Les Misérables: 14- Stars

From the Original Broadway Cast

[@piglord2819]

After listening to this none stop for 3 days, I just came to a realization. Javert isn't talking about stars, he is talking about himself. "Filling the darkness with order and light" and "keeping watch in the night. As a police official, it's his sworn duty to maintain order and justice. He also brings his idea how he must be true to his mission of capturing Valjean as his ticket to heaven. If he fails in his quest to bring 24601 to justice he feels he will face damnation. "If you fall as lucifer fell, you fall in flames". This is why he can never rest and pledges his whole life to one man

[@sleepy-sheepy6517]

Hunter Daniachew I think javert is saying that the stars are perfect bastions of justice and so he tries to be like them. He kind of has an obsession with justice and that's why he joined the watch. And the whole "if you fall as lucifer fell, you fall in flame" is saying that if he fails in his mission then at least he will fail trying and it'll be a spectacle. Idk

[@adamsinger123]

@@sleepy-sheepy6517 God, I wish Victor Hugo could be around to see people debating the meaning of the words to a song given to a character he came up with back in ......... whenever-ago. More positive chats on KZbin = always welcome :) :)

[@theguywhoisaustralian1465]

I think you're half right. I don't think he's singing about himself, so much as his values.

[@Holesdontexist]

He's talking about both. Also, many interpret the 'stars' mentioned in Revelation as angels.

[@CanadianMonarchist]

A baritone as rich as dark chocolate- splendid!

[@vicodinmethadone]

I really do love Terrence Mann's javert, I wish this version was on spotify

[@shaunadeeble742]

This is the best Javert. I’ve never seen Les Mis on stage so I don’t know about the acting but as far as recordings go, this is the best. I love this man’s voice.

[@kennyflanders8337]

Philip Quast will and always will be the best Javert of them all

[@TheThespian98]

Just a fun fact for you; The actor who played Javert in the obc (Terrence Mann) also played the Beast in Beauty in the Beast. If you like Stars, you should listen to If I Can't Love Her.

[@molotovmafia2406]

I like how different performances may vary. Javert may be more collected in some and more psychopatic (or emotional? Idk how to call it) in others, like this. Fantine can be a badass girl who hits every man she sees or a passive victim. Valjean can be a cinnamon roll or a badass hero. This is very cool.

[@tomtompataygutom]

probably one of the most under-appreciated songs in the entire show. the score is just sweeping and majestic. thanks for uploading.

[@moonlightmanifest0]

this was my dad's favorite song in the whole production. makes me think of him every time i hear it

[@alessa.]

Oh my god I just can't this song is so perfect I mean listen to those beautiful metaphors

[@lindacain4554]

There are so many wonderful quotable lines in this musical!!! It is definitely my favorite and most played KZbin video

[@1megs]

I can't even explain how much I love this song

[@maryehrman]

This was my favorite song of all times for a very long period of time

[@itsharibonph]

I remember singing this while walking on a ledge on a five story building and trust me it was a song that I always was asked to sing behind Bring him Home and Phantom of the Opera.

[@ZSchrink]

One of my top 5 songs from Les Miserables!

[@greenrockgirl5150]

This is my number 1!

[@MezzoSoprano01]

My favourite Les Mis song. SO beautiful

[@GeorgeWeasleysGurl]

This song gives me chills!

[@ellent.dulles-coelho9996]

The best Javert

[@psygrimlock]

Lewis Norm was my first Javert, playing off Alfie Boe. He and Quast are my favorites.

[@Mangafreak681]

My parents danced to the instrumental version of this song at their wedding.

[@detectivefiction3701]

That was actually an inspired idea, as the instrumental is beautiful and sounds "religious." It sounds like 19th century religious music.

[@cheltaps3545]

"And each in your season returns and returns and is always the same"

[@loquaciouslyloud6444]

Okay I thought I was losing my mind. Every Spotify soundtrack for Les mis sounded wrong, like it wasn’t the one I first heard. I’d been going through all of them trying to find the right one. THIS is it!!

[@sarahmcnamara3820]

I friggin love this song ... since i heard in 1992

[@ohmyrowling96]

I'm going to see this in March, and this is my favourite song in the whole show.... I hope they get it as good as this :)

[@Damianweibler]

Javert is great. He grew up on the street and fought his way to the top. He turned the law to his advantage and now devotes his life to protecting and upholding it. If the law was right, he would be right.

[@discordlexia2429]

That's what makes a great villain.

[@allanshikhvarg5090]

​@@discordlexia2429he is not a villain, not by a long shot. You vilify the man for doing his job😮

[@discordlexia2429]

@@allanshikhvarg5090 His job is to enforce the law, not to go on a years-long hyperfixation-fuelled crusade against a single criminal. Also, the laws he enforces are oppressive and dehumanising.

[@allanshikhvarg5090]

​@discordlexia2429 he most certainly does his job. He does it so well that he gets promotions and moves up the ranks from prison guard to inspector in the capital. Hugo himself describes Javert as composed of two "simple" sentiments, which are "respect for authority" and "hatred of rebellion." The fact that he hunts Valjean is somewhat secondary but of course has to be lifted up in the book else we won't have the story.

[@Cestlaphi]

Most under appreciated song on the track

[@theforgotten1213]

Javert always be my favourite character.

[@DennisR99]

Still the best Javert IMO.

[@gordforbes417]

This makes an old man cry🇨🇦

[@Natural_law_lawyer]

javert likes heights

[@randomdragonbooks]

Uh... Don't. Just don't please

[@randomdragonbooks]

A bit overreactive but still. Later it would be inappropriate to say

[@Starscooterkart]

safe behind baaaaaaarsiwill never rest

[@adamsinger123]

....... till theeeeeeeeeeeen ...........

[@Adelei42069]

Why do I always seem to read these kinds of comments as they’re being said in the video?

[@lcr82]

just beautiful...

[@davey16100]

Javert bad? I don't think so. The 2 protaganists are heroes, as they believe, heartfelt that they are following the path of righteousness. Knock yourselves out. ALL FABULOUS STUFF REGARDLESS.

[@goodbeef13]

To quote my vocal teacher "Everyone is the hero in their own story" They believe what they're doing is right, no matter what we might think.

[@kronosdorma]

It depends on your viewpoint. Valjean represents the path of mercy and love. Especially with his discovery of God, he discovered and dedicated his life to serve God, thus becoming merciful. Whereas, Javert dedicated his life to the law, and put the law of France above the law of God, thus having no room for mercy for the scum of the earth. But he is still a patriot to his country. Both are Noble in their own ways.

[@Divhreaza]

Agreed. Also, Javert is a perfect example of the distinction between an "Antagonist" and a "Villain". Since Vajean is certainly the protagonist, than Javert, everything else aside is still the antagonist. But he's definitely not a villain. And Thenardier (I never remember how to spell that) is a great example of a villain, even when he's not directly the antagonists for Valjean. (Especially in the book, he's almost more Marius' antagonist. Though he certainly causes trouble for Vajean.)

[@detectivefiction3701]

I think Javert's problem is not so much that he respects the law, but that he responds badly to grace (i.e. Valjean's pardon). His worldview can't accommodate grace -- whereas Valjean's can (in the form of the Bishop's pardon).

[@CidGuerreiro1234]

Jarvert let Valjean go to save Marius... A bad man wouldn't have done that.

[@evad.8405]

This is my favourite song. And Red and black.

[@Bball1414bc]

thanks for uploading! great musical

[@DarkTider]

Except your grandma was wrong. He is not the villain, both him and Valjean are in the right and Javert acts out of a conviction that the law is always the morally correct thing. If you had the entire story told from his point of view you would have a tale of a heroic policeman's quest to stop the dangerous and destardly criminal and conman Jean Valjean.

[@HamJeong]

I certainly never saw Javert as a hero of any sort, much less a tragic hero. That he is not simply a villain seems pretty obvious to me.

[@HamJeong]

I believe that that is debatable. Especially in this song.

[@ephimer]

I wouldnt say that. This is one of my faves from the musical actually! :)

[@LeftWingOfIcarus]

Love Terrence Mann so much.

[@Eternal8Phoenix]

"Good" is just a matter of perspective.

[@ghostoftheschiavona]

terrence, roger, philip, and norm are the only javerts i’ll compare. no one else comes close!

[@zoeya1200]

i can only think of my friend chris singing this for nyssmas last year when i hear this song

[@aurielle112]

he is still the antagonist of the story

[@greenrockgirl5150]

He may be an antagonist but he’s not a villain

[@ScaryAngelGirl]

YES THANK GOD I WANTED THIS SONG

[@thebloodybaron7]

The PERFECT Javert.

[@iggysentyou]

Chaotic good versus lawful good.

[@A.ManAlone]

Javert is considered the quintessential Lawful Neutral character. That's how I first heard about him, actually.

[@CidGuerreiro1234]

@@A.ManAlone Agree. I think a Lawful/Good character would be more open to reach a compromise with Valjean. Javert however is completely adamant in that the law must be followed no matter what. He also does some nasty stuff in the book, like telling Fantine the truth about Valjean while she was on her deathbed. Not exactly something a Good character would do, in my opinion.

[@xExpressUrSelfx]

This may sound stupid but why were the original lyrics "Fallen from grace, fallen from grace." Instead of saying God? It sounds odd repeating it twice.

[@Josh-Jones]

+xExpressUrSelfx It only sounds odd because you have not heard it that way before. For those of us who have listened to this for years, it sounds odd doing it any other way. To answer your question though, he also says "Till we come face to face" twice, and says "Keeping watch in the night" twice. It adds a transition from one part to the next, and to remove "Fallen from grace" as they did apparently in the newer versions spoils the consistency of the lyrics throughout the song.

[@ultimateninjaboi]

+Josh Jones I mean, I'm fine with it either way, honestly. but yeah. I'll second this. I think it's just a matter of familiarity.

[@TheTradge]

+xExpressUrSelfx - This is from the original show, not the film, which is probably why it sounds odd to you, they changed various aspects of the music for the film for some bizarre reason.

[@kensternation]

Because it is falling from Grace like Lucifer did, as he talks about later in the song.

[@julianbushelli1331]

Yes, that's true, but the Tenth Anniversary also has different lyrics... It's not just the film.

[@pharaoh4064]

Anyone notice how Stars and Burn from Hamilton have the same opening melody?

[@brynnhill8848]

Bruh I never noticed but you're right, they're hella similar

[@rideoutsean]

Oh damn

[@indighost__]

oh fuck burn's my favourite hamilton song that's probably why i liked this song so much

[@helenaperez4343]

(Nana Urbiz) Except Burn is Minor

[@PhokingLegend]

Both russell crowe's and this version are not bad!! I love both!

[@PhokingLegend]

Oh.. So sudden!*soft gasp*

[@samuel0705]

+Astaroth asura listen to the 10th anniversary one. philip quast, way better than russel crowe's and this version.

[@TheTradge]

+Astaroth asura - Comparing this version with Russel Crowe's is like comparing Queen's performance of Bohemian Rhapsody to that of Kanye West at Glastonbury!

[@parhelios]

I totally agree! I felt that Crowe put a lot of emotion into his and this version did too. I especially like Crowes ending of his version.

[@katherine4236]

@@samuel0705 Phillip Quast is the gold standard of Javert's 💙

[@pippinnnn]

Is it wrong that I'm not the biggest fan of his voice? But, his vibrato is absolutely stunning!

[@yo5612]

i challenge someone to find a more beautiful villain song....

[@freepotatoez1189]

Too much staccato for my taste but that's no knock against Mann. Portraying the Beast myself, he became one of my biggest theatrical influences.

[@aamirkhanfansclubphilippin5274]

original is the best..terrence mann is the best of all

[@RisaGreen]

I like his and norm Lewis

[@ctaproductions101]

Roger Allum was the actual original, in London two years before this! He is widely glanced over but has a very fitting voice for Javert!

[@aamirkhanfansclubphilippin5274]

+Chris Alleva TMann is the best javert in broadway.

[@robertwellington8554]

norie ann ranoco n

[@cadmiumandwilsin2993]

Inbound unpopular opinion dropped on a two year old comment: Russell Crowe did Jevert really, really well, especially this song. Crowe's song just sounds epic and sonically satisfying at times.

[@mienaina]

where's the girl from the scarlet pimpernel...also sung by terrence mann.

[@NSPPlaysRPGs]

Honestly, I love Terrance Mann's Javert, but in terms of the original two Inspectors, he falls flat compared to the amazing grace of Roger Allam's Javert. I will say, I like the Broadway Cast more in general, though.

[@erracht]

Yeah, I don't think Russell Crowe's goatee was a style normally worn in those days. It screams late 20th/early 21st century.

[@robtul1294]

Which version is this? Is it the 1987 Broadway version? I really want to know who sings Javert in 1987.

[@hugh-danielmosher3847]

1987 Original Broadway - Terrance Mann

[@TW0314]

1:01

[@trumpet9]

This is a baritone song. Why is it on a tenor playlist?

[@tamaraunklesbay6]

Who knows?

[@cadmiumandwilsin2993]

It's just a good song that tenors can sing. Plus, certain Javerts have sounded a little tenory. Russel Crowe was a bass I believe. It really doesn't matter, just a good song that's not too low for tenors.

[@clairedelune1692]

I sing it without problems, and i'm an alto

[@bonitrichampscottydoesntkn1121]

I don't see Javert as a villain. I think he is the same character as Sam Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones in The Fugitive). He doesn't give a shit about who's innocent. If the law says that a person is guilty, then it's his job to bring him/her to the justice, no matter what. He's obsessed with his job, that's all, and won't accept failure. To me, he is a heartless bastard. A person without heart can't be good or bad. Just empty, like a robot.

[@austin25go]

Fallen from Grace fallen from Grace?

[@caleb1413]

Yeah, that's the original line. A lot of people still used it as recently as a decade ago.

[@MrCrowley2474]

Having spent the day listening to all of Javert's songs, as performed by his greatest performers, I can officially say that Terrence Mann ranks among my least favourite. He's a great singer, but he's not the best actor. His voice is a little too soft and floaty for Javert. Too polished. Putting him next to Colm Wilkinson's Valjean, he gets destroyed. Roger Allam does a much better job at characterizing Javert, but my all time favourite will forever be Philip Quast.

[@nicolaspfeil9111]

I still prefer russel crowe version

[@ededson4]

+Nicolas Pfeil Then you are wrong, in my opinion. Crowe ruined the film for me.

[@disneyanimegirl1100]

Weird I love his version and the airy quality might just be my love for his voice talking here but he is a boss no matter what.

[@AndrewB..]

I personally love his version. His voice just works for me.

[@detectivefiction3701]

Terrence Mann is a great singer, and personally I like his version as it made me realize how beautiful "Stars" is just as a song. His singing also makes Javert seem less like a straight-up villain. But I agree that other Javerts have been more profound.

[@carolynthurner2486]

You talk to jesus he love with you philp quest i love you are nice man with your family

[@pepperedhorv92]

I'm so confused ... In this version, its actually sung well o.O ... WHAT'S GOING ON!?!??!

[@claregregory3104]

Ah, somebody who hasn't listened to the 10th anniversary... It's been 3 years since you posted this comment, but still.

[@ScaryAngelGirl]

smm where i find the real song?

[@saphiralucifera2366]

I just heard Bench Apearo try to sing this and needed ear bleach.

[@thatperformer3879]

As much as I dislike his singing, let's keep in mind that he acted the part well, and the greatest musicals don't always start off with the greatest singers, phantom is another prime example

[@erracht]

What's going on is you're not listening to Russell Crowe singing it.

[@jakecoz]

My man said grace twice and now I cant listen to this version

[@cadmiumandwilsin2993]

I find any version but Russell Crowe's version really unsatisfying. The instrumental's great on this one, but I think Crowe was the only one who made Stars sound just perfect to the ear (except for a few last words of sentences where he just kinda did this odd out of tune vibrato thingy that just doesn't work here).

[@Ihdc1]

Cadmium and Wilsin Ugh, no. Russell Crowe sings in a lower key and is still flat in places.

[@Cygnus290]

Philip Quast > Terrance Mann

[@thephantomoftheparadise5666]

Phillip Quast is way better than this guy.

[@kateyepawtch]

no offence but javert's obsession with jean valjean is very homoerotic

[@thatsmoelikeit]

What recording is this from? It's terrible. He says the wrong lyrics at the start and is barely better than Russell Crowell.

[@caleb1413]

This is the original Broadway cast. Agree that he isn't a great singer, but the lyrics weren't changed until what they are now yet so they aren't "wrong."