Rewrite the Stars
Zac Efron and Zendaya song for the 2017 film The Greatest Showman
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"Rewrite the Stars" is a song performed by Zac Efron and Zendaya for the film The Greatest Showman (2017). It was released on November 17, 2017, by Atlantic Records as a promotional single from the soundtrack.[1][2][3] In Australia, "Rewrite the Stars" was released to radio on July 20, 2018.[4][5] The song sees Efron's character, Phillip Carlyle—a privileged white man and Barnum's protégé—serenading Zendaya's character, Anne Wheeler. Their passionate connection is fraught with societal obstacles, including racial prejudice and class distinctions. Philip tries to convince Anne that their love can overcome these barriers, challenging fate and destiny to create a future together.[6]
| "Rewrite the Stars" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Single by Zac Efron and Zendaya | ||||
| from the album The Greatest Showman | ||||
| Released | November 17, 2017 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:37 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Songwriter | Benj Pasek and Justin Paul | |||
| Producers | ||||
| Zac Efron singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Zendaya singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Audio | ||||
| "Rewrite the Stars" on YouTube | ||||
The song is expected to appear in the upcoming 2026 stage musical adaptation of the film.
Composition
According to sheet music published at Sheetmusicdirect.com, "Rewrite the Stars" is a moderately fast tempo of 125 beats per minute. Written in common time, the song is in the key of B♭ major. Throughout the track, Efron's vocal range spans from the low note of E♭3 to the high note of B♭4, and Zendaya's vocal range spans from the low note of E♭3 to the high note of E♭5.[7] "Rewrite the Stars" had many melodic inspirations, most notably being "Unconditionally" by Katy Perry, produced by Dr. Luke, Max Martin, and Cirkut.
Reception
Sam Damshenas from GayTimes called the song a "stunning duet" with perfectly fitting romance,[6] and Michael Ordoña from the Los Angeles Times called the song "a standout duet" and "a signature karaoke duet".[8] However, Emily Yoshida from Vulture described the song as a "Jason Derulo castoff circa 2012."[9]
Accolades
| Award | Date | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teen Choice Awards | August 12, 2018 | Choice Music: Collaboration | Won | [10] |
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[32] | 2× Platinum | 140,000‡ |
| Austria (IFPI Austria)[33] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[34] | 3× Platinum | 240,000‡ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[35] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| France (SNEP)[36] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
| Italy (FIMI)[37] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[38] | 3× Platinum | 90,000‡ |
| Poland (ZPAV)[39] | Platinum | 50,000‡ |
| Portugal (AFP)[40] | Platinum | 10,000‡ |
| Spain (Promusicae)[41] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[42] | 3× Platinum | 1,800,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[43] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000‡ |
| Streaming | ||
| Japan (RIAJ)[44] | Gold | 50,000,000† |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
Reimagined version
| "Rewrite the Stars" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Anne-Marie and James Arthur | ||||
| from the album The Greatest Showman: Reimagined | ||||
| Released | November 16, 2018 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Songwriter | Pasek and Paul | |||
| Producers | ||||
| Anne-Marie singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| James Arthur singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Rewrite the Stars (Reimagined version") on YouTube | ||||
On November 16, 2018, The Greatest Showman: Reimagined was released, which features a cover of "Rewrite the Stars" by English singers James Arthur and Anne-Marie as a single. The pair performed the song on the fifteenth season of British The X Factor on December 1 and the fifteenth season of American The Voice on December 4.[45][46] It was released to Australian radio,[47] and a remix by Wideboys was released on December 14.[48]
Track listing
- Remix[48]
- "Rewrite the Stars" (Wideboys Hands in the Air remix) – 3:36
Charts
| Chart (2018–19) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[49] | 67 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[50] | 7 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[51] | 19 |
| Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[52] | 85 |
| Germany (GfK)[53] | 100 |
| Greece International Digital Singles (IFPI)[54] | 99 |
| Hungary (Single Top 40)[55] | 27 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[56] | 12 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[57] | 10 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[58] | 24 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[59] | 5 |
| Portugal (AFP)[60] | 61 |
| Portugal Airplay (AFP)[61] | 1 |
| Romania (Airplay 100)[62] | 12 |
| Scotland Singles (OCC)[63] | 4 |
| Singapore (RIAS)[64] | 15 |
| Slovakia Singles Digital (ČNS IFPI)[65] | 79 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[66] | 27 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[67] | 44 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[68] | 7 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[69] | 24 |
Year-end charts
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[77] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| Italy (FIMI)[78] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[79] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
| Norway (IFPI Norway)[80] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
| Poland (ZPAV)[81] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
| Portugal (AFP)[82] | Platinum | 10,000‡ |
| Spain (Promusicae)[83] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[84] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[85] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||