 Bassist Chris Wolstenholme commented that it is "a love song about missing someone, friends, family, someone you love".According to the music sheet published at Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, "Starlight" is an alternative rock song.It is set in the time signature of common time and composed in a moderate tempo of 121.5 beats per minute with the bridge sped up to 122.5 beats per minute.