Starry Night
The process of writing 'Starry Night' was begun in a different way than any other song I have ever written. It started by a friend asking if I could use his website called Jam Studio to write a song. It's a basic recording website that lets you type in a tempo and chords to get the start of a song going. I typed 86 in the bpm window and a simple C-G-Am-F for the chord progression. At this point you pick what kind of instrument you want to play your song. I chose an acoustic guitar and from there ‘Starry Night’ was born.
I usually start with music and melodies. Once those are coming together I will try to think of which vowel sounds will stand out and go well with the movements of the melody, forming the lyrics around that.
When I wrote Starry Night on January 18, 2009, I was at a place in my life where I really wanted to rededicate everything I was doing and living for to Jesus. I wanted to get back to the place I was when I first became a Christian; the tender and unrefined moments of just getting to know the strongest love one can possess. The beginning of something amazing is always exciting. I had forgotten how awesome it was. I've always been fascinated with creation, it’s such a beautiful thing. As I was writing the lyrics, that part of me naturally came out.
Each time I write a new line, I will record the idea into my computer. It's a necessary task because I have the short-term memory of a hummingbird. Which I'm assuming is not good, but that's neither here nor there. Now, where were we? …Yes, recording ideas. I had the first half of the chorus written and was at the end of recording the idea when I decided to keep on singing. I was planning on just singing the same part over again but I accidentally said the word 'sun' instead of 'one'. At that point, it hit me that I could do a play on words and start with 'Son' the second time around. At the end of that part of the recording on my computer you can literally hear me gasp and say, "ooo wait a second."
The lyrics do have a more universal sense to them, but the story behind them is very personal. There is nothing more important than someone giving his or her life to Jesus. It's a beautiful thing and it really is something special to sing about.
Lyrics:
From the birds that sing in the tallest trees
To the human life of you and me
From the desert sands to the place we stand
He is God of all He is everything
I'm giving my life to the only one
Who makes the moon reflect the sun
Every starry night that was His design
I'm giving my life to the only son
Who was and is and is to come
Let the praises ring cause He is everything
From the autumn leaves that will ride the breeze
To the faith it takes to pray and see
From the painted sky to my plank filled eye
He is God of all, He is everything
Hallelujah, hallelujah I believe
Hallelujah, hallelujah I believe
I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the moon reflect the sun
On that starry night, He changed my life
I'm giving it all to the only son who gave me hope when I had none
So let praises ring, yeah let the praises ring
Words & Music by:
Chris August
