In the 1980s Russell made four albums credited to the Tom Russell Band. These featured Andrew Hardin and accordionist Fats Kaplin.
In the 1990s Russell made a number of solo albums, collaborated with blues singer Barrence Whitfield on two albums, and also recorded an acoustic album mixing original material with his favorite cowboy-themed songs. His albums include several guest appearances from other folk, country, and Americana artists, such as Chris Gaffney and Dave Alvin. His song "Outbound Plane", co-written with Nanci Griffith, became a Top Ten country hit for Suzy Bogguss. His most significant album from this period is the 1999 folk opera, The Man From God Knows Where.
His more recent albums include "Blood and Candle Smoke" (2009) and "Mesabi" (2011).
Walkin on the Moon
Tom Russell Lyrics
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And the moon was red on the rise.
I met momma at the door, she'd been walkinn' the floor,
She said son you got stars in your eyes.
Momma I was walking on the moon last night.
In two lovin' arms that held me tight.
As the stars danced around so bright.
I was walking on the moon last night
Momma she did wink, said boy you been walking in your sleep.
You can't keep your feet on the ground.
It's not what it seem, young love might be a dream,
Some angels fly high just to fall down.
But momma I was walking on the moon last night.
In two lovin' arms that held me tight.
As the stars danced around so bright.
I was walking on the moon last night.
Now the lights of the town, are glowin' yellow brown,
And the moon is red on the rise.
I left momma at the door, said don't you worry anymore,
I seen daddy put those same stars in your eyes.
Momma I'll be walking on the moon tonight,
In two lovin' arms that hold me tight.
And as the stars dance around so bright,
I'll be walking on the moon tonight.
The song "Walkin' on the Moon" by Tom Russell Band depicts a young couple in love who are as happy as if they were walking on the moon. The singer's mother expresses her concern about her son's tendency to have his head in the clouds and not be too grounded in reality. She refers to his love as a dream, warning him that angels fly high only to fall down, cautioning him to not get his hopes up too high. However, the singer insists that he was walking on the moon with his lover, wrapped in each other's arms, and feeling like nothing can bring them down from the joy and happiness they feel.
Overall, the song tells us that love is the ultimate high and can make us feel like we can accomplish anything, even walking on the moon. The mother's warning adds a touch of reality to the song, reminding us to stay grounded and not delve too deeply into a dream world that may not be sustainable.
Line by Line Meaning
The lights of the town were just shuttin' down
The city had just turned off its lights for the night
And the moon was red on the rise.
The moon was just beginning to rise and had an orange tint
I met momma at the door, she'd been walkinn' the floor,
As I arrived home, I saw my mother pacing back and forth, probably worrying about me
She said son you got stars in your eyes.
My mom mentioned that I look particularly happy and hopeful today
Momma I was walking on the moon last night.
I had a particularly amazing night with my loved one
In two lovin' arms that held me tight.
I was physically and emotionally held by my lover
As the stars danced around so bright.
The sky was particularly beautiful
But momma I was walking on the moon last night.
I was on cloud nine, I had never been this happy before
Momma she did wink, said boy you been walking in your sleep.
My mom gave me a playful look and joked that I seemed like I was sleepwalking since I was so elated
You can't keep your feet on the ground.
I was literally off the ground with happiness and love
It's not what it seem, young love might be a dream,
My mom reminded me that love and happiness are not always what they seem, and may be fleeting
Some angels fly high just to fall down.
She gave an example of how sometimes people can be caught up in love, only to have it come crashing down
Now the lights of the town, are glowin' yellow brown,
The city is bathed in a warm light, signaling the start of a new day
And the moon is red on the rise.
The moon is still in the sky, but starting to set, with a beautiful orange and red tint to it
I left momma at the door, said don't you worry anymore,
I reassured my mother that everything was going to be alright, and that there was nothing to worry about
I seen daddy put those same stars in your eyes.
I pointed out that my father had given my mother the same kind of love that I was experiencing
Momma I'll be walking on the moon tonight,
I anticipated that I would experience this kind of elation again, and wanted to share this with my mother
In two lovin' arms that hold me tight.
I will be physically and emotionally connected with my lover
And as the stars dance around so bright,
The sky will once again be beautiful and light with the flicker of stars
I'll be walking on the moon tonight.
I will experience the same kind of euphoria again later tonight
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: THOMAS GEORGE RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind