Tonight is the August full moon. There is something particularly romantic and special about a full moon on a summer’s night. The moon has been the subject of man’s fascination, wonderment and curiosity for centuries, inspiring the work of countless writers, scientists, artists, musicians, and lovers to this day.
The phases of the moon have served as the basis for calendars, religious practices, age-old customs and more, and have had a profound influence on the shaping of human civilization. Nowadays, we know that our moon is not much more than a giant rock. Yet that fact has never lessened its romantic beauty nor its magnetic power in the eyes of billions of people around the world.
Just last month, the world celebrated the 40th anniversary of the 1969 moon landing. For those of us who did not get to experience that monumental moment in human history, it is hard to understand what a thrilling time it was in a world that was increasingly troubled. So with this being the first full moon night since all of the media coverage of the 69 moon landing’s anniversary, it seems like a good time to make a playlist featuring great songs about the moon.
Casting out a big net like that when putting together a playlist mix of songs about the moon creates a particular challenge. This is not meant to be a definitive list of the best moon songs, but hopefully it comes close. Next month, on September’s full moon night, will be published.
[zbplayer]“Climbing To The Moon” (Jon Brion Remix) – Eels from Meet The Eels: Essential Eels 1996-2006, Vol. 1 (2008)
“Sail To The Moon” – Radiohead from Hail To The Thief (2003)
“Me and the Moon” – The Drums
“Moon And Moon” – Bat For Lashes from Two Suns (2009)
“Silver Moons” – Sunset Rubdown from Dragonslayer (2009)
“Blue Moon” – Atlas Sound from Covers Two: Songs For My Dad EP (2007)
“Tokyo Moon” – Windmill from Puddle City Racing Lights (2009)
“I Wish I Was The Moon” – Neko Case from Blacklisted (2002)
“Man on the Moon” – R.E.M. from Automatic for the People (1992)
“Red Moon” – The Walkmen from You & Me (2008)
“My Moon My Man” – Feist from The Reminder (2007)
“Walking On The Moon” – The Police from Reggatta de Blanc (1979)
“If We Can Land A Man On The Moon, Surely I Can Win Your Heart” – Beulah from When Your Heartstrings Break (1999)
“Tahitian Moon” – Porno For Pyros from Good God’s Urge (1996)
“Drunk On The Moon” – Tom Waits Live on KWFM (1975)
“Index Moon” – Grand Archives from The Grand Archives (2008)
“Lovers From The Moon” – The Magnetic Fields from The Wayward Bus/Distanct Plastic Trees (1991)
“New Moon” – Sambassadeur from New Moon (2005)
“Moon Pulls” – Mum from Go Go Smear The Poison Ivy (2007)
“Madame Moon” – Zooey, unreleased (2009)
Did You Know?: Did you know that because our luna has a synchronous rotation with Earth, we will never see the “dark side of the moon” looking up at the night sky.