Shooting Stars is a 2009 song by Australian electronic duo Bag Raiders, originally released as a single before appearing on their self-titled debut album. It gained a second life in 2017 as an internet meme, when creators began pairing its dreamy opening with videos of people, animals and objects falling or floating in slow motion. The format spread across YouTube, Reddit and TikTok, where the contrast between the serene music and an undignified tumble became instantly recognisable. It remains popular because the opening notes alone signal that a graceful moment is about to go wrong.
About this sound
The opening synth melody from Bag Raiders' Shooting Stars, made famous by viral videos of people falling, used for slow-motion fails and dramatic meme moments.
This clip captures the recognisable opening of Bag Raiders' Shooting Stars, a bright, shimmering synth melody that builds slowly over a steady electronic beat before opening into its soaring chorus. The sound feels dreamy, weightless and slightly nostalgic, which is why it works so well when paired with someone floating, falling or drifting through the air in slow motion. Listeners immediately expect something graceful to go wrong or turn surreal, and that contrast between the beautiful music and the clumsy visual creates the joke. It is short enough to loop, easy to recognise within a second, and carries a warm, floating feeling that makes even an ordinary fall feel cinematic.
