Written in the Stars (Elton John and LeAnn Rimes song) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids "Written in the Stars"
Single by Elton John featuring LeAnn Rimes
from the album Aida and I Need You
Released	23 February 1999
Recorded	1999
Genre	Country, pop
Length	4:17
Label	Rocket, Curb, Walt Disney Records in Aida
Songwriter(s)	Elton John, Tim Rice
Producer(s)	Peter Collins, Wilbur Rimes
Elton John singles chronology
"If the River Can Bend" (1998) "Written in the Stars" (1999) "A Step Too Far" (1999)
LeAnn Rimes singles chronology
"Feels Like Home" (1999) "Written in the Stars" (1999) "Big Deal" (1999)

"Written in the Stars" is a popular song from 1999, sung by music legends Elton John and LeAnn Rimes. This song was created for the musical Aida, with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice.

In the musical, the song is sung by the characters Radames and Aida. Radames wants to cancel his wedding, but Aida knows this would stop her father's escape plan. She tells Radames he must go through with the wedding. He agrees, but only if she promises to escape to freedom on a boat he will provide. The song shows their sadness about their difficult love story before they have to part ways. There are two main versions of the song: one where LeAnn Rimes sings the first part, and another where Elton John sings it.

Song's Success and Achievements

"Written in the Stars" was a big hit for both artists. For Elton John, it was his 57th song to reach the top 40 on the US Billboard charts. This song marked the end of an amazing streak for him, as he had at least one top 40 hit every year from 1970 to 1999!

In Canada, the song was very popular on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart, reaching the number one spot. It also made it to number 22 on the main RPM Top Singles chart. Because LeAnn Rimes was known for country music, the song even appeared on the RPM Country Tracks chart, reaching number 74, even though it wasn't officially released as a country single.

Around the world, "Written in the Stars" also did well. It reached number 10 in the United Kingdom and was a top 40 hit in countries like Austria, Iceland, Italy, and Switzerland. In the US, the song was certified Gold, meaning it sold over 500,000 copies.

The song was later included on LeAnn Rimes' 2002 album I Need You. It was also part of the album created for the Aida musical. Elton John and LeAnn Rimes performed the song live at the famous VH1 Divas Live '99 concert.

Music Video Story

The music video for "Written in the Stars" tells a story about forbidden love and the distance between the two singers. According to the TV show Pop-Up Video, the video used different settings to show this idea. LeAnn Rimes was often shown in cool, bright, almost heavenly places. Elton John, on the other hand, was given warmer, darker backgrounds, like a milder version of a fiery place. This contrast helped show their separation.

Song Versions and Tracks

The single release of "Written in the Stars" included a few different versions of the song.

CD single

• "Written in the Stars" – 4:17
• "Written in the Stars" (Alternate Version) – 4:24
• "Various Snippets" (My Strongest Suit/Not Me/A Step Too Far) – 2:27

Chart Performance Around the World

This section shows how "Written in the Stars" performed on music charts in different countries in 1999.

Weekly Charts

Year-End Charts

Certifications and Awards

The song "Written in the Stars" earned a special award for its sales.