Undoubtedly one of the best movies from 2019, A Star Is Born was an exceptionally emotional journey that audiences couldn’t help but fall in love with. Bradley Cooper directed, starred in, and helped write this remake of the 1937 film; it’s now clear there was no one better for the job. After receiving incredible critical success, A Star Is Born was nominated for and won several impressive awards.
The emotional core of the movie is presented through music. Main characters Jack, played by Cooper and Ally, played by Lady Gaga, both speak the truth through their songs. Out of the many beautiful songs written for the movie, here are the top ten.
10. Is That Alright?
One of Ally’s self-written singles, “Is That Alright?” is essentially Ally’s proclamation of her love for Jackson. The up and coming singer really seems to put her heart into every verse, adding to the emotion of the lyrics themselves.
We are given quite a few songs where Jackson describes his love for Ally. This love song, written from her perspective, gives audiences another glimpse at what makes their relationship truly special.
9. Alibi
Ally is very trepidacious about accepting Jackson’s invitation to come to his concert. Eventually, she relents, and upon arriving is treated to Jackson singing what might have been one of his more popular songs.
Alibi seemed like a true rock song that only a big star would be able to pull off. Seeing Jackson performing live for the first time, it was fitting that Ally watched him sing such a cool tune with even cooler lyrics.
8. Diggin’ My Grave
At the peak of Jackson and Ally’s success as a duo, they performed Diggin’ My Grave for the first time in front of a large audience. Not only does the song sound simply sound great, but it also holds within it a heavy dose of foreshadowing for the end of the film.
The song speaks about death and the loved ones left behind that will have to bury the singer once he/she is gone. At the end of the movie, after Jackson tragically decides to take his own life, it’s Ally who ends up wearing black and, in a sense, digging his grave.
7. Too Far Gone
Sung gently by Cooper’s Jackson Maine, Too Far Gone is a beautiful metaphor for the character’s constant struggle throughout the film. Having been hooked on alcohol at a young age by his father, Jackson spent the rest of his life drinking himself through the pain of not having the love of his parents.
In Too Far Gone, Jackson is essentially crying out about his own failings. At the same time, he’s explaining how his relationship with Ally has truly saved him.
6. Music to My Eyes
Performed by both of A Star Is Born’s leads, Music To My Eyes is a love ballad that Ally and Jackson Maine share with one another. This beautiful melody showcases both musicians at their strongest and how great their voices work together.
The best part of this song is that it really showcases how Jackson and Ally connected in the first place. “I’m in love with your music, baby. You’re music to my eyes.” What made Jackson notice Ally in the first place was her beautiful voice and talent for songwriting. The one thing that truly helped the two grow in their love together was working on music together.
5. Maybe It’s Time
Towards the beginning of the movie, Jackson is in search of a bar after one of his performances. With no traditional bars in sight, Jackson settles on visiting a drag bar to get his fix.
After meeting Ally and seeing what a great talent she was, Jack decides to wait for her. While waiting, one of the drag queens requests a performance from the famous country star. He gladly accepts and sings Maybe It’s Time. While Bradley Cooper as Jackson Maine has quite the gruff exterior, this performance, given quite early on in the movie, shows there’s a lot more going on inside his damaged soul.
4. Look What I Found
The very first song Ally recorded once signing her to her new record label, Look What I Found, truly showed the new artist’s talent for songwriting. While she would go on to make less creative, more mainstream music, this single showed how talented Ally really is.
This song appears just before Ally sells out for more mainstream popularity. It’s one of the last great examples of her wonderful talent.
3. Always Remember Us This Way
Another song written by Ally, Always Remeber Us This Way was a clear metaphor for the two’s relationship. Created during what may have been the peak of their relationship, this song memorialized those moments they had together.
Ally was afraid to perform the song for the first time on stage. Jackson then convinced her by saying her for the first time, “I love you.”
2. Shallow
The first song written by Ally to be shown in the film, Shallow is truly the heart of the movie. When Jack first invites Ally to attend one of his concerts, he surprises the aspiring star by inviting her on stage to sing her very own song.
Shallow, written by Ally, becomes the duo’s signature song. Every time they perform it together we get a glimpse at how truly perfect they are for one another.
1. I’ll Never Love Again
While Shallow might be the hit single from A Star Is Born, I’ll Never Love Again is the emotional climax that made every viewer shed at least one tear. The last song Jack wrote before taking his life, this song represented all the love he had for Ally, after all the ups and downs of their relationship.
Hearing Ally belt it out at the end of the movie is truly heartbreaking. What really takes that final scene over the top is when the film cuts to Jackson singing it for the first time. Introducing it to Ally, he is truly pouring his heart out.
