The Whole Of The Moon

The Waterboys

About The Whole Of The Moon

"The Whole of the Moon" is a song by the Waterboys which was released as a single from their album This Is the Sea in 1985. It is a classic of the band's repertoire and has been consistently played at live shows ever since its release. Written and produced by Mike Scott, the subject of the song has inspired some speculation. The single was not a big success when initially released in 1985, only making the lower ends of the chart, although it reached number 12 on the Australian chart. Subsequently, it became one of The Waterboys' best-known songs and their most commercially successful. It is arguably the band's signature song and was the Ivor Novello Award winner "Best Song Musically and Lyrically" in 1991. 


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I pictured a rainbow
You held it in your hands
I had flashes
But you saw the plan
I wandered out in the world for years
While you just stayed in your room
I saw the crescent
You saw the whole of the moon
The whole of the moon

Hmm, you were there in the turnstiles, with the wind at your heels
You stretched for the stars and you know how it feels to reach too high
Too far
Too soon
You saw the whole of the moon
I was grounded
While you filled the skies
I was dumbfounded by truth
You cut through lies
I saw the rain dirty valley
You saw Brigadoon
I saw the crescent
You saw the whole of the moon

I spoke about wings
You just flew
I wondered, I guessed and I tried
You just knew
I sighed
But you swooned, I saw the crescent
You saw the whole of the moon
The whole of the moon

(The whole of the moond) with a torch in your pocket and the wind at your heels
You climbed on the ladder and you know how it feels to get too high
Too far
Too soon
You saw the whole of the moon
The whole of the moon, hey yeah!

Unicorns and cannonballs, palaces and piers
Trumpets, towers and tenements
Wide oceans full of tears
Flags, rags ferryboats
Scimitars and scarves
Every precious dream and vision
Underneath the stars, yes, you climbed on the ladder
With the wind in your sails
You came like a comet
Blazing your trail too high
Too far
Too soon
You saw the whole of the moon

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The Waterboys

The Waterboys are a band formed in 1983 by Mike Scott. The band's membership, past and present, has been composed mainly of musicians from Scotland, Ireland and England. Edinburgh, London, Dublin, Spiddal, New York, and Findhorn have all served as homes for the group. The band has played in a number of different styles, but their music is a mix of Celtic folk music with rock and roll. After ten years of recording and touring, they dissolved in 1993 and Scott pursued a solo career. They reformed in 2000, and continue to release albums and tour worldwide. Scott emphasizes a continuity between The Waterboys and his solo work, saying that "To me there's no difference between Mike Scott and the Waterboys; they both mean the same thing. They mean myself and whoever… more »

2 fans

Written by: Michael Scott

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Song Information
"The Whole of the Moon" is a song by the British-Irish folk-rock band The Waterboys, which became one of their most popular releases.
Release Year
The song was first released as a single in 1985.
Album
The track was later included in their third studio album named 'This Is The Sea'.
Written By
The song was penned down by The Waterboys' lead vocalist and founding member Mike Scott.
Awards
The song was nominated for the Ivor Novello award, a prestigious British award honoring songwriting and composing.
Inspiration
Mike Scott has cited numerous inspirations for 'The Whole of the Moon', ranging from C.S. Lewis to Prince, but confessed the song is about 'unrealized potential'.
Music Style
It is distinctive for its soaring synths and trumpet work, which contrasts the band's earlier 'big music' sound.
Chart Performance
It initially reached number 26 in the UK charts in 1985. However, it re-entered the charts in 1991 and peaked at number 3.
Cover Versions
Notable cover versions of the song have been performed by artists such as Prince and Fiona Apple.
Use in Media
The song has been notably featured in TV shows like 'Miami Vice' and films like 'Goodbye Christopher Robin'.
Band Lineup
In addition to Mike Scott, The Waterboys at the time of this song's release included Karl Wallinger, Steve Wickham, and Anthony Thistlethwaite.
Critical Reception
Critics have praised the song's lyrical complexity and epic sound, often highlighting it as a standout track in The Waterboys' discography.
Re-Release
The song was re-released as a single in 1991 following The Waterboys' greatest hits album 'The Best of The Waterboys 81–90', and enjoyed even greater success the second time around.
Live Performances
"The Whole of the Moon" has remained a staple of The Waterboys' live performances over the years.
Music Video
The music video for the song featured footage of The Waterboys performing in various locations, including on a Scottish loch and at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.

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