Neon Moon Explained

"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.In 2024, Brooks and Dunn made a remix of the song with Morgan Wallen for their album, Reboot II. This version peaked at number 24 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

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

Year-end charts

Chart (1992)	Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[6]	25
US Country Songs (Billboard)[7]	9

Notes and References

1. Book: Whitburn, Joel. Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. 2008. 978-0-89820-177-2.
2. 24 May 2024 . The 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time . 30 June 2024 . Rolling Stone.
3. Web site: DeVille . Chris . Kacey Musgraves - "Neon Moon" (Brooks & Dunn Cover) . Stereogum . 5 April 2019 . 5 April 2019.
4. Web site: Reuter . Annie . Kacey Musgraves Joined by Brooks & Dunn in Nashville For Stunning 'Neon Moon' Performance: Watch . Billboard . 5 April 2019.
5. Web site: Browne . David . Kacey Musgraves Brings Pop Star Power to Beacon Theatre Show . Rolling Stone . 5 April 2019 . 27 January 2019.
6. Web site: RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1992. RPM. December 19, 1992. August 15, 2013.
7. Web site: Best of 1992: Country Songs . . . 1992. August 15, 2013.