Format CD single Genre Pop
electronica | Recorded 1999, London, England | |
B-side "Follow Me"
"Something's Gonna Happen" Released 29 November 1999 (1999-11-29) Length 4:08 (Single version)
4:41 (Album version)
5:31 (Full version) | ||
"Northern Star" is a song by British singer-songwriter, Melanie C. It is the title track from her debut solo album and it was released as the second single in the winter of 1999. It was written by Melanie C and Rick Nowels. The song was produced by Marius De Vries and received positive reception from music critics. The single charted at number four in the UK Singles Chart, becoming her third top five single. It reached the top ten in Italy and Sweden. In the United Kingdom, the single sold over 200,000 copies, and over 1,000,000 copies worldwide.
Contents
Composition
According to the sheet music published by Musicnotes.com by Hal Leonard Corporation, "Northern Star" is composed in the key of A major, and is written in the time signature of common time. It is set in a moderate tempo of 101 beats per minute, with Chisholm's voice spanning from B5 to E♭3. The song has a basic sequence of Dm–Am–B♭–C as its chord progression.
Music video
The music video for "Northern Star" was shot in Brighton, England on 8–9 September 1999. It starts off looking into a starry sky at night gradually moving down, looking out to sea towards a large star, with Melanie walking down a rocky coast surrounded by a desert. She then walks in between two train tracks and as the chorus begins, two trains drive at high speed in opposite directions, later there is a brief scene in a cave with miners. Then Melanie walks through a somewhat Arctic-like area which blends into an urban setting which instantly changes into a sandy beach. During the instrumental she is seen walking through a forest and crossing over a river during daytime, later back in an urban building set. The video ends with her back on the coast at night.
Formats and track listings
These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Northern Star".
UK CD1/Australian CD
- "Northern Star" (single version) – 4:10
- "Follow Me" – 4:47
- "Northern Star" (full version) – 5:31
- "Northern Star" (music video)
UK CD2
- "Northern Star" (single version) – 4:10
- "Something's Gonna Happen" – 3:59
- "Northern Star" (acoustic version) – 2:53
UK Cassette/iTunes Single
- "Northern Star" (single version) – 4:10
- "Follow Me" – 4:47
- "Northern Star" (full version) – 5:31
Official versions
Live performances
Melanie C performed the song on the following concert tours: