Song Meaning

Susannah McCorkle's "It Was Written in the Stars" isn't just a love song; it's an exploration of destiny's intoxicating grip on the human heart. The lyrics posit a world where free will dances precariously with a preordained fate, a concept both comforting and terrifying. The opening lines establish this cosmic determinism, suggesting that events, particularly those of the heart, are not random occurrences but rather celestial decrees: "It was written in the stars/What was written in the stars shall be." This immediately throws the listener into a realm where choice might be an illusion, and love, perhaps, an inevitability. The song subtly toys with the listener, hinting at a surrender to something far larger than oneself. McCorkle delves into the psychological impact of believing in destiny. The acceptance of a preordained love carries a double edge. On one hand, there's solace in relinquishing control: "whether it bring joy/Whether it bring woe/It shall be done." This echoes a certain fatalism, but also a profound sense of acceptance. The realization, "Now suddenly I know/You are the one," is less a discovery and more a recognition, a pre-scripted scene finally unfolding. The lyrics suggest a deep-seated human desire to find meaning and order in the chaotic experience of love, even if it means attributing it to an external, supernatural force. However, the song's undercurrent reveals a darker side to this cosmic determinism. The lines "That I have to have your love/Or I'll never be free" hint at a potential prison of fate. What begins as a romantic notion of destiny transforms into a dependency, where love becomes a prerequisite for liberation. McCorkle's phrasing, "cloudy though the day be/Crazy though I may be," hints at a potential desperation, a willingness to cling to the idea of destiny even in the face of instability or inner turmoil. Ultimately, "It Was Written in the Stars" is a sophisticated meditation on love, fate, and the delicate balance between surrendering to destiny and forging one's own path.