Cross released his debut album, 'Christopher Cross', in 1979, and it garnered him five Grammy Awards. He's the only artist in history to receive all of the "Big Four" Grammy Awards (for 'Best Record', 'Best Song', 'Best Album', and 'Best New Artist') in the same year. Hits from the critically acclaimed album, along with "Sailing" (a number one hit that remained within Billboard's Top 40 for over three months), include "Ride Like the Wind" (which was a #2 hit), "Never Be the Same" (going to #15), and "Say You'll Be Mine" (rising to #20). Critics such as Allmusic's Mike DeGagne have lauded Cross' " crisp and colorful" songwriting and "soothing voice".
Labeled as possibly having 'peaked too early' as time went on, Cross proved the doubters wrong with another number one hit in "Arthur's Theme" (also known as "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"). A part of the Dudley Moore film 'Arthur', the track, as stated before, won him the Academy Award for Best Song in 1981 alongside co-composers Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Peter Allen. Although his popularity has waxed and waned over the years since his 70s heyday, Cross has earned a reputation as one of the key artists playing what would become known as "yacht rock" alongside contemporaries such as Loggins & Messina.
Arthur's Theme
Christopher Cross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone that turns your heart around
And next thing you know you're closing down the town
Wake up and it's still with you
Even though you left her way across town
Wondering to yourself, "Hey, what've I found?"
When you get caught between the moon and New York City
If you get caught between the moon and New York City
The best that you can do
The best that you can do is fall in love
Arthur he does as he pleases
All of his life, he's mastered choice
Deep in his heart, he's just, he's just a boy
Living his life one day at a time
And showing himself a really good time
Laughing about the way they want him to be
When you get caught between the moon and New York City
I know it's crazy, but it's true
If you get caught between the moon and New York City
The best that you can do (the best that you can do)
The best that you can do is fall in love
When you get caught between the moon and New York City
I know it's crazy, but it's true
If you get caught between the moon and New York City
The best that you can do (the best that you can do)
The best that you can do is fall in love
When you get caught between the moon and New York City
I know it's crazy, but it's true
If you get caught between the moon and New York City
The best that you can do (the best that you can do)
The best that you can do is fall in love
When you get caught between the moon and New York City
(I know it's crazy)
Christopher Cross's song Arthur's Theme is about falling in love and experiencing overwhelming emotions that leave you feeling caught between two worlds. The opening lyrics describe the feeling of finding someone that turns your heart around and the initial rush of excitement that comes with being with that person. The singer has fallen for someone he has left across town, yet he can't shake the feeling of their presence. The lyrics "Even though you left her way across town/Wondering to yourself, 'Hey, what've I found?'" express the confusion that comes with falling in love unexpectedly.
As the song progresses, the chorus repeats the line "When you get caught between the moon and New York City," which metaphorically describes the feeling of being torn between two worlds. New York City represents the fast-paced, exciting lifestyle that comes with being young and in love, while the moon represents the mysterious, intangible aspects of a relationship that are difficult to understand. The lyrics encourage the listener to embrace these feelings and the uncertainty that comes with them, urging them to "fall in love" despite the ambiguity.
The second verse focuses on the character Arthur, who is described as someone who does as he pleases and lives life one day at a time. The line "Deep in his heart, he's just, he's just a boy" suggests that Arthur is not much different from the singer who is struggling with his own feelings. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the idea that falling in love is the best thing you can do when you feel caught between two worlds.
Line by Line Meaning
Once in your life, you find her
At some point in one's lifetime, they come across a special person
Someone that turns your heart around
This person has an effect on one's feelings that is profound
And next thing you know you're closing down the town
Being with this person makes one feel like the only two people in the world
Wake up and it's still with you
Even after leaving this person and going home, a lingering feeling remains
Even though you left her way across town
This person might not be physically close but she is always on one's mind
Wondering to yourself, 'Hey, what've I found?'
One questions how they got so lucky to find someone this special
Arthur he does as he pleases
Arthur lives his life the way he wants
All of his life, he's mastered choice
Arthur has always had the ability to make choices and has become skilled at it
Deep in his heart, he's just, he's just a boy
Despite his maturity and wise decision-making, Arthur is still youthful at heart
Living his life one day at a time
Arthur chooses to live life in the present without worrying too much about the future
And showing himself a really good time
Arthur enjoys life and makes sure to have fun
Laughing about the way they want him to be
Arthur does not conform to societal expectations and instead, follows his own path
When you get caught between the moon and New York City, I know it's crazy, but it's true
When one is caught between impossible choices or situations, it may seem impossible but it is a reality
If you get caught between the moon and New York City, the best that you can do (the best that you can do)
When facing an insurmountable decision or dilemma, the best option is to try your best
The best that you can do is fall in love
In the face of adversity, love can be a source of comfort and strength
When you get caught between the moon and New York City
Reiterating that impossible situations can indeed happen and it is important to make the best of them
(I know it's crazy)
Acknowledging that these situations may seem absurd or irrational
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Burt Bacharach, Christopher Cross, Peter Woolnough Allen, Carole Bayer Sager
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davepruyn8703
Once in your life you'll find her
Someone who turns your heart around
And next thing you know
You're closin' down the town
Wake up and she's still with you
Even though you left her way across town
You're wonderin' to yourself
Hey what've I found
[Chorus]
When you get caught between the moon and New York City
I know it's crazy but it's true
If you get caught between the moon and New York City
The best that you can do (the best that you can do)
The best that you can do is fall in love
Arthur he does what he pleases
All of his life his master's toys
And deep in his heart
He's just he's just a boy
Livin' his life one day at a time
He's showing himself a really good time
He's laughin' about the way
They want him to be
[Chorus]
@jrsmom7961
Christopher Cross and his music transport me back in time to when I was small and I’m reminded of the people who are now gone. So many memories! His music has always sounded good and he’s extremely underrated, in my opinion!
@leonardomolnarcobo9760
Underrated but masterpiece
@MagnusHistorae
The moment the first note is struck, good memories of early 1980s comes rushing in... I miss the 80's really.
@AMMAZZARE
Yeah man same. It’s a painful feeling though. It’s all been lost.
@rickyrubio7934
It was such a good time!
@janedow1319
I've played this song 12 times just tonight. Love it.
@Xayjohns
It's an awesome song. It really is.
@shadowmixx
Christopher Cross' harmony on this track is heaven. I would have loved to have been in the studio when this was recorded and mixed. 🎧
@arturogo7
Dudley Moore inmortalizado junto a una de las mejores piezas musicales jamás creadas. La amo 🥰
@marywilliams5712
Dudley was a guy…whos her?