STARGAZING

STARGAZING serves as the grand entrance to Travis Scott's highly acclaimed album, Astroworld. The song is a two-part narrative that encapsulates the album's core themes: the intoxicating highs of fame and success, and a nostalgic, almost melancholic, longing for the past.

The first half of the song, with its hazy, psychedelic production, represents a state of being under the influence, a common motif in Scott's music. The act of 'stargazing' is a metaphor for this psychedelic-induced escapism and the feeling of being detached from reality. Scott mentions being saved by a 'girl,' which is widely interpreted as a reference to his then-partner, Kylie Jenner, and their daughter, Stormi, who grounded him and pulled him away from a lifestyle of heavy lean consumption.

The iconic beat switch marks a dramatic shift in the song's narrative and energy. It's like the beginning of a roller coaster ride, launching the listener into the core of Astroworld. The second half becomes more aggressive and assertive. Scott reflects on his journey, his success, and the responsibilities that come with it. He famously raps, “'99, took AstroWorld, it had to relocate / Told the dogs I'd bring it back, it was a seal of faith,” directly referencing the closure of the Houston theme park that inspired the album's title and concept. This line establishes his mission for the album: to resurrect the feeling of joy and chaos that the park represented for him and his city. The lyrics then delve into the realities of his success—the packed arenas, the frenetic energy of his shows, new enemies, and his status in the hip-hop world. It's a complex portrayal of fame, balancing the exhilarating highs with the inherent struggles and pressures.

The song begins with a depiction of a disoriented state induced by substance use, specifically lean, which makes the narrator feel like he's 'stargazing.' He describes the psychedelic experience as sending him into a state of craziness. This hazy and intoxicating journey is interrupted by the arrival of a significant woman who he credits with saving his life. Her appearance is sudden and impactful, as she stays with him through the night. The recurring theme of 'stargazing' and the psychedelic influence continues, with the narrator noting the strange and perhaps deceptive behavior of others around him. He contrasts their actions with his own sense of forward momentum and success, mentioning being on top with 'Ellen' and warding off jealousy.

The narrative then shifts dramatically with a beat switch, signaling a change in tone and subject matter. The lyrics become more assertive and reflective of his current status and mindset. He references his past, mentioning that he's been awake for days and is trying to quiet his thoughts. He alludes to a traumatic past that would shock others. A key reference is made to the closure of the AstroWorld theme park in Houston in 1999, and he expresses a commitment to his fans ('the dogs') to bring back that lost sense of joy and excitement. This promise is framed as a 'seal of faith.' The woman from the first part is now a 'tourist guide' to his world, holding the 'keys into my city.' With new success comes new challenges, including new problems and enemies, which he views as the 'amenities' of reaching the top. He boasts about his drawing power, comparing his packed shows at the Toyota Center to being a league of his own. The energy of his concerts is described as chaotic and intense, where a mosh pit isn't complete without injuries, and fans are stage-diving from the 'nosebleeds.'

The song then touches on themes of indulgence and relationships. There's a graphic line about a woman doing drugs until her nose bleeds and being intensely devoted to him, even if her promise of 'forever' only lasts a week. He contrasts this fleeting encounter with the status of his 'baby mama' (a reference to Kylie Jenner), whom he calls a 'trophy.' He mentions her throwing up 'B's,' possibly a gang reference or a sign of solidarity, making him feel like they 'both bleed.' The verse is filled with boasts about his success and invincibility, comparing his elevated status to the late Kobe Bryant. He concludes by stating the astronomical nature of his journey and his influence on others, feeling responsible for the ways they've adopted from him. He dismisses those who doubt his struggles as 'improbable' and describes his own spirit as 'diabolical' when provoked.

"STARGAZING" is the opening track on Travis Scott's third studio album, Astroworld, released on August 3, 2018. The song was also released as a promotional single on the same day. The creation of the track involved a collective of talented producers. The first part was produced by Sonny Digital and B Wheezy, while the second, more aggressive part, was handled by B Korn, 30 Roc, and B Wheezy. Mike Dean, a frequent collaborator of Scott's, provided additional production and was the mixing and mastering engineer for the track.

One of the producers, Bkorn, shared insight into the creation of the melody for the second half, showcasing how he developed the sounds using synthesizers like Sylenth1. Another producer, 30 Roc, known for his work on Roddy Ricch's "The Box," was also involved in crafting the beat for the second part. The song reportedly samples or interpolates DJ Jimi's 1992 track "Bitches (Reply)". Cydel Young, one of the credited songwriters, mentioned that he got involved with Astroworld through a writer's camp and that his contribution was chosen for the outro of the song. Before its official release, Travis Scott previewed "STARGAZING" at live performances, including the Rolling Loud festival in 2018, building significant anticipation for the album.

The rhyme scheme and rhythm of "STARGAZING" are dynamic and shift along with the beat. In the first part of the song, the flow is more melodic and follows the hazy, psychedelic beat. The rhymes are often simple and repetitive, like the hook "Rollin', rollin', rollin', got me stargazin' / Sippin' on purp, feelin' like the Barre Baby," which emphasizes the cyclical and hypnotic state he's describing.

After the beat switch, the rhythm becomes more aggressive and complex. Travis Scott's flow becomes faster and more intricate, fitting the harder-hitting trap beat. The rhyme schemes become more elaborate with multi-syllabic and internal rhymes. For instance, in the lines, "Got new money, got new problems, got new enemies / When you make it to the top, it's the amenities," he rhymes "enemies" with "amenities." He also uses near rhymes and assonance to maintain the flow, such as rhyming "relocate" with "seal of faith." The interplay between his vocal rhythm and the complex percussion of the second beat creates a sense of controlled chaos, driving the energy of the track forward. The song is in 4/4 time with a tempo of 150 BPM.

"STARGAZING" showcases a wide array of Travis Scott's signature stylistic techniques, both musically and lyrically.

• Vocal Delivery: Scott employs a range of vocal styles, from his trademark heavily auto-tuned, melodic crooning in the first half to a more aggressive, distorted, and energetic rap delivery in the second half. He also uses his iconic ad-libs like "It's lit!" and "Straight up!" to punctuate lines and build energy.
• Beat Switch: The most notable musical technique is the dramatic beat switch, a hallmark of several songs on Astroworld. This creates a two-part structure, effectively making it two songs in one and taking the listener on a dynamic journey.
• Psychedelic Production: The production is dense and layered, particularly in the first half, featuring reversed melodies, airy synths, and a flute-like sound created with a square wave on a synthesizer to create a woozy, psychedelic atmosphere. The tempo is a brisk 150 BPM with a 4/4 time signature.
• Literary Devices: Scott uses vivid imagery ("stage divin' out the nose bleeds") and hyperbole to emphasize his points. There's also wordplay, as seen in the line, "And she hit that booger sugar 'til her nose bleed," followed by a description of his fans stage diving from the "nosebleeds," creating a double meaning.
• Sampling/Interpolation: The track reportedly incorporates elements from DJ Jimi's "Bitches (Reply)," connecting his modern sound to older influences.

"STARGAZING" had a significant cultural impact upon its release as the opening track of the critically and commercially successful album Astroworld. The song debuted at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA. It charted in the top 10 in numerous countries, including Canada, Australia, and the UK. The song is widely regarded as one of the highlights of Astroworld and a quintessential Travis Scott track.

The iconic beat switch became a much-discussed and celebrated moment in modern hip-hop, often cited as one of the best of all time. The song perfectly encapsulated the psychedelic trap sound that Scott has pioneered and popularized. The reference to the closed AstroWorld theme park resonated deeply with Houston natives and became a symbol of the album's nostalgic and personal themes. "STARGAZING" was performed by Scott at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards, further cementing its place in the popular consciousness. The official trailer for the Astroworld album featured the first half of the song, helping to build immense anticipation for the project. The song's evocative title and ad-libs like "It's lit!" have become part of the cultural lexicon associated with Travis Scott. Its influence can be seen in the numerous fan analyses, production breakdowns, and its enduring popularity on streaming services and at live shows.

"STARGAZING" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that set the tone for the entire Astroworld album. The most prominent symbols include:

• Stargazing: This central metaphor represents a state of psychedelic intoxication and escapism. It's a journey into a different state of consciousness, away from the pressures of reality. This is reinforced by lyrics like, "Sippin' on purp, feelin' like the Barre Baby."
• AstroWorld: The reference to the defunct Houston theme park is a powerful symbol of lost youth and joy. When Scott raps about bringing it back, he's metaphorically promising to restore that sense of wonder and chaotic fun through his music and the album's experience. It becomes a symbol of his artistic mission.
• The Beat Switch: This dramatic musical shift halfway through the song symbolizes a transition. It can be seen as the moment of waking from a drug-induced haze into the stark, aggressive reality of his current life, or as the roller coaster cart reaching the top of the hill before a thrilling drop. It represents the duality of his life—the dreamlike state and the high-octane reality of stardom.
• Kylie Jenner as a Savior: The line "Then this girl came here to save my life" is a direct metaphorical representation of how his relationship with Kylie Jenner and the birth of their daughter grounded him, pulling him away from a more destructive path.
• The Toyota Center and Mosh Pits: These references symbolize the massive scale of his success and the chaotic, almost dangerous, energy of his live performances. The line "And it ain't a mosh pit if ain't no injuries" is a hyperbolic expression of the wild atmosphere he cultivates.

"STARGAZING" features several recurring phrases and motifs that are central to its meaning and the album's themes.

• "Rollin', rollin', rollin', got me stargazin'": This is the primary hook of the first half of the song. Its repetition drills in the central theme of being in a drug-induced, hypnotic state. The word "rollin'" can refer to the effects of drugs, particularly ecstasy, while "stargazin'" serves as a metaphor for this out-of-body experience.
• "Psychedelics got me goin' crazy": This line is repeated multiple times, directly stating the cause of his altered state and reinforcing the psychedelic theme that runs through much of Travis Scott's work.
• Ad-libs ("It's lit," "Straight up," "Yeah"): These are signature motifs in Travis Scott's music. They are used throughout the song to add energy, punctuate rhymes, and create a call-and-response feel with the listener. These ad-libs are a crucial part of his brand and musical identity.
• The ASTROWORLD Motif: The direct mention of AstroWorld's closure and the promise to bring it back is a foundational motif for the entire album. It establishes the conceptual framework and Scott's personal mission statement.