The Killing Moon

Echo & the Bunnymen

About The Killing Moon

"The Killing Moon" is a song by the band Echo & the Bunnymen. It was released on 20 January 1984 as the lead single from their 1984 album, Ocean Rain. It is one of the band's highest-charting hits, reaching number nine in the UK Singles Chart, and often cited as the band's greatest song. Ian McCulloch has said: "When I sing "The Killing Moon", I know there isn't a band in the world who's got a song anywhere near that". In a retrospective review of the song, Allmusic journalist Stewart Mason wrote: "The smart use of strings amplifies the elegance of the tune, bringing both a musical richness and a sense of quiet dignity to the tune".  


Year:
2005
5:44
19 

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Under a blue moon I saw you 
So soon you'll take me 
Up in your arms 
Too late to beg you or cancel it 
Though I know it must be the killing time 
Unwillingly mine 

Fate 
Up against your will 
Through the thick and thin 
He will wait until 
You give yourself to him 

In starlit nights I saw you 
So cruelly you kissed me 
Your lips a magic world 
Your sky all hung with jewels 
The killing moon 
Will come too soon 

Fate 
Up against your will 
Through the thick and thin 
He will wait until 
You give yourself to him 

Under a blue moon I saw you 
So soon you'll take me 
Up in your arms 
Too late to beg you or cancel it 
Though I know it must be the killing time 
Unwillingly mine 

Fate 
Up against your will 
Through the thick and thin 
He will wait until 
You give yourself to him 

Fate 
Up against your will 
Through the thick and thin 
He will wait until 
You give yourself to him 
You give yourself to him 

Fate 
Up against your will 
Through the thick and thin 
He will wait until 
You give yourself to him 
You give yourself to him 

Fate 
Up against your will 
Through the thick and thin 
He will wait until 
You give yourself to him 

Fate 
Up against your will 
Through the thick and thin 
He will wait until 
You give yourself to him 

La la la la la

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Echo & the Bunnymen

Echo & the Bunnymen are an English post-punk band, formed in Liverpool in 1978. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Ian McCulloch, guitarist Will Sergeant and bass player Les Pattinson, supplemented by a drum machine. By 1980, Pete de Freitas joined as the band's drummer, and their debut album, Crocodiles, met with critical acclaim and made the UK Top 20. Their second album, Heaven Up Here (1981), again found favour with the critics and reached number 10 in the UK Album chart. The band's cult status was followed by mainstream success in the mid-1980s, as they scored a UK Top 10 hit with "The Cutter", and the attendant album, Porcupine (1983), reached number 2 in the UK. Their next release, Ocean Rain (1984), continued the band's UK chart success, a… more »

2 fans

Written by: Ian Stephen McCulloch, Leslie Thomas Pattinson, Peter Louis Vincent De Freitas, William Alfred Sergeant

Lyrics © Tratore, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Song Origin Fact
"The Killing Moon" is a staple song of the English post-punk band Echo & the Bunnymen, released in 1984.
Album Information Fact
This song is from the band's third studio album, 'Ocean Rain'.
Song Writing Fact
Band members Ian McCulloch, Will Sergeant, Pete de Freitas, and Les Pattinson wrote "The Killing Moon”.
Band's Claim Fact
McCulloch, the band’s vocalist, has gone so far as to claim that "The Killing Moon" is the greatest song ever written, marked by its distinctive melody and darkly, evocative lyrics.
Inspirational Fact
According to McCulloch, the song was written following a dream he had. He woke up one morning with the song's first line, ‘Fate up against your will’, in his head.
Strings Introduction Fact
The opening of the song, featuring the atmospheric sound of strings, has been widely praised and is often recognized as one of the most memorable introductions in pop music.
Chart Performance Fact
The song reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's highest-charting single to date.
Music Video Fact
The music video for the song is just as dramatic as the song itself, and it features the band members in various cinematic and surreal settings inspired by different eras.
Cultural Impact Fact
“The Killing Moon” has been covered by several artists, including Pavement, Nouvelle Vague, and Grant Lee Phillips.
Soundtrack Appearance Fact
The song made an iconic appearance in the opening of the 2001 film 'Donnie Darko', helping to cement its cultural importance.
Lyric Interpretation Fact
The lyrics are considered cryptic, with McCulloch using celestial and religious imagery. Many interpret the song to be about a struggle against fate or an impending sense of doom.
Legacy Fact
"The Killing Moon" continues to resonate with audiences and is often cited as the band's magnum opus.
Critical Acclaim Fact
In 2009, NME ranked the song at No. 4 on its list of the "Greatest Indie Anthems Ever".
Accolades Fact
Rolling Stone ranked the single at number 189 in its list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2010.
Usage in Media Fact
Besides film, the song has also been used in TV series such as 'Stranger Things,' '13 Reasons Why,' and 'Dead of Summer'.

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