Standards
Stella By Starlight chords & key
- Key
- B♭ major
- Form
- ABC
- Bars
- 32
- Groove
- Medium swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“Stella By Starlight” is a jazz standard by Victor Young. It is usually played in B♭ major as a medium swing, and the 32-bar ABC form has 3 sections. Harmonically it contains 1 major ii–V–I cadence and 4 minor ii–V–i, uses 22 different chords and moves between the key centres D minor, E♭ major, C minor and B♭ minor. In this atlas it appears on 12 album tracks.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — B♭ major
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- B♭maj7×5
- Em7♭5×4
- A7♭9×3
- Cm7×3
- G7♭13×2
- A♭7♯11×2
Key centres reached by ii–V
D minor, E♭ major, C minor and B♭ minor
Recorded on these albums
| 1956 | In a Romantic Mood Oscar Peterson · “Stella by Starlight” |
| 1956 | World Statesman Dizzy Gillespie · “Stella by Starlight” |
| 1961 | Dedicated to You Ray Charles · “Stella by Starlight” |
| 1961 | Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie! Ella Fitzgerald · “Stella by Starlight” |
| 1961 | My Heart Sings Tony Bennett · “Stella by Starlight” |
| 1966 | Blues Etude Oscar Peterson |
| 1968 | The Piano Soul of Nat King Cole Nat King Cole |
| 1975 | The Giant Dizzy Gillespie |
| 2015 | The Complete Hits 1943-62 Frank Sinatra |
| 2026 | World Tour Oscar Peterson · “Stella by Starlight” |
| 2026 | Celestial Keeper Joey Alexander · “Stella by Starlight” |
| 2026 | Night Blooms Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra · “Stella by Starlight (Late Night session)” |
Frequently asked questions
What key is Stella By Starlight in?
Stella By Starlight is usually played in B♭ major. For B♭ instruments that is C major, for E♭ instruments G major.
Who wrote Stella By Starlight?
Stella By Starlight was written by Victor Young.
What is the form of Stella By Starlight?
Stella By Starlight has 3 sections (ABC) with 32 bars in total.
How fast is Stella By Starlight played?
The usual groove is Medium swing.
What are the chord changes to Stella By Starlight?
The opening bars are Em7b5 | A7b9 | Cm7 | F7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.