"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. In Australia, "Rewrite the Stars" was released to radio on July 20, 2018. 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.
The song appears in the 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 E3 to the high note of B4, and Zendaya's vocal range spans from the low note of E3 to the high note of E5. "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, and Michael Ordoña from the Los Angeles Times called the song "a standout duet" and "a signature karaoke duet". However, Emily Yoshida from Vulture described the song as a "Jason Derulo castoff circa 2012."
Accolades Award Date Category Result Teen Choice Awards August 12, 2018 Choice Music: Collaboration
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2017–2018) Peakposition Canada (Canadian Hot 100) 71 Ireland (IRMA) 21 Malaysia (RIM) 3 Singapore (RIAS) 1 US Billboard Hot 100 70
Year-end charts Chart (2018) Position Australia (ARIA) 82 UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 32
Certifications
Release history Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Version Various November 17, 2017 Atlantic Promotional single Australia July 20, 2018 Contemporary hit radio Atlantic Radio single
Reimagined version
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. It was released to Australian radio, and a remix by Wideboys was released on December 14.
Track listing Remix "Rewrite the Stars" – 3:36
Charts Chart (2018–19) Peakposition Australia (ARIA) 67 Greece International Digital Singles (IFPI) 99 Ireland (IRMA) 12 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) 5 Portugal Airplay (AFP) 1 Romania (Airplay 100) 12 Singapore (RIAS) 15 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) 27
Chart (2024) Peakposition Indonesia (Billboard) 13 Malaysia International (RIM) 20
Year-end charts Chart (2019) Position Belgium (Ultratop Flanders) 37 Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia) 87 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 74 Portugal (AFP) 118Romania (Airplay 100) 31
Certifications
References