50 Classic Rock Songs About The Moon

50 Classic Rock Songs About The Moon

Feature Photo: Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock.com

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…………

11 – “Bad Moon Rising” – Creedence Clearwater Revival

The song “Bad Moon Rising” was released on Creedence Clearwater Revival’s album Green River in 1969. Composed by John Fogerty, it peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

12 – “Brain Damage/Eclipse” – Pink Floyd

“Brain Damage/Eclipse” is the closing track on Pink Floyd’s album The Dark Side of the Moon, released in 1973. The songs were composed by Roger Waters and reached number 1 on the US Billboard 200 as part of the album.

13 – “Bark at the Moon” – Ozzy Osbourne

The song “Bark at the Moon” was released on Ozzy Osbourne’s album Bark at the Moon in 1983. Composed by Ozzy Osbourne, it reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart.

14 – “Man on the Moon” – R.E.M.

“Man on the Moon” was released on R.E.M.’s album Automatic for the People in 1992. The song reached number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 18 on the UK Singles Chart. It was composed by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe.

15  -“Moonchild” – King Crimson

“Moonchild” is a track from King Crimson’s album In the Court of the Crimson King, released in 1969. The song was composed by Robert Fripp, Ian McDonald, Greg Lake, and Michael Giles.

16 – “Harvest Moon” – Neil Young

“Harvest Moon” is the title track of Neil Young’s album Harvest Moon, released in 1992. Neil Young is credited as the composer. The song did not chart significantly.

17 – “Sister Moon” – Sting

“Sister Moon” was featured on Sting’s album …Nothing Like the Sun, released in 1987. Sting is the composer of the song.

18 – “Walking on the Moon” – The Police

“Walking on the Moon” was released on The Police’s album Reggatta de Blanc in 1979. Composed by Sting, the song reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart.

19 – “Kiko and the Lavender Moon” – Los Lobos

“Kiko and the Lavender Moon” is from Los Lobos’ album Kiko, released in 1992. The song was composed by David Hidalgo and Louie Pérez.

20  – “Brain Damage/Eclipse” – Pink Floyd

“Brain Damage/Eclipse” is the closing track on Pink Floyd’s album The Dark Side of the Moon, released in 1973. The songs were composed by Roger Waters and reached number 1 on the US Billboard 200 as part of the album.

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.

22 – “Dancing in the Moonlight” – King Harvest

“Dancing in the Moonlight” was released by King Harvest on their album Dancing in the Moonlight in 1972. The song, composed by Sherman Kelly, peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

23 – “Full Moon” – The Kinks

“Full Moon” is a track from The Kinks’ album Sleepwalker, released in 1977. The song was composed by Ray Davies.

24 – “Mr. Moonlight” – The Beatles

“Mr. Moonlight” appeared on The Beatles’ album Beatles for Sale, released in 1964. The song was originally written by Roy Lee Johnson.

25 – “Song About the Moon” – Paul Simon

“Song About the Moon” is from Paul Simon’s album Hearts and Bones, released in 1983. Paul Simon is credited as the composer.

26 – “Yellow Moon” – The Neville Brothers

“Yellow Moon” is the title track of The Neville Brothers’ album Yellow Moon, released in 1989. The song was composed by Aaron Neville.

27 – “Spanish Moon” – Little Feat

“Spanish Moon” was featured on Little Feat’s album Feats Don’t Fail Me Now, released in 1974. The song was composed by Lowell George.

28 – “Sisters of the Moon” – Fleetwood Mac

“Sisters of the Moon” appeared on Fleetwood Mac’s album Tusk, released in 1979. The song was composed by Stevie Nicks.

29 – “Cajun Moon” – J.J. Cale

“Cajun Moon” is a track from J.J. Cale’s album Okie, released in 1974. J.J. Cale is credited as the composer.

30 – “Half Moon” – Janis Joplin

“Half Moon” is from Janis Joplin’s album Pearl, released posthumously in 1971. The song was composed by John Hall and Johanna Hall.

31 – “Havana Moon” – Chuck Berry

“Havana Moon” was released by Chuck Berry in 1956. Berry is credited as the composer.

32 – “Blue Moon Nights” – John Fogerty

“Blue Moon Nights” is a track from John Fogerty’s album Blue Moon Swamp, released in 1997. Fogerty is the composer of the song.

33 – “Moonshine” – Free

“Moonshine” appeared on Free’s album Heartbreaker, released in 1972. The song was composed by Paul Rodgers.

34 – “Under a Raging Moon” – Roger Daltrey

“Under a Raging Moon” is the title track of Roger Daltrey’s album Under a Raging Moon, released in 1985. The song was composed by John Parr and Julia Downes.

35 – “Marakesh Moonlight” – The Doobie Brothers

“Marakesh Moonlight” is from The Doobie Brothers’ album World Gone Crazy, released in 2010. The song’s composers are Tom Johnston, John McFee, and Michael McDonald.

36 – “Moon Tears” – Nils Lofgren

“Moon Tears” was featured on Nils Lofgren’s album Nils Lofgren, released in 1975. Lofgren is credited as the composer.

37 – “Moonlight Eyes” – Nazareth

“Moonlight Eyes” appeared on Nazareth’s album Malice in Wonderland, released in 1980. The song was composed by Dan McCafferty, Pete Agnew, Manny Charlton, and Darrell Sweet.

38 – “Moonshadow” – Cat Stevens

“Moonshadow” was released on Cat Stevens’ album Teaser and the Firecat in 1971. Stevens, now known as Yusuf Islam, is the composer. The song reached number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

39 – “Moonlight in Samosa” – Robert Plant

“Moonlight in Samosa” is a track from Robert Plant’s album Pictures at Eleven, released in 1982. The song was composed by Plant and Robbie Blunt.

40 – “Sail to the Moon” – Radiohead

“Sail to the Moon” appeared on Radiohead’s album Hail to the Thief, released in 2003. The song was composed by Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, Colin Greenwood, and Phil Selway.

41- “Moon Rocks” – Talking Heads

“Moon Rocks” is from Talking Heads’ album Speaking in Tongues, released in 1983. The song was composed by David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, and Tina Weymouth.

42 – “Between Sun & Moon” – Rush

“Between Sun & Moon” appeared on Rush’s album Counterparts, released in 1993. The song was composed by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart.

43 – “Black Moon Creeping” – The Black Crowes

“Black Moon Creeping” is a track from The Black Crowes’ album The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, released in 1992. The song was composed by Chris Robinson and Rich Robinson.

44 – “Killing Moon” – Echo and the Bunnymen

“Killing Moon” was released on Echo and the Bunnymen’s album Ocean Rain in 1984. The song, composed by Ian McCulloch, Will Sergeant, Les Pattinson, and Pete de Freitas, reached number 9 on the UK Singles Chart.

45 – “A Trip to the Moon” – King Crimson

“A Trip to the Moon” is a track from King Crimson’s album The ReconstruKction of Light, released in 2001. The song was composed by Adrian Belew, Robert Fripp, Trey Gunn, and Pat Mastelotto.

46 – “Drunk on the Moon” – Tom Waits

“Drunk on the Moon” appeared on Tom Waits’ album The Heart of Saturday Night, released in 1974. Waits is credited as the composer.

47 – “Grapefruit Moon” – Tom Waits

“Grapefruit Moon” is from Tom Waits’ album Closing Time, released in 1973. Waits is the composer of the song.

48 – “Shame on the Moon” – Bob Seger

“Shame on the Moon” was featured on Bob Seger’s album The Distance, released in 1982. The song was composed by Rodney Crowell.

49 – “Yellow Moon” – Pearl Jam

“Yellow Moon” is a track from Pearl Jam’s album Lightning Bolt, released in 2013. The song was composed by Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament.

50 – “Moonchild” – Iron Maiden

“Moonchild” was released on Iron Maiden’s album Seventh Son of a Seventh Son in 1988. The song was composed by Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith.

50 Classic Rock Songs About The Moon article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023

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