51 Best Songs About The Moon
What is it about the moon that captures humanity’s attention so completely? Just a small, yellowish white circle in the sky, and yet you may yearn to know more, to gaze upon it and discover its secrets.
Its glowing face has inspired countless musicians, so we've compiled a list of the best songs about the moon below.
Contents
Can’t Fight the Moonlight by LeAnn Rimes
Song year: 2000
Yet another song about the romantic pull of moonlight, LeAnn Rimes sings about the beauty of the moon enjoyed by two lovers. She capitalizes on the solitude one can find under the moon’s watchful gaze, and how perfect that can be for two lovers to take advantage of.
Moonlight by Grace VanderWaal
Song year: 2017
In this more modern take on moonlight, Grace VanderWaal juxtaposes the levity of dancing in the moonlight with the harsh realities of real life. She repeatedly refers to how she and whoever she is singing to were only just dancing together under the moon.
But after some time has passed, life has pulled them away from each other. Life brings its own problems to them, which they were blissfully unaware of under the moon.
Talking to the Moon by Bruno Mars
Song year: 2010
In this more modern take on the moon, Bruno Mars laments the loss of his love, admitting that he sits awake at night talking to the moon.
For some, the moon can be a comfort, or something to confide in, as Bruno Mars describes in his song. Because of his aching loneliness, he is driven to reach out to the moon in search of what was lost.
Harvest Moon by Neil Young
Song year: 1992
Harvest Moon by Neil Young plays on the romantic nature of the moon once again. He beckons his lover to dance with him under the moonlight, playing on the softness of the moonlight to highlight the gentle nature of love.
Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) by Frank Sinatra
Song year: 1954
Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me To The Moon” is perfect to kick off this list, as it is a well-known classic.
In it, he compares flying to the moon and playing among the stars to how much he cares for his one true love. What better comparison is there to be made for love, as limitless and unknowable as space itself?
Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Song year: 1969
A song known just as well as the previous one, Bad Moon Rising takes a completely different approach to the moon. Creedence Clearwater Revival sings about the apocalypse, and the ill omen that a bad moon rising spells for the world.
This one plays into the superstition that oftentimes surrounds the moon, tracing back to Pagan worship. If a bad moon rises, bad things are sure to follow in its wake.
Moonage Daydream by David Bowie
Song year: 1972
A song less about the beauty of the moon and more about its mystery, Moonage Daydream compares the strangeness of space and celestial bodies to the unknowable mysteries of love.
Bowie describes his love as one might describe a dangerous and strange space-faring traveler.
Runnin’ Outta Moonlight by Randy Houser
Song year: 2013
With a country spin, Randy Houser sings about the more romantic aspects of the moon, reminding his love that they are running out of moonlight. He highlights a part of the moon’s beauty, in that its beauty is fleeting. It only lasts the night, then is gone.
He also comments on how bright the moon can be, oftentimes piercing the night and giving us light enough to see the way forward.
Walking on the Moon by The Police
Song year: 1979
In their debut song about the moon, The Police touch on something the other songs in this list have yet to address, that being the moon’s low gravity. They bring the imagery of walking on the moon to life, declaring that they would walk the moon forever for their love.
Moondance by Van Morrison
Song year: 1970
Van Morrison’s song plays into both the superstitious and romantic aspects of the moon, enticing his lover to dance with him under the moon amidst the falling and changing leaves.
There is an autumn feel from his lyrics, and it is true that the moon is often associated with Fall and Halloween. Morrison does not focus too much on the spooky things though. Moondance is more about romance.
Bark at the Moon by Ozzy Osbourne
Song year: 1983
A classic rock take on the moon and its beauty, Ozzy Osbourne sings about the feral and wild nature of the moon in this classic. He plays on the association of werewolves with the moon, highlighting that the moon can also be a symbol of wildness and animalistic natures.
Pink Moon by Nick Drake
Song year: 1972
In this ode to the moon, Nick Drake sings about the rare occurrence of a moon with a pink hue. It has been speculated that the “pink moon” of which he sings represents death, something we don’t often encounter but is inevitable all the same.
My Moon My Man by Feist
Song year: 2007
In the song My Moon My Man, Feist compares the ever changing nature of the moon to her man, wondering how he will treat her on a given day depending on the phase of the moon. He seems to be as fickle as the moon, which can appear with a full face one day, only to wane to a sliver the following days.
Neon Moon by Brooks & Dunn
Song year: 1991
Yet another track about the loss of one’s love, Brooks & Dunn sing about lonely nights under the gaze of a “neon moon.” Perhaps the moonlight is distorted by the neon signs of the bars they drink in, but either way, this song paints a beautifully sad picture in our minds of those lonely souls who have only the moon to call on.
Dancing in the Moonlight by King Harvest
Song year: 1973
Add this one to the growing list of songs that talk about dancing in the moonlight. King Harvest describes the bliss one feels when dancing under the moon and soaking in its beauty. They also describe the closeness one feels with the earth when doing so, playing into the more ancient connotations of the moon.
The Killing Moon by Echo & The Bunnymen
Song year: 1984
This is another song playing on the Pagan ties the moon holds, describing a moonlight sacrifice in the dead of night. Beyond the literal, Echo & The Bunnymen are speaking on the inevitability of death, and that in one’s last moments, they should appreciate the beauty of life around them; in this case, the beauty of the moon.
The Moon and the Sky by Sade
Song year: 2010
In her deep and silky voice, Sade sings a song comparing her lost love to the vastness of the moon and stars. She laments that they could have had them all—that is how strong their love was. She will never let go of the love they once had, just as the Earth will never let go of the moon, try as it might to leave Earth’s orbit.
Moon River by Audrie Hepburn
Song year: 1961
Moon River by Audrey Hepburn, originally sung in “The Breakfast Club,” is a song about two drifters making their way in the world. Whenever they get lost, they always have the moon, or “Moon River,” to set them on the right course again. And no matter how far apart they may be from each other, they can each look up at the moon and know the other is seeing the same beauty that they are in that moment.
Shoot the Moon by Norah Jones
Song year: 2002
In this song, Norah Jones sings about the transient nature of the seasons, compared with the cyclic nature of the moon. Her reference to shooting the moon denotes aiming high, to achieve such distant beauty as the moon holds.
Blue Moon by the Marcels
Song year: 2019
This song’s an oldy, sung by the Marcels back in the 1940s, and was later covered by Frank Sinatra. It is another song about love and the beauty of the moon, having no one but the moon after your love is gone. The song’s easy cadence lulls you into a sense of security and ease, much as the moon does on a clear night.
To the Moon by Phora
Song year: 2017
For a more hip hop flavor, “To the Moon” by Phora equates being in love to being among the moon and stars, setting the moon on a pedestal of celestial beauty once more. With all these music artists comparing love to the moon, it really must be great up there.
To the Moon & Back by Savage Garden
Song year: 1997
Savage Garden demonstrates their love for a fictitious lady by saying they would fly her to the moon and back. They try to articulate how far they would go to prove their love for her, and the moon is a fitting demonstration because of its beauty and how far away it is.
Man on the Moon by R.E.M.
Song year: 1992
Man on the Moon is a song about the unattainable goal that is the moon. R.E.M. articulates their disbelief that a man really walked on the moon, communicating the beauty of its unattainable nature. While this remains to be proven, it illustrates humanity’s reluctance to believe that it is possible to ever grasp something so far away and powerful as our moon.
Moon by Bjork
Song year: 2011
Bjork’s song about the moon discusses the cyclic nature of the moon and ties it to the changing nature of humanity and the human body. She declares that as the moon starts fresh each cycle and that humans do the same. There lies the true beauty of the moon; the promise that like the moon at the start of a new cycle, you can also start your life fresh again.
Sail to the Moon by Radiohead
Song year: 2003
Radiohead’s lyrics for this one, enigmatic as ever, can be a bit difficult to decipher. However, if you listen closely, it can be inferred that they sing about the eventual fall of humankind, and paint the moon as a safe haven for people to sail to for safety. Who knows, this could become a reality sooner than you might think!
Half Moon by Janis Joplin
Song year: 1971
This blues-rock hit embodies the hope that the moon’s beauty can save one from heartbreak. Janis sings about how the moon’s love is all the love she needs, going on to belt out powerful stanzas about the power of nature and the moon. Even the deepest heart breaks can be mended by the healing glow of the moon.
Contact by Daft Punk
Song year: 2013
This track by Daft Punk embodies the ethereal beauty and mystery of the moon. The audio playing in the beginning of the song was pulled from the last Apollo mission, making it a fitting tribute to the beauty of the moon. It can be a bit eerie, but also really allows the listener to put themselves in the shoes of an astronaut out in space, basking in the moon’s beauty up close.
Four Out of Five by Arctic Monkeys
Song year: 2018
The lyrics for Arctic Monkeys’ Four Out of Five are also a bit on the hypothetical side, describing the beautiful views found at an imaginary hotel on the moon. It truly paints a picture of what the first commercial establishment on our moon might look like.
Moonshadow by Cat Stevens
Song year: 1971
Cat Stevens, a hit1970s pop star, sings about the moon and nature in Moonshadow. The theme of beauty is prevalent in the lyrics, with descriptions of how the moon’s light reflects off certain elements of nature and paints the landscape with ethereal beauty. Even the name paints a picture of beauty in your mind.
Blue Moon of Kentucky by Elvis Presley
Song year: 1954
Re-recorded by Elvis Presley in the 1950s, Blue Moon of Kentucky is a rockabilly song about the moon shining light on love. Elvis states that the moon’s beauty will still be around long after humanity has long perished, which puts into perspective the fleeting nature of human life.
Sisters of the Moon by Fleetwood Mac
Song year: 1979
Another call to the darker side of the moon’s beauty, Fleetwood Mac’s song Sisters of the Moon paints a picture of superstitious moon worship and occult dealings under the moon’s light. Surely there is beauty to be found even in the moon’s dark side, though you may have to look past all the witchcraft stuff.
Mr. Moonlight by the Beatles
Song year: 1964
A personification of the moon’s light, the Beatles laud the moonlight’s blessing on their love, declaring that it was Mr. Moonlight who gave them their love from on high. They go on to iterate that without the moonlight, they may never have found the love they know. And if the moonlight dissipates, then they fear that their love, too, will leave forever.
Shame on the Moon by Bob Seger
Song year: 1982
Bob Seger’s song Shame on the Moon casts blame on the moon for its intoxicating power to make one fall in love. It is all chalked up to the moon’s beauty, putting ideas inside people’s heads and making them fall in love, according to Seger. Could the moon really hold such sway over humanity?
Drunk on the Moon by Tom Waits
Song year: 1974
Tom Waits’ Drunk on the Moon is a slow blues ballad declaring how drunk he is on the moon’s beauty. What better tribute is there to the moon’s beauty than equating its intoxicating glow to that of a drunken stupor? The moon is so beautiful that he cannot even think straight.
Moonlight Drive by The Doors
Song year: 1967
The Doors paint a dusky picture of the moon’s beauty casting a silver glow across their nighttime drive, equating the moon’s light to a river and an ocean. You obviously cannot really swim to the moon, but it sure paints a nice picture.
Virginia Moon by Foo Fighters
Song year: 2005
Virginia Moon is a tribute to the moon itself. Foo Fighters sing to the moon over Virginia as if it were a long lost lover, professing their infatuation with its beauty and their longing to return to Virginia to see it once more. The moon looks about the same no matter where on earth you are looking up at it, which is part of its beauty.
Moon Over Bourbon Street by Sting
Song year: 1985
In this sultry ode, Sting laments that he cannot show his face during the day for fear of being caught for a past crime. He goes on to laud the moon’s comfortable shine, saying he can only find solace in the moon over Bourbon Street.
Moon at the Window by Joni Mitchell
Song year: 1982
This jazzy blues track is a declaration of destitution, in which Joni Mitchell is happy to at least have the moon, even though everything else was taken from her. She can still count on the moon’s beauty, even when everything else is uncertain. An empty house, with nothing to call her own, she can still lay claim to the ever present beauty of the moon.
The Whole of the Moon by The Waterboys
Song year: 1985
In this 80s track, The Waterboys sing about how the moon appears different to different people depending on perspective. The lead singer only sees a crescent, while the person who he is singing to sees the whole of the moon. It is true that some people have a greater appreciation for the moon’s beauty than others.
Brain Damage by Pink Floyd
Song year: 1973
This eerie rendition is another song about the dark side of the moon’s beauty, equating the dark side of the human psyche to that of the moon’s dark side, ever hidden from watching eyes. The dark side of the moon’s beauty is there if you look past the bright side, but it may be near impossible to see without actually flying up and taking a closer look.
Hypnotize the Moon by Clay Walker
Song year: 1995
In this romantic country tune, Clay Walker sings about the beauty of a certain woman, such beauty that could hypnotize even the moon. The moon’s beauty is absolute, so if she can hypnotize the moon, arguably one of the most beautiful celestial bodies, then her beauty must be something spectacular.
Moon is Up by the Rolling Stones
Song year: 1994
The Rolling Stones deliver another classic with Moon is Up, a tune with an easy beat that reflects on the duality of nature. When the sun goes down, the moon comes up and the stars come out. In this song, they really drive home that there is no absence of natural beauty from the earth, even when the sun dips below the horizon’s edge.
Mountains of the Moon by Grateful Dead
Song year: 1969
A folksy tune about the majesty of nature’s beauty, Grateful Dead sings about the natural beauty of the moon and the mountains that stand all along its glowing face. Interestingly enough, even though the moon has no geological activity to speak of, it still has mountains! These are a result of meteor impacts, not the movement of tectonic plates. But that is enough science for now!
There’s a Moon in the Sky (Called the Moon) by The B-52s
Song year: 1979
This bouncing rock song paints the moon as the solar system’s envy, telling of a party destination where all the coolest celestial bodies are partying it up. This includes Saturn, Mercury, Venus, and Mars, among other heavenly bodies. It goes without saying that they must be there because of the moon’s profound beauty, right?
Howlin’ at the Moon by Hank Williams
Song year: 1951
Another oldy, Hank Williams’ Howlin’ at the Moon was released in 1951. This jazzy folk song paints a picture of a Wild West scene under the moon. He sings of the hunter stopping to howl at the moon, drinking in its beauty while he takes rest from the hunt. Even a hunter can appreciate the moon’s beauty!
Black Moon Creeping by The Black Crowes
Song year: 1992
A song with an edge to it, in this rock tune the Black Crowes sing about the dark things that can happen under the cover of moonlight. Again, this ties back to the ancient connotations of the moon, when rituals and ceremonies were often practiced under moonlight. While beautiful, the moon may inspire darkness wherever it shines. At least, the Black Crowes think so.
Rope the Moon by John Michael Montgomery
Song year: 1994
John Michael Montgomery’s ‘Rope the Moon’ is a classic country ballad inspired by the moon’s beauty. He tells a touching tale of a man who has very little to show for all his hard work, but he still holds onto his dreams in the hope of a better tomorrow. The beautiful moon is his object of inspiration, pushing him to continue even when things get hard.
The Moon’s a Harsh Mistress by Jimmy Webb
Song year: 1996
This folksy ballad is an ode to the duality of the moon’s beauty. Jimmy Web declares that even though the moon can be incredibly beautiful, it can be all too cold at the same time. He equates this duality to that of loving someone who does not love you back, ever reaching for a beauty that can never be yours. Very deep.
Rocket Man by Elton John
Song year: 1972
While Elton John’s hit classic ‘Rocket Man’ is not solely about the beauty of the moon, it is about the highs and lows of the hypothetical interstellar journey of a rocket man. Elton sings about how this man would miss his family back on Earth, yet the beauty and majesty of the celestial bodies around him brings him comfort on his lonely journey through the stars.
Space Oddity by David Bowie
Song year: 1969
Another song not necessarily about the moon’s beauty, Space Oddity is still a quintessential tune associated with the moon. David Bowie’s hit single was played in the background of official footage of the moon landing back in 1969, making it perhaps the most qualified song on this list for demonstrating the moon’s beauty.
Moonlight Serenade by Glen Miller
Song year: 1944
The title of this jazzy ballad says it all. Even though this song has no lyrics, the soft horns and swinging beats of Glen Miller’s “Moonlight Serenade” pay a great homage to the beauty of the moon, painting a picture of a moonlit night shining with beams of twilight. He said it all without having to say anything!
Top Songs About the Moon, Final Thoughts
So there you have it, some of the best songs about the moon and to a lesser extent space.
The moon is a constant, fixed celestial body, lending the earth its beauty for all time. No wonder its majesty has inspired so many songs!
All these songs about the moon and its beauty may seem like a lot, but I assure you, there are many more that were left off this list in the interest of trying to keep things short.
There is so much to say about the moon’s beauty, and it has had many meanings for people in ages past. It is often recognized as a female symbol, symbolizing the cycle of change. The moon is represented as eternity, immortality, and enlightenment.
Hopefully, a few of these songs will connect with you and make you appreciate the moon’s beauty more.
