Moonlight

Ciao! This week’s theme is “Moonlight” and our first song is Blue Moon of Kentucky by Elvis Presley from 1957.

Mr. Moonlight is a song written by Roy Lee Johnson and originally recorded by Dr. Feelgood and the Interns. The song is best known for being covered by the Beatles on the 1964 albums “Beatles for Sale” in the UK and “Beatles '65” in the US, which reached number 85.

Now let’s listen to “Luna” by Gianni Togni from 1980. “Luna” means “moon”, but in this case he is singing to a girl named Luna.

Next up we have “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” by LeAnn Rimes. It is the theme song of the film Coyote Ugly. Released as a single in late August of 2000, the song reached the top 10 in 19 European countries, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, reached number 1 in 12 of those countries, and became Australia's best-selling single of 2001. In the United States, a different mix of the song peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2002.

Our next song is “Moondance” by Van Morrison from 1970.

1976 was a great year for love songs, and here is one of my favorites from that year, “Moonlight Feels Right” by Starbuck.

Now let’s listen to “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra from 1964.

Next up is “E La Luna Bussò” by Loredana Bertè from 1979. The title of the song means “and the moon knocked”, and it’s about the moon knocking on the door and the darkness responding that the moon cannot enter, and so the moon goes other places trying to enter, and finally shines where it is needed and where there is love.

Next we have Billie Holliday with a cover of "Blue Moon" from her 1952 album Billie Holiday Sings.

“Dancing in the Moonlight” was written by Sherman Kelly, and was originally recorded in 1970 by Kelly's band. It was then released as a single by the French-American rock band King Harvest in 1972, reaching number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Now let’s listen to “Song About the Moon” by Paul Simon from 1983. The lyrics are very poetic, beginning with, “If you want to write a song about the moon, Walk along the craters of the afternoon

when the shadows are deep and the light is alien, and gravity leaps like a knife off the pavement”.

Here is “Non Voglio Mica La Luna” by Fiordaliso from 1987. The title means “I’m not asking for the moon”, and she says she just wants a little affection, and a little time for herself.

“Talking to the Moon” is a song by American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars from his 2010 debut studio album. It is a pop and R&B power ballad about a failed relationship, solitude, and sadness. The song received mixed reviews from music critics, but was a commercial success, certified twice platinum by the RIAA.

Next we have “Moon at the Window” by Joni Mitchell from 1982.

And now “Dillo alla Luna” by Vasco Rossi from 1988. The title means “tell it to the moon”. It’s a song about breaking up, and he says “look at me when you’re talking to me, look reality in the face” but then he says “if there is something wrong, tell it to the moon, maybe it will bring you luck”.

Next up we have “Walking on the Moon” by The Police from 1979.

Be sure to tune in every week for a new episode of Love Songs, featuring host Marcy Coate. See the sidebar for current broadcast days and times.