Moonlight Shadow

Maggie Reilly, Mike Oldfield

About Moonlight Shadow

"Moonlight Shadow" is a song written and performed by English multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield, released as a single in May 1983 by Virgin Records, and included in the album Crises of the same year. The vocals were performed by Scottish vocalist Maggie Reilly, who had collaborated with Mike Oldfield since 1980. It is Oldfield's most successful single, reaching number one on a number of charts around Europe.


Year:
1985
3:36
341 
#3

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The first time ever she saw him
Carried away by a moonlight shadow
He passed on worried and warning
Carried away by a moonlight shadow
Lost in a riddle that Saturday night
Far away on the other side
He was caught in the middle of a desperate fight
And she couldn't find how to push through

The trees that whisper in the evening
Carried away by a moonlight shadow
Sing a song of sorrow and grieving
Carried away by a moonlight shadow
All she saw was a silhouette of a gun
Far away on the other side
He was shot six times by a man on the run
And she couldn't find how to push through

I stay, I pray
See you in heaven far away
I stay, I pray
See you in heaven one day

Four a.m. in the morning
Carried away by a moonlight shadow
I watched your vision forming
Carried away by a moonlight shadow
Stars roll slowly in a silvery night
Far away on the other side
Will you come to terms with me this night
But she couldn't find how to push through

I stay, I pray
See you in heaven far away
I stay, I pray
See you in heaven one day

Far away on the other side
Caught in the middle of a hundred and five
The night was heavy and the air was alive
But she couldn't find how to push through
Carried away by a moonlight shadow
Carried away by a moonlight shadow
Far away on the other side
But she couldn't find how to push through

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Mike Oldfield

Michael Gordon Oldfield (born 15 May 1953) is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature. He is best known for his 1973 hit album Tubular Bells, which launched Virgin Records, and for his 1983 hit single "Moonlight Shadow". He is also well known for his hit rendition of the Christmas piece "In Dulci Jubilo". more »

2 fans

Written by: Michael Oldfield

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Moonlight Shadow" Composition
The song was composed and produced by English multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield. Maggie Reilly performed the vocals.
Album Positioning
"Moonlight Shadow" is featured as the second single on Oldfield's 1983 album, "Crises."
Chart Achievement
Upon its release, the song achieved commercial success, reaching number 1 on multiple music charts across Europe.
Lyrics Interpretation
The lyrics of "Moonlight Shadow" are often thought to refer to the murder of John Lennon in 1980, however, Oldfield has denied this claim, stating the song is not linked to any specific real-life event.
Genre Classification
The song can be classified under the pop-rock and progressive rock genre, showcasing Oldfield's interest in creating unconventional song structures.
Musical Features
The song is notable for its distinctive, fast-paced guitar riff, one of Oldfield's characteristic musical elements.
Multi-Language Covers
"Moonlight Shadow" has been covered in different languages including French, German, and Japanese, highlighting its worldwide popularity.
Frequent Collaborators
Mike Oldfield and Maggie Reilly frequently collaborated together, with Reilly lending her voice to several of Oldfield's tracks in the 1980s.
Various Versions
Over the years, various versions and remixes of "Moonlight Shadow" have been created. This includes an acoustic version by Maggie Reilly, and a remix by techno group Groove Coverage.
Impact on Popular Culture
The song 'Moonlight Shadow' has left an imprint on popular culture, being used as a soundtrack in movies, television shows and even video games.
Song Duration
The original "Moonlight Shadow" song is 3 minutes and 38 seconds long.
Legacy
Decades after its release, "Moonlight Shadow" is still recognized as one of Oldfield's best-known hits and is regularly played on radio stations worldwide.

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