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Paul Oakenfold’s Starry Eyed Surprise: A Zippy Guide to the Classic Dance Track

If you are a fan of dance music, you have probably heard of Paul Oakenfold, one of the most influential and successful DJs and producers in the world. Oakenfold has been making music since the 1980s, and has collaborated with artists such as Madonna, U2, The Happy Mondays, and many more. He has also created soundtracks for movies such as The Matrix, Swordfish, and The Bourne Identity.

One of his most popular songs is Starry Eyed Surprise, a catchy and upbeat track that features vocals from Shifty Shellshock of Crazy Town. The song was released in 2002 as the second single from Oakenfold’s debut album, Bunkka. It reached number six in the United Kingdom, number 19 in the Netherlands and New Zealand, number 21 in Ireland, and number 37 in Australia. It also reached the top 50 in Italy and the United States.

But what makes Starry Eyed Surprise so zippy and irresistible? Let’s take a closer look at the song and its history.

The Lyrics

The lyrics of Starry Eyed Surprise are written by Oakenfold, Shifty Shellshock, Andy Gray, and Fred Neil. They describe a night out at a club, where the narrator is dancing with his friends and seeing stars. He is feeling happy and free, enjoying the music and the atmosphere. He also expresses his admiration for the DJ, who keeps him dancing all night.

The chorus goes like this:

Oh my, starry eyed surprise
Sun down to sun rise
Dance all night
We gonna dance all night
Dance all night to this DJ
Now sugar, dance all night to this DJ

The line “Freaky deaky, star speckles and pink butterflies” is sung by Shifty Shellshock in a similar manner to his band’s previous hit, Butterfly. The song also samples Everybody’s Talkin’ by Harry Nilsson, which is a cover version of the original by Fred Neil. That’s why Neil received a songwriter credit for Starry Eyed Surprise.

The Music

The music of Starry Eyed Surprise is composed by Oakenfold and Andy Gray. It is a blend of electronic dance music genres, such as house, trance, and hip hop. It has a fast tempo of 130 beats per minute, and a catchy melody that sticks in your head. It also features guitars by Emerson Swinford and Mark Ralph, and additional production by Jeff Turzo and Carmen Rizzo.

The song was recorded at Real Noize (UK) and Real World (Box, Wiltshire, England). It was mixed by Oakenfold, Gray, Steve Osborne, and Ed Chadwick. The cover artwork was designed by Michael Nash Associates, with photography by Matthew Donaldson and Anton Corbijn.

The Video

The video of Starry Eyed Surprise was directed by Nigel Dick. It shows Oakenfold and Shifty Shellshock performing the song at various locations in Los Angeles, such as a diner, a car wash, a bowling alley, and a rooftop party. The video also features cameo appearances by Ice-T, Brittany Murphy, Moby, Perry Farrell, Mark McGrath, Traci Bingham, Simon Rex,

The video was nominated for Best Dance Video at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, but lost to Justin Timberlake’s Rock Your Body. It was also nominated for Best Video at the 2003 Dancestar USA Awards, but lost to Dirty Vegas’ Days Go By.

The Remixes

Starry Eyed Surprise has been remixed by several artists and DJs, such as Josh Wink, Oliver Lieb, Hairy Diamond, and DJ Monk. Some of these remixes were included on the single releases of the song, while others were released on compilations or online platforms.

One of the most popular remixes is the Josh Wink Re-interpretation, which gives the song a more techno and minimalistic feel. It has a longer duration of 8:43 minutes, and features a hypnotic bassline and a distorted vocal sample. It was included on the UK CD single and 12-inch single of Starry Eyed Surprise.

Another notable remix is the Oliver Lieb Remix, which adds more trance elements to the song. It has a faster tempo of 140 beats per minute, and features more synth sounds and effects. It was also included on the UK CD single and 12-inch single of Starry Eyed Surprise.

The Legacy

Starry Eyed Surprise is one of Oakenfold’s most successful and recognizable songs. It has been featured in several movies, TV shows, video games, and commercials. Some of these include:

The Italian Job (2003) – The song plays during the opening credits sequence.
Malibu’s Most Wanted (2003) – The song plays during a scene where Jamie Kennedy’s character tries to impress a girl.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006) – The song plays on the in-game radio station Flash FM.
Coke Zero (2007) – The song plays in a commercial for the soft drink.
Dancing with the Stars (2010) – The song plays during a dance routine by Pamela Anderson and Damian Whitewood.
Entourage (2011) – The song plays during a scene where Vince and his friends go to a party.

Starry Eyed Surprise is also considered a classic dance track by many fans and critics. It has been praised for its catchy melody, uplifting lyrics, and zippy vibe. It has also been ranked among Oakenfold’s best songs by various publications and websites.

For example, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Starry Eyed Surprise at number 16 on their list of The 30 Greatest EDM Albums of All Time in 2012. They wrote: “Oakenfold’s first solo album was an ambitious pop crossover that spawned this irresistible hit featuring Crazy Town’s Shifty Shellshock.”

Similarly, Mixmag magazine ranked Starry Eyed Surprise at number 19 on their list of The 100 Greatest Dance Singles Of All Time in 2013. They wrote: “A perfect example of Oakey’s ability to craft pop-dance crossovers that don’t suck.”

In conclusion,

In conclusion, Starry Eyed Surprise is a zippy and classic dance track that showcases Oakenfold’s talent and versatility as a DJ and producer. It is a song that makes you want to dance all night, and see stars in your eyes. It is also a song that has a lasting impact on the dance music scene, and has been enjoyed by millions of fans around the world.

If you want to listen to Starry Eyed Surprise, you can find it on Oakenfold’s album Bunkka, or on his compilation Greatest Hits & Remixes, Vol. 1. You can also watch the video on YouTube, or stream the song on Spotify, Apple Music, or other platforms. And if you want to experience Oakenfold’s live performance, you can check out his tour dates and events on his official website or social media accounts.

Starry Eyed Surprise is a song that will make you feel happy and free, and will keep you dancing all night. It is a song that deserves to be celebrated and remembered as one of Oakenfold’s best creations.

The Reviews

Starry Eyed Surprise received mostly positive reviews from music critics and fans. It was praised for its catchy hook, upbeat tempo, and fun lyrics. It was also seen as a successful collaboration between Oakenfold and Shifty Shellshock, who brought their different styles and influences to the song.

For example, AllMusic reviewer John Bush wrote: “The second single from Bunkka is a pop-dance crossover with a big hook and a guest spot from Crazy Town’s Shifty Shellshock. The track is a bit more pop-oriented than most of Oakenfold’s work, but it works well as a radio-friendly single.”

Similarly, Billboard magazine reviewer Michael Paoletta wrote: “The second single from Paul Oakenfold’s Bunkka is a zippy slice of dance/pop that features Crazy Town frontman Shifty Shellshock on vocals. The track is an infectious blend of hip-hop and house, with a sample of Harry Nilsson’s ‘Everybody’s Talkin” adding to the song’s charm.”

However, some critics were less impressed by the song, and felt that it was too commercial or generic. They also criticized Shifty Shellshock’s vocals and lyrics, and compared them unfavorably to his previous work with Crazy Town.

For instance, NME reviewer John Robinson wrote: “This is Paul Oakenfold’s second attempt at making a pop record. It features Shifty Shellshock from Crazy Town singing about going out dancing. It sounds like something you might hear on a car advert. It is rubbish.”

The Awards

Starry Eyed Surprise was nominated for several awards in the dance music industry. It was recognized for its popularity, quality, and impact on the dance music scene. It also competed with other dance hits from 2002 and 2003.

Some of the awards that Starry Eyed Surprise was nominated for are:

Best Dance Video at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards – Lost to Justin Timberlake’s Rock Your Body
Best Video at the 2003 Dancestar USA Awards – Lost to Dirty Vegas’ Days Go By
Best Single at the 2003 International Dance Music Awards – Lost to Dirty Vegas’ Days Go By
Best Dance Single at the 2003 Winter Music Conference Awards – Lost to Dirty Vegas’ Days Go By
Best Dance/Electronica Album at the 2004 Grammy Awards (for Bunkka) – Lost to The Chemical Brothers’ Come with Us

Despite not winning any of these awards, Starry Eyed Surprise was still considered one of the best dance songs of its time by many fans and critics. It also helped Oakenfold gain more exposure and recognition in the mainstream music market.

The Influence

Starry Eyed Surprise has influenced many other artists and DJs in the dance music scene. It has inspired them to create their own songs and remixes, or to collaborate with other genres and styles. It has also introduced them to Oakenfold’s work and legacy, and to the potential of dance music as a mainstream and global phenomenon.

Some of the artists and DJs who have been influenced by Starry Eyed Surprise are:

David Guetta – The French DJ and producer has cited Oakenfold as one of his main influences, and has praised Starry Eyed Surprise as one of his favorite songs. He has also collaborated with Shifty Shellshock on his 2009 song Gettin’ Over You.
Tiësto – The Dutch DJ and producer has also named Oakenfold as one of his inspirations, and has performed Starry Eyed Surprise in some of his live sets. He has also remixed some of Oakenfold’s songs, such as Southern Sun and Not Over Yet.
Calvin Harris – The Scottish DJ and producer has been influenced by Oakenfold’s style and success, and has created his own pop-dance crossover hits, such as I’m Not Alone, Feel So Close, and Summer.
Avicii – The late Swedish DJ and producer was a fan of Oakenfold’s music, and has sampled Starry Eyed Surprise in his 2013 song Wake Me Up. He has also remixed Oakenfold’s song Ready Steady Go in 2011.
Zedd – The Russian-German DJ and producer has been inspired by Oakenfold’s versatility and creativity, and has made his own dance-pop anthems, such as Clarity, Stay the Night, and The Middle.

The Conclusion

Starry Eyed Surprise is a zippy and classic dance track that showcases Oakenfold’s talent and versatility as a DJ and producer. It is a song that makes you want to dance all night, and see stars in your eyes. It is also a song that has a lasting impact on the dance music scene, and has been enjoyed by millions of fans around the world.