Any Major Moon
To mark the 50th anniversary of the first moonlanding, here’s a collection of songs about the moon. Some of them are actually about the moon, upon which Whitey walked; others use the lunar phenomenon that governs our tides as a metaphor. Of course, I could have filled several mixes on this theme.
My memories of the moonlanding… Nothing. I was three years old. I do vaguely recall my surprise at learning at some point in my childhood that men had walked on the moon — which, contrary to literary references I had at hand, was not made of cheese. If, however, there are people who think the moon is, in fact, a dairy product — and voting patterns in democracies around the world seem to suggest that there are many such people — I’d be happy to furnish them with my literary reference, even at the danger that it might be too highbrow for them, so that they can prove their point.
Anyway, for the first few years of my life, I was unaware of that great accomplishment on 20 July 1969, when Neil Armstrong had to take snapshots of Buzz Aldrin, regretting that the selfie culture was still four decades away (to the pedants reading this: yes, I am aware that selfies were not really an option, since the camera was affixed to the astronaut’s spacesuit. And, yes, Armstrong sort of did take a selfie thanks to the reflection in Aldrin’s helmet).
I suppose I missed the last moon landings in 1972, even though by then I was not ignorant of current affairs and have a clear memory of many news events that year. I suppose moon landings were not big news any longer.
There is talk of sending men back to the moon. It’s a stupid idea, also for reasons Gil Scott-Heron succinctly states on this mix.
So, what are your moon landing stories?
As always, the mix is timed to fit on a standard CD-R, home moonlit covers. PW in comments.
1. The Waterboys – The Whole Of The Moon (1985)
2. Police – Walking On The Moon (1979)
3. AC/DC – What’s Next To The Moon (1978)
4. Thin Lizzy – Dancing In The Moonlight (1977)
5. Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band – Shame On The Moon (1982)
6. Bobby Womack – Everyone’s Gone To The Moon (1969)
7. Grady Tate – Moondance (1974)
8. Adam Wade – Shine On Silver Moon (1977)
9. Gil Scott-Heron – Whitey On The Moon (1974)
10. The Holmes Brothers – Bad Moon Rising (2007)
11. John Prine – The Moon Is Down (2005)
12. Lyle Lovett – Moon On My Shoulder (1994)
13. The Lilac Time – The Last Man On The Moon (2001)
14. Nick Drake – Pink Moon (1971)
15. Rumer – Moon River (2011)
16. Agnetha Fältskog – Fly Me To The Moon (2004)
17. Fairground Attraction – The Moon Is Mine (1988)
18. Everything But The Girl – Shadow On A Harvest Moon (1988)
19. Sandie Shaw – No Moon (1967)
20. Stackridge – To The Sun And Moon (1974)
21. Neil Young – Harvest Moon (1992)
22. George Harrison – Here Comes The Moon (1979)
23. Cookie Monster – If Moon Was Cookie (1983)
PW = amdwhah
Looks like a great mix as per usual. I look forward to diving in. I like the idea of a Moon mix, I may have to do some digging and see what mine would look like. Definitely some Glen Hansard and Eels, but maybe some Karen O. There are so many old standards built around the moon as well – Sinatra, Brother Ray, and the King Cole Trio did some classic ones that would be a fun mix as well.
Oh yes, one can make many great playlists on the subject.
Great selection by an eclecthical musical lover whit a fine taste, as always. I recommend you two great “moon tunes”: IMHO the most “rated X” soul song, “Moonlight Lovin’ (Ménage à trois)” by Isaac Hayes (from his “New Horizon” Polydor Lp, 1977); the other is pure poetry by the singer-songwriter and keyboards player with unique falsetto voice Angelo Bond, “Reach For The Moon (Poor People)” from his ABC album “Bondage”, 1976.
Salut!
John Stewart (ex-Kingston Trio) had a song that referenced the Apollo mission directly, “Armstrong”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiDc9S0zIdM
Just wondering: why is there no Moonraker on the compilation?