A former staff writer for PolyGram Publishing in Nashville, Pettis' musical career was started in 1979 when Joan Baez covered his song, "Song at the End of the Movie", on her album Honest Lullaby. Following that release, Pettis became heavily involved in the "Fast Folk movement" in New York in the 1980s alongside artists such as Shawn Colvin and Suzanne Vega.
In 1984, Pettis released his first independent solo album, Moments, followed by a string of releases for High Street Records; While the Serpent Lies Sleeping, Tinseltown and Chase the Buffalo. None of these releases have made Pettis a household name, but his music has become extremely popular with other artists. His songs have been covered by artists like Dar Williams ("Family" on Mortal City), Garth Brooks ("You Move Me" on Sevens), Dion & the Belmonts, Sara Groves, Randy Stonehill and others.
In the early 1990s, Pettis developed a working relationship with songwriter and producer Mark Heard. Pettis was performing with Heard at the Cornerstone Festival in July of 1992, when Heard had a heart attack on stage. Heard finished the show, but collapsed off-stage afterwards and died the following August. That loss led to the start of a tradition for Pettis, who has started off each of his albums with one of Heard's songs since 1993's Chase the Buffalo, where he recorded Heard's "Nod Over Coffee". Other Heard covers include "Satellite Sky" (1996's Making Light of It), "Tip of My Tongue" (1998's Everything Matters), "Rise from the Ruins" (2001's State of Grace) and "Another Day in Limbo" (2004's Great Big World.) Pettis also appeared on a 1994 tribute to Heard entitled Strong Hand of Love.
In 1996, Pettis signed on with Compass Records and released Making Light of It, produced by David Miner (T-Bone Burnett, Elvis Costello), and featuring Derri Daugherty and Steve Hindalong of The Choir.
Two years later Everything Matters was released, produced by Grammy award winning Gordon Kennedy (who is best known for co-writing Eric Clapton's "Change the World.") Pettis followed that release with State of Grace in 2001, which featured cover art by the late southern folk artist Howard Finster.
2001 saw Pettis' most regionally oriented album, State of Grace released. 2004's Great Big World record saw Pettis collaborating with a number of other songwriters. In 2009 That Kind of Love included less of a regional focus. 2013 saw Pettis, along with Tom Kimmel and Kate Campbell, form the New Agrarians and release a debut album on the independent Due South label.
2019 saw the release of his album "Father's Son".
Pettis tours frequently, alternating between solo shows, concerts with the New Agrarians, and a double bill with his daughter Grace Pettis.
Moontown
Pierce Pettis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's the time I like to sit outside
Heaven is a place that everybody here believes in
We have every reason-in Moontown
Moontown
You don't have to wait for good times
To come 'round
Come falling down
We'll just pick 'em up like
Pennies from the ground
Here in Moontown
Tourists stop for gas
All heading southbound for Orlando
Wondering how we could ever stand it here
Stuck in this dry county, no Budweiser
No Black Label
But we can dream you under the table
Here in Moontown
Been all the way to Birmingham
And even to Atlanta
I've seen the way the lights shine at night
But the city never sleeps
No, not like we do here
Where peace falls like a blanket from the sky
Over Moontown...
Repeat Chorus
The song Moontown by Pierce Pettis is a view into the rural town where he resides. He starts by painting a vivid picture of the hills that turn indigo at twilight, which is his favorite time of the day to sit outside. The people of Moontown believe in heaven, and they have every reason to feel like they are in it. Pierce Pettis is proud to call Moontown home, and in this town, they don't have to wait for good times to come around as they are always living in the moment. Moontowners can pick up falling shooting stars like pennies from the ground, which is a testament to the serenity and beauty of the town.
He then touches on the fact that tourists who stop for gas on their way to Orlando wonder how Moontown residents can stand living in a dry county, with no Budweiser or Black Label. However, Pierce Pettis feels that the residents can dream the tourists under the table. He has traveled to Birmingham and Atlanta and seen how the city lights shine at night, but the city never sleeps like Moontown residents. Peace falls like a warm blanket from the sky over Moontown, and that's the kind of beauty and serenity that cannot be found in the city.
Overall, the song Moontown by Pierce Pettis celebrates the beauty of slow, simple living in a rural town. The indigo hills, the falling shooting stars, and the peace that falls like a blanket from the sky are all metaphors for an uncomplicated life that isn't about hurry or hustle. Moontown is not just a physical place, but it is a state of being that reflects contentment, happiness, and joy.
Line by Line Meaning
Every day these hills all turn to indigo at twilight
At dusk, the hills here become a stunning shade of blue and that's when I love relaxing outside.
That's the time I like to sit outside
When it gets to be twilight, I enjoy being outdoors.
Heaven is a place that everybody here believes in
Most everyone around here is religious and thinks of heaven often.
We have every reason-in Moontown
We are very content living here in Moontown.
Moontown
This wonderful place we call home, Moontown.
You don't have to wait for good times
You don't need to wait for a special occasion to enjoy life here in Moontown.
To come 'round
To happen or occur.
When all the shooting stars
During those rare moments of good fortune or magical occurrences.
Come falling down
Appear or arrive suddenly.
We'll just pick 'em up like
We will seize the moment without hesitation or delay.
Pennies from the ground
Like finding a surprise treasure or gift.
Here in Moontown
This is the way we live in Moontown.
Tourists stop for gas
People passing through pause here only briefly to fuel up their vehicles.
All heading southbound for Orlando
Most motorists are traveling to the amusement park city of Orlando.
Wondering how we could ever stand it here
They can't understand why anyone would want to live in such an uneventful place.
Stuck in this dry county, no Budweiser
There are no alcoholic beverages available for purchase in this area.
No Black Label
An unfamiliar type of beer that is not available here.
But we can dream you under the table
Although we don't have the excitement you may be used to, we have highly active imaginations that make up for it.
Been all the way to Birmingham
I have traveled to Birmingham in the past.
And even to Atlanta
Not only have I visited Birmingham, I have also gone to Atlanta.
I've seen the way the lights shine at night
I have observed how beautiful the illuminated cityscapes are when the sun goes down.
But the city never sleeps
The hustle and bustle of the city is continuous without any quiet or still moments.
No, not like we do here
Here, in contrast, tranquility descends upon us at nighttime and we are able to sleep soundly.
Where peace falls like a blanket from the sky
The calmness we experience feels like a soft, protective, and warm covering all around us.
Over Moontown...
This peaceful scene only occurs in Moontown--our beloved home.
Repeat Chorus
The chorus is repeated.
Contributed by Tyler K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.