In 2022, TikTok's music charts were buzzing with a new song called 'Stargazing'. The debut track by singer-songwriter Myles Smith accumulated over 10 million streams. How could a young artist from Luton, approximately 50km from London, create a global phenomenon? The success of 'Stargazing' demonstrates a path to success without major label support.
Music That Started in a Small Room in Luton
Born in 1999, Myles Smith grew up in Luton, a medium-sized British city. Though distant from London's center, British music traditions and pop culture influences were strong. He learned guitar at a young age and began writing songs from age 12.
'Stargazing' is known to have been created around 2019. At that time, Myles Smith was outside mainstream music industry attention. He had no major label contract and no management. Instead, he created this song in his room with basic production equipment. Paradoxically, this became the song's charm.
Accessible music, modest production, and humanistic vocals made 'Stargazing' stand out. The acoustic sound inspired by Scandinavian folk was far from the heavy synthpop of charts. But that differentiation captivated listeners.
"I didn't follow music industry rules; I created the song I truly wanted. It's amazing it reached audiences worldwide."
— Myles Smith, Interview
The Real TikTok Discovery Story
In early 2022, 'Stargazing' went viral on TikTok. Initially, small creators made videos with this song. Dance videos, lip-syncs, emotional scenes - various creative content accumulated. The algorithm recommended the song, reaching more audiences.
This shows a new path in modern music. Radio and MTV were once the gatekeepers for music discovery. Now short-form platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Reels play that role. The success proved how powerful this system is.
Spotify also recognized this. The curation team added it to major playlists, exponentially increasing popularity. By mid-2022, it topped charts worldwide.
The Charm of Folk-Pop, The Power of Acoustic
What are its musical characteristics? Simplicity above all. Acoustic guitar, delicate vocals, minimal percussion - that's it. While modern pop is filled with synths and effects, 'Stargazing' went opposite.
Folk tradition lies in storytelling and emotional authenticity. Myles Smith combined this with modern pop structure. At 3:30, it's standard pop length. But the content is deep. Loneliness under stars, yearning for distance, living in the present - all in one song.
Major Label Contract and Beyond
After success, Myles Smith signed with a major label. The Warner Records deal meant joining mainstream music. Fans worried the industry might compromise his authenticity.
Fortunately, later releases maintained his identity. Production refined, but folk-pop charm remained. This shows artist-label respect is possible.
Notably, Myles maintained songwriting credits. This means creative control remained his. This is positive as artist involvement is rare in pop.
A New Star Model in Social Media
His story symbolizes music industry transformation. Labels, radio, and producer connections were essential. But now? Good song, timing, and algorithms can make anyone a star.
Of course, not all good songs succeed. Luck played a role in its success. Universal emotion, accessible musicality, authentic expression - all inevitable.
Today's fans, especially Gen Z, prefer authenticity. Myles perfectly captured that preference. Listening reveals honest emotional expression. Isn't that what modern music needs most?
