About the song
Background
- “Blue Moon of Kentucky” is a classic bluegrass waltz written and performed by Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass music.
- Monroe first performed the song on the Grand Ole Opry stage in 1945 and recorded it for Columbia Records in 1946.
- The song’s distinctive sound features Monroe’s mandolin playing and the signature high lonesome vocals of bluegrass.
Themes
- The lyrics tell the story of a heartbroken lover under a blue moonlit Kentucky sky.
- Themes of love, loss, and betrayal are central to the song.
- The imagery of the blue moon adds an element of melancholy and loneliness.
Lyrics
The song opens with the now-famous line:
“Blue moon of Kentucky keep on shinin'”
The narrator pleads with the moon to keep shining, a silent witness to his pain.
- The lyrics detail how the lover was abandoned under a similar moonlit night, with the stars whispering of their lost love.
- The song continues with the narrator lamenting their situation, bathed in the sorrowful glow of the blue moon.
Legacy
“Blue Moon of Kentucky” is considered a cornerstone of bluegrass music.
- It has been covered by numerous artists across various genres, including Elvis Presley, who helped popularize the song with a faster-paced version.
- The song’s enduring popularity lies in its relatable themes of heartbreak and its beautiful melody that perfectly captures the essence of bluegrass.
Video
Lyrics
Blue moon of Kentucky, keep on shiningShine on the one that’s gone and proved untrueBlue moon of Kentucky, keep on shiningShine on the one that’s gone and left me blue
It was on a moonlight nightThe star is shining brightAnd they whispered from on highYour love has said good-bye
Blue moon of Kentucky, keep on shiningShine on the one that’s gone and said good-bye
Blue moon of Kentucky, keep on shiningShine on the one that’s gone and proved untrueBlue moon of Kentucky, keep on shiningShine on the one that’s gone and left me blue
It is on a moonlight nightThe stars shining brightThey whispered from highYour love has said good-bye
Blue moon of Kentucky, keep on shiningShine on the one that’s gone and said good-bye