The tail lights burn red
They were hotter than hell
And I've been long gone couldn't you tell

The smoke in the air
Couldn't hide my shame
Saw it lit up on that silver screen

And ah that full bellied moon she's a shinin' on me
Yeah she pulls on this heart like she pulls on the sea

And you came on strong like some running wave
And your beauty left me broke and hungry
Left me begging to the birds for a bone or an offering
Left me saying nothin', nothin', like I always say

And ahh that full bellied moon she's a shinin' on me
Yeah she pulls on this heart like she pulls on the sea

And those broken hearted lovers
They got nothing on me

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of "That Moon Song" by Gregory Alan Isakov sets the tone of the song as one of regret and longing. The singer, who seems to have left someone behind, describes seeing a car with its tail lights burning red, hotter than hell. This metaphorical heat could refer to the passion that the singer shared with their ex-partner. Despite being long gone, the singer wonders if their departure could be traced, though it's unclear whether they hope to be found or not. They continue to feel the weight of their actions as the smoke in the air reflects their shame, and they see their story displayed on the silver screen.

Line by Line Meaning

The tail lights burn red
The red lights from the car behind me are vivid and noticeable

They were hotter than hell
The lights were extremely bright and may have been blinding

And I've been long gone couldn't you tell
I've been gone for a while and it was evident

The smoke in the air
The airborne particles of smoke

Couldn't hide my shame
It was impossible to conceal my humiliation

Saw it lit up on that silver screen
My embarrassment was broadcasted for all to see

And ah that full bellied moon she's a shinin' on me
The moon is shining down on me with its body appearing to be full

Yeah she pulls on this heart like she pulls on the sea
The moon's gravitational pull is similar to how it influences the ocean's tide

And you came on strong like some running wave
You approached me with great intensity similar to a powerful and forceful wave

And your beauty left me broke and hungry
Your looks led to my emotional and physical exhaustion

Left me begging to the birds for a bone or an offering
I was so desperate that I resorted to begging the birds for a small favor

Left me saying nothin', nothin', like I always say
I was left speechless, which is common for me

And ahh that full bellied moon she's a shinin' on me
The moon is still brightly illuminating the area where I am standing

Yeah she pulls on this heart like she pulls on the sea
The moon continues to exert its magnetic force and influence on me

And those broken-hearted lovers
Individuals who have experienced heartbreak in their relationships

They got nothing on me
Their experiences cannot compare to the level of heartbreak that I am feeling

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Mike Modelle

on Time Will Tell

A Kansas wheat farmer wonders and worries about the price he will get for his bushels as they pour into some commercial silo.

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