{{Short description|1998 single by Stardust}} {{good article}} {{Other uses}} {{Redirect|Benjamin Diamond|the American politician|Ben Diamond}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox song | name = Music Sounds Better with You | cover = Stardust - Music Sounds Better with You.png | alt = CD single | type = single | artist = Stardust | released = {{start date|1998|7|20|df=yes}}<ref name="re-release">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/music-sounds-better-with-you-single/1463775966|title=Music Sounds Better with You – Single|via=Apple Music|access-date=24 November 2020|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112040358/https://music.apple.com/us/album/music-sounds-better-with-you-single/1463775966|url-status=live}}</ref> | recorded = | studio = Daft House (Paris) | genre = French house | length = * 6:48 * 4:20 (radio edit) | label = * Roulé * Virgin * Because | writer = * Thomas Bangalter * Alain Quême * Benjamin Diamond * Dominic King * Frank Musker | producer = * Thomas Bangalter * Alan Braxe * Benjamin Diamond | misc = {{Audio sample | type = single | file = Musicsoundsbetterwithyouaudio.ogg}} {{External music video|{{YouTube|FQlAEiCb8m0|"Music Sounds Better with You"}}}} }}

"'''Music Sounds Better with You'''" is the only song by the French house trio '''Stardust''', released on 20 July 1998. Stardust was composed of the Daft Punk member Thomas Bangalter, the DJ Alan Braxe, and the vocalist Benjamin Diamond.

Stardust formed for a performance at the Rex Club in Paris. They wrote "Music Sounds Better with You" using a guitar riff sampled from the 1981 Chaka Khan song "Fate". It was initially released on Bangalter's Roulé label, followed by a wider release on Virgin Records, with a music video directed by Michel Gondry.

"Music Sounds Better with You" debuted at number two on the UK singles chart in August 1998 and stayed there for two weeks, becoming one of the UK's bestselling singles that year. It also topped the US ''Billboard'' Dance Club Play chart for two weeks. It is certified double platinum in the UK, platinum in Australia, and gold in Belgium and France. By 2018, it had sold more than two million copies worldwide.

The song received acclaim and was named one of the greatest dance songs by several publications. Stardust performed once more, at a festival in France, before disbanding. Bangalter declined an offer of $3 million from Virgin to produce a Stardust album.

==Background== {{multiple image | image1 = Thomas Bangalter at 82nd Venice International Film Festival-2 (cropped).jpg | width1 = 160 | alt1 = Thomas Bangalter in 2025 | image2 = Alan Braxe press shot.jpg | width2 = 143 | alt2 = Alan Braxe in 2019 | footer = Thomas Bangalter (left) and Alan Braxe | align = right }}

By the late 1980s, house and techno had become popular in gay nightclubs in Chicago and Detroit. In France, the DJ Alan Braxe and the singer Benjamin Diamond met in boarding school and bonded over music as teenagers.<ref name="total" /> When house music became popular in the French gay scene, they bought every house LP they could find, went clubbing and attended raves.<ref name="total">{{cite magazine |last=Bein |first=Kat |date=28 June 2019 |title=Stardust on the gay bars, firings and failures that led to 'Music Sounds Better With You' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8518072/stardust-interview-alan-braxe-music-sounds-better-with-you |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803062337/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8518072/stardust-interview-alan-braxe-music-sounds-better-with-you/ |archive-date=3 August 2021 |access-date=30 July 2019 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref name="Barker-2012" />

By the early 1990s, Braxe had dropped out of university and completed a year of military conscription. With no job prospects, he decided to pursue music.<ref name="total" /><ref name="Welch-2023">{{Cite news |last=Welch |first=Andy |date=2023-04-03 |title='Within a minute, everyone was dancing' – Stardust on making 'Music Sounds Better With You' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/apr/03/stardust-music-sounds-better-with-you-michel-gondry |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603122112/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/apr/03/stardust-music-sounds-better-with-you-michel-gondry |archive-date=3 June 2024 |access-date=2023-04-07 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=1756-3224}}</ref> He met Thomas Bangalter, a member of the electronic duo Daft Punk, in a nightclub, and later gave him a demo of his track "Vertigo".<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 August 2023 |title=Stardust 'Music Sounds Better With You' : The Making of a Dance Classic |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b_LAoR1qFg&t=43s |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=DJ Mag |publisher=YouTube |time=00:26–00:56 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715152946/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b_LAoR1qFg |archive-date=15 July 2024}}</ref> Bangalter released it on his label, Roulé, in 1997.<ref name="Barker-2012">{{Cite web |last=Barker |first=Chris |date=October 2012 |title=Alan Braxe interview and video studio tour |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/alan-braxe-interview-and-video-studio-tour-566211 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112105113/http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/alan-braxe-interview-and-video-studio-tour-566211 |archive-date=12 November 2012 |access-date=22 May 2020 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}}</ref>

After the release of "Vertigo", Braxe performed at the Rex Club in Paris, with Bangalter on keyboards and Diamond on vocals.<ref name="Welch-2023" /> While rehearsing, the group needed one more track to complete the set.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 August 2023 |title=Stardust 'Music Sounds Better With You' : The Making of a Dance Classic |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b_LAoR1qFg&t=43s |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=DJ Mag |publisher=YouTube |time=01:39–01:50 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715152946/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b_LAoR1qFg |archive-date=15 July 2024}}</ref> Braxe said they wanted to write a song rather than a "pure club track".<ref name="ABC" /> They composed the first version of "Music Sounds Better with You" using a looped sample from the 1981 Chaka Khan song "Fate", sampled using an E-mu SP-1200.<ref name="Barker-2012" /> At the time, Diamond was the singer in a punk band.{{efn|Sources differ on Diamond's original career. ''Billboard'' says he worked in the film industry and sang in a funk and soul band;<ref name="total" /> ''NME'' said he sang in the punk band Chicken Pox<ref name="NME20" /> and ''The Guardian'' also says he sang in a punk band.<ref name="Welch-2023" />}} He left the band when they expressed contempt for his collaboration with electronic musicians, telling him to "go back to see your Daft Punk friends and forget us".<ref name="total" />

==Recording== After the Rex Club performance, Stardust worked on "Music Sounds Better with You" at Bangalter's home studio, Daft House, for six days.<ref name="Billboard-2018" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 August 2023 |title=Stardust 'Music Sounds Better With You' : The Making of a Dance Classic |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b_LAoR1qFg&t=43s |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=DJ Mag |publisher=YouTube |time=02:47–03:01 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715152946/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b_LAoR1qFg |archive-date=15 July 2024}}</ref> They arranged it using a Rhodes piano, a Roland TR-909 drum machine, a bassline recorded on a Korg Trident, and an Ensoniq ASR-10 sampling keyboard, triggering different sections by assigning them to different keys. Diamond's vocals and the final track were compressed with an Alesis 3630.<ref name="Barker-2012" /> Diamond disliked his vocals at first, but Bangalter and Braxe felt they were perfect.<ref name="Welch-2023" />

The lyrics were written by all three members. They wrote more lyrics, but failed to find a way to arrange them and pared the song down to its final form.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 August 2023 |title=Stardust 'Music Sounds Better With You' : The Making of a Dance Classic |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b_LAoR1qFg&t=43s |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=DJ Mag |publisher=YouTube |time=03:00–03:29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715152946/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b_LAoR1qFg |archive-date=15 July 2024}}</ref> Diamond felt the final lyrics were "like a mantra ... something everyone could understand".<ref name="Billboard-2018" /> Braxe said they were happy with the finished song, feeling they had created something original.<ref name="Billboard-2018">{{Cite magazine |last=Ross |first=Annabel |date=13 June 2018 |title=Love might bring us back together: Stardust talk revisiting and remastering 'Music Sounds Better With You' 20 years later |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/stardust-music-sounds-better-with-you-interview-remaster-8459696/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109031514/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8459696/stardust-music-sounds-better-with-you-interview-remaster |archive-date=9 November 2020 |access-date=22 May 2020 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> He described its repetition and simplicity as "a balance between getting bored and not bored".<ref name="ABC" />

==Release== "Music Sounds Better with You" was released as a vinyl single on Bangalter's label Roulé in early 1998.<ref name="Billboard-2018" /> According to Braxe, it initially confused Paris clubgoers. The single was intended for DJs, but demand grew after copies were distributed at the 1998 Miami Winter Music Conference.<ref name="Billboard-2018" /> According to the Roulé co-manager Gildas Loaec, the {{nowraplinks}}BBC Radio 1{{nowraplinks end}} DJ Pete Tong was the first radio DJ to play the song. Loaec and Diamond said "Music Sounds Better with You" sold between 250,000 and 400,000 copies on Roulé.<ref name="Billboard-2018" />

Stardust signed the single to Virgin Records.<ref name="Billboard-2018" /> On 10 August 1998, Virgin released it as a CD and cassette in UK,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=31|date=8 August 1998}}</ref> where it reached number 2 on the UK singles chart and became the year's 11th-bestselling single.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-16 |title=Official Top 40 best-selling singles of 1998 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-top-40-best-selling-singles-of-1998__33595/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Official Charts |language=en}}</ref> Bangalter did not enjoy the pressure and attention that the success of "Music Sounds Better with You" brought, as he had intended Roulé as a hobby and creative platform.<ref name="Billboard-2018" /> Diamond realised how popular the song had become when he heard it while on holiday in Italy, and found the attention overwhelming.<ref name="Welch-2023" />

In the US, "Music Sounds Better with You" was serviced to rhythmic contemporary and contemporary hit radio on 15 September,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Releases|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1265|pages=35, 41|date=11 September 1998}}</ref> followed by a commercial release on 22 September.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Hot 100 Spotlight|last=Sandiford-Waller|first=Theda|magazine=Billboard|volume=110|issue=38|page=105|date=19 September 1998|quote=Also due Sept. 22 are [...] and Stardust's 'Music Sounds Better With You' (Virgin).}}</ref> It topped the&nbsp;''Billboard''&nbsp;Dance Club Play chart for two weeks and reached number 62 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="usdance" /><ref name="us" /> In Canada, it was released on 6 October,<ref>{{cite web |title=Album Releases: October 1998 |url=http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicReleases1998/oct.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817232113/http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicReleases1998/oct.html |archive-date=17 August 2000 |access-date=6 January 2023 |website=Jam! |publisher=}}</ref> reaching number two on the Canadian Singles Chart and number five on the ''RPM'' Dance chart.<ref name="can" /><ref name="cand" /> It reached number one in Greece and Spain and the top 10 in at least nine other countries.<ref name="Billboard-2018" /> It is certified double platinum in the UK,<ref name="ukcert" /> platinum in Australia,<ref name="auscert" /> and gold in Belgium and France.<ref name="belcert" /><ref name="fracert" /> As of 2018, it had sold more than two million copies worldwide.<ref name="Billboard-2018" />

==Music video== The music video for "Music Sounds Better with You" was directed by Michel Gondry and filmed in Los Angeles. In the video, a young boy constructs a model glider over several days while the members of Stardust perform on television, with Bangalter and Braxe wearing metallic masks and Diamond's face painted silver.<ref name="Welch-2023" /><ref name="Billboard-2018" /> Braxe described the video as "heart-warming and nostalgic but [with] a hint of melancholy", which he said was a crucial element of dance music.<ref name="ABC">{{Cite news |date=19 August 2019 |title='Music Sounds Better With You' by Stardust is having a revival |url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej/music-reads/features/music-sounds-better-with-you-by-stardust-is-having-a-revival/11405090 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717175835/https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej/music-reads/features/music-sounds-better-with-you-by-stardust-is-having-a-revival/11405090 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |access-date=17 July 2024 |publisher=ABC News}}</ref> Bruce Tantum of ''DJ Mag'' described the video as "charming" and "dreamy".<ref name="Tantum-2019">{{Cite web |last=Tantum |first=Bruce |date=26 June 2019 |title=How Stardust's 'Music Sounds Better With You' inadvertently changed the face of house music |url=https://djmag.com/longreads/how-stardust%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98music-sounds-better-you%E2%80%99-inadvertently-changed-face-house-music |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929231934/https://djmag.com/longreads/how-stardust%27-%E2%80%99music-sounds-better-you%E2%80%99-inadvertently-changed-face-house-music |archive-date=29 September 2019 |access-date=22 May 2020 |website=DJ Mag}}</ref> The ''Insomniac'' journalist Jonny Coleman wrote that it "helps reinforce the notion that this whole Stardust concept is supposed to exist in some other familiar but foreign liminal space, something ghostly but still warm and inviting".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coleman |first=Jonny |date=2 August 2018 |title=Stardust — 'Music Sounds Better With You' |url=https://www.insomniac.com/music/stardust-music-sounds-better-with-you/ |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=Insomniac |language=en-US |archive-date=3 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603162538/https://www.insomniac.com/music/stardust-music-sounds-better-with-you/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Critical reception== {{Album ratings | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{AllMusic|id=music-sounds-better-with-you-mw0000043371|first=John|last=Bush|title=''Music Sounds Better with You''|access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref> }} "Music Sounds Better with You" received acclaim. John Bush from AllMusic described it as "one of the most irresistible, sublime dance singles of the decade".<ref name="AllMusic" /> Larry Flick of ''Billboard'' described it as a "euro-splashed ditty" with "an infectious li'l hook and a solid, old-school disco bassline ... its execution makes it pop with a refreshing energy".<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Larry|last=Flick|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1998/BB-1998-10-03.pdf|title=Single Reviews: New & Noteworthy|magazine=Billboard|date=3 October 1998|access-date=9 February 2020|page=24|author-link=Larry Flick|archive-date=19 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519142618/https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1998/BB-1998-10-03.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Another ''Billboard'' editor, Annabel Ross, called it "sublime in its simplicity" and wrote that it was one of the best dance songs.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ross |first=Annabel |date=13 June 2018 |title=Love might bring us back together: Stardust talk revisiting and remastering 'Music Sounds Better With You' 20 years later |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/stardust-music-sounds-better-with-you-interview-remaster-8459696/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614203928/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8459696/stardust-music-sounds-better-with-you-interview-remaster |archive-date=14 June 2018 |access-date=23 November 2018 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> ''Slant Magazine'' called it "an exhilarating hit of dance-floor cocaine", praising its instrumentation and lyrics.<ref name="Slant" />

In ''Pitchfork'', Andy Battaglia wrote that "Music Sounds Better with You" demonstrated the similarities between disco and Daft Punk. He praised the "gliding" guitar figure, the "earworm" bassline and the "lascivious" vocals.<ref name="Battaglia-2010" /> Bruce Tantum wrote in ''DJ Mag'' that it "doesn't do much of anything, really, nor does it have to. It exists in a state of pleasure-giving perfection."<ref name="Tantum-2019" /> ''Vice''<nowiki/>'s Josh Baines called it the "absolute papa of French touch ... one of the most genuinely transcendental records ever committed to wax". He said its "lazy" use of the Chaka Khan sample was "a flippant middle finger raised to anyone who rates originality over impact".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Baines |first=Josh |date=26 August 2015 |title=A Bullshitter's Guide to Filter House |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-bullshitters-guide-to-filter-house/ |access-date=23 August 2024 |magazine=Vice}}</ref> The BBC described it as "four minutes of French funk built upon a brutally efficient four-bar loop that became the signature sound of summer 1998".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=8 July 2017 |title=The secrets of a hit summer song |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-40497669 |access-date=20 September 2024 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

===Accolades=== In 2013, ''Mixmag'' named "Music Sounds Better with You" the sixth-greatest dance song.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Damien |first1=Morris |last2=Cottingham |first2=Chris |last3=Green |first3=Thomas H |last4=Dick |first4=Duncan |date=15 February 2013 |title=What is the greatest dance track of all time? |url=http://www.mixmag.net/words/news/what-is-the-greatest-dance-track-of-all-time |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802011632/http://www.mixmag.net/words/news/what-is-the-greatest-dance-track-of-all-time |archive-date=2 August 2013 |access-date=4 July 2013 |website=Mixmag}}</ref> In 2015, ''LA Weekly'' ranked it the ninth-best dance track in history.<ref>{{cite web|first=Andy|last=Hermann|url=https://www.laweekly.com/the-20-best-dance-music-tracks-in-history/|title=The 20 Best Dance Music Tracks in History|work=LA Weekly|date=11 November 2015|access-date=13 April 2025}}</ref> In 2018, ''Mixmag'' included it in its list of the best vocal house anthems,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hinton |first1=Patrick |last2=Wood |first2=Tillie |last3=Abbott |first3=Jeremy |date=4 December 2018 |title=The 30 best vocal house anthems ever |url=https://mixmag.net/feature/30-best-vocal-house-anthems-ever |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215172418/https://mixmag.net/feature/30-best-vocal-house-anthems-ever |archive-date=15 December 2018 |access-date=10 October 2020 |website=Mixmag}}</ref> and in 2019 listed it among the 15 best house tracks about love.<ref>{{cite web |last=Holbrook |first=Cameron |date=14 February 2019 |title=15 Of The Best Classic House Tracks About Love |url=https://mixmag.net/feature/15-classic-house-tracks-love |accessdate=23 August 2024 |website=Mixmag}}</ref> ''Pitchfork'' ranked it the 46th-best song of the 90s<ref name="Battaglia-2010">{{Cite web |last=Battaglia |first=Andy |date=2010-09-02 |title=The Top 200 Tracks of the 1990s: 50-21 |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/7852-the-top-200-tracks-of-the-1990s-50-21/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903060839/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/7852-the-top-200-tracks-of-the-1990s-50-21/ |archive-date=3 September 2019 |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref> and included it in ''The Pitchfork 500'', a book compiling the greatest songs from 1977 to 2008.<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Plagenhoef|editor1-first=Scott|editor2-last=Schreiber|editor2-first=Ryan|date=November 2008|title=The Pitchfork 500|publisher=Simon & Schuster|page=152|isbn=978-1-4165-6202-3|title-link=The Pitchfork 500}}</ref> In 2011, ''Slant Magazine'' named "Music Sounds Better with You" the 99th-best single of the 90s,<ref name="Slant">{{cite web |url= https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/best-singles-of-the-1990s/ |title= The 100 Best Singles of the 1990s |work= Slant Magazine |accessdate= 3 May 2021 |date= 9 January 2011 |archive-date= 23 January 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190123135852/https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/best-singles-of-the-1990s/ |url-status= live }}</ref> and in 2012 ''Porcys'' ranked it the greatest.<ref>{{cite web|title=100 Singli 1990–1999|url=http://www.porcys.com/ranking/100-singli-1990-1999/10/|website=Porcys|date=20 August 2012|language=pl|access-date=2 April 2020|archive-date=2 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102053530/http://www.porcys.com/ranking/100-singli-1990-1999/10/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, ''BuzzFeed'' named it the 72nd-greatest dance song of the 90s.<ref>{{cite web |first1= Matt |last1= Stopera |first2= Brian |last2= Galindo |title= The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s |website= BuzzFeed |date= 11 March 2017 |access-date= 31 March 2020 |url= https://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/jump-to-the-rhythm-jump-jump-to-the-rhythm-jump |archive-date= 13 March 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170313055943/https://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/jump-to-the-rhythm-jump-jump-to-the-rhythm-jump |url-status= live |author-link= Matt Stopera}}</ref> In 2020, ''NME'' named it one of the best house songs,<ref name="NME20">{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=El |date=25 June 2020 |title=The 20 best house music songs... ever! |url=https://www.nme.com/features/best-house-songs-ever-chicago-1970s-1980s-1990s-frankie-knuckles-2678413 |accessdate=23 August 2024 |website=NME}}</ref> ''Mixmag'' readers named its bassline one of the best in dance music,<ref>{{cite web |date=7 May 2020 |title=The best basslines in dance music, according to you |url=https://mixmag.net/feature/best-basslines-dance-music |access-date=16 October 2024 |magazine=Mixmag}}</ref> and Red Bull included it on their list of "underrated dance songs from the 1990s that still sound amazing".<ref>{{cite web|first=Lauren|last=Murphy|url=https://www.redbull.com/ie-en/10-underrated-dance-songs-from-1990s|title=10 Underrated Dance Songs from the 1990s That Still Sound Amazing|publisher=Red Bull|date=4 March 2020|access-date=16 October 2024}}</ref> In 2022, ''Pitchfork'' named "Music Sounds Better with You" one of the best house tracks of the 90s,<ref>{{cite web|first1=Philip|last1=Sherburne|first2=Ben|last2=Cardew|title=The 30 Best House Tracks of the '90s|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-best-house-tracks-of-the-90s/|work=Pitchfork|date=13 October 2022|accessdate=29 October 2022|archive-date=28 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028232913/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-best-house-tracks-of-the-90s/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' named it the 73rd-greatest dance track<ref>{{cite magazine|first1=Jon|last1=Dolan|first2=Julyssa|last2=Lopez|first3=Michaelangelo|last3=Matos|first4=Claire|last4=Shaffer|title=200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/200-greatest-dance-songs-of-all-time-1372888|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=22 July 2022|accessdate=30 October 2022|archive-date=31 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031180019/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/200-greatest-dance-songs-of-all-time-1372888/|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Classic Pop'' named it the eighth-best 1990s dance song.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.classicpopmag.com/2022/02/90s-dance-the-essential-playlist/|title=90s Dance – The Essential Playlist|magazine=Classic Pop|date=21 February 2022|access-date=22 September 2024}}</ref> In 2023, ''Billboard'' ranked it the 15th-best EDM love song.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Medved |first1=Matt |last2=Pascual |first2=Danielle |last3=Bain |first3=Katie |date=10 February 2023 |title=Top 60 EDM Love Songs of All Time |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/top-dance-love-songs-edm-all-time/stardust-music-sounds-better-with-you-1998/ |accessdate=23 August 2024 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> In 2024, ''The Guardian'' named it the third-best French touch track.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ben|last=Beaumont-Thomas|title=The 20 greatest French touch tracks – ranked!|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/jan/18/the-20-greatest-french-touch-tracks-ranked|work=The Guardian|date=18 January 2024|accessdate=14 July 2024|archive-date=18 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118233456/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/jan/18/the-20-greatest-french-touch-tracks-ranked|url-status=live |language=en-GB |issn=1756-3224}}</ref> In 2025, ''Billboard'' ranked "Music Sounds Better with You" the sixth-best dance song and sixth-best house song of all time.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Andrea|last1=Domanick|first2=Andrew|last2=Unterberger|first3=Elias|last3=Leight|first4=Eric|last4=Renner Brown|first5=Jason|last5=Lipshutz|first6=Joe|last6=Lynch|first7=Kat|last7=Bein|first8=Katie|last8=Bein|first9=Krystal|last9=Rodriguez|first10=Lily|last10=Moayeri|first11=Melinda|last11=Newman|first12=Thomas|last12=Smith|first13=Zei|last13=McCarthy|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-dance-songs-all-time/|title=The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time: Staff List|work=Billboard|date=28 March 2025|access-date=6 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first1=Katie|last1=Bain|first2=Kat|last2=Bein|first3=Joe|last3=Lynch|first4=Zel|last4=McCarthy|first5=Krystal|last5=Rodriguez|first6=Andrew|last6=Unterberger|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-house-music-songs-all-time/6-stardust-music-sounds-better-with-you-roule-1998/|title=The 50 Best House Songs of All Time: Staff List|magazine=Billboard|date=30 September 2025|access-date=1 March 2026}}</ref>

==Legacy== According to ''Billboard'', after the success of "Music Sounds Better with You", Virgin offered Bangalter $3 million to produce a Stardust album.<ref name="Billboard-2018" /> The group created several demos,<ref name="ben-cardew">{{cite book|last=Cardew|first=Ben|title=Daft Punk's Discovery: The Future Unfurled|year=2021|publisher=Velocity Press|location=London|isbn=978-1-913231-11-8|page=31}}</ref> but abandoned them and declined the offer.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The 98 Greatest Songs of 1998: Critics' Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/media/lists/best-songs-of-1998-8457624/ |access-date=14 June 2024 |magazine=Billboard |date=29 May 2018 |archive-date=14 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214200252/https://www.billboard.com/media/lists/best-songs-of-1998-8457624/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rogerson |first1=Ben |date=24 June 2019 |title=How Stardust made Music Sounds Better With You… and why it was their only release |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/how-stardust-made-music-sounds-better-with-you-and-why-it-was-their-only-release |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925010323/https://www.musicradar.com/news/how-stardust-made-music-sounds-better-with-you-and-why-it-was-their-only-release |archive-date=25 September 2023 |access-date=14 June 2024 |work=MusicRadar |language=en}}</ref> In 2012, Braxe said there were no plans to release the demos, saying it gave the record "a certain magic and mystery".<ref name="Barker-2012" /> In another interview, he said "what happened with the song was really amazing, and we wanted to leave it like that".<ref name="ABC" /> Diamond said he had wanted to continue with Stardust, but Bangalter was focused on Daft Punk.<ref name="Welch-2023" /> Apart from their performance at Rex Club, Stardust performed only once, in a 30-minute set at the Borealis festival in Montpellier, France.<ref name="Billboard-2018" />

Diamond and Braxe resumed their solo careers. Diamond said he found it difficult to return to his own style of music, and his record company, Sony, pressured him to release similar music to Stardust.<ref>{{cite book|last=James|first=Martin|title=French Connections|page=275}}</ref> Bangalter continued to release music as Daft Punk with Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo.<ref>{{cite web|title=Solid Gold: How Daft Punk's 'Discovery' Reshaped Dance Music for the Digital Age|url=https://djmag.com/content/solid-gold-how-daft-punks-discovery-reshaped-dance-music-digital-age|date=2 October 2018|access-date=30 September 2019|website=DJ Mag|archive-date=9 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109042559/https://djmag.com/content/solid-gold-how-daft-punks-discovery-reshaped-dance-music-digital-age|url-status=live}}</ref> On their 2006—2007 tour, they performed a mashup of "Music Sounds Better with You" and their 2000 single "One More Time". A performance was included on the bonus disc of the live album ''Alive 2007'', which ''Pitchfork'' described as "a combination so 'holy shit' ecstatic it would seem downright cocky if it wasn't so blissful".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dombal |first=Ryan |date=27 November 2007 |title=Daft Punk: ''Alive 2007'' |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10925-alive-2007/ |access-date=24 April 2022 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=17 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917171925/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10925-alive-2007/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2011, Big Time Rush interpolated "Music Sounds Better with You" for their track "Music Sounds Better with U".<ref>{{cite web |date=21 October 2011 |title=WORLD PREMIERE: Listen To Big Time Rush's New Single 'Music Sounds Better With U' [AUDIO] |url=http://ryanseacrest.com/2011/10/21/kendall-of-big-time-rush-premieres-music-sounds-better-with-you-audio/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022125226/http://ryanseacrest.com/2011/10/21/kendall-of-big-time-rush-premieres-music-sounds-better-with-you-audio/ |archive-date=22 October 2011 |access-date=5 January 2014 |website=Ryan Seacrest |publisher=}}</ref> It was used in the 2013 video game ''Grand Theft Auto V'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Young |first=Alex |date=2 October 2013 |title=Grand Theft Auto V: The official, final tracklist has been revealed |url=https://consequence.net/2013/10/grand-theft-auto-v-the-official-final-tracklist-is-here/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515182426/https://consequence.net/2013/10/grand-theft-auto-v-the-official-final-tracklist-is-here/ |archive-date=15 May 2021 |accessdate=22 February 2021 |website=Consequence of Sound}}</ref> and was covered that year in a live show by the xx and Jessie Ware mashed-up with Modjo's "Lady".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pelly |first=Jenn |date=22 May 2013 |title=Watch: The xx and Jessie Ware Cover Modjo's "Lady" and Stardust's "Music Sounds Better With You" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/50851-watch-the-xx-and-jessie-ware-cover-modjos-lady-and-stardusts-music-sounds-better-with-you/ |accessdate=23 August 2024 |website=Pitchfork}}</ref> In 2018, Stardust remastered "Music Sounds Better with You" for its 20th anniversary. It was reissued by the record label Because Music<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Reed |first=Ryan |date=29 May 2019 |title=Stardust's 'Music Sounds Better With You' to debut digitally, earn vinyl reissue |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/stardust-music-sounds-better-with-you-streaming-vinyl-reissue-841463/ |access-date=13 July 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=13 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713153835/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/stardust-music-sounds-better-with-you-streaming-vinyl-reissue-841463/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and added to streaming platforms.<ref name="Billboard-2018" /> It was also included on Braxe's 2005 compilation album ''The Upper Cuts'', which was reissued in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coney |first=Brian |date=1 February 2023 |title=Stardust's Alan Braxe announces reissue of influential French house album, 'The Upper Cuts' |url=https://djmag.com/news/stardusts-alan-braxe-announces-reissue-influential-french-house-album-upper-cuts |accessdate=23 August 2024 |website=DJ Mag}}</ref> A 2017 cover by Neil Frances was certified platinum in Australia in 2024.<ref name="ARIA24s">{{cite certification|region=Australia|certyear=2024|type=single|access-date=September 27, 2024}}</ref> It was played during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 June 2024 |title=Wondering what tunes are being played? |url=https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/live-updates/54bd4770-6702-46be-b541-501b34be042e |website=Olympics}}</ref>

==Personnel== '''Stardust''' * Thomas Bangalter – programming, mixing * Alan Braxe – programming, mixing * Benjamin Diamond – vocals, programming

==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}

===Weekly charts=== {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Weekly chart performance for "Music Sounds Better with You" !scope="col"|Chart (1998) !scope="col"|Peak<br />position |- {{single chart|Australia|4|artist=Stardust|song=Music Sounds Better with You|rowheader=true|refname="aus"}} |- {{single chart|Austria|24|artist=Stardust|song=Music Sounds Better with You|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Flanders|18|artist=Stardust|song=Music Sounds Better with You|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Wallonia|12|artist=Stardust|song=Music Sounds Better with You|rowheader=true}} |- !scope="row"|Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref name="can">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/stardust/chart-history/cns/|title=Stardust Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=4 September 2019|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417013819/https://www.billboard.com/artist/stardust/chart-history/cns/|url-status=live}}</ref> |2 |- {{single chart|Canadadance|5|chartid=6976|rowheader=true|access-date=12 November 2018|refname="cand"}} |- !scope="row"|Denmark (IFPI)<ref>Danish Singles Chart. 11 September 1998.</ref> |17 |- !scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-10-31.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=15|issue=44|page=8|date=31 October 1998|access-date=26 January 2020|archive-date=9 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609003437/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-10-31.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> |5 |- !scope="row"|Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)<ref>{{cite book|url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=245|first=Timo|last=Pennanen|year=2021|title=Sisältää hitin – 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021|section=Stardust|page=245|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|access-date=7 July 2022|language=fi|archive-date=5 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605060957/https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=245|url-status=live}}</ref> |12 |- {{single chart|France|10|artist=Stardust|song=Music Sounds Better with You|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Germany|26|artist=Stardust|song=Music Sounds Better with You|songid=3751|rowheader=true|access-date=12 November 2018}} |- !scope="row"|Greece (IFPI)<ref name="gre">{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-10-10.pdf|title=Top National Sellers|magazine=Music & Media|volume=15|issue=41|page=18|date=10 October 1998|access-date=6 May 2018|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725144751/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-10-10.pdf|url-status=live}} ''See'' LW ''column''.</ref> |1 |- !scope="row"|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2975475#page/n9/mode/2up|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 294 Vikuna 15.10. – 22.10. 1998)|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|language=is|page=10|date=16 October 1998|access-date=10 July 2018|archive-date=25 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125195709/https://timarit.is/page/2975475#page/n9/mode/2up|url-status=live}}</ref> |4 |- {{single chart|Ireland2|5|song=Music Sounds Better with You|rowheader=true|access-date=12 November 2018}} |- !scope="row"|Italy (''Musica e dischi'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-09-26.pdf|title=Top National Sellers|magazine=Music & Media|volume=15|issue=39|page=12|date=26 September 1998|access-date=27 November 2019|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725144751/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-10-10.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> |2 |- !scope="row"|Italy Airplay (''Music & Media'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-10-31.pdf|title=Major Market Airplay: Italy|magazine=Music & Media|volume=15|issue=44|page=21|date=31 October 1998}}</ref> | 7 |- {{single chart|Dutch40|17|year=1998|week=37|rowheader=true|access-date=12 November 2018}} |- {{single chart|Dutch100|15|artist=Stardust|song=Music Sounds Better With You|rowheader=true|access-date=15 June 2018}} |- {{single chart|New Zealand|8|artist=Stardust|song=Music Sounds Better with You|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Norway|14|artist=Stardust|song=Music Sounds Better with You|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Scotland|2|date=19980828|rowheader=true}} |- !scope="row"|Spain (AFYVE)<ref name="spa">{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GwoEAAAAMBAJ&q=hits+of+the+world |title=Billboard: Hits of the World, September 19, 1998 |date=19 September 1998 |access-date=5 September 2017 |archive-date=19 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519142702/https://books.google.com/books?id=GwoEAAAAMBAJ&q=hits+of+the+world#v=snippet&q=hits%20of%20the%20world&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> |1 |- {{single chart|Sweden|27|artist=Stardust|song=Music Sounds Better with You|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Switzerland|7|artist=Stardust|song=Music Sounds Better with You|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|UK|2|date=19980822|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Billboardhot100|62|artist=Stardust|rowheader=true|access-date=4 September 2019|refname="us"}} |- {{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|1|artist=Stardust|rowheader=true|access-date=4 September 2019|refname="usdance"}} |- {{single chart|Billboarddancesales|2|artist=Stardust|rowheader=true|access-date=6 October 2021}} |} {{col-2}}

===Year-end charts=== {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+1998 year-end chart performance for "Music Sounds Better with You" !scope="col"|Chart (1998) !scope="col"|Position |- !scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1998/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1998|publisher=ARIA|access-date=24 November 2020|archive-date=29 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129100809/https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1998/singles-chart|url-status=live}}</ref> |36 |- !scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1998|title=Jaaroverzichten 1998|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|access-date=12 November 2018|archive-date=10 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410215344/http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1998|url-status=live}}</ref> |94 |- !scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=1998|title=Rapports annuels 1998|publisher=Ultratop|language=fr|access-date=12 November 2018|archive-date=17 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417014755/http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=1998|url-status=live}}</ref> |76 |- !scope="row"|Canada Dance (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.7003&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.7003.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.7003|title=RPM's Top 50 Dance Tracks of '98|magazine=RPM|publisher=Library and Archives Canada|access-date=12 November 2018|date=17 July 2013|archive-date=13 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213094210/https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.7003&URLjpg=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f4/nlc008388.7003.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.7003|url-status=live}}</ref> |15 |- !scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-12-19.pdf|title=Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1998|magazine=Music & Media|volume=15|issue=51|page=8|date=19 December 1998|access-date=6 February 2020|archive-date=13 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113230205/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-12-19.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> |30 |- !scope="row"|Europe (Radio Top 50)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-12-19.pdf#page=10|title=European Radio Top 50 1998|date=19 December 1998|work=Music & Media|volume=15|number=51|p=10|via=World Radio History|access-date=22 January 2026}}</ref> | 25 |- !scope="row"|Europe Border Breakers (''Music & Media'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-12-19.pdf#page=11|title=Border Breakers Top 50 1998|date=19 December 1998|work=Music & Media|volume=15|number=51|p=11|via=World Radio History|access-date=22 January 2026}}</ref> | 6 |- !scope="row"|France (SNEP)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-singles-annee/?annee=1998|title=Tops de L'année {{!}} Top Singles 1998|publisher=SNEP|language=fr|access-date=21 August 2020|archive-date=4 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704140217/http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-singles-annee/?annee=1998|url-status=live}}</ref> |30 |- !scope="row"|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2978871?iabr=on#page/n29/mode/2up|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 100 – Vinsælustu Lögin '98|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|language=is|page=34|date=2 January 1999|access-date=8 February 2020|archive-date=3 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603151603/https://timarit.is/page/2978871?iabr=on#page/n29/mode/2up|url-status=live}}</ref> |77 |- !scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1998|title=Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1998|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=8 March 2020|archive-date=30 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130114708/https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1998|url-status=live}}</ref> |60 |- !scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1998&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1998|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=12 November 2018|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104223656/https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1998&cat=s|url-status=live}}</ref> |74 |- !scope="row"|Sweden (Hitlistan)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=1998&dspp=1|title=Årslista Singlar, 1998|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=21 August 2020|archive-date=22 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422153153/https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=1998&dspp=1|url-status=live}}</ref> |align="center"|100 |- !scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/1998|title=Swiss Year-End Charts 1998|language=de|access-date=12 November 2018|archive-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006125529/http://swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/1998|url-status=live}}</ref> |48 |- !scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)<ref name="Best Sellers">{{cite magazine|title=Best Sellers of 1998 – Singles Top 100|magazine=Music Week|page=7|date=16 January 1999}}</ref> |11 |- !scope="row"|US Dance Club Play (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music 1998: Hot Dance Club-Play Singles|magazine=Billboard|volume=110|issue=52|page=YE-54|date=26 December 1998}}</ref> |2 |- !scope="row"|US Maxi-Singles Sales (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music 1998: Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales|magazine=Billboard|volume=110|issue=52|page=YE-55|date=26 December 1998}}</ref> |23 |} {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+1999 year-end chart performance for "Music Sounds Better with You" !scope="col"|Chart (1999) !scope="col"|Position |- !scope="row"|UK Airplay (''Music Week'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2000/Music-Week-2000-01-22.pdf#page=53|title=Most Broadcast of 1999: Airplay Top 50|magazine=Music Week|page=31|date=22 January 2000|access-date=24 April 2022|archive-date=29 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729070503/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2000/Music-Week-2000-01-22.pdf#page=53|url-status=live}}</ref> |37 |- !scope="row"|US Maxi-Singles Sales (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=1999 The Year in Music: Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales|magazine=Billboard|volume=111|issue=52|page=YE-61|date=25 December 1999}}</ref> |12 |} {{col-end}}

==Sales and certifications== {{Certification Table Top|caption=Sales and certifications for "Music Sounds Better with You"}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1998|certyear=1998|access-date=21 June 2018|refname="auscert"}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1998|certyear=1998|access-date=4 September 2018|refname="belcert"}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=France|title=Music Sounds Better|artist=Stardust|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1998|certyear=1998|refname=fracert}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|title=Music Sounds Better With You|artist=Stardust|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2026|relyear=1998|source=radioscope|access-date=19 March 2026}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Music Sounds Better with You|artist=Stardust|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2004|certyear=2025|id=4442-2029-1|access-date=8 August 2025|refname="ukcert"}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Stardust|title=music Sounds Better with You|award=Gold|salesamount=500,000<sup>{{double dagger}}</sup> {{Certification Table Summary}} }} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|nocert=true|salesamount=2,000,000|salesref=<ref name="total"/>}} {{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

==See also== * List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. dance chart

==Notes== {{Notelist}} ==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Discogs release|name=Music Sounds Better with You|id=4087|type=single}} * {{Musicbrainz artist|id=7b75e88a-f211-4886-8c3d-dd9d7171eee5|name=Stardust}} * {{Discogs artist|artist=Stardust|name=Stardust}}

{{Thomas Bangalter}} {{Daft Punk|state=collapsed}}

{{authority control}}

Category:1998 songs Category:1998 debut singles Category:Because Music singles Category:English-language French songs Category:House music songs Category:Music videos directed by Michel Gondry Category:Number-one singles in Greece Category:Number-one singles in Spain Category:Songs about music Category:Song recordings produced by Thomas Bangalter Category:Songs written by Dominic Bugatti Category:Songs written by Frank Musker Category:Songs written by Thomas Bangalter Category:Virgin Records singles