What is there to say about this man? He’s a genius, that’s for sure, and the way he has translated pop culture knowledge into chart success is nothing short of amazing. Kind of hoping we get another album from him next year, as I’m kind of sick of hearing Jack Harlow, and it’s starting to feel like an Oprah/Dr. Phil situation, where I only learned about Harlow because of a verse he did on a Li’l Nas X song. Anyway! I was extremely satisfied with myself the day I turned on the radio and realized this song ended in a Picardy Third. I knew it right away! I felt so smart. I want you to feel smart, too! That’s why I write all of this. Let’s all be smart together!

Intro: Lil Nas X stumbled into fame in a massive way in 2019 upon the release of “Old Town Road,” which broke a 24-year-old record for the longest running Billboard Hot 100 #1. He ushered in a new era of viral hits that translated to chart success, and did so with creative use of sampling, queer visuals, and less traditional collaborations. “Star Walkin’” was released in 2022 as a single and the anthem for an esports tournament. It reached the top ten in several European countries.

Analysis: The song is performed in B minor throughout, using mostly G, A, and Bmin chords (otherwise known as III-II-i if analyzed in B minor, also here Aeolian Mode). The final chord of the song resolves as B major, heard for the first time, creating a proper Picardy Third cadence.

Considerations for Teaching: As is common for Lil Nas X songs, this song contains at least one sexually explicit lyric (properly censored in the above video, the official League of Legends version) and profanity. Likely because it was written for an esports tournament, the song makes multiple references to death and killing, although within a video game context. The concept can be taught by listening to the last minute of the song, or the final three repetitions of the chorus, which contains no explicit lyric or references to death.

And honestly, that last chord is so flipping satisfying. I promise.