Kelly Watch the Stars

"Kelly Watch the Stars" (also written "Kelly, Watch the Stars!") is a song by French electronic music duo Air from their debut studio album, Moon Safari (1998). It was released on 4 May 1998 as the album's second single.

"Kelly Watch the Stars"
Single by Air
from the album Moon Safari
B-side	"Remember"
Released	4 May 1998 (1998-05-04)
Recorded	1997
Genre	Pop^[1] electronica^[2]
Length	3:44
Label	Source Virgin
Songwriter(s)	Jean-Benoît Dunckel Nicolas Godin
Producer(s)	Jean-Benoît Dunckel Nicolas Godin
Air singles chronology
"Sexy Boy" (1998) "Kelly Watch the Stars" (1998) "All I Need" (1998)

Critical reception

The song was well received by music critics. AllMusic called the song "accessible pop."^[1] Drum 'n' Bass: The Rough Guide described the song as "retro-electronics".^[2] The song was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.^[3]

Chart performance

The song was commercially successful in the United Kingdom, entering the UK Singles Chart at number 18 on the chart dated 16 May 1998 and spending a total of three weeks in the top 50.^[4] The song remains their second highest-peaking single in the UK.^[4]

Music video

The music video, directed by Mike Mills,^[5] drew attention due to its surreal concept.^[3] It depicts a girl named Kelly playing table tennis. She is knocked unconscious, and floats into the night sky. She eventually regains consciousness, and continues to play, eventually winning the table tennis match.^[6] Meanwhile, the members of Air seem to be simulating her game while playing Pong on a TV.

Live performances and media usage

The group performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2016, to promote the release of their retrospective collection Twentyears.^[7][8]

A remix of the song was featured on the soundtrack for the 1999 film Splendor.^[9] The song was also featured on the 2012 electronica retrospective collection "Electrospective".^[10] The song was also featured in an episode of TV shows Daria and Back in Time for Dinner.^[11]

Track listings

French CD single^[12] "Kelly Watch the Stars" (edit) – 3:39 "Remember" (Version Cordes) – 2:21 French CD maxi single and Australian CD single^[13]^[14] "Kelly Watch the Stars" (edit) – 3:39 "Sexy Boy" (Sex Kino Mix) – 6:33 "Kelly, Watch the Stars!" (album version) – 3:44 "Remember" (D. Whitaker Version) – 2:21 French 7-inch single^[15] A. "Kelly Watch the Stars" (American Girls Remix par Phoenix) B. "Kelly Watch the Stars" (Remix par Moog Cookbook)

12-inch single^[16] A1. "Kelly Watch the Stars" (edit) – 3:39 A2. "Sexy Boy" (Sex Kino Mix) – 6:33 B1. "Kelly Watch the Stars" (extended version) – 8:12 B2. "Remember" (D. Whitaker Version) – 2:21 UK cassette single^[17] Same tracks on both sides "Kelly Watch the Stars" (edit) – 3:39 "Sexy Boy (Sex Kino Mix) – 6:33 "Kelly, Watch the Stars!" (album version) – 3:44

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Kelly Watch the Stars"

Chart (1998)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[18]	77
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)^[19]	12
Scotland (OCC)^[20]	18
UK Singles (OCC)^[4]	18

References

1. Bush, John. "Moon Safari – Air". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
2. Shapiro, Pete (1999). Drum 'n' Bass: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides. ISBN 9781858284330. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
3. Dimery, Robert (2016). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die (5th ed.). Tristan de Lancey. ISBN 978-1-84403-392-8.
4. "Air: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
5. "Kelly Watch the Stars (1998)". IMVDb. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
6. "Official Music Video". YouTube. Astralwerks. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
7. Pearce, Sheldon; Minsker, Evan (28 September 2016). "Watch Air Perform "Kelly Watch the Stars," Action Bronson Talk Stealing TVs on "Kimmel"". Pitchfork. Conde Nast. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
8. Kaye, Ben (28 September 2016). "Air performs "Kelly Watch the Stars", Action Bronson talks food on Kimmel — watch". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
9. Birchmeier, Jason. ""Splendor" Overview". AllMusic. RhtyhmOne. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
10. Kellman, Andy. ""Electrospective" Track Listing and Overview". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
11. "Air at IMDb". IMDb. amazon.com. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
12. "Kelly Watch the Stars" (French CD single). Air. Source/Virgin Records. 1998. 7243 8 95071 2 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
13. "Kelly Watch the Stars" (French CD maxi single). Air. Source. 1998. 7243 8 95072 2 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
14. "Kelly Watch the Stars" (Australian CD single). Air. Source/Virgin Records. 1998. 7243 8 95072 2 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
15. "Kelly Watch the Stars" (French 7-inch single). Air. Source. 1998. 7243 8 95071 7 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
16. "Kelly Watch the Stars" (French 12-inch single). Air. Source. 1998. 7243 8 95072 6 3.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
17. "Kelly Watch the Stars" (UK cassette single). Air. Source. 1998. VSC1690.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
18. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
19. "Air – Kelly Watch the Stars" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
20. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 August 2019.

External links

• "Kelly Watch the Stars" music video on YouTube