In 2006, Arthur's song "In the Sun" was covered by Michael Stipe (of R.E.M.) and Coldplay singer Chris Martin. Released for a Hurricane Katrina Relief program, the EP includes six versions of the cover, one of which has Arthur himself singing with Stipe.
Arthur established his own record label, Lonely Astronaut Records, in 2006, and released two studio albums, Let's Just Be (2007) and Temporary People (2008) with backing band The Lonely Astronauts. Arthur subsequently returned to performing and recording as a solo artist, releasing The Graduation Ceremony in 2011 and the double album, Redemption City in 2012.
Arthur is also an acclaimed painter and designer. His artwork has graced the sleeves of his entire discography; the sleeve design for his 1999 album entitled Vacancy was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package.
Honey & the Moon
Joseph Arthur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you weren't real I would make you up
Now
I wish that I could follow through
I know that your love is true
And deep
As the sea
But right now
And right now
All your dreams are waking up,
And right now
I wish I could follow you
To the shores
Of freedom,
Where no one lives.
Remember when we first met
And everything was still a bet
In love's game
You would call; I'd call you back
And then I'd leave
A message
On your answering
Machine
But right now
Everything is turning blue,
And right now
The sun is trying to kill the moon,
And right now
I wish I could follow you
To the shores
Of freedom,
Where no one lives
Freedom
Run away tonight
Freedom, freedom
Run away
Run away tonight
We're made out of blood and rust
Looking for someone to trust
Without
A fight
I think that you came too soon
You're the honey and the moon
That lights
Up my night
But right now
Everything you want is wrong,
And right now
All your dreams are waking up,
And right now
I wish that I could follow you
To the shores
Of freedom
Where no one lives
Freedom
Run away tonight
Freedom freedom
Run away
Run away tonight
We got too much time to kill
Like pigeons on my windowsill
We hang around
Ever since I've been with you
You hold me up
All the time I'm falling down
But right now
Everything is turning blue,
And right now
The sun is trying to kill the moon,
And right now
I wish i could follow you
To the shores
Of freedom
Where no one lives
Freedom
Run away tonight
Freedom freedom
Run away
Run away tonight
Joseph Arthur's song "Honey and the Moon" is a melancholic yet romantic exploration of the complexities of love. The song speaks of the fear of losing one's love, and the longing to be with their loved one at all costs. Arthur's lyrics speak of the desire to follow their love to the shores of freedom where no one lives. This could be interpreted as a willingness to leave behind the constraints of society and its expectations to be with one's love without any limitations.
The song begins with the fear of losing one's love and the desire to hold onto them even if they weren't real. This could suggest the desperation to keep one's love despite the fear that they might not actually be with them. The lyrics also speak of the inevitability of change and the uncertainty of whether their love will survive. The line "right now everything you want is wrong, and right now, all your dreams are waking up" suggests that their lover may be going through a transitional phase where their desires have changed or have evolved, and the singer is struggling to keep up with it.
The song's chorus speaks of an intense longing to be free with one's love. The lines "But right now, I wish I could follow you to the shores of freedom, Where no one lives" indicates that the singer desires to break free from societal expectations, and their love is the only way to do so. The song is a beautiful portrayal of the conflicting emotions that come with love, and the longing to be with that special someone despite the challenges that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't know why I'm still afraid
I'm unsure why I'm still nervous
If you weren't real I would make you up
You seem too perfect to be real
Now
Currently
I wish that I could follow through
I want to be able to commit to you
I know that your love is true
I believe your love for me is genuine
And deep
And heartfelt
As the sea
As immense as the ocean
But right now
Everything you want is wrong,
Currently, everything you desire isn't right
And right now
All your dreams are waking up,
Currently, all of your aspirations are coming to life
And right now
I wish I could follow you
To the shores
Of freedom,
Where no one lives.
Currently, I want to escape reality with you to a place where it's just us two.
Remember when we first met
And everything was still a bet
In love's game
Do you recall when we met and love was uncertain?
You would call; I'd call you back
And then I'd leave
A message
On your answering
Machine
We both would communicate over the phone, and I would leave a message on your answering machine.
But right now
Everything is turning blue,
And right now
The sun is trying to kill the moon,
And right now
I wish I could follow you
To the shores
Of freedom,
Where no one lives
Currently, everything seems to be going wrong and I want to escape with you to a serene location.
Freedom
Run away tonight
Freedom, freedom
Run away
Run away tonight
Let's escape the troubles of reality tonight, and be free.
We're made out of blood and rust
Looking for someone to trust
Without
A fight
As humans, we're imperfect and look for trustworthy relationships without conflict.
I think that you came too soon
You're the honey and the moon
That lights
Up my night
I think you came into my life too quickly, but you're the bright spot in my life that brings me happiness.
But right now
Everything you want is wrong,
And right now
All your dreams are waking up,
And right now
I wish that I could follow you
To the shores
Of freedom
Where no one lives
Currently, what you desire isn't right and your hopes are coming to life.
Freedom
Run away tonight
Freedom, freedom
Run away
Run away tonight
Again, let's run away tonight and escape reality.
We got too much time to kill
Like pigeons on my windowsill
We hang around
We have nothing to do but loiter around, like pigeons on a windowsill.
Ever since I've been with you
You hold me up
All the time I'm falling down
Since I've been with you, you've supported me through all of my difficult times.
But right now
Everything is turning blue,
And right now
The sun is trying to kill the moon,
And right now
I wish i could follow you
To the shores
Of freedom
Where no one lives
Currently, my world is falling apart and I want to run away to a peaceful location with you.
Freedom
Run away tonight
Freedom, freedom
Run away
Run away tonight
Once again, let's run away and be free from reality tonight.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOSEPH LYBURN ARTHUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chrisfeeney5814
This song makes me feel nostalgic for something I’ve never experienced.
@blissthefrog
Go find it.
@neelonghunglow
Ahh good old answering machines! I miss them myself...jk this song is great.
@kearneyojacobs5165
I’ve experienced it.
@1919ok1919
Your experiencing anemoia..
@arielinocencio5883
Thats actually American Pie Wedding, the scene where Jim and Michelle are walking through the hotel and beach, after Stifler fucked up the wedding flowers xD
@marieross3440
American 🥧 Wedding brought you here. AWESOME Song
@cowdray9013
What a beautiful song. I was watching American Pie the Wedding and heard a piece of this song. Googled it and now am here. Loving it.... ❤❤
@alexandrugabriel6375
Same 😊
@davidkariu2330
@@alexandrugabriel6375 same