Possessing a five-octave vocal range, Lewis built her reputation as a singer joining the British group Ferris Wheel in 1967. When the group disbanded in 1970, she went on to pursue a solo career.
A self-taught guitarist and keyboard player, Lewis was heavily influenced by Stevie Wonder and also drew inspiration from Joni Mitchell among others. With her blend of soul, folk, pop and reggae, she helped paved the way for today's artists like Des'ree and India.Arie.
After over a decade of non-stop touring, performing and recording, Lewis went on hiatus during the 1980s, spending over ten years in Los Angeles out of the public eye.
In 2003, Lewis appeared at the Glastonbury Festival. In 2006, she released the album, Live in Old Smokey, which featured a string of new songs and previously released ones that have been re-recorded. In the same year, she collaborated with Basement Jaxx.
In 2023, Lewis collaborated with UK folk-funk band The Paracosmos; their single "Earthling" featured additional vocals by Lewis.
Moon And I
Linda Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And cannot shine without him
So I, to live, must have a love
So strong, I cannot doubt him
If he is whole in heart and soul
I'll follow him wherever
If he is pure, then I'm secure
And we'll be one together
I do not want a saint, I want a man
With thoughts I'll love as well as woman can
And such a man I'll love until I die
We really need the sun
The moon and I
We really need the sun
The moon, the moon and I...
[instrumental]
Just as the sun must shine by day
In splendid isolation
So is the moon alone at night
In lonely imitation
I wonder why the poets try
To liken love to heaven
When love on earth has so much worth
For those to whom it's given
For you I am a part of life's design
And I can feel your heartbeat close to mine
We harmonize with land and sea and sky
We sing beneath the stars
My love and I
My stars have made us one
The moon and I
In Linda Lewis’s song “Moon and I,” the lyrics speak poetically about the importance of having a powerful romantic love that is the cornerstone of one's life. The lyrics start with the comparison of the moon, and how it’s dependent on the sun to shine. The singer says, “Just as the moon must have the sun and cannot shine without him, So I, to live, must have a love, so strong, I cannot doubt him.” This metaphor is used to indicate that just as the moon needs the sun equally to shine, a person needs a sincere and devoted love to live happily.
The singer further clarifies this idea by stating that she wants a man with whom she can harmonize perfectly. “If he is whole in heart and soul, I'll follow him wherever,” indicating that if her partner is the right type of person, she will require no other guarantee of a happy and joyful life. She is also looking for a man with whom she can share mutual respect and understanding. “I do not want a saint, I want a man with thoughts, I'll love as well as a woman can, And such a man I'll love until I die.” The lyrics also stress the idea that it's not just romantic love that is important to human happiness. Loving relationships with everyone in our lives are essential, even the ones we love deeply through land, sea, and sky, as depicted in the song's last lines, "we sing beneath the stars, my love and I, my stars have made us one, the moon, and I."
Line by Line Meaning
Just as the moon must have the sun
Just as the moon depends on the sun to exist and provide light,
And cannot shine without him
I too need love to live, and cannot thrive without it,
So I, to live, must have a love
A love so strong and unconditional that I cannot doubt its existence,
So strong, I cannot doubt him
If my love is whole in heart and soul, I will follow him anywhere,
If he is whole in heart and soul
As long as my love is pure, I will be secure and we will be united,
I'll follow him wherever
I do not want a perfect man, but one whose thoughts I can love like only a woman can,
If he is pure, then I'm secure
And I will love this man until I die because like the moon and sun, we need each other to thrive,
And we'll be one together
I do not want a saint, I want a man
With thoughts I'll love as well as woman can
And such a man I'll love until I die
We really need the sun
The moon and I
Just as the sun must shine by day
In splendid isolation
So is the moon alone at night
In lonely imitation
I wonder why the poets try
To liken love to heaven
When love on earth has so much worth
For those to whom it's given
For you I am a part of life's design
And I can feel your heartbeat close to mine
We harmonize with land and sea and sky
We really need the sun
My love and I
My stars have made us one
The moon and I
Contributed by Alexandra O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
truthtrumpsdumbness
One of my "desert island discs," without doubt. The marvellous Kenny Everett introduced me to this sublime piece of vocal and orchestration
Domino Falling
truthtrumpsdumbness Kenny did this for me too!
John Conway
Quite simply one of the most beautiful sounds I have ever heard.
Gerald Chare
A very special song. Pure quality. Known this song since it was first recorded but I've been playing it a lot lately. Do you know it sounds even better each playing. Perfection. I think you're right about G&S. They would have been totally bowled over by Miss Lewis's version as, it seems, we all are.
bebobdebob
I saw Linda Lewis at Baileys Nightclub in Watford back in the mid 1970's. It was a surprise for me as I wasn't really familiar with her and she had stood in at short notice for the original act that night appearing alone with only her guitar (no backing group). She just captivated the audience in that large space. One of my best live music memories. Absolutely brilliant.
atomik4568
I used to have this song and played it forever until the grooves wore out! Thank you for posting!
Derwentcub
This should have had more airplay. It's a beautiful song, treated with the respect only Linda can give x
sirrius8
Linda Lewis is one of the greatest singers this country has ever heard..There is a quality in her voice that is unique and makes her instantly recognisable. Where is she now, I wonder?
Dave Devon
Fantastic to hear Linda Lewis singing this song again. Simply wonderful. It is over 30 years since I heard it as a teenager and I still continue to be moved by it.
anohso
Simply majestic.