First recorded by Belinda Carlisle (1987).
Hit versions by Boy Meets Girl (US #5/MOR #1/UK #9/CAN #1 1988), Cabin Crew (UK #4 2005), Sunset Strippers (UK #3 2005).
From the wiki: “‘Waiting for a Star to Fall’ was written by Shannon Rubicam and George Merrill, inspired by an actual falling star that Rubicam had seen at one of Whitney Houston’s concerts at the Greek Theatre. Initially, the duo did not consider recording it and, instead, submitted the song to Clive Davis to consider including it on Houston’s next album. But, he rejected it, alleging that the song did not suit her. The song was then offered to and recorded by Belinda Carlisle for her 1987 release, Heaven on Earth. But, Carlisle disliked the song and refused to include it on the album.
“Merrill and Rubicam decided to record the song themselves, as the group Boy Meets Girl, for their second album Reel Life, becoming a Top 10 hit in the US, the UK and Canada.”
“The song has been remixed three times, resulting each time in new interest in both the original and the Boy Meets Girl duo. The dance outfit Cabin Crew originally remixed the song as ‘Star to Fall’ (a.k.a ‘Star2Fall’), but were refused use of sample of the original lyrics by SonyBMG. Liking what Cabin Crew had done, however, George Merrill agreed to re-record the vocals for their version, so it may actually be counted as more of a cover than a remix. Cabin Crew’s version made #4 in the UK charts in March 2005.
“Meanwhile, SonyBMG had Sunset Strippers remix the original track under the title ‘Falling Stars’, which was released a week after the Cabin Crew version, causing some confusion at the time, with two songs being released into the charts around the same time that sounded essentially the same. The Sunset Strippers cover would eventually reach #3 on the UK Singles charts.”
Boy Meets Girl, “Waiting for a Star to Fall” (1988):
Cabin Crew, “Star 2 Fall” remix (2005):
Sunset Strippers, “Falling Stars” remix (2005):