There have been thousands of songs written about the moon in pop music culture. Three distinctive reasons fuel songwriters’ desire to write about the moon. One is romance, of course, and the other two are adventure and horror. Obviously, there’s been much more written about romance than adventure and horror, but some good ones have floated around the Dark Side of the Moon. Our favorite Moon songs with a rock edge tend to be a mix of both. There are so many.
We start out with our top 10 and then added the rest in random order.
# 10 – Moondance
We open up our 50 Classic Rock Songs About The Moon list with the marvelous song entitled “Moondance.” This was the first one we thought of. Van Morrison’s iconic song is easily one of the coolest songs ever written. The way he balanced the styles of jazz, R&B, and rock into one song helped him capture a huge audience for this classic track. The song was released on the album, also entitled Moondance. It was the third single released from the album.
What was so interesting about the song “Moondance” was that it was not released as a single until seven years after the album had been released. The musicians on the song included Van Morrison on vocals and guitar, Jeff Labes on piano, John Klingberg on bass, Gary Mallaber on drums, John Platania on guitar, Jack Schroer on alto saxophone, and Collin Tilton on tenor saxophone and flute.
# 9 – Johnny Moon – Heart
Continuing with our 50 Classic Rock Songs About The Moon list, we showcase one of Heart’s lesser known songs called “Johnny Moon.” The song was released on the album entitled Passionworks. This is probably Hearts’ most underrated album. It is filled with great rockers and moody mid-tempo ballads like Johnny Moon. The album was released in 1983. The album also featured longtime Montrose and Sammy Hagar drummer Denny Carmassi.
# 8 – Dancing In The Moonlight (It’s Caught Me In It’s Spotlight) – Thin Lizzy
In the number eight spot on our 50 Classic Rock Songs About The Moon list, we go back in time to one of our favorite bands of all time with the song “Dancing In The Moonlight.” No, we are not talking about King Harvest. We are talking about the iconic Thin Lizzy. The band’s grand song “Dancing In The Moonlight (It’s Caught Me In It’s Spotlight)” was released on the Bad Reputation album. The album was released in the fall of 1977. Listen to that cool bass groove Phil Lynott plays. This one has always been one of our favorite Thin Lizzy songs
# 7 – Moon Crazy – Blue Oyster Cult
Whenever we get a chance to talk about Blue Oyster Cult, we will jump on it. The song “Moon Crazy” was released on the band’s album Mirrors. The album was released in 1970. The song “Moon Crazy” was composed and sung by Joe Bouchard. It’s a cool tune that defines the sound of 1979 when rock and roll was going through some heavy changes with the sounds of a new wave dominating radio and all that.
# 6 – Sister Moonshine – Supertramp
Landing in the number six spot on our 50 Classic Rock Songs About, The Moon list we present the song Sister Moonshine. This cool tune was done by fan-favorite Supertramp. No one sounded like Supertramp. I could listen to their vocals all day alone. The song was released on the album entitled Crisis? What Crisis?. The album was released in 1975. I love that guitar solo at the song’s end. It’s just so tasty.
# 5 – Moon In June – Soft Machine
We throw one in for progressive rock music fans at the halfway point on our 150 Classic Rock Songs About The Moon list. One of our favorite bands in the genre has always been Soft Machine. The pulsating song “Moon In June” was issued on the album entitled Third. The album was released in 1970. The band went through a lot of lineups over the years. The lineup for their third album featured Elton Dean on sax, Mike Ratledge on keys, Hugh Hopper on bass, and Robert Wyatt on drums and vocals, who also composed the song.
# 4 – The Moon Upstairs – Mott The Hoople
We present the raging song “The Moon Upstairs” at the number four spot. Mott The Hoople seems to be channeling a little of The Who on this one. Nonetheless, this scorching rocker stands as one of our favorite Mott songs. Ian Hunter and Mick Ralphs wrote “The Moon Upstairs.” It first appeared on the band’s Brain Capers album. The version below is live from 2013.
# 3 – Moon Over Kentucky – Sparks
We can never get enough Sparks on this site. This is a band that we feel hasn’t been appreciated on a mass level like they should have been. Just take a listen to this very creepy song and tell us you don’t love these guys. Ron Mael’s organ sounds on the track will leave you calling for your mama. The song was released on Spark’s second album entitled A Woofer in Tweeter’s Clothing. The album was released in 1973.
# 2 – Moonage Daydream – David Bowie
Man we really miss David Bowie when we listen back to songs like this. David Bowie’s intoxicating “Moonage Dream” was released on our favorite David Bowie album entitled The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Ziggy was David Bowie’s fifth studio album. It was released in 1971. It’s incredible how good this album still sounds over 50 years later in 2024.
# 1 – Moonlight Mile
This one always finds a way into conversations when we write articles about Rolling Stones songs. How could it not? It’s one of the best songs The Rolling Stones ever recorded. The song was initially released on the band’s iconic album Sticky Fingers. One of the most interesting aspects of the songs was that Keith Richards did not appear on the recording. The guitar parts were played by Mick Taylor. The piano part was performed by Jim Price. Also appearing on the track were Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, and Bill Wyman.,
And now the rest…………
21 – Moonlight Drive – The Doors
The song “Moonlight Drive” was released on the Doors album Strange Days. The album was released in 1967. The song Moonlight Drive was released as the b-side to the song “Love Me Two Times.” The single hit number seven on the US Billboard Hit 100. The song was composed by Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore.
50 Classic Rock Songs About The Moon article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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