Moondance (4:31)
634,107 plays (183,802 listeners)
“Moondance” is a popular song written by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison and is the title song on his 1970 album Moondance. It was not released as a single until 1977.
The song is played mostly acoustic, anchored by electric bass, with accompaniment by piano, guitar, saxophone, and flute with the instruments played with a soft jazz swing. It’s a song about autumn, the composer’s favorite season. Towards the end of the song, Morrison imitates a saxophone.
“Moondance” is the most frequently played song by Morrison in concert, as it is the only song known to have been played over 1,000 times.
Morrison on the writing of the song
With “Moondance” I wrote the melody first. I played the melody on a soprano sax and I knew I had a song so I wrote lyrics to go with the melody. That’s the way I wrote that one. I don’t really have any words to particularly describe the song, sophisticated is probably the word I’m looking for. For me, “Moondance” is a sophisticated song. Frank Sinatra wouldn’t be out of place singing that.
In the media
“Moondance” is one of the moon-themed songs used in An American Werewolf in London, a comedy-horror film released in 1981.
This song is featured in the 2007 movie, August Rush as performed by Jonathan Rhys Meyers with Robin Williams playing harmonica and also features an instrumental version by Chris Botti.
“Moondance” is one of the songs featured on the compilation album Michael Parkinson: My Life In Music, which is a 2-disc CD of Michael Parkinson’s favorite songs.
Acclaim
The song is played mostly acoustic, anchored by electric bass, with accompaniment by piano, guitar, saxophone, and flute with the instruments played with a soft jazz swing. It’s a song about autumn, the composer’s favorite season. Towards the end of the song, Morrison imitates a saxophone.
“Moondance” is the most frequently played song by Morrison in concert, as it is the only song known to have been played over 1,000 times.
Morrison on the writing of the song
With “Moondance” I wrote the melody first. I played the melody on a soprano sax and I knew I had a song so I wrote lyrics to go with the melody. That’s the way I wrote that one. I don’t really have any words to particularly describe the song, sophisticated is probably the word I’m looking for. For me, “Moondance” is a sophisticated song. Frank Sinatra wouldn’t be out of place singing that.
In the media
“Moondance” is one of the moon-themed songs used in An American Werewolf in London, a comedy-horror film released in 1981.
This song is featured in the 2007 movie, August Rush as performed by Jonathan Rhys Meyers with Robin Williams playing harmonica and also features an instrumental version by Chris Botti.
“Moondance” is one of the songs featured on the compilation album Michael Parkinson: My Life In Music, which is a 2-disc CD of Michael Parkinson’s favorite songs.
Acclaim
Video
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Albums featuring this track
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Best of Van Morrison
Van Morrison Buy- Download Album
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Moondance
Van MorrisonBuy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $9.90
- 7digital $7.77
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- Buy Album
- Amazon $23.73
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The Best of Van Morrison
Van Morrison Buy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 Search
- 7digital Search
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- Buy Album
- Amazon $39.87
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The Jazz Album 2003 (disc 1)
Various Artists Buy- Download Album
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Shouts
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AylaQuark wrote:
"Morrison and Frampton always worth a smile"
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AylaQuark wrote:
:0) classic grooves, worthy of listening to again and again through the years
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henriette77 wrote:
Van swinging
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JadeFraga wrote:
amo essa música! tem uma versão dela no filme O Som do Coração! *----------*
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gerstar48 wrote:
j'mmmmmmmmmmmmm
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rock2dream wrote:
mm im in love. totally playing this on the piano. totally going to the bars and clubs and watching people dance. WITH YOU, MY LOVE.
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brooklynboy99 wrote:
Who ever doesn't like...nay, love this song, is dead in the heart. Eric Clapton may be God, Van is The Man.
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Fester64 wrote:
Fantabulous!!
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bigjackd wrote:
love it ..............................
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MadameJ0Y wrote:
breath-taking..
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brisafresca wrote:
Genial..
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MCMelone66 wrote:
...Can I just have one a' more Moondance with you, my love
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rosebudz wrote:
lovely moonlight out there tonight.....
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DoomOrBeDoomed wrote:
Really great song! One of the best by Van Morrison.
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leysh wrote:
so hits the spot when in the right mood..now and then it just opens everything up oh yes
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devilboy13666 wrote:
pure romance i love this track it really moves me
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Flenkster wrote:
love this song
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scottlarue wrote:
Van is still the man !!!!
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SameLameName wrote:
It's 1 AM. I think it's a marvelous night for a moondance.
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Scud49 wrote:
Can't put into words how much I love Van and his music
Van Morrison
Moondance
full track
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SASA307, ThomasVreeland, Corduroy18 and 4 other people loved Van Morrison – Moondance. 48 minutes ago
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