City of Stars Lyrics - Ryan Gosling

"City of Stars," performed by Ryan Gosling in the film "La La Land," is a ppignant reflection on the pursuit of love and dreams in the backdrop of Los Angeles. The song captures the essence of longing and hope that pervades the lives of those chasing their aspirations in the city.

The opening lines, "City of stars, Are you shining just for me? City of stars, There's so much that I can't see," convey a sense of wonder and uncertainty. The city is portrayed as a place of endless posibilities, yet there's an acknowledgment of the unseen challenges and struggles that come with trying to realize one's dreams.

The lyricist expresses a profound realization that, amid the hustle of the city, what everyone truly seeks is love. This theme is reflected in the lines, "Just one thing everybody wants. There in the bars, and through the smokescreen of the crowded restaurants, It's love." The song suggests that love is the universal desire that connects people amidst the chaos and glamour of city life.

The song’s bridge, "To look in somebody's eyes, To light up the skies, To open the world and send me whirly," illustrates the transformative power of love. It’s not just about the grandeur of dreams, but also about finding someone who offers support and understanding, making the journey worthwhile.

Furthermore, the song touches upon the theme of uncertainty and risk in the pursuit of passion and love. The lines, "I don't care if I know, Just where I will go," depict a willingness to embrace the unknown for the sake of the exhilarating feeling of love and fulfillment.

"City of Stars" is a melodic embodiment of the hopes, dreams, and quest for love in a city that symbolizes ambition. It's a heartfelt ode to Los Angeles, encapsulating the beauty and complexity of striving for one's dreams while yearning for connection and love.

Mr. Ryan Gosling's song in the blues style. It was sung together with his companion Emma Stone. In the lyrics of it, the singer wonders whether this city of stars is shining just for him or it throws multiple beams of light on other people who succeed better than he did. In the second verse, there is a voice of his partner Emma, who continues the idea that it is a very overcrowded city, with multiple bars, smoked restaurants, and a little love. People in this city are rushing, but only they two are glancing at each other, touching, and dancing. Basically, these are all things that they want in the moment. This song is distinguished by the fact how the piano plays – as if it has some special certain mechanism of blockage of evolving sounds of notes and it seems like they are dying in the end. This fading away of notes leaves the consonant impression with the feelings they have while singing it. They are a little bit disappointed on how their lives develop.
The female character also breaks the length of the line, when she is singing about the crowded restaurants. It is unclear whether they both with Mr. Gosling smile about this especial prolongation because it is away from the proposed line’s length or whether it had to be this way. It is also impossible to tell even when you're looking through the clip because it is unknown whether she smiles to the hero of Ryan realizing her mistake or they're just smiling because they are in love. There is a clip from a movie on YouTube that can be watched to tell, though.
Even despite the fact that this is a sad melody, huge hopes in the voices of the singers are distinctively heard. They two sing that they are looking for love from someone else. Despite the big world around, they are seeking to open hearts to feel the whirly sensations. Emma starts and Ryan continues that they need to have a crazy feeling to feel Ra-ta-tat in their hearts and they want to stay right here in this moment as long as it is possible.
There is another moment when they're smiling but it is obvious that it was a mistake from Mr. Gosling's part. So 2 mistakes in one video actually make it look like the final rehearsal rather than the scene that was planned to enter the film. Maybe the reason it actually became a part of the movie is that it was the best they could and couldn't reach any better.
There is another interesting thing. When looking at Emma, even if you're a guy, you don't have any sexual desire towards her. It is distinctly understood that you can love her only with some subtle love. She's very touchy, gentle, and subtle, so it is impossible to imagine her in some filthy way.
Yes, we understand that these actors are not musical people. Mr. Gosling is more like macho but as far as he coped with this role perfectly, we suppose that he can play anyone. We're not sure to say the same about Stone because she was always just in one palette. So as for us, this film is just the finalization of her acting, the fine tuning, and the highest point, if it may be called so.

Sources:

'La La Land': Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling's 'City of Stars' - IndieWire