Top 10 Best Songs About The Moon, According To Astronomers

The moon has long been a source of inspiration for poets, artists, and musicians alike. It’s a celestial body that has captured the imagination of humanity for centuries, and it’s no surprise that it has been the subject of countless songs throughout history.

From classic ballads to modern indie rock, the moon has been celebrated in music in countless ways. The best songs about the moon are those that capture its beauty, mystery, and power in a way that resonates with listeners.

We curated this collection of some of the greatest and most memorable songs about the moon with a goal of showcasing the diversity and richness of this timeless subject in music.

Bad Moon Rising

Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Bad Moon Rising isn’t about a literal moon but rather harnesses the moon as a metaphor for the end of the world (or some apocalypse). 

Apparently, it was inspired by watching a hurricane trash a whole town in a movie scene. 

Moonlight

Bill Clinton’s favorite young pop star Ariana Grande sings “Moonlight” which is meant to have been drawn from the intensity of her first kiss.

Holding moonlight in his hands is her happy metaphor for the power of their love.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vddj5BqlbQ&ab_channel=AidaGrande

Talking to the Moon

We doubt that Bruno Mars really suffers from unrequited love, but it’s nice to think he might have the same issues as mere mortals. 

“Talking to the moon” here is a metaphor for dreaming and hoping for his lover to feel what he feels and join him. 

The Whole of the Moon

They pictured a rainbow, but their lover saw the whole of the moon. The Waterboys’ classic is without a doubt one of rock’s greats. 

It feels like a metaphor where the moon stands for experience and reality compared to a naive young man’s love. 

Clouds Across The Moon

The Rah Band’s one hit wonder was a huge hit in the 1980s and one that we used to listen to on 12” single. 

It’s not at all metaphorical but documents an imaginary conversation between an astronaut and their lover left behind on Earth. The moon is a barrier between them. 

To The Moon And Back

Savage Garden’s first major international hit was To The Moon and Back and it’s a straightforward love song with the “I will fly you to the moon and back” meant to show the strength of the singer’s love. 

Moonlight Shadow 

Mike Oldfield wrote and performed this but it’s Maggie Reilly’s vocal that makes Moonlight Shadow really shine out among other moon-themed songs. 

This is an unhappy tune and the moonlight shadow is a reference to violence which takes her lover’s life. Some people think the song was written about the assassination of John Lennon.  

Blue Moon

The Marcels’ Blue Moon is a pure classic from the 1950s and it’s all about a young man standing out under the moon and wishing for love and his dreams to come true. 

Walking on the Moon

Sure, there’s a bit of metaphor here but this all time great from The Police is also a song about actually walking on the moon. 

And that’s pretty darn cool in our book. 

Dancing in the Moonlight

Toploader’s Dancing in the Moonlight is also not a metaphor, it’s about happy people actually dancing in the moonlight and it’s impossible not to tap your toes to this one. 

So, what do you think?

Drop us a line if you think we’ve missed something. We are listening.

If you want to listen to these songs anywhere, you might want to check out these music apps for both Android and iPhone.