Fly me to the moon: 10 lunar tunes that’ll send you into orbit

Space and the moon continue to fascinate. While waiting for commercial lunar shuttles, one can appreciate the vast catalogue of moon music. These ten tracks span decades and genres.

Put down the oxygen tank. These lunar tunes are guaranteed to launch you into orbit.

Karen O, The Moon Song

This track featured in the 2013 film Her. It is a haunting and gentle piece. Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs delivers a vocal performance that is difficult to ignore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGaKPhOPYGM

Bob Dylan, Under The Red Sky

A boy, a girl and the man in the moon. This is nineties Dylan singing the blues in a nursery rhyme style. It is simple and effective.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcNoN6EDLqw&spfreload=10

Billy Murray, By the Light of the Silv’ry Moon

This recording dates back to 1910. It is a century old. Fans of Boardwalk Empire will recognise the tune. It captures the barbershop quartet aesthetic perfectly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZkV3wof5Xk#t=47

Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bad Moon Rising

This is an obvious choice for a reason. The track is excellent. It also appeared on the soundtrack for An American Werewolf in London (1981), which remains one of the best monster movies produced.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3hHbpCdRt8&spfreload=10

Nick Drake, Pink Moon

This is a standout lunar track. It features only an acoustic guitar, a touch of piano and a quiet voice. The track is low key and unforgettable. Drake died only a few months after its release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaTNFZ8g–M&spfreload=10

The Flaming Lips, Everyone’s Gone To The Moon

This is a cover of Jonathan King’s 1965 hit. It suits the spacey voice of Wayne Coyne and the band’s ethereal sound. It is a poppy and effective rendition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29YK3aBmHm0&spfreload=10

Neil Young, Harvest Moon

This title track marked Young’s return to his acoustic roots. It is a chilled serenade. The accompanying video features a barn dance that is sweet and jaunty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2MtEsrcTTs&spfreload=10

Björk, Moon

The Icelandic singer included this on her 2011 multi-media album, Biophilia. The song focuses on lunar cycles. The album also contains tracks titled Solstice and Dark Matter for those seeking more extraterrestrial sounds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br2s0xJyFEM&spfreload=10

Radiohead, Sail to the Moon

Taken from the 2003 album Hail to the Thief. Thom Yorke is at his most soulful here. The light touch on guitar and piano contrasts with the electronic sounds of previous albums.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhiDJ9KqqqQ&spfreload=10

The B-52’s, There’s a Moon in the Sky

The lyrics state that there is a moon in the sky and it is called the moon. This is classic new wave. It combines kitschy lyrics with a punk aesthetic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTnKOLUGAtc&spfreload=10