The year 2005 marked a seismic shift in pop culture as a Scottish singer-songwriter armed with only a guitar and a loop pedal went viral—before “viral” was even a common phrase. That moment belonged to KT Tunstall and her unforgettable performance of “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” on Later… with Jools Holland, which catapulted her debut album, Eye To The Telescope, into the global spotlight. Now, two decades later, Tunstall is celebrating the multi-million-selling, Grammy-nominated album with a special 20th Anniversary Re-issue, the “Stargazer Editions,” available physically on October 31, 2025, via BMG. This isn’t just a nostalgia trip; it’s a treasure chest for fans old and new.
Three Unheard Tracks Unlock the Past
The most exciting addition to the Stargazer Editions is the inclusion of three previously unheard tracks: the title track “Eye To The Telescope,” plus “Cancerian” and “Anything At All.” These songs were started during the original writing sessions but lay unfinished for twenty years. Tunstall shared the poetic backstory behind the title track, which was inspired by her physicist father taking her to the observatory in St Andrews as a child to view the night sky. She recalled initially abandoning the song because she felt her debut’s title track “had to be a banger.” Now, with the encouragement of BMG, she’s completed it, bringing in original string arranger David Davidson and flautist Shabaka for a “cosmic full-circle moment.” These three tracks are also available digitally as The Stargazer EP (released October 24th).
Two Decades of Enduring Artistry
Eye To The Telescope wasn’t just a hit; it became a cultural touchstone. Its single “Suddenly I See” became inextricably linked to the zeitgeist after featuring prominently in the opening scene of the Meryl Streep film The Devil Wears Prada, a testament to Tunstall’s enduring songwriting. Her career since has been marked by fearless creativity, culminating in major awards, including the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection in 2024. This year has been a massive celebration, including major 20th Anniversary Shows, such as her 50th birthday gig at the Royal Albert Hall on June 23rd, which featured guest appearances from legends like Sir Roger Daltrey and Mel C.
Whether you’re celebrating the nostalgic pull of “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” or diving into the newly finished tracks (like “Cancerian,” which Tunstall loved recording for the very first time), the Eye To The Telescope re-issue is a brilliant way to mark the career of an artist who never stands still. With the physical “Stargazer Editions” out on October 31st and an intimate livestream event happening tonight from St Andrews, it’s the perfect time to look back at the record that changed everything.
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