The Fivorite: Moon Songs
For the first entry into the Beyond section of this site, I have decided to introduce a concept that I started toying with 10 years ago: The Fivorite. These are Top 5 lists based around random subjects, likely related to current historical and pop culture events. Please note that these are my personal Top 5 favorites and not necessarily the consensus choices as “best”, so please feel free to add your Fivorites in the comments section.
For this first edition, I am celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with my Fivorite Moon Songs.
5. Harvest Moon – Neil Young
I had forgotten about this song until it showed up on an episode of HBO’s Big Little Lies, which has a killer (pun definitely intended) soundtrack. I’ve never been a big Neil Young guy, but this simple country shuffle has been stuck in my head for the past two weeks, so it makes its way onto the list.
4. I’m Your Moon – Jonathan Coulton
Jonathan Coulton penned this ode to Pluto, from the point of view of its moon Charon, after it was demoted to dwarf planet status in 2006. A wonderful love song and a beautiful reminder to be who you are, regardless of what Neil deGrasse Tyson says.
3. The Killing Moon – Echo and the Bunnymen
Why were people so thrown off by a band called Hootie and the Blowfish when there was already a band called Echo and the Bunnymen? While I never went through a Goth phase, I’ve learned to appreciate the music that came out of the scene, including this soaring number.
2. I Wish I Was the Moon – Neko Case
I once read an article that dubbed Neko Case’s music as “country-noir”, which is one of the most accurate genre descriptions I’ve ever seen. I’ve included the live version of the song because that’s where Neko truly shines. The power of her voice in concert is devastating.
1. Man on the Moon – R.E.M.
This song about the late comedian Andy Kaufman was the second single off of R.E.M.’s Automatic for the People, which was the follow-up to their first Number One album, Out of Time. While the chorus of the song toys with the idea of a fake moon landing, I would like to make it clear that I do not believe in those theories myself. I wouldn’t want to incur the wrath of Buzz Aldrin.
Honorable mentions:
Fly Me To The Moon – Frank Sinatra
This was the first song played on the surface of the moon, streaming from a cassette player that Buzz Aldrin carried with him during the Apollo 11 mission.
Bad Moon Rising – Creedence Clearwater Revival
A fun jam (though surprisingly ominous) that led to one of my favorite misheard lyrics (“There’s a bathroom on the right”).
Moondance – Van Morrison
Such a fantastic groove and the best jazz flute this side of Ron Burgandy.
Moon River – Audrey Hepburn/Andy Williams
I’ve included two versions of this song because each has its own special place in my pop culture-loving heart. Hepburn’s version is a beautiful moment that stands out against some controversial ones in the film (changing the sexuality of George Peppard’s character, Mickey Rooney’s amazingly racist performance).
The Andy Williams version is here so I can include one of my favorite moments from The Simpsons.
“Moon Theme” – Ducktales
An iconic piece of 8-bit music from one of the greatest NES games. The song made an appearance in an episode of the new Ducktales cartoon, which may be the greatest reboot of any TV show ever. But that’s a Fivorite for another day.
