36 Songs About the Moon, from Fly Me to the Moon to Harvest Moon

What is the most famous song about the moon?

"Fly Me to the Moon" by Frank Sinatra is the most famous song about the moon, and "Moon River" from Breakfast at Tiffany's is close behind. In rock, "Harvest Moon" by Neil Young and "Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival are the classics, and "Talking to the Moon" by Bruno Mars is the modern favorite.

The most famous moon songs

1. "Fly Me to the Moon", Frank Sinatra: the swinging classic.
2. "Moon River", Andy Williams: the dreamy waltz from Breakfast at Tiffany's.
3. "Harvest Moon", Neil Young: a gentle love song for a long marriage.
4. "Moondance", Van Morrison: jazzy and romantic.
5. "Bad Moon Rising", Creedence Clearwater Revival: a cheerful song with an ominous message.
6. "Blue Moon", The Marcels: the doo-wop version everyone knows.
7. "Talking to the Moon", Bruno Mars: longing for someone far away.
8. "Man on the Moon", R.E.M.: a tribute to Andy Kaufman.
9. "Walking on the Moon", The Police: light and reggae-tinged.
10. "Moonshadow", Cat Stevens: an optimistic folk song.

Jazz and standards about the moon

11. "It's Only a Paper Moon", Ella Fitzgerald: about love making things real.
12. "Moonlight in Vermont", Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong: a quiet classic.
13. "Moonlight Serenade", Glenn Miller: the big-band love theme.
14. "Blue Moon", Billie Holiday: the original torch-song mood.
15. "Shine On, Harvest Moon": an old-time singalong from the early 1900s.
16. "How High the Moon", Les Paul and Mary Ford: a jazz standard.

Rock and pop songs about the moon

17. "Dancing in the Moonlight", King Harvest: easy and fun.
18. "The Killing Moon", Echo & the Bunnymen: dark and dramatic.
19. "Moonlight Shadow", Mike Oldfield featuring Maggie Reilly: an 80s classic.
20. "Brain Damage", Pink Floyd: from The Dark Side of the Moon.
21. "Eclipse", Pink Floyd: the album's closing song.
22. "Moon Over Bourbon Street", Sting: a moody night in New Orleans.
23. "Moonlight Feels Right", Starbuck: a 70s soft-rock hit.
24. "Moonlight", Ariana Grande: a sweet modern love song.
25. "Moon Song", Phoebe Bridgers: a quiet, aching indie song.

Country and folk songs about the moon

26. "Neon Moon", Brooks & Dunn: a heartbreak song in a honky-tonk.
27. "Pink Moon", Nick Drake: a short, haunting folk song.
28. "Blue Moon of Kentucky", Bill Monroe: the bluegrass classic Elvis also recorded.

Classical moonlight music

29. "Moonlight Sonata", Ludwig van Beethoven: the famous first movement.
30. "Clair de lune", Claude Debussy: the name means moonlight.
31. "Song to the Moon", from Dvořák's Rusalka: a soaring aria.

Moon songs for kids

32. "Hey Diddle Diddle": the cow jumped over the moon.
33. "I See the Moon": a traditional lullaby.
34. "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star": the night sky for little ones.
35. "Somewhere Out There", from An American Tail: about feeling close across a distance.
36. "Rainbow Connection", Kermit the Frog: dreamy and gentle.

"Moon River" also makes a lovely bedtime song; see our lullabies for more.

Songs for a full moon or an eclipse

For a full moon, eclipse or meteor-shower party, build a playlist around "Harvest Moon", "Bad Moon Rising", "Moondance", "Eclipse" and "Dancing in the Moonlight". Stargazers often finish with "Clair de lune" when the sky is darkest.

Sad songs about the moon

The moon is also a symbol of loneliness. "Talking to the Moon", Billie Holiday's "Blue Moon", "Neon Moon" and "Moon Song" sit with the feeling of missing someone who is far away.

Instrumental moon music

For background music, "Moonlight Sonata", "Clair de lune" and "Moonlight Serenade" set a calm, dreamy mood for dinner, reading or falling asleep. Piano and string covers of "Moon River" and "Fly Me to the Moon" also work beautifully during a wedding cocktail hour.

Moon songs for a wedding

For a first dance, "Harvest Moon", "Moondance" and "Fly Me to the Moon" are favorites, and "Dancing in the Moonlight" works for the party afterward. For more, see our lists of first dance songs and slow dance songs.

Songs about the moon and stars

For a night-sky playlist, pair the moon songs with "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star", "Somewhere Out There" and "Talking to the Moon". Many couples choose one of these for a stargazing proposal or an outdoor anniversary dinner, timed for a clear night with a bright moon.

Why is the moon in so many songs?

The moon is the one thing two people anywhere in the world can look at together, so it became a symbol of longing, distance and romance. It also changes every night, which makes it a natural image for time, moods and mystery. From Tin Pan Alley to modern indie, almost every generation has its own favorite moon song.

A song about your own night under the moon

If you had your first kiss under a full moon or got engaged on a starry night, a personalized song can turn that moment into music with your names and every detail you remember.

How to create a song about your story

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: jazz, acoustic, pop, country and more.
2. Add both of your names.
3. Share the moment and two more memories you want included.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Turn your night under the moon into a song: create a song and hear four previews for free.