Charlie first played the riff to Jim on his iPhone whilst the pair were sitting on a balcony in Spain in 2008. After showing off his new iPhone for about half-an-hour, he happened to mention an idea he had been working on whilst at home in Rome. As soon as he heard the riff Jim knew they had found the track to spark the creation of Graffiti Soul.

The song reminaded Bob Clearmountain of classic Simple Minds especially Alive And Kicking and Don't You (Forget About Me).

"Alternately another song called 'Stars Will Lead The Way' features an Argentinian stringed instrument - the 'Charango.' Of course by the time Charlie has recorded these instruments and then processed the recording through his equipment, the instruments sound even more unique than they did originally!" - Jim

"'Stars Will Lead The Way' is a tune that was written by Charlie in Rome earlier this year. And from the first time I heard the basic melody - he played it to me on his mobile phone speaker as we sat on a hotel balcony in Benidorm last April waiting for the Orchestra to set up - I instantly knew that it could be a contender as the opening track on our forthcoming album."

"Marvelling at it still as it pumped out of the studio speakers here in Wales, I am still of the opinion that it will be that kind of track, but anything could happen and only time will tell. Nevertheless it is interesting that out of the dozen or so new songs that we are set to record, it is 'Stars' that the for some reason they choose to tackle first. I guess to all of us it somehow has the instant feel of an opening chapter to a new story."

"Musically, 'Stars' is really all about the guitars and particularly the main melody, which recalls the kind of hook that Charlie came up with for Speed Your Love To Me. It comes charging right at you with some burlesque keyboard melodies pouring out the sides, but in all honesty it is easily as catchy and every bit as exciting as the aforementioned Sparkle tune. Ed plays around with a cool bass riff that recalls Somebody Up There Likes You, and Mel plays 'classic Mel Gaynor' like only he knows how to."

"At the heart of the tune I feel the spirit of both Sparks and particularly Roxy Music during their dangerous and beautiful Stranded period. Lyrically if pushed I suppose the concept is along the lines of - 'Put your faith in the cosmic drift, align your soul with Mother Nature, whatever will be, will be etc. Mmmm! Still feels like I have work to do on this one." - Jim

"Should the lead track go well [Rockets], Stars could be the big song. The unique thing about Stars when compared to the rest of the album is when you're gearing up to starting an album, and you're writing and collecting ideas, there's usually a point where you go "We're ready to go now." And about a year ago I was consumed with jealousy when Charlie turned up with his brand new iPhone - which my provider doesn't allow - and spent an hour showing me all the applications. I was very impressed and just at the end he said "I've got this wee piece of music I was writing at the weekend, I think there's something in it." And on his new spanking iPhone he said "Listen to this." And he played me what is essentially the guitar riff to Stars. And I knew in that minute we were ready to go." - Jim.

"The music was written by Charlie Burchill. Playing around with a few apps on his phone he came up with some sounds and a melody that had instant impact both on me and our producer Jez Coad. The original title was "Milky Way". - Jim, December 10th, 2015

"It was ten years ago this month, and we were getting a little panicky. The reason was that with the studio already booked and pre-production rehearsal time already confirmed, we were less than a couple of months away from the beginning of what was to be the recording sessions for our then upcoming album - to be later titled Graffiti Soul.

"Of course we were confident enough in the song ideas that we had already amassed. The problem however, or at least as I saw it, was that we were still short of a very strong anthem type tune. Something that could lead on proudly from songs such as the dark and energetic album opener Moscow Underground, and the vicious guitar/radio pop of what would become track number two Rockets.

"It was just about then that Charlie came up to my room during a working visit to Rome. He had called me and said that he had something he wanted me to hear, minutes later he was at my door. Sitting outside on the terrace with a great view, only minutes from Spanish Steps. He pulled out his phone and then pulled up one of the earliest apps that enabled anyone to play music. It is possible that it was the first time I had ever witnessed that sort of thing. Don't forget that this was ten years ago after all, and in the world of technology where developments move at a blistering pace, ten years ago is like a hundred years ago in comparison to the tempo of much of the rest of the world."

"In any case, the app that he pulled up enabled him to emulate the sound of a stringed instrument. Not exactly an acoustic guitar. Not exactly a mandolin. Something perhaps in between. I later found out that it is called a Charango. No matter, as uncertain as to what it was, I was nevertheless transfixed by the hypnotic plucking sound and even more so the tune that Charlie was playing.

"Sometimes when an idea pops up, you just know within a heartbeat that it is precisely the idea that you need, and the very thing that you have been looking for. Such was the case that afternoon as we sat in the sunshine and Charlie played around with the main melody of what was to become Stars Will Lead The Way" - Jim, 11th May 2018

I’m the one who broke apart, I’m the one that’s free. I’m the one who fell apart, Yes I’m the one, that’s me. I’m the one who fell away, The one who didn’t care. But there is a long trail, Stretching now from here to there. Stars will lead the way, Stars will light the sky, Stars will fall through for you and I. From the darkest days to the darkest side, there is a long trail stretching here to you and I. I’m the one who lost the sense, the one who couldn’t see. I’m the one who lost the chance, Within this odyssey. I’m the one who failed to feel, The blackout of the sun. There’s an old tale telling me that it’s just begun. Stars will lead the way, Stars will light the sky, Stars will fall here, now for you and I. From the darkest days to the darkest side, There is a long trail stretching here to you and I. Stars will lead the way. Stars will light the sky. And I’m wandering in a trance, taken over me, wandering in a world but I can't see. Wandering in trance, taken over me. Taken over me, Taken over me. I’m the one who broke apart, I’m the one that’s free. I’m the one who broke apart, the one that couldn’t see. Stars will lead the way, Stars will light the sky. Stars will fall here for you and I. From the darkest days to the darkest side, Stars will fall, fall, fall, fall for you and I. Stars will lead the way, Stars will light the skies, Stars will fall, fall, fall, fall for you and I. Stars will lead the way, Stars will light the skies.

Sampler Edit (0:30) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain
Single Version Edit (2:99) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain Remixed by: Cenzo Townshend
Album Version (3:26) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain
Single Version (3:26) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain Remixed by: Cenzo Townshend
Live Version (3rd November 2009) (4:28) Recorded: Arena, Vienna, Austria Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (5th November 2009) (4:25) Recorded: Saschall, Florence, Italy Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (6th November 2009) (4:35) Recorded: Neon Concept Club, Ancona, Italy Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (7th November 2009) (4:32) Recorded: Atlantico, Rome, Italy Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (8th November 2009) (4:24) Recorded: Gran Teatro Di Padova, Padova, Italy Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (18th November 2009) (4:38) Recorded: La Riviera, Madrid, Spain Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (19th November 2009) (4:31) Recorded: Kursaal, San Sebastian, Spain Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (22nd November 2009) (4:39) Recorded: Falconer Theatre, Copenhagen, Denmark Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (23rd November 2009) (4:27) Recorded: Solnahallen, Stockholm, Sweden Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (24th November 2009) (4:23) Recorded: Sentrum Scene, Oslo, Norway Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (26th November 2009) (4:25) Recorded: Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (27th November 2009) (4:25) Recorded: Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (28th November 2009) (4:25) Recorded: Forest National, Brussels, Belgium Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (30th November 2009) (4:27) Recorded: Metro Arena, Newcastle, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (2nd December 2009) (4:25) Recorded: NEC, Birmingham, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (3rd December 2009) (4:26) Recorded: MEN, Manchester, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (5th December 2009) (4:25) Recorded: Arena, Sheffield, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (6th December 2009) (4:27) Recorded: CIA, Cardiff, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (7th December 2009) (4:27) Recorded: Arena, Wembley, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (9th December 2009) (4:25) Recorded: 02, Dublin, Ireland Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (10th December 2009) (4:26) Recorded: Odyssey, Belfast, Northern Ireland Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (11th December 2009) (4:26) Recorded: SECC, Glasgow, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (12th December 2009) (4:26) Recorded: AEC, Aberdeen, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (17th December 2009) (4:28) Recorded: Popcentrum, Tilburg, Netherlands Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (18th December 2009) (4:37) Recorded: Autostadt Piazza, Wolfsburg, Germany Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (31st January 2014) (4:30) Recorded: Vega, Copenhagen, Denmark Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (1st February 2014) (4:32) Recorded: Huxleys, Berlin, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (3rd February 2014) (4:32) Recorded: Docks, Hamburg, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (4th February 2014) (4:32) Recorded: Docks, Hamburg, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (5th February 2014) (4:29) Recorded: Jovel Music Hall, Munster, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (7th February 2014) (4:34) Recorded: Stadthalle, Bremerhaven, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (8th February 2014) (4:31) Recorded: Sparkassen Arena, Aurich, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (9th February 2014) (4:35) Recorded: Ringlokschuppen, Bielefeld, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (11th February 2014) (4:32) Recorded: Tollhaus, Karlsruhe, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (12th February 2014) (4:29) Recorded: Europahalle, Trier, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (14th February 2014) (4:38) Recorded: Palladium, Köln, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (15th February 2014) (4:30) Recorded: Konzerthalle, Olsberg, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (16th February 2014) (4:35) Recorded: Capitol, Hannover, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (18th February 2014) (4:34) Recorded: Phönixhalle, Mainz, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (20th February 2014) (4:31) Recorded: Werfhalle, Göppingen, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (21st February 2014) (4:30) Recorded: Stadthalle, Fürth, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (23rd February 2014) (4:36) Recorded: Stadthalle, Singen, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (25th February 2014) (4:30) Recorded: Alcatraz, Milan, Italy Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (26th February 2014) (4:28) Recorded: Festhalle, Berne, Switzerland Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (28th February 2014) (4:30) Recorded: Incheba Arena, Prague, Czech Republic Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (1st March 2014) (4:25) Recorded: Sala Ziemi, Poznan, Poland Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (2nd March 2014) (4:26) Recorded: Stodola, Warsaw, Poland Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (9th June 2014) (4:32) Recorded: KulturPur Festival, Hilchenbach, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (11th July 2014) (4:44) Recorded: Kunst!Rasen, Bonn, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (February-May 2015) (4:27) Recorded: Big Music Tour 2015 Recorded By: Olivier Gerard Mixed By: Olivier Gerard at Jet Studios
Live Version (24th October 2018) (4:31) Recorded: Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA Recorded by: Olivier Gerard Produced by: Andy Wright Mixed by: Gavin Goldberg Assisted by: Lewis Chapman

Single Version (3:36) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain Remixed by: Cenzo Townshend

Sampler Edit (0:30) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain
Album Version (3:26) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain
Single Version (3:26) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain Remixed by: Cenzo Townshend
Live Version (16th July 2009) (4:24) Recorded: iTunes Festival, Roundhouse, London
Live Version (3rd November 2009) (4:28) Recorded: Arena, Vienna, Austria Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (5th November 2009) (4:25) Recorded: Saschall, Florence, Italy Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (6th November 2009) (4:35) Recorded: Neon Concept Club, Ancona, Italy Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (7th November 2009) (4:32) Recorded: Atlantico, Rome, Italy Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (8th November 2009) (4:24) Recorded: Gran Teatro Di Padova, Padova, Italy Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (18th November 2009) (4:38) Recorded: La Riviera, Madrid, Spain Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (19th November 2009) (4:31) Recorded: Kursaal, San Sebastian, Spain Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (22nd November 2009) (4:39) Recorded: Falconer Theatre, Copenhagen, Denmark Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (23rd November 2009) (4:27) Recorded: Solnahallen, Stockholm, Sweden Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (24th November 2009) (4:23) Recorded: Sentrum Scene, Oslo, Norway Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (26th November 2009) (4:25) Recorded: Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (27th November 2009) (4:25) Recorded: Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (28th November 2009) (4:25) Recorded: Forest National, Brussels, Belgium Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (30th November 2009) (4:27) Recorded: Metro Arena, Newcastle, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (2nd December 2009) (4:25) Recorded: NEC, Birmingham, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (3rd December 2009) (4:26) Recorded: MEN, Manchester, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (5th December 2009) (4:25) Recorded: Arena, Sheffield, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (6th December 2009) (4:27) Recorded: CIA, Cardiff, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (7th December 2009) (4:27) Recorded: Arena, Wembley, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (9th December 2009) (4:25) Recorded: 02, Dublin, Ireland Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (10th December 2009) (4:26) Recorded: Odyssey, Belfast, Northern Ireland Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (11th December 2009) (4:26) Recorded: SECC, Glasgow, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (12th December 2009) (4:26) Recorded: AEC, Aberdeen, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (17th December 2009) (4:28) Recorded: Popcentrum, Tilburg, Netherlands Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (18th December 2009) (4:37) Recorded: Autostadt Piazza, Wolfsburg, Germany Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (31st January 2014) (4:30) Recorded: Vega, Copenhagen, Denmark Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (1st February 2014) (4:32) Recorded: Huxleys, Berlin, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (3rd February 2014) (4:32) Recorded: Docks, Hamburg, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (4th February 2014) (4:32) Recorded: Docks, Hamburg, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (5th February 2014) (4:29) Recorded: Jovel Music Hall, Munster, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (7th February 2014) (4:34) Recorded: Stadthalle, Bremerhaven, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (8th February 2014) (4:31) Recorded: Sparkassen Arena, Aurich, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (9th February 2014) (4:35) Recorded: Ringlokschuppen, Bielefeld, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (11th February 2014) (4:32) Recorded: Tollhaus, Karlsruhe, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (12th February 2014) (4:29) Recorded: Europahalle, Trier, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (14th February 2014) (4:38) Recorded: Palladium, Köln, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (15th February 2014) (4:30) Recorded: Konzerthalle, Olsberg, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (16th February 2014) (4:35) Recorded: Capitol, Hannover, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (18th February 2014) (4:34) Recorded: Phönixhalle, Mainz, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (20th February 2014) (4:31) Recorded: Werfhalle, Göppingen, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (21st February 2014) (4:30) Recorded: Stadthalle, Fürth, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (23rd February 2014) (4:36) Recorded: Stadthalle, Singen, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (25th February 2014) (4:30) Recorded: Alcatraz, Milan, Italy Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (26th February 2014) (4:28) Recorded: Festhalle, Berne, Switzerland Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (28th February 2014) (4:30) Recorded: Incheba Arena, Prague, Czech Republic Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (1st March 2014) (4:25) Recorded: Sala Ziemi, Poznan, Poland Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (2nd March 2014) (4:26) Recorded: Stodola, Warsaw, Poland Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (9th June 2014) (4:32) Recorded: KulturPur Festival, Hilchenbach, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street
Live Version (11th July 2014) (4:44) Recorded: Kunst!Rasen, Bonn, Germany Mixed By Bleecker Street