Southside has long been considered the Grandfather of "the New Jersey Sound." Jon bon Jovi has acknowledged Southside as "his reason for singing." In 1982 the Rolling Stone Magazine voted the album Hearts of Stone among the top 100 albums of the 70's and 80's. In 1987, Southside and the Jukes were featured in the film Adventures in Babysitting performing at a college frat party.
Since 2001 Southside Johnny and the Jukes have toured the UK and Europe as an annual event, their first since the 1992 Better Days tour. His most recent album is Grapefruit Moon: The Songs Of Tom Waits (2008).
Grapefruit Moon
Southside Johnny Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heard that tune, and now I'm pining, honey, can't you see?
'Cause every time I hear that melody, well, something breaks inside,
And the grapefruit moon, one star shining, can't turn back the tide.
Never had no destination, could not get across.
You became my inspiration, oh but what a cost.
'Cause every time I hear that melody, well, something breaks inside,
Now I'm smoking cigarettes and I strive for purity,
And I slip just like the stars into obscurity.
'Cause every time I hear that melody, well, puts me up a tree,
And the grapefruit moon, one star shining, is all that I can see.
The song "Grapefruit Moon" by Southside Johnny is a poignant reflection on love and the enduring power of music. The lyrics suggest that the singer is deeply affected by a particular melody, which causes him to feel a sense of longing and heartbreak. The grapefruit moon represents a constant, unchanging force that is always present in the singer's life, while the one shining star symbolizes hope or a source of light in the darkness. The line "can't turn back the tide" speaks to the idea that the singer is powerless to stop the emotions and memories that are stirred up by the music.
The second verse suggests that the singer has been on a journey without a clear destination, until he meets someone who becomes his inspiration. However, it seems that this relationship has come at a cost, as the continued presence of the grapefruit moon and its accompanying melody brings up painful memories and emotions. The third verse portrays the singer as struggling with addiction and a sense of alienation from the world around him. The phrase "smoking cigarettes and striving for purity" suggests a desire for clarity and redemption that remains just out of reach. Ultimately, the grapefruit moon and the melody it brings serve as a constant reminder of the past and the impossibility of going back to what once was.
Line by Line Meaning
Grapefruit moon, one star shining, shining down on me.
The sight of a grapefruit moon with a single star shining has a powerful effect on the singer.
Heard that tune, and now I'm pining, honey, can't you see?
The singer is affected by a particular tune and now feels an emotional longing.
'Cause every time I hear that melody, well, something breaks inside,
Whenever the singer hears the tune, it causes a deep emotional response.
And the grapefruit moon, one star shining, can't turn back the tide.
The artist is unable to reverse the emotional impact of the tune and sight of the moon.
Never had no destination, could not get across.
The artist lacked a clear sense of purpose and struggled to achieve anything significant.
You became my inspiration, oh but what a cost.
The singer found inspiration in someone or something, but it came at a high price.
And the grapefruit moon, one star shining, is more than I can hide.
The emotional impact of the moon and star is too great for the singer to conceal or ignore.
Now I'm smoking cigarettes and I strive for purity,
The artist is now trying to achieve some form of purity or perfection, but still struggles with emotional turmoil.
And I slip just like the stars into obscurity.
The artist feels a sense of anonymity and insignificance, like the stars in the night sky.
'Cause every time I hear that melody, well, puts me up a tree,
The tune causes the artist to become emotionally overwhelmed and feel like they are in a precarious situation.
And the grapefruit moon, one star shining, is all that I can see.
The singer's attention is consumed by the image of the grapefruit moon and its single star.
Contributed by Cole E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cantus Modus
Never Hear of this line up....just got taken to skool and church, frackin' ACES!!
Ulrich Blu
I love die Stimme und den Typen Southside Jonny - dieser energiegeladene Herzensmusikant - neben Mitch Ryder einer der intensivsten Rockpalasterlebnisse an der DDR-Klotze
Dave Levi
Google Translate: "I love the voice and the guy Southside Jonny - this energetic heart musician - next to Mitch Ryder one of the most intense rock palace experiences on the GDR block"
Project Malus
That album cover is a bit of trickery, I kept seeing the little album as real even after noticing it was just a bit bigger than a grapefruit :) meanwhile listening to this great music. Thanks!
oj vic
Yes lord