Eclipse playlist: Enjoy these 24 sun and moon songs
The Cape Fear region will soon see a partial eclipse, and the StarNews has you covered with plenty of eclipse content in advance of the event on Monday, April 8. It's enough to cover the sun without the moon's help.
That being said, here's more! Let's get into an eclipse-like mood with a sun, moon and eclipse music playlist. Since we're in 2024, I've curated 24 songs that incorporate these three words. I could've found 2,024 songs, but who's got time for that?
Wait, don't threaten me with a good time.
If you want to listen to these tunes in one spot, a spoiler alert: There's a Spotify playlist attached at the end. You'll see some YouTube videos, too.
All right, here goes:
Sun
The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore -- Walker Brothers
So, they weren't brothers, and their last names weren't Walker. The group didn't even write this song. But this song's title is correct when it comes to an eclipse, right? However, the song speaks to a love that's not shining, well, anymore.
Staring At The Sun - U2
I respect artists who step away from their comfort zone and stretch out their musical muscles. U2 went that route with its "Pop" album, which stepped away from its 80s rock roots and toward techno and dance beats.
As far as this song's title, I wouldn't recommend doing it Monday without approved glasses.
Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden
The first CD I bought was "Superunknown" by Soundgarden (until 1993 I was just happy to have a cassette player), and this song became a major hit with an awesome music video.
Ain't No Sunshine - Bill Withers
It's not warm when the moon's in the way.
Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - Elton John
'Cause losing everything is like the moon going down on the sun. Think I heard that wrong. But I'll take royalties from that remix.
Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles
George Harrison, the "quiet Beatle," put this one together.
The Warmth Of The Sun - The Beach Boys
Written around the time of the Kennedy assassination, Mike Love and Brian Wilson penned this melancholy masterpiece with harmonies only the Boys could achieve.
Island In The Sun - Weezer
Playing and having fun during the eclipse. Again, with the proper eyewear.
Sundown - Gordon Lightfoot
Seeing an eclipse can be cool, but again, "take care" of your eyes.
Miniature Sun - XTC
The first cassette I ever bought had this song on an album called "Oranges and Lemons." I was 8 years old and was proud to listen to more obscure music than kids my age in the late 1980s. The big hit from this XTC album was "Mayor of Simpleton," which I first saw on, yes, MTV. Music television, who knew?
Blame It On The Sun - Stevie Wonder
But of course: It's not the moon's fault. Maybe it's the sun that should get out of the moon's way. Alas, even Stevie realizes it's really him to blame for love lost.
Solar eclipse in Wilmington: Weather appears promising for viewing Monday
Moon
New Moon On Monday - Duran Duran
I moved to Wilmington weeks before the 2017 N.C. Azalea Festival. One of the concerts featured Duran Duran, and I missed it. My loss.
Man On The Moon - R.E.M.
I wonder how Andy Kaufman would do comedy these days.
Dancing In The Moonlight - King Harvest
That opening keyboard riff gets me every time. How can you not feel warm and bright?
Moondance - Van Morrison
Something about the moon makes people want to dance.
Bad Moon Rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival
John Fogerty had that devious moon all figured out.
Moonlight Feels Right - Starbuck
This one-hit wonder takes you back to those soft rock, AM radio days of the 1970s.
Moon River - Andy Williams
A who's who have performed this song. Jerry Butler. Audrey Hepburn. Louis Armstrong. Aretha Franklin. OK, I think you get it. From Frank Sinatra to Frank Ocean, it's a bona fide classic. If I'm picking the best of the best, then that version comes from the great crooner Andy Williams.
Neon Moon - Brooks & Dunn
The whole world turns...bluuuuuu. I love that line.
Harvest Moon - Neil Young
Let's start a new group: Sun, Moon, Eclipse and Young.
Walking On The Moon - The Police
Might get burned walking on the sun blocking side of it.
Eclipse
Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler
Reckon this is the solar eclipse anthem.
Sun On The Moon - James Taylor
JT is best known for his 1970s hits, but he was still going strong in the 1980s. Try this tune for starters. I'd recommend his live version from the early '90s. Guess "Moon On The Sun" would put this in the eclipse section, but maybe this works. Or his album "New Moon Shine."
Eclipse - Pink Floyd
This should count twice, since it wraps up the iconic "Dark Side Of The Moon" album. Can't think of a more apropos ending to the song for the current situation: "But the sun is eclipsed by the moon."
Alas, the show must go on. But that's for another album.
Honorable mention: Moonage Daydream - David Bowie; Howlin' At The Moon - Hank Williams Sr.; Blue Moon - The Marcels; Fly Me To The Moon - Frank Sinatra; Sunflowers - Everclear; Walking On Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves; Sunshine Of Your Love - Cream; Eclipse - John Denver
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Top sun and moon songs for your eclipse playlist on April 8