[2026] Classic Western songs about the moon: Recommended popular tracks
The moon we see when we look up at the sky is both familiar and endlessly mysterious—a presence that never ceases to fascinate us.
Shaped by the influence of sunlight into forms like the full moon and new moon, the “moon” enchants and bewilders those who behold it.
It’s only natural that artists with keen sensitivity would choose it as a theme for their songs.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of classic Western songs themed around that captivating moon.
From tracks that sing directly about the moon to songs that use the moon or moonlight as a metaphor, enjoy a diverse lineup of pieces spanning eras and genres.
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[2026] Classic Western songs about the moon: Recommended popular tracks (21–30)
To the MoonPhora
The song released in August 2017 by American rapper Phora is an emotionally rich work themed around love and vulnerability.
It portrays a woman who fears love due to past hurt and a man who wants to support her, expressing a desire for the two of them to go far together.
Released as the lead single from the album “Yours Truly Forever,” the track is a romantic, melodic R&B piece.
Phora’s emotive vocals and lyrics that dream of an escape with a loved one leave a strong impression, and this work—depicting the complexities of romance and the process of accepting new love—is sure to resonate deeply with listeners.
What’s next to the moonAC/DC
“What’s Next to the Moon,” included on AC/DC’s 1978 album Powerage, is a song created by AC/DC’s lead guitarist Angus Young.
It’s said that when he put on a new set of strings and casually jammed to test the feel, the arrangement he came up with was so good that it was adopted for the track almost exactly as is.
Despite being a song themed around the moon, it features a bright—if not fiery—melody.
Moon RiverAndy Williams
Here is the song that Audrey Hepburn performed in the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, in which she starred.
Her whispery singing in the 1961 release is lovely, and I also highly recommend the video version by Andy Williams, which became a huge hit the following year, in 1962.
With lyrics by Johnny Mercer and music by Henry Mancini—two towering masters—the song was crafted to suit Audrey, simple yet evocative, with a cinematic sense of drama.
The Killing MoonEcho & the Bunnymen
Have you found yourself curious after listening to CHVRCHES’ The Killing Moon, released exclusively on Amazon in August 2021 by the hugely popular electropop group from Scotland? The track is actually a cover of a classic song released in 1984 by the British post-punk/neo-psychedelic band Echo & the Bunnymen.
It’s also included on the album Ocean Rain, released the same year, and together with the song itself, it’s regarded as one of Echo & the Bunnymen’s signature works.
The original is quintessentially neo-psychedelic, featuring a softly floating soundscape and a beautiful melody that is introspective and melancholic—qualities that have earned it many devoted fans, including the aforementioned CHVRCHES.
According to vocalist Ian McCulloch, who handled the songwriting, the chord progression is based on David Bowie’s classic Space Oddity, but reversed.
The lyrics, sprinkled with imagery of fate and celestial bodies, employ many abstract expressions and invite multiple interpretations, so be sure to check a Japanese translation as you listen.
The Moon and the SkySade
Let me introduce a heartbreak song about the moon, “The Moon and the Sky.” It’s a track by the British band Sade, included as the first song on the album Soldier of Love.
The lyrics express sorrow from a woman’s perspective after a man breaks his promise.
Listen for the beautiful metaphor that likens the woman to the night sky and the man to the moon.
Though the theme is bittersweet, the song’s beauty stands out even more.
