Rufus Wainwright

I love it. That's all. It's very classic Rufus. And I love how he performs it live!

this song is definitely one of my favorites, right behind DIDY and Slideshow!
i just love the overall style of the song... the groove, the sounds, the style, and the way his vocals just soar the entire time. and the lyrics are very interesting. while i was originally under the impression this song was about his mother, it may be the case that rufus has found a way to make this song represent several different scenarios...

i am interested in hearing additional commentary about this song. he performed this song live at Coachella, and i hope he continues to perform it as he tours. it's a great song, and it makes a superb title track
(especially with the imagery of stars!)

http://rufus.jt.org/song.php?i=ReleasetheStars

Why do you keep all your stars in from your studio on Melrose Avenue?
You have locked all your assets up in lifelong contracts to you
Didn't you know that old Hollywood is over?

Oh, can't you see all the good that celebrity can do for those in the dark?
Yes of course, I am speaking in metaphors for something more in your heart
Didn't you know that old Hollywood is over?

So why not just release the gates and let them all come out?
Remember that without them there would be no Paramount
No Paramount need to hold on to what isn't yours
Release the stars

The more that you fight,
Then the more they will scrutinize and realize just your size
And believe me,
You are no match for a public that has seen the whites of your eyes
Didn't you know that old Hollywood is over?
Old Hollywood is over

So why not just release the gates and let them all come out?
Remember that without them there would be no Paramount
No Paramount need to hold on to what isn't yours
Release the stars

Release the stars, release your love, release the stars
Release your love, 'cause Hollywood is over
Why do you keep all your stars in from your studio on Melrose Avenue?

I adore this as well. One of my top 3 so at least at the moment...
Grammy Rufus!!! :)
I think it doesss show a rather different side and point in a different direction to what we're accustomed to hearing... A gospel/jazz/big band eclectic soaring LIVE recording rather than a track-by-track maticulously 'touched' track..
Obvviously influenced by the whole Judy Garland craze... very 'showbizzy'... very 50's classic golden-era big band hollywood.. i could go on lol. Interesting to hear Rufus take on this genre. Works very well though and the results are incredible.
Love this song. :)

Probably my favorite song on the album. I love the big bandish quality. Brilliant. :)

{q a=[[Mirthfus]]}I love it. That's all. It's very classic Rufus. And I love how he performs it live!{/q}

I second that! When he performs it live, he's just so...into it that's is completely fabulous.

Aside from the amazing musical qualities of this song the lyrics blow me away. I'm not sure if he talked publicly about what these lyrics are about.
But what I get out of it...Is rufus inviting all the gays in Hollywood who are so afraid to come out because of the big scare there that if you do come out in Hollywood your career will be over in Hollywood.
He holds the record for being the first musician to sign a record deal out of the closet and proud to admit it. So Hats off to the profound encouragement.
Thats what I get from the Lyrics. And if it is the case. It only intensifies the musical celebration behind the singing.

{q a=[[Joelrs71]]}Aside from the amazing musical qualities of this song the lyrics blow me away. I'm not sure if he talked publicly about what these lyrics are about.
But what I get out of it...Is rufus inviting all the gays in Hollywood who are so afraid to come out because of the big scare there that if you do come out in Hollywood your career will be over in Hollywood.
He holds the record for being the first musician to sign a record deal out of the closet and proud to admit it. So Hats off to the profound encouragement.
Thats what I get from the Lyrics. And if it is the case. It only intensifies the musical celebration behind the singing.
{/q} RUFUS IS BRILLANT!

i saw rufus singing it live,it was breathtaking,and the band was excellent,so exciting,i didn't want it to end,his voice overwhelms me on this one.

I have liked this song from first listen, but after seeing Rufus perform it on Letterman, wow!

{q a=[[Joelrs71]]}
He holds the record for being the first musician to sign a record deal out of the closet and proud to admit it.
{/q}

This absolutely incorrect and untrue. Jobriath was the first out gay artist signed to a major label (Elektra) in 1973. He openly referred to himself as a "true fairy" and was marketed, specifically, as the gay Bowie. Moreover, Rufus' record company tried to pass him off as "bi" for a short while in the late 90's (this is how he was being presented in the press for a short time on the first major tour, including here in SF). I'm not sure why people attribute this idea to Rufus (especially given the history of Jobriath). Please, do yourself a favor and run a google search on Jobriath (and pay particular attention to the connections with Rufus' work, including the efforts of Kristian Hoffman and others to turn an apparently indifferent Rufus on to Jobriath's work).

{q a=[[Joelrs71]]}Aside from the amazing musical qualities of this song the lyrics blow me away. I'm not sure if he talked publicly about what these lyrics are about.
But what I get out of it...Is rufus inviting all the gays in Hollywood who are so afraid to come out because of the big scare there that if you do come out in Hollywood your career will be over in Hollywood.
He holds the record for being the first musician to sign a record deal out of the closet and proud to admit it. So Hats off to the profound encouragement.
Thats what I get from the Lyrics. And if it is the case. It only intensifies the musical celebration behind the singing.
{/q}

Ah Ha!

I was listening to this on the train yesterday and came to the same conclusion I have listened to it soo many times but it was only yesterday that I got what it was saying (or at least what I think it's saying) I am such a dumb arse!!!

Not sure about Rufus being the first openly gay musician to sign a record deal but he is still such an important figure for the gay community in terms of his position and his vocality (is there such a word) that it doesn't matter!

It is my favorite song on the new album... it's brilliant! The way it grows (like in normal Rufus fashion) is just amazing :)

{q a=[[Mirthfus]]}...I love how he performs it live!{/q}

ditto.

i loooove how he thrusts his hands open (while performing live), as though he's actually releasing the stars, when he sings the line "release the stars" at the end of the chorus.