists. And that is the best thing that could have happened to City of Stars.
If you had a powerhouse singer like Adele or John Legend belt this out, the meaning would vanish. It would become a vocal exercise. Because Gosling has that slight rasp and Stone has that breathy, conversational tone, the song stays grounded in reality. It sounds like two people who are tired. Two people who have been on too many failed auditions and played too many gigs at dive bars where no one was listening.
- The Gosling Whistle: That opening whistle wasn't just a stylistic choice. It was a character beat. Sebastian is a purist, a jazz snob, and that simple melody represents his inner world before it gets complicated by love and compromise.
- The Duet Version: This version is actually faster and more "alive" than the solo version. It captures that frantic, "us against the world" energy of a new relationship.
- The Humility of the Key: The song stays in a relatively comfortable range. It doesn’t rely on high notes or "diva moments." It relies on the lyrics.
The Pasek and Paul Magic
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the lyricists, are the same duo behind Dear Evan Hansen and The Greatest Showman. They have a knack for writing about "the outsider." In City of Stars, they tapped into the specific anxiety of the creative class.
The line "Who knows? Is this the start of something wonderful and new? Or one more dream that I cannot make true?" basically sums up the entire experience of living in a 2026 creative economy. Whether you're an actor in 1950s Hollywood or a content creator today, that "maybe" is what keeps you going.
Experts in musicology often point to the song's use of "blue notes" and jazz-influenced chords to bridge the gap between old Hollywood and modern sensibilities. It pays homage to the era of George Gershwin while staying firmly rooted in the 21st century. It’s nostalgic, but it isn’t a parody.
👉 See also: The Lil Wayne Tracklist for Tha Carter 3: What Most People Get Wrong
The Impact on the Modern Movie Musical
Before La La Land, the movie musical was in a weird spot. It was either "prestige" adaptations of stage plays like Les Misérables or animated features. City of Stars proved that an original, jazz-inspired song could actually top the charts and dominate streaming platforms.
It didn't just win an Oscar; it changed the "sound" of what people expected from film music. It paved the way for more intimate, character-driven scores. You can see its influence in how subsequent films approached their soundtracks—prioritizing emotional resonance over flashy production.
There’s also the "TikTok effect" to consider. Even years after the film's release, the song finds new life in short-form video content. It’s used as a backdrop for travel vlogs, "day in the life" montages, and even clips of people just looking at city skylines. It has become shorthand for "modern romance in an urban setting."
Technical Brilliance: Why It Sticks in Your Head
Ever wonder why you can’t stop humming it? It’s the "hook." The melody follows a descending pattern that feels like a sigh.
- The Motif: The three-note motif that anchors the chorus is incredibly simple. Simplicity is often the hardest thing to achieve in songwriting.
- The Tempo: It’s at a walking pace. Literally. It’s designed to match the rhythm of someone strolling down a street or a pier.
- The Contrast: The bridge ("A look in somebody's eyes...") speeds up the lyrical delivery, creating a sense of heartbeat and excitement before dropping back into the lullaby-like chorus.
Critics sometimes argue the song is "too simple" or "sentimental." To that, I say: so what? Music doesn't always have to be a complex mathematical puzzle to be profound. Sometimes, the most profound thing you can do is admit that you're lonely and looking for a sign.
✨ Don't miss: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong
Beyond the Screen: The Legacy of City of Stars
The song has been covered by everyone from professional orchestras to amateur ukulele players on YouTube. It’s a staple in piano bars across the globe. Why? Because it’s accessible. You don't need a 20-piece band to make it sound good. You just need a piano and a little bit of longing in your voice.
Interestingly, the song’s success also highlighted the brilliance of Justin Hurwitz’s entire score. While City of Stars got the trophies, it works so well because it shares DNA with the rest of the film's music, like "Audition (The Fools Who Dream)" and "Mia & Sebastian’s Theme." It’s part of a cohesive emotional narrative.
The song reminds us that even in a world that feels increasingly digital and disconnected, the "city of stars" is still something we're all looking at, hoping one of them is ours.
Actionable Takeaways for Movie and Music Fans
If you've been listening to City of Stars on repeat and want to dive deeper into the world of film scores or the La La Land legacy, here are some things you should actually do:
- Listen to the "Score" vs. the "Soundtrack": Most people only listen to the vocal tracks. Go back and listen to the instrumental score by Justin Hurwitz. You’ll hear the City of Stars melody hidden in different instruments throughout the entire movie, acting as a "leitmotif."
- Watch the "Pier Scene" with the Sound Off: Notice the lighting and the camera movement. The cinematography was choreographed to the specific rhythm of the song. It’s a masterclass in how visuals and audio should sync.
- Explore the Influences: If you like the vibe of this song, check out the music of Michel Legrand, specifically his work on The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. That was the primary inspiration for the sound of La La Land.
- Learn the Basics: If you play an instrument, download the sheet music. Because it uses a lot of 7th chords and jazz progressions, it’s a fantastic way for beginners to move beyond basic pop chords and learn how "mood" is built through harmony.
- Check Out the Lyricists' Other Work: Listen to the soundtrack of Dogfight (an earlier Pasek and Paul musical). You can hear the early iterations of their "bittersweet" style that eventually led to their Oscar win.
The song isn't just a piece of music; it's a reminder that the "dream" is often just as much about the struggle as it is about the success. Whether you’re in Los Angeles or a small town in the middle of nowhere, those stars are still there. You just have to decide if they're shining for you.