| Cover | Brooks & Dunn - Neon Moon.jpg |
|---|---|
| Artist | Brooks & Dunn |
| Album | Brand New Man |
| B-side | Cheating on the Blues |
| Released | February 24, 1992 |
| Recorded | 1991 |
| Genre | Country |
| Length | 4:20 |
| Label | Arista 12388 |
| Writer | Ronnie Dunn |
| Producer | Don Cook · Scott Hendricks |
| Prev year | 1991 |
| Next year | 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. 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.[2]
Content
The song talks of an unnamed man 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 number 41 on its 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time ranking.[3]
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 and 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.[4][5][6]
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 on June 17, 2022.
Chart positions
Weekly charts
| Chart (1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1992) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[7] | 25 |
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[8] | 9 |
References
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
- ^ Country
- ^ "The 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. May 24, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
- ^ DeVille, Chris (April 5, 2019). "Kacey Musgraves - "Neon Moon" (Brooks & Dunn Cover)". Stereogum. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
- ^ Reuter, Annie. "Kacey Musgraves Joined by Brooks & Dunn in Nashville For Stunning 'Neon Moon' Performance: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
- ^ Browne, David (January 27, 2019). "Kacey Musgraves Brings Pop Star Power to Beacon Theatre Show". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1992". RPM. December 19, 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
- ^ "Best of 1992: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.