There is something truly special about the moon. While many see the moon simply as a planet, it can also have symbolic meanings. The moon also has an important role in the universe as a whole, which is why many songs about the moon use it as a metaphor.
In the list below, we’ve included songs from all music genres, so we know that you’ll find many that resonate with you.
1. Talking To The Moon by Bruno Mars
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 2010 |
| Album | Doo-Wops & Hooligans |
“Talking To The Moon” by Bruno Mars is a powerful song about a man who longs for a woman he lost. Bruno Mars relies on a slow tempo and basic chord changes to express the sadness and loss and loss he is feeling. I find the piano to be a great touch to the song and really fits well with the overall tone of the song. While the song was released in 2010, it’s still extremely popular today and has even made a big resurgence on TikTok.
2. Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival
| Genre | Blues, Folk |
| Year Released | 1969 |
| Album | Green River |
Throughout the tail end of the 60s, Creedence Clearwater Revival was one of the most prevalent bands out there, with hit after hit on every album. They released their album Green River in 1969, with its lead single “Bad Moon Rising.” The song is short but also filled with the imagery of the moon and bad weather, basically signaling that something bad was on the horizon. Even a song so bleak couldn’t stop the effect of Creedence Clearwater Revival and their ability to destroy the charts, with the song being Number 2 on the US Billboard and receiving gold.
3. Dark Side Of The Moon by Lil Wayne Featuring Nicki Minaj
| Genre | Hip-Hop, Rap |
| Year Released | 2018 |
| Album | The Carter V |
Lil Wayne is a pioneer and innovator that led the direction of rap in the late 2000s and early 2010s. While a lot of people believe that the album Tha Carter V was not as impactful or well-made as the others, it continues to inspire hip-hop artists all around the globe. The album showcases Lil Wayne’s beautiful craftsmanship and unique style. Dark Side Of The Moon is a slow and sensual cut with no rapping whatsoever during the song. This is an epic song from the album that we definitely recommend listening to.
4. Blue Moon Of Kentucky by Elvis Presley
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 1959 |
| Album | A Date With Elvis |
“Blue Moon Of Kentucky,” like most of his songs, isn’t original to Elvis but was written by Bill Monroe in 1945 and released in 1947. While the song was a waltz in its original version, Elvis Presley transformed it into a blues-fused country song with his unique sound in 1954. The song was truly a product of its time, but still great, and to this day, it has been covered by countless artists.
5. Virginia Moon by Foo Fighters
| Genre | Hard Rock |
| Year Released | 2005 |
| Album | In Your Honour |
Many people criticized Dave Grohl for jumping into another project so quickly after Kurt Cobain’s tragic death. However, Dave said that this was his way of mourning Kurt Cobain and paying respect to his memory. With six gold or platinum albums and recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall Of fame, I would say that Dave has made Kurt proud while honoring his brief but an iconic legacy. On the Grammy-nominated album “In Your Honor,” Grohl pays tribute to his home state of Virginia and how the moon and nightfall seem to make everything more romantic.
6. The Killing Moon by Echo & the Bunnymen
| Genre | Post-Punk, Alternative |
| Year Released | 1984 |
| Album | Ocean Rain |
Formed in Liverpool in 1978, Echo & the Bunnymen released their debut album “Crocodiles” in 1980. They saw immediate success on the UK charts, reaching the number 20 spot, but “The Killing Moon” from “Ocean Rain” would be one of the most commercially successful singles of their career, reaching number nine on the UK singles charts. Although there has been some debate regarding this song’s meaning, lead vocalist Ian McCulloch has given this insight into the track, “It’s about everything, from birth to death to eternity and God… and the eternal battle between fate and the human will.”
7. Bark At The Moon by Ozzy Osbourne
| Genre | Heavy Metal |
| Year Released | 1983 |
| Album | Bark at the Moon |
“Bark At the Moon” is the result of Ozzy Osbourne’s beloved depiction of everything horror. Aside from the fact that he basically made “Metal” a thing with his band, Black Sabbath (You might’ve heard of them), he also had a long and successful solo career. The song “Bark At the Moon” came specifically from his third solo album, also called “Bark At the Moon.” The song is about werewolves, as one could guess from looking at the title and the wonderfully creepy album art. Overall, it’s a great song for the fans of heavy metal music.
8. Pink Moon by Nick Drake
| Genre | Alternative, Indie |
| Year Released | 1972 |
| Album | Pink Moon |
“Pink Moon,” a song off of Nick Drake’s third studio album that is also titled “Pink Moon,” which saw release in 1972, the song seemingly takes us to the depths of Nick Drake’s mental state and depression. Nick Drake, during and after his career, has been a great inspiration for a lot of different artists, with highly different bands in terms of their sound, taking inspiration from his work. To see his inspiration, one only needs to look at how many times Bryter Layter’s album art has been referenced through different media and albums.
9. Moon Is Up by The Rolling Stones
| Genre | Rock |
| Year Released | Voodoo Lounge |
| Album | 1994 |
Rolling Stones, one of the most influential bands in the history of music, has been releasing songs for a very long time. With that in mind, it shouldn’t be too surprising that they have one about the moon, right? “Moon Is Up” is a song from their album Voodoo Lounge, released in 1994 with the album. Even though this song is far from their most-known or listened to songs, it still has a place with the band’s fans. From the drummer using an actual trash can as a drum to the singer singing through a harp mike, this song was definitely used by the band to experiment with different sounds and ways to produce those sounds.
10. Moondance by Van Morrison
| Genre | Blues, Folk |
| Year Released | 1970 |
| Album | Moondance |
“Moondance” was released by Van Morrison in 1970 on their “Moondance” album. Weirdly enough, even though the song “Moondance” was the album’s third single, it was released as a single seven years after the album’s initial release. Even though the single was released so late, it still managed to break Billboard Hot 100 and is the most played song by Van Morrison live. With a slick sound, the song features many different instruments, like the flute, saxophone, and so on, that combine to create a great listening experience. The song is one of the favorites among Van Morrison fans and listeners.
11. Eclipse by Pink Floyd
| Genre | Classic Rock, Psychedelic Rock |
| Year Released | 1973 |
| Album | Dark Side of the Moon |
Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon is an epic album in which every part flows beautifully together. One of these parts is “Eclipse,” a song that lists everything we feel and see in our lives. It carries all of them with beautiful instruments throughout the whole album and brings them together for the main crescendo of the album. If we are talking about the moon, it would be a disgrace not to mention this album and this song.
12. Half Moon by Janis Joplin
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 1971 |
| Album | Pearl |
The album Pearl was released in 1971, the final album of Janis Joplin. One of the most prevalent albums of the 70s, the album received several, four to be exact, platinum and sat at the very top of the Billboard 200 for nine consecutive weeks. Definitely a feat, for sure. With an album like this, it wouldn’t be a lie to say that no song off of this album is a deep cut, even though “Half Moon” kinda was. With its energetic approach with the instruments blaring to signal something akin to a very crowded party, and with the addition of Janis Joplin’s country-rooted vocals, this song is definitely a treat to the fans of the genre.
13. Man On The Moon by R.E.M.
| Genre | Pop, Alternative/indie |
| Year Released | 1992 |
| Album | Automatic for the People |
R.E.M.’s sound is distinct, and the album Automatic for the People has definitely been their most impressive project, along with the most influential. The song “Man On The Moon” was released as the second single for this amazing project in 1992. Reaching number 30 in US and 18 on UK charts, today it’s one of the most known songs from R.E.M. It also has a music video that references media surrounding space and space travel and creates a fun-to-listen-to-song that offers a bit of commentary as well. It’s a song that stays true to the distinct style of R.E.M.
14. Sisters of the Moon by Fleetwood Mac
| Genre | Rock |
| Year Released | 1979 |
| Album | Tusk |
One of the most influential bands that sit between rock and pop, the distinct sound of Fleetwood Mac derived from the ominous bass lines and the harmonization of male and female vocals has influenced countless artists since. They stayed at the top of the charts for years, which is truly an impressive feat. Released as the fourth single for their 1979 album Tusk, “Sister of the Moon” also has an amazing but low-key bassline that drives the song forward and works amazingly with Stevie Nicks’ amazing vocals. It seems like this band can’t do a song wrong even if they tried.
15. Moonlight by Ariana Grande
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 2016 |
| Album | Dangerous Woman |
Released in 2016 as a part of Ariana Grande’s third studio album, Dangerous Woman, “Moonlight” is carried by laid-back drums and short melodies that leave space for Ariana Grande’s breathy, high-pitched vocals to really shine and create a great experience packed into three minutes and twenty-one seconds. Ariana Grande came out and said that this was one of her favorite songs she ever recorded, and that seems true through the way the song flows amazingly with her vocals. While it may not be the most different or experimental song Ariana Grande has ever released, it showcases what she is great at as a musician.
16. Harvest Moon by Neil Young
| Genre | Folk, Country |
| Year Released | 1992 |
| Album | Harvest Moon |
Neil Young is a name that everyone who knows anything about Country has heard. Love him or not, his influence on Country and folk is apparent. One proof of his influence can be found in the debut single for his 1992 album “Harvest Moon,” which was also named the same. The song climbed the charts and landed 36th on the UK singles chart, and it also received a silver certification in the United Kingdom. The song is laid-back and calm, with female background vocals heightening the storyline and the melodies that Neil Young provides.
17. Shoot The Moon by Norah Jones
| Genre | Singer-Songwriter, Jazz, Blues |
| Year Released | 2002 |
| Album | Come Away With Me |
New York City-born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar is the daughter of the Indian music virtuoso Ravi Shankar, an accomplished pianist and an 18-time nominee and nine-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter who has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide, but you may know her by her stage name, Norah Jones. One of those Grammy wins was for her debut album “Come Away with Me,” which features the song “Shoot The Moon,” which means to go for something, even if you think you have no chance of getting it. In this case, it was a relationship she missed out on.
18. Aim For the Moon by Pop Smoke (Featuring Quavo)
| Genre | Rap, Hip Hop |
| Year Released | 2020 |
| Album | Shoot For the Stars, Aim For the Moon |
Bashar Barakah Jackson, better known as the Brooklyn-born rapper Pop Smoke, was killed during a home invasion in his Los Angeles rental house at the age of 20. Although he was only active for two years, Pop released two albums, two mixtapes, and two EPs, although one of his albums was released posthumously, and a second is currently being prepared for release. His first record, “Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon,” Includes “Aim For the Moon,” which is about other rappers trying to get credibility by going after Smoke, although they aren’t in his league.
19. Worried Moon by Chris Cornell
| Genre | Grunge, Alternative |
| Year Released | 2015 |
| Album | Higher Truth |
The Seattle music scene was full of brilliant and talented artists, especially during the 1990s, when the grunge movement seemed to be everywhere. One of the most talented vocalists from that scene was Chris Cornell, who was best known for being the frontman for Soundgarden and Audioslave, as well as releasing five solo albums, including one posthumous release of his favorite cover songs. “Higher Truth” was Cornell’s fourth effort and was well-received by most music critics. The album’s third track, “Worried Moon,” is about a person who confides in the moon, telling it all of his troubles.
20. Light Of the Moon by The Pretenders
| Genre | Rock, Punk |
| Year Released | 1986 |
| Album | Get Close |
The Pretenders are a Grammy-nominated rock band that was formed in London, although Chrissie Hynde was originally from Akron, Ohio. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005 and released 11 albums, four compilations, one EP, and four live albums in their 40-year history. “Get Close” was their fourth record, and although “Light Of the Moon” wasn’t released as a single, it is a fan favorite. Full moons are usually a metaphor for new beginnings, and this song is about a couple who have a forbidden love and want to start over somewhere new.
21. Midnight Moonlight by The Firm
| Genre | Hard Rock |
| Year Released | 1984 |
| Album | The Firm |
Formed from the ashes of Led Zeppelin, Uriah Heep, and Bad Company, the rock supergroup The Firm was composed of Paul Rodgers, Jimmy Page, Tony Franklin, and Chris Slade. Their self-titled debut album was the first of two records that the band would release together before eventually breaking up in 1986. Featured on the album Washington the single “Midnight Moonlight,” which was the first song that Page and Rodgers wrote together. The song is a love letter to the moon and how it is always there to guide you through life, both literally and metaphorically.
Also Read: Songs About Sunsets (Top Hits)
22. Moon by Ye
| Genre | Rap, Hip Hop |
| Year Released | 2019 |
| Album | Donda |
Kanye West, who also goes by the name Ye, has his hands in several pots. He is a rapper, a record producer, a fashion designer, and a songwriter who is generally included in the discussion of the most influential and greatest rappers of all time, despite his eccentric demeanor. Named after his mother, Kanye’s tenth studio album, “DONDA,” was certified platinum by the RIAA and widely considered to be one of the rapper’s best efforts. The track sees Kanye wanting to go to the moon as a way to escape the pain and grief of losing his mother.
23. Black Moon by Black Sabbath
| Genre | Heavy Metal |
| Year Released | 1987 |
| Album | The Headless Cross |
The heavy metal band Black Sabbath kicked off a whole new genre of music when they released their self-titled debut album in 1969 and have been making music ever since, although they have had several lineup changes throughout the years. Their critically-praised album “The Headless Cross” had the most significant lineup changes in Black Sabbath’s history, with only guitarist Tony Iommi remaining as an original member. In the song “Black Moon,” the moon represents the narrator’s evil side, although he is trying to turn away from evil and darkness and turn his life towards God and goodness.
24. Desert Plains by Judas Priest
| Genre | Heavy Metal |
| Year Released | 1981 |
| Album | Point Of Entry |
Formed in Birmingham, England, in 1969, Judas Priest is one of the bands who helped to usher in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal that took over America in the 1980s. Since their inception, Judas Priest has had an impressive discography, releasing 30 albums over five decades. By 1981, the band was releasing its seventh studio album, “Point Of Entry.” Landing in the middle of the album, the fifth track, “Desert Plains,” is a song about someone who is riding his motorcycle on a quest to see his love while traveling by the light of the moon.
25. Moonlight by XXXTENTACION
| Genre | Hip-Hop, Rap |
| Year Released | 2018 |
| Album | ? |
The importance and the symbolism of the moon did not go away after the 80s or the 90s. As a matter of fact, the prevalence of the moon in media is one of the most used out there. This is also true for hip-hop, especially for XXXTENTACION, one of the most hated artists of the late 2010s. The vocals of XXXTENTACION are muffled and slurry, and the juxtaposition of the beat with these yelping melodies, blaring snares, and the down-tuned kicks bass only complement the vocals. Even though I am not a fan of his music, this is a song I catch myself listening to from time to time.
26. Walking on the Moon by The Police
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 1979 |
| Album | Reggatta de Blanc |
Released with their album Reggatta de Blanc in 1979, “Walking on the Moon” is a catchy song produced by one of the most well-known bands, the Police. The popularity of the band, combined with the song’s catchy tune, was more than enough to carry the song to the top of the charts and to the No.1 stop in the UK charts. The song’s main riff, melody, and vocals; well, the whole song is influenced by reggae and follows a reggae structure that is based on a three-notes bass riff. The song is laid-back and does not explode or erupt anywhere but rather stays at a catchy middle ground, making it easy and fun to listen to.
27. Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra
| Genre | Jazz |
| Year Released | 1964 |
| Album | A Man and His Music |
You’ve probably heard this song before. One of the most iconic songs to probably ever be written, Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” had a different name at first. Written by Bart Howard and sung by Kaye Ballard, the song was first released as “In Other Words” in 1954. Sinatra’s Version came out in 1964 and has been covered and used in the media countless times after that. The song was also played during the Apollo 10 and 11 missions, and overall, the song has been associated with space travel and NASA ever since. The song was titled a towering song in 1999 by the Songwriters Hall of Fame. This is one of my personal favorite songs about the moon.
Also Read: Songs About Flying (Top Hits)
28. Moon by Kid Francescoli
| Genre | Electronic Music |
| Year Released | 2017 |
| Album | Play Me Again |
A well-known name in the electronic music genre, Kid Francescoli released his album Play Me Again in 2017, and “Moon” was released with it. The song is dreamy, and as every element of the song slowly gets uncovered as the song progresses, every beat and droning noise is used to create a dreamy landscape. Electronic music, with its unnatural but also amazing-to-listen-to frequencies, creates feelings that no other genre can create, and this song, along with the beautiful music video, showcases that beautifully.
29. Moonchild by King Crimson
| Genre | Rock |
| Year Released | 1969 |
| Album | In The Court of the Crimson King |
One of the biggest waves and giants in Progressive Rock, King Crimson, has influenced and changed the landscape of rock music with its first album, In The Court of the Crimson King. The fourth track of this influential album, “Moonchild,” is a dreamy song with Greg Lake’s vocal creating an almost unnerving atmosphere through this dreamscape, along with all the percussion that fills the song. As the prog rock of its era suggests, the song is long and has different experimental sections throughout. It’s definitely worthwhile to listen to it, along with the album as a whole.
30. Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven
| Genre | Classical Music |
| Year Released | 1801 (Composed) |
| Key | C-sharp Minor |
“Moonlight Sonata,” with the official name Piano Sonata No. 14 Sonata quasi una fantasia, is a song heard by billions worldwide. Composed in 1801 and consisting of three different movements, this is a piece in classical music that everyone recognizes, and a lot of piano players learn as beginners. Contrary to popular belief, the piece wasn’t even called “Moonlight Sonata” before Beethoven’s death. While many know the most well-known parts of the piece, the whole sonata is 15 minutes long and is a delight to listen to, that’s for sure.
31. Mr. Moonlight by The Beatles
| Genre | Country, Pop |
| Year Released | 1964 |
| Album | Beatles for Sale |
“Mr. Moonlight” was originally written and recorded by Dr. Feelgood and the Interns and was released in 1962 as a single. The some was coved by The Beatles in 1965 on their album Beatles for Sale, which garnered a lot of closer inspection for the fact that the album seems to signal the change in style and mannerisms for The Beatles, but that’s a story for another day. The song is filled with vocal harmonies that are led by John Lennon and also is heightened with the backing vocals of George Harrison and Paul McCartney.
32. Man On The Moon by Kid Cudi
| Genre | Hip-Hop, Rap, Pop |
| Year Released | 2009 |
| Album | Man On The Moon |
Kid Cudi, who is always experimenting with his sound and trying to create new things, shows his creativity with every release. Coincidentally, this song is kind of about that as well. He definitely goes against the grain, and while not all of his experiments pay off with great projects, you can always expect him to drop a great album once in a while. “Man On The Moon” (The Anthem) is one of the last songs off his album “Man On The Moon,” which many consider his best project, or one of the best at least, is a song about being different than the rest, and the melodies Kid Cudi provides, along with the calm and peaceful beat, definitely gets the point across.
Also Read: List of Songs About Nightmares
33. To the Moon and Back by Savage Garden
| Genre | Pop Rock |
| Year Released | 1996 |
| Album | Savage Garden |
For their self-titled album, Savage Garden wanted a song that would show their energy and the style they would carry for years. The second song they chose for this reason, “To The Moon and Back,” was released as the second song for the album in 1996. While the song slowly got shorter and shorter with different release edits, the album version was almost 6 minutes long, with yelping electric guitar and the soft voice of Darren Hayes. The song managed to reach number 3 in The United Kingdom and number 24 in the United States. Not bad, huh?
34. That Moon Song by Gregory Alan Isakov
| Genre | Folk, Alternative/indie |
| Year Released | 2009 |
| Album | This Empty Northern Hemisphere |
Released in 2009 with the album This Empty Northern Hemisphere, “That Moon Song” is a slow and steady song filled with the gentle driving force of the acoustic guitar being strummed in the background, as pianos and distant harmonicas wave the way into the two singers harmonizing and creating that strong and distinct feeling of laying down in the darkness, looking at the stars, and of course, the moon. The moon has been used as a symbol for many things, but longing and dreams have definitely been a recurring one, and even if it’s not the most original use of it, we still love an atmospheric song nonetheless.
35. Drunk On The Moon by Tom Waits
| Genre | Blues |
| Year Released | 1974 |
| Album | The Heart of Saturday Night |
Tom Waits is a character, someone you really can’t look away from. And this song captures how smooth Tom Waits is, as a person and a musician, with the strong chords of the piano driving the song through different instruments and, of course, Tom Waits’ strong and sensual voice. Tom Waits has changed his style and even genres during his career, and people definitely have their favorites. This era of Tom Waits is one of the highlights and showcases his strengths as a musician.
36. Moonage Daydream by David Bowie
| Genre | Art Rock |
| Year Released | 1972 |
| Album | The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars |
When we are talking about songs about the moon, one of the first names that may pop up is David Bowie. As he changed characters throughout his career, along with styles atop different styles, he has always been fascinated by the endless space and, specifically, the moon. He knows how to drive a song, how to write beautiful and strong melodies and harmonies, along with beautiful instrumentals that are way ahead of their time, and this song is no exception. With glaring, distorted guitars, along with different wind instruments, the song progresses as you listen to it and is a great experience overall, always introducing something new to be amazed by.
37. Sail To The Moon by Radiohead
| Genre | Alternative/Indie |
| Year Released | 2003 |
| Album | Hail To The Thief |
Hail to the Thief is a somber, somber album with gut-wrenching instrumentals and eye-opening soundscapes. “Sail To The Moon,” a track off of Radiohead’s 2003 album, does the same also. It does not take away from the album but rather gives it its all. The notes held for seconds by Thom Yorke cut through the bashing piano and the beautifully dark atmosphere created by the electric guitar and electronic elements. The song is a reverb-drenched masterpiece and a beautiful reminder of why there will never be a band like Radiohead ever again.
38. Moon River by Frank Ocean
| Genre | R&B |
| Year Released | 2018 |
| Album | Moon River |
The giant of R&B and a great artist that is bent on not releasing a new project after amazing albums has given us a cover of the original song, which was written for Breakfast at Tiffany’s and also won an Oscar for Best Original Song in 1962. Even though it seemed like the song’s release might indicate a new album release, it’s been four years since this beautiful, atmospheric song has been released, filled to the brim with Frank Ocean’s beautiful voice, and we still haven’t been given a new project by him. It’s sad, really, but at least we got this great, low-key song to listen to.
39. Marquee Moon by Television
| Genre | Rock |
| Year Released | 1977 |
| Album | Marquee Moon |
“Marquee Moon,” released by Television in 1977, also features the self-titled song “Marquee Moon” in it, a 10-minute and 40 seconds giant that carved the way towards post-punk and rock music that wasn’t as bombastic and for-the-masses as some of the big names in the era suggested. As the first single, it is amazing to think that a band slowly making their way into fame would release a 10-minute single as the frontrunner for their big release. While it might seem like a risky move, it seems like it paid off, with the song being featured in countless different lists for the greatest songs of all time.
40. Moonchild by Iron Maiden
| Genre | Heavy Metal |
| Year Released | 1988 |
| Album | Seventh Son of a Seventh Son |
“Moonchild” by Iron Maiden is the opening track of their 1988 monster, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. The album and the song open up with various other references to the number seven before erupting into a masterful volley of grand sounds and the trademark style of Iron Maiden. The song features those amazing trollop bass lines and fast and symphonic solos, and the combination of all these elements and more create a masterclass in metal. A worthy listen for all metal fans and enjoyers, not only the song but also the whole album.
41. Blue Moon by Beck
| Genre | Folk Rock |
| Year Released | 2014 |
| Album | Morning Phase |
The touches of country and folk are easy to hear in Beck’s “Blue Moon,” released as the lead single for his album Morning Phase. Signaling the release of Beck’s twelfth album, “Blue Moon” is a song filled with the accustomed sounds of folk with the well-heard vocals of Beck Hansen, and the cultivation of the two led to the song being nominated for both Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance in the Grammy Awards. It’s a cool little song that follows a driving percussive thunder through landscapes and a laid-back atmosphere.
42. Puttin’ People on the Moon by Drive-By Truckers
| Genre | Alternative/Indie, Rock |
| Year Released | 2004 |
| Album | The Dirty South |
With the thrashing of the heavy and dirty distortion of the electric guitar stationed slightly to the left, combined with the singer almost talking, with a microphone without any compression, it is easy to find a song full of soul and character. With its garage rock sound, “Putin’ People on the Moon” by Drive-By Truckers was released in 2004 with the album The Dirty South. Almost a slight reference to the R.E.M. with its title, the song has down-tuned and pessimistic energy that drives the song forward that is fascinating to listen to.
43. Blue Moon by EARTHGANG
| Genre | Hip-hop, Rap, Pop |
| Year Released | 2019 |
| Album | Mirrorland |
No one seems to reach the smoothness of EARTHGANG, and combine that with the basic but unbelievably funky bassline and all the other instruments with the great melodies overall, this song becomes a treat to listen to. Released by EARTHGANG in their 2019 album Mirrorland, “Blue Moon” is a great combination of rap and tasteful pop, where the two combine to create a song where you just feel like you need to move to the beat. I guess that’s what funk does. The song is charismatic and energetic while still being laid-back and carries the usual style of EARTHGANG we all love.
44. Moonlight Shadow by Mike Oldfield
| Genre | Folk |
| Year Released | 1983 |
| Album | Crises |
Released as a single for his album Crises, Mike Oldfield’s “Moonlight Shadow” is a song that sticks to its guns throughout and feels like a breeze to listen to. With the vocalist Maggie Reilly’s calm and great voice, the song becomes one that a lot of fans of folk know and love. The moon and its light seem to also shine on the artists who decide to make songs about it, for the reason that this song was Mike Oldfield’s Magnus opus, in the end, reaching number one charts all over the world. The modern folk sound mixed with rock has taken more of a shape with the influence of this song, that’s for sure.
45. The Moon and the Sky by Sade
| Genre | Soul |
| Year Released | 2010 |
| Album | Soldier of Love |
The band Sade has been known for their soul sound throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s. The sensual sound they were known for, with their smooth songs with gentle instruments and powerful vocals, along with electronic soundscapes, which are a treat to listen to, was also present in their lead single for their sixth album, Soldier of Love. This single, “The Moon and the Sky”, released in 2010, managed to climb to 54th position in the R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart and 11th rank in the Smooth Jazz Songs chart in the US.
46. Moon Over Bourbon Street by Sting
| Genre | Jazz, Pop |
| Year Released | 1986 |
| Album | The Dream of the Blue Turtles |
As the Police broke up in 1986, there was not a second wasted before singles upon singles were released from the frontman Sting’s solo debut album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles. The fifth single, which is the one we are interested in, is called “Moon Over Bourbon Street” and creates the visions of dark alleys and back and white movies with the help of the smooth jazz and the wet hi-hats leading the powerful voice of Sting through a landscape of calming instruments to their final destination of No. 44 on the UK singles chart.
47. Dancing With the Moonlit Knight by Genesis
| Genre | Progressive Rock |
| Year Released | 1973 |
| Album | Selling England By the Pound |
Genesis is a beautiful signature in the landscape of Prog Rock. What can be said that hasn’t been said already? For the start of this masterpiece of a song that spans 8 minutes, you can hear the passion in every single frequency present. “Dancing With the Moonlit Knight” was released in 1973 with one of the most influential albums in the genre, Selling England By the Pound. The song starts slow and low-key and explodes into every instrument following each other to create an amazing masterpiece and masterclass of Rock that does not slow down or get stale for the remainder of the song.
48. Space Oddity by David Bowie
| Genre | Folk |
| Year Released | 1969 |
| Album | David Bowie (AKA Space Oddity) |
David Bowie is the only artist that takes two spots on this list, and for good reason. David Bowie was always been fascinated by space, and this song that was released in conjunction with the space landing definitely proves that. Released as a single for his second album that was self-titled, the song’s basic tone carries the song as a whole with Bowie’s amazingly beautiful melodies and overall voice that brings forward the feeling of loneliness and longing with it almost immediately. An amazing ode to space travel and also the human experience here, on this very earth.
49. An Ending (Ascent) by Brian Eno
| Genre | New Age, Electronic |
| Year Released | 1983 |
| Movie | For All Mankind |
Composed for the documentary For All Mankind, “An Ending (Ascent)” by Brian Eno is a masterclass in ambient music. With the new age approach of vocals that move as slow as possible to form melodies that lift you up like there is no gravity. The film wasn’t completed until 1989, the first year it was released to the general public, along with the beautiful soundtrack, all composed by Brian Eno. This one, inside that soundtrack, is one that definitely stands out with a sound that would almost carve the way to drone music, and the influence of this piece can be heard with great drone artists of our generation like How To Disappear Completely.
50. White Moon by The White Stripes
| Genre | Alternative/Indie |
| Year Released | 2005 |
| Album | Get Behind Me Satan |
While it wasn’t the most well-received album in The White Stripes’ discography, Get Behind Me Satan still stands as a reminder of the energetic and innovative sound The White Stripes brought to the table. The song, ruminating the life of Rita Hayworth, was first called the “White Moon” and the Red-Headed Guest, being shortened before the release of the album in 2005. The -at points calm and at points devastatingly powerful and sudden- sounds of the piano filled with the vocals of Jack White create an amazing atmosphere and a great song to listen to again.
51. Hawkmoon 269 by U2
| Genre | Pop, Rock |
| Year Released | 1988 |
| Album | Rattle and Hum |
U2 was something to behold in their day. With Bono’s monotone and low vocals rattling through the song, “Hawkmoon 269” was released in 1988 as a track in their album Rattle and Hum. The vocals get sharper and sharper as the driving riff of the song gets louder, and the song gets filled with more and more power before it explodes into the chorus. Inspired by how many mixes the song went through before it was perfected for release, “Hawkmoon 269” stands as a lengthy U2 song that was mostly forgotten by the general public among all other U2 hits, but still a great inclusion to their discography nonetheless.
52. Moonlight Drive by The Doors
| Genre | Blues Rock |
| Year Released | 1967 |
| Album | Strange Days |
Doors made short songs, long songs, hits that would stand decades to come, and forgotten deep cuts. Who can tell in which categories “Moonlight Drive” could be in, a song off of their 1967 album Strange Days? The song first came out as a three-minute-flat song for the album and was cut down to 2:16 for the single release. The song is energetic but also doesn’t go anywhere that is distant or alien and stands in that energetic pocket with Jim Morrison’s voice getting more powerful as the song continues and the slide guitar weeps and weeps at the back section of the mix.
53. Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf) by AWOLNATION
| Genre | Alternative/Indie, Pop |
| Year Released | 2015 |
| Album | Run |
With a band that is set on making everything as grand and epic as possible, this song came as no surprise. Released as the lead single for the second album Run in 2015, “Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)” is a 4 minute epic with different electronic sounds and the at-times screaming vocals of Aaron Bruno, creating something that keeps the high bar for energy it sets for itself for the whole length of the song, with changes of tone throughout. The song blares with the distorted main melody that is highly ear-grabbing, and also with the inclusion of the one-take music video, this is definitely a great piece for the fans of this type of music.
54. Moonshake by Can
| Genre | Krautrock |
| Year Released | 1973 |
| Album | Future Days |
One of the biggest names in Krautrock, “Moonshake” by Can, was released with their album Future Days in 1973. The album includes four songs, with the longest song being almost 20 minutes long and the shortest, excluding “Moonshake,” being 8 minutes. Even though this is the case, “Moonshake” is only 3 minutes and has a different, more pop-oriented structure compared to the other songs off of the album, which follow a more rocky and experimental approach. The song is a treat to listen to, and with the drum being in the forefront of the mix, like most experimental rock bands’ were in the late 60s and early ’70s, it’s a song that has a place in the rock soundscape of the era.
55. Shame On The Moon by Bob Seger
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 1982 |
| Album | The Distance |
“Shame on the Moon” was released for Bob Seger’s 1982 album The Distance as a lead single. While the song was a great hit on the country chart in 1983, the song was not written by Bob Seger. Instead, the song was first recorded by Rodney Crowell in 1981 and was covered only a year later by Bob Seger. Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band was known by almost every country fan all over in this era, and this song was a powerful reminder of their ability to create a looping rhythm and melody that is closely followed by four chords that signal the song forward. Definitely a song to listen to for the fans of the genre.
56. Black Moon by Wilco
| Genre | Alternative/Indie |
| Year Released | 2011 |
| Album | The Whole Love |
Wilco has a unique ability to devastate a person through a single song. “Black Moon” follows an arpeggio acoustic guitar with the string instruments creating an atmosphere that is only being strengthened by the quiet and almost defeated vocals that slowly but surely get more hope injected into them as the song gets covered more and more by the soundscape created by the strings. Wilco is a great band with songs that just force you to “feel,” and this song is no different.
57. Moonbeam Levels by Prince
| Genre | Soul |
| Year Released | 2016 |
| Album | 4Ever |
Calling Prince the sound of a generation would be an understatement. It would probably be fairer to say that the sound Prince provided would span for a few generations, at the very least. “Moonbeam Levels” sounds like a hit from the 80s that played on the radio millions and millions of times. However, that is not the case. “Moonbeam Levels” was released posthumously for the album 4Ever in 2016, staying in the archives of Prince before that. A gem among the discography, it saw a lot of play from fans when it was finally released to the public.
58. Moon at the Window by Joni Mitchell
| Genre | R&B/Soul |
| Year Released | 1982 |
| Album | Wild Things Run Fast |
A song off Joni Mitchell’s 11th studio album Wild Things Run Fast, “Moon at the Window,” is a song that still carries the jazz-oriented sound of Joni Mitchell while moving towards a more vocal-oriented pop direction. “Moon at the Window” carries a dark sound throughout, while Joni Mitchell’s beautiful vocals carry the song forward, the bass plays a minor progression that is helped brought forward with other instruments that come and go throughout the song, and with a thankless beginning and an abrupt ending, the song feels like a slow message and an experiment at a certain feeling rather than something that tries to be grand.
59. Moonlight by Grace VanderWaal
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 2017 |
| Album | Just the Beginning |
Released in 2017 as a debut single for the album Just the Beginning, Grace VanderWaal’s “Moonlight” is about people around you changing, and you want to return to the state that you knew them in. The song is a vestige of how pop music was made, but it no longer is the case for many reasons that many may say were warranted. The high-pitched vocals filled with the cheery sound of the ukulele create the song to be an unapologetically upbeat and happy song. A nice song for people who might think they would enjoy what I just described.
60. The Whole of the Moon by The Waterboys
| Genre | New Wave |
| Year Released | 1985 |
| Album | This Is the Sea |
The Waterboys decided to release “The Whole of the Moon” as a single for the This Is the Sea album. Released in 1985, the song employs a driving drum track that is one of the signature sounds of the New Wave, and it carries that sound throughout the whole song with an upbeat tune and a bass line that could easily be called funky. This and the blaring saxophones and trumpets alongside the song carry it to become a single that was not well-liked on its initial release but went on to become one of the most listened to songs by the Waterboys.
61. Moon River by Audrey Hepburn
| Genre | Traditional Pop |
| Year Released | 1961 |
| Movie | Breakfast at Tiffany’s |
“Moon River” is a song that was specifically created for the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer. It was sung for the movie by actor Audrey Hepburn and was released as a soundtrack in 1961. The song is short and carries almost no instruments in it for the first part, transforming into a soundscape filled with harmonica and string instruments by the latter half of the song. The song has been covered, transformed, and included in different media hundreds of times throughout the years by many known and unknown artists, and it remains one of the most influential songs still to this day.
62. Hunter’s Moon by Ghost
| Genre | Metal |
| Year Released | 2022 |
| Album | Impera |
Who says songs about the moon should always be romantic? As Ozzy Osbourne taught us, the moon also could be quite scary and also really catchy if we look at Ghost’s “Hunter’s Moon.” Released as a single for the band’s fifth album Impera, the song was first created for the soundtrack of the movie Halloween Kills but was only used in the credits of that movie in the end. The band announced that the song would be included in Impera and also would see a release as a single. The song carries the amazing instrumentals that all Ghost songs seem to embody, along with the catchy songwriting of everything dark and occult, just the way we like Ghost.
Hi, my name is Kevin and I’m from Butler, Pennsylvania. I’ve been obsessed with music and audio gear for as long as I can remember. I started this website to help people find professional advice related to a wide range of audio topics. We have a number of Audio Engineers on our team who have been designing and fixing audio gear for decades.