Neon Moon

Last updated
"Neon Moon"
Brooks & Dunn - Neon Moon.jpg
Single by Brooks & Dunn
from the album Brand New Man
B-side "Cheating on the Blues"
ReleasedFebruary 24, 1992
Recorded1991
Genre Country
Length4:20
Label Arista 12388
Songwriter(s) Ronnie Dunn
Producer(s) Don Cook
Scott Hendricks
Brooks & Dunn singles chronology
"My Next Broken Heart"
(1991)
"Neon Moon"
(1992)
"Boot Scootin' Boogie"
(1992)

"Neon Moon" is a song written by Ronnie Dunn and recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It was released in February 1992 as the third single from their debut album Brand New Man . The song became their third consecutive number one single on the country charts. [1] It was also their first single not to have an accompanying music video.

Contents

Content

The song's narrator is a man who is at a bar, feeling brokenhearted because his significant other has left, so he “spend[s] most every night beneath the light of a neon moon."

Critical reception

In 2024, Rolling Stone ranked the song at #41 on its 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time ranking. [2]

Cover versions

Country music singer Carrie Underwood covered the song from The Last Rodeo Tour.

On December 18, 2018, American dream pop band Cigarettes After Sex released a cover version to streaming platforms.

A newly recorded version by Brooks & Dunn featuring American country singer Kacey Musgraves appeared on the duo's 2019 duet album, Reboot , released on April 5, 2019. Musgraves also performed the song on several dates of her 2018-2019 Oh, What a World: Tour. [3] [4] [5]

Kelly Clarkson covered the song with Gwen Stefani, John Legend, and Blake Shelton in the first season of The Kelly Clarkson Show as a Kellyoke which aired on November 21, 2019.

Dave Audé covered the song with Cody Belew released June 17, 2022.

Chart positions

Chart (1992)Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [6] 1
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [7] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (1992)Position
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [8] 25
US Country Songs ( Billboard ) [9] 9

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [10] 5× Platinum5,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

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References

  1. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN   978-0-89820-177-2.
  2. "The 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone . 24 May 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  3. DeVille, Chris (5 April 2019). "Kacey Musgraves - "Neon Moon" (Brooks & Dunn Cover)". Stereogum. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  4. Reuter, Annie. "Kacey Musgraves Joined by Brooks & Dunn in Nashville For Stunning 'Neon Moon' Performance: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  5. Browne, David (27 January 2019). "Kacey Musgraves Brings Pop Star Power to Beacon Theatre Show". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  6. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 2135." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. May 23, 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  7. "Brooks & Dunn Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  8. "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1992". RPM . December 19, 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  9. "Best of 1992: Country Songs". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media. 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  10. "American single certifications – Brooks & Dunn – Neon Moon". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved August 14, 2024.