With the Pink Moon looming (through Thursday), I thought it would be fun to dive into some favorite songs on the subject. Here you’ll discover 8 great country songs about the moon, to keep you howling. Or least these country music gems will keep you singing along. This full “pink moon” isn’t actually pink, it was given that name because of  the color blooming this time of year. That is according to USA Today.

The moon has long been a treasured topic in literature, music and movies. Remember the 1987 classic film, Moonstruck, starring Cher, Nicolas Cage and Massachusetts actress Olympia Dukakis? Dukakis won an Academy Award for her performance. The presence of the moon in this film stirred up all kinds of emotions for the characters, from passion to fear and mischievousness. That’s precisely the lure of la luna.

Country Songs About The Moon To Celebrate The Celestial Event

Creedence Clearwater revival felt all the superstitious vibes about a full moon when they wrote and sang “Bad Moon Rising.” Bob Seger sang about the ups and downs of love and blaming the moon for behaviors in “Shame on the Moon.” There hasn’t been any moon related songs in country music as of late, but here you’ll find 8 great country songs about the moon. Some go back to the 90s, and a couple are more recent releases.

The Effects Of A Full Moon

Does a full moon alter behavior, moods and emotions? As explained in Healthline, “The idea that a full moon can stir up emotions, provoke bizarre behavior, and even cause physical illness isn’t just a literary trope. It’s a strongly held belief, even today.” This isn’t anything new, it goes back centuries. Many studies have been done on the subject, and even a recent study showed that 81 % of mental health pros also believe a full moon can make you ill.

One thing we know for sure, a full moon can effect sleep. That has been proven in studies (according to Healthline). One particular research study in 2021 found that people fall asleep later with a full moon and there sleep isn’t as deep. And we all know how sleep, or lack of, can result in altered behavior. Crankiness can lead to a little craziness.

With this full moon, you have a country music soundtrack. So, take a look and listen, below. And maybe it’ll help you fall asleep, or maybe it will have you howling at the moon.

• 1. Does That Blue Moon Ever Shine On You- Toby Keith

  “Does That Blue Moon Ever Shine On You” was written nearly 9 years before Toby Keith released it on a major label. Keith wrote in in 1987 and put it out independently. Then in 1996, the song served as the lead-off single for his album, Blue Moon. Some of Toby’s strongest vocals in this top 2 gem. He wrote it by himself and in it he’s longing for a lost love. He uses the moon metaphor to serve as a way to feel connected to the lost love. “Night after night I look to the stars, Wondering where you might be. And I thought to myself, Is that very same moon Shining on you, like it’s shining on me? Does that blue moon ever shine on you?” Beautiful imagery.

• 2. Neon Moon- Brooks and Dunn

  Ronnie Dunn wrote this one solo for his mega hit making duo Brooks & Dunn. It was released in early 1992 as the third single from their debut album, Brand New Man. This is probably the most recognizable, most played song on the list of country hits about the moon. It even became a TikTok favorite in recent years. The moon, in this case, is a bar with a neon light. It’s a story of a broken relationship and the narrator “spend[s] most every night beneath the light of a neon moon,” drowning his sorrows.

• 3. Footprints On The Moon- Gabby Barrett

  Gabby Barrett’s 2020 release, “Footprints on the Moon” is one of her favorites. She told The Boot, ” I love the encouragement behind it. I wish I had a song like that to listen to through high school and when I was going through the grind … and so, anybody that’s a fan of me, I wanted to give them some type of encouragement in shooting for the stars, ’cause if somebody can walk on the moon, then you are able to accomplish large things as well if you put your mind to it and work hard.”

  Gabby uses the moon like you would in a song about shooting for the stars. Dream bigger, go for the moon!

• 4. Rope The Moon- John MIchael Montgomery

  John Michael Montgomery’s 1994 top 4 hit was the 2nd single released from his Kickin’ It Up album. Although the song was originally intended to be a love song, when JMM was going to put it to a music video, he wanted to switch it up and make it a story about a father/daughter relationship. Again, here the moon is symbolic of reaching big goals, and the ability to do anything you put your mind to. Montgomery sings:

  “But she thinks I could rope the moon
  In her eyes, there is nothing I can’t do
  When I think it’s out of reach, she’s the reason I still try
  She thinks I could rope the moon”

• 5. Running Outta Moonlight- Randy Houser

  Released in the spring of 2013, this feel-good love song from Randy Houser became his 2nd #1 and his biggest selling single. The song is about 2 people out in the nighttime, on a date and wanting the night to last until they run out of moonlight. Houser’s strong vocals clearly deliver the message of young love and desire.

• 6. Hypnotize the Moon- Clay Walker

  Clay Walker was a prominent voice in the 1990s and early 2000s. He produced 25 top 20 hits, including 7 #1 hits. 1996’s “Hypnotize the Moon” was the title track from Clay’s third album. In this top 2 hit, he sings about a woman who’s draw is so strong “she shines like a diamond when she walks into a room, She can charm the stars, hypnotize the moon.”

   

• 7. Even The Man In The Moon Is Crying- Mark Collie

  If you were around in the 90s or a fan of 90s country, you know the name Mark Collie. He had a string of hits, including 1992’s “Even the Man in the Moon is Crying.” Mark is an award winning singer/songwriter and actor. He wrote songs for some of country music’s biggest names from Tim McGraw to Garth Brooks and Martina McBride. You may have seen him in the popular TV series Nashville or Walker Texas Ranger, or in Marvel’s The Punisher. 

• 8. I'll Be The Moon- Dierks Bentley (Ft. Maren Morris)

  Dierks’ 2016 track on his Black album features background vocals from Maren Morris. “I’ll Be The Moon” is a classic love triangle story. It’s served up sultry as the narrator leads you through his affair, stepping out on a long term relationship as it go too comfortable. In this scenario he long to be someone’s “moon and back.” The lyrics say it best:

   “you can leave me in the dark if that’s all I get from you / He can be the sun / I’ll be the moon.”

   

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