Jones settled in LA at the age of nineteen, doing the classic waiting tables stuff until she landed a recording contract with Warners. Her self-titled debut album in 1979 was a big success, as was the single, Chuck E.'s in Love, about her musician friend Chuck E. Weiss. At the 1980 Grammy Awards, she won a Grammy for Best New Artist, and also received four more nominations: for Record of the Year; Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female; Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female; and Song of the Year (for "Chuck E.'s in Love"). While none of her subsequent recordings achieved the same level of commercial success, Jones has continued releasing critically acclaimed albums that have explored a variety of sonic terrain from jazz standards to trip hop influenced works.
Jones' pursuit of jazz standards led to the recording of "The Moon Is Made of Gold" and "Autumn Leaves" for Rob Wasserman's album Duets in 1985. The latter track earned her another Grammy nomination. And in 1990, her duet with Dr. John, a cover of "Makin' Whoopee", earned the artist her second Grammy Award, this time in the category of Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group.
At the time of recording her debut album, Jones was in a romantic relationship with Tom Waits; she is the girl draped over the car on the cover of his 1978 album Blue Valentine.
Early in her career, Jones was known for her drinking and substance abuse. She eventually tempered those demons, and came to terms with herself, and her own uncertain spirituality, and has maintained respect of her musical peers.
She's devoted to her talents, beyond music, one of which is raising her teenage daughter, and has even run her own political website and made music critiquing the Bush administration. She is involved in left-wing politics and community activism, partly through her web community, Furniture for the People (http://www.furnitureforthepeople.com/).
A greatest hits collection on Rhino called The Duchess of Coolsville was released in 2005.
In 2007 she signed to New West Records releasing The Sermon On Exposition Blvd, a record exploring lyrical territory inspired by Lee Cantelon's 1991 book The Words, which attempted to translate Christ's teachings into a more accessible contemporary format. Cantelon's friend, Guitarist Peter Atanasoff was instrumental in the creation of the eventual record.
Discography
1979: Rickie Lee Jones – Warner Bros.
1981: Pirates – Warner Bros.
1983: Girl at Her Volcano (EP) – Warner Bros.
1984: The Magazine – Warner Bros.
1989: Flying Cowboys - Geffen
1991: Pop Pop - Geffen
1993: Traffic From Paradise - Geffen
1995: Naked Songs - Reprise
1997: Ghostyhead – Warner Bros.
2000: It's Like This - Artemis
2001: Live at Red Rocks - Artemis
2003: The Evening of My Best Day – V2
2005: Duchess of Coolsville - Rhino
2007: Sermon On Exposition Boulevard - New West
2009: Balm in Gilead
The Moon Is Made of Gold
Rickie Lee Jones Lyrics
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Moon14day-1985-600c
Rickie Lee Jones (1990)
Double Bass: Rob Wasserman (song collected in Rob Wasserman's album Duet)
Written by Rickie's father, Richard Jones, as a lullaby for her
Don't feel bad
Because the sun went down
The night has wealth untold
You just keep watching
And you soon will see
The moon is made of gold
And now the stars appear
And as they do
All heaven they unfold
Don't feel bad
Because the sun went down
The moon is made of gold
* (Oh you) See how the shadows
Enhanced by the light above
Dance in the night
As the breeze sigh
Soon you will be asleep
Into your dreams will creep
Visions of fairies
Flyin' through the sky
And one by one
Your dreams will all come true
Magic you behold
Don't feel bad
Because the sun went down
The moon is made of gold
(* repeat)
The night is magic
And the moon is made of gold
The poetic lyrics of Rickie Lee Jones' song "The Moon Is Made of Gold" are filled with imagery and metaphorical language to create an ambiance of hope and positivity in the face of darkness. The lyrics describe the transition from the sun setting and darkness taking over the sky, to the appearance of the moon and stars, which give way to a world of shining possibilities. The song is a message of encouragement to the listener to embrace the unknown and mysterious night, and let their dreams and imagination guide them towards new horizons.
Jones' lyrics suggest that while the sun may have set and the day may feel over, there is still an abundance of magic and beauty to be found in the night. The lines "The night has wealth untold" and "All heaven they unfold" evoke a sense of wonder and amazement at the possibilities that lay ahead. She assures us that the moon is "made of gold", a concept that is both imaginative and aspirational. The theme of magic is continuous throughout the song: the shadows dance "as the breeze sighs" and "visions of fairies flyin' through the sky". The message is clear: don't fear the darkness because it holds a world of enchantment and possibility.
Overall, the song is a reminder that in life, the darkness and uncertainty can be frightening, but by tapping into our creative and imaginative selves, we can open ourselves to a world of beauty and discovery. Jones and her father (who wrote the song as a lullaby for her) use metaphorical language that is open to interpretation, yet powerful in its message of hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't feel bad
Don't be upset
Because the sun went down
Just because the sun set
The night has wealth untold
The night has many treasures
You just keep watching
Keep observing
And you soon will see
You will eventually see
The moon is made of gold
The moon is beautiful and valuable
And now the stars appear
The stars become visible
And as they do
At the same time
All heaven they unfold
The sky becomes magnificent
See how the shadows
Observe the way the shadows
Enhanced by the light above
Become more prominent due to the moonlight
Dance in the night
Move and change in the darkness
As the breeze sigh
As the wind whispers
Soon you will be asleep
You will soon fall asleep
Into your dreams will creep
Your dreams will come to you
Visions of fairies
Thoughts of magical creatures
Flyin' through the sky
Flying in the air
And one by one
Individually
Your dreams will all come true
Your thoughts will become reality
Magic you behold
You experience wonder
The night is magic
The night is enchanting
And the moon is made of gold
And the moon is a precious, valuable sight
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RICKIE LEE JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ja joe
One of the greatest most pure and original voices of these centuries!
Ana Gavila
Listening to you is one of the greatest pleasures. Thank you for all these years of great music.
G Sand
Love you to pieces 💙💚💜 Rickie Lee, saintanonymous⚜️
Bill Clement
What a great groove !
FarmYardFlavours
man, this is fantastic
G Sand
Love you to pieces 💙💚💜 Rickie Lee, saintanonymous⚜️
OldCanuckle
My heart, breaking.