Moonlight Mile
The Rolling Stones Lyrics


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When the wind blows and the rain feels cold
With a head full of snow
With a head full of snow
In the window there's a face you know
Don't the nights pass slow
Don't the nights pass slow

The sound of strangers sending nothing to my mind
Just another mad mad day on the road
I am just living to be lying by your side
But I'm just about a moonlight mile on down the road

Made a rag pile of my shiny clothes
Gonna warm my bones
Gonna warm my bones
I got silence on my radio
Let the air waves flow
Let the air waves flow

Oh I'm sleeping under strange strange skies
Just another mad mad day on the road
My dreams is fading down the railway line
I'm just about a moonlight mile down the road

I'm hiding sister and I'm dreaming
I'm riding down your moonlight mile
I'm hiding baby and I'm dreaming
I'm riding down your moonlight mile
I'm riding down you moonlight mile

Let it go now, come on up babe
Yeah, let it go now
Yeah, flow now baby
Yeah move on now yeah

Yeah, I'm coming home
'Cause, I'm just about a moonlight mile on down the road
Down the road, down the road

Overall Meaning

The Rolling Stones's Moonlight Mile is about being lost and trying to find one's way back home. The opening lines paint a picture of a cold and lonely night with a "head full of snow", likely referring to confusion and disorientation. The face in the window that the singer knows may be a reminder of what he's left behind or what he's longing to return to. The nights pass slowly as he feels stuck in limbo.


The verses describe the singer's experiences while on the road. The sound of strangers and their conversations doesn't capture his attention, and he longs to be lying by his partner's side. The singer is trying to find warmth and comfort as he makes a rag pile of his shiny clothes. The silence on the radio allows the airwaves to flow, suggesting a sense of freedom and escape. He is sleeping under strange skies, and his dreams are fading down the railway line, signifying the distance that separates him from his loved one.


The chorus describes the singer's hopes and wishes to return home. He is "just about a moonlight mile down the road," suggesting that he is close, but not yet home. The ending of the song is hopeful as he declares that he's "coming home," emphasizing the need for connection and intimacy.


Line by Line Meaning

When the wind blows and the rain feels cold
As I experience the cold and wetness of the wind and the rain, I find myself feeling isolated and enclosed.


With a head full of snow
My mind is filled with doubt and confusion, leaving me uncertain about the reality of my situation.


In the window there's a face you know
As I look through the window, I see someone that I am familiar with, yet cannot connect with or reach out to.


Don't the nights pass slow
The passing of time feels slow and painful, as I am trapped in my own solitude.


The sound of strangers sending nothing to my mind
I hear the voices of unknown individuals but cannot comprehend their meaning or relate to them.


Just another mad mad day on the road
My life is defined by constant chaos and unpredictability, leading me down an uncertain path.


I am just living to be lying by your side
My sole purpose and hope in life is to be with the one person who can offer me comfort and companionship.


But I'm just about a moonlight mile on down the road
Despite my desire to be with my loved one, I know that I have a long and difficult journey ahead of me before I can find solace.


Made a rag pile of my shiny clothes
My once pristine and polished image has been tarnished and ruined, leaving me feeling broken and hopeless.


Gonna warm my bones
In an effort to find some measure of comfort, I seek shelter and warmth for my weary body.


I got silence on my radio
There is no noise, no outside influence to distract me from my internal despair and confusion.


Let the air waves flow
I allow the sounds of the world to enter my space, hoping to find some sense of connection and meaning.


Oh I'm sleeping under strange strange skies
My environment is foreign and unfamiliar, making it difficult for me to find my place and purpose within it.


My dreams is fading down the railway line
My hopes and aspirations seem distant and unattainable, slowly fading away like a train moving away from me.


I'm hiding sister and I'm dreaming
I am trying to shield myself from the harsh reality of my life by retreating into my own dreams and fantasies.


I'm riding down your moonlight mile
Despite the challenges and obstacles I face, I am continuing to move forward towards my destination in hopes of finally finding peace and happiness with my loved one.


Let it go now, come on up babe
I am urging myself to let go of my pain and move forward with a positive outlook, to climb out of my despair and find hope in my future.


Yeah, move on now yeah
I am reinforcing my own inner resolve to keep moving forward and not get too bogged down in the past or my present struggles.


Yeah, I'm coming home
I am filled with renewed hope and excitement at the prospect of finally achieving my goal and being reunited with my loved one.


'Cause, I'm just about a moonlight mile on down the road
I am close to my destination, but I know that the journey has taken its toll on me and my spirit, leaving me tired and emotionally drained.


Down the road, down the road
I am reminding myself to stay focused on my destination and not let the challenges along the way distract me from my ultimate goal.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@christinemcardle690

I just lost my dad may 25 2019 to liver failure,huge rollingstones fan and this was his favorite song,this ones for you daddy..

@jefflee3449

Listened to the songs, they're good & rockin. Here's a road tune for a long drive

@moonlightmile70s96

so sorry for your loss. you'll always have his music to listen to and remember him.

@djb0110

Had the album and been listening to this song since it came out. Your dad had taste and knew good music when he heard it. I bet his children are above average. So sorry for your loss.

@richlafleur2266

sorry about ur dad my dads bday is a week from now and man i miss him but this song is a masterpiece with all the drugs keith and co did they are legends of rock and roll timeless songs i did see keith 1x with his band the expensive winos in boston but i think they broke up cuz my kid just saw the stones in boston in july 2019

@Parkerman3000

Sorry about your dad man I know the feeling the song that does it for me is wish you were here.. not just because of lyrics.. but me and him figured out the guitar parts together years ago when he first taught me to play ..and I always think of those times when I hear the song.. hard times along side the good are what make us who we are though I guess..for there are no shadows in the absence of light I suppose..

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@brianmags1999

My best friend since we were 8 years old,passed away to lung cancer at the age of 34.We were both huge Stones fans and listened to this album a million times.During his last days alive I would sit with him and play Stones music for him.One of the last times I saw him open his eyes he was tapping his foot to this song.Just about a moonlight mile…..I miss him so much even after all these years .RIP BILL STAFFORD

@only5186

Jus anotha mad mad day on the road

@sydneemiller6091

My dad died with Lung cancer, I held him in my arms in his final moments in life, not a day goes by I don’t miss him, God bless you Brian, I wanna share two bible verses Romans 10:9 and Acts 2::38, they changed my life if you read them then check out Matthew 9:21, the path to freedom starts with those three verses

@marcbyrnes293

You did good by your bud, mi amigo. You will see him again

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