Stella By Starlight
Phil Mattson & The P.M. Singers Lyrics

The Paul Webster and Victor Young-penned jazz standard, "Stella by Starlight," performed by Phil Mattson & The P.M. Singers, encapsulates the essence of romanticism in its lyrics. The opening lines, "The song a robin sings/ Through years of endless springs" evoke a sense of sweetness and purity where nature becomes a source of inspiration for lovers. The setting in the following lines is conducive to romance, "The murmur of a brook at eventide/ That ripples by a nook where two lovers hide." The imagery conjures up the picture of two people escaping from the world, a space that becomes their own, enhancing their relationship.

The entire song's tone becomes more grandiose as it progresses, summarizing the importance of love with the lines, "A great symphonic theme/ That's Stella by starlight, and not a dream." The final lines, "My heart and I agree/ She's everything on earth to me," deliver the song's ultimate statement. The word "Stella" represents a person who is the subject of the singer's affection, who appears almost otherworldly to him, and the object of a grand symphony in his heart. In "Stella by Starlight," love and music merge to create a realm where emotions feel heightened and sense of grandiosity is achieved.