Under blue moon, I saw you
So soon you'll take me
Up in your arms, too late to beg you
Or cancel it, though I know it must be
The killing time
Unwillingly mine

Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him

In starlit nights, I saw you
So cruelly, you kissed me
Your lips, a magic world
Your sky, all hung with jewels
The killing moon
Will come too soon

Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him

Under blue moon, I saw you
So soon you'll take me
Up in your arms, too late to beg you
Or cancel it, though I know it must be
The killing time
Unwillingly mine

Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him

Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him
You give yourself to him

La
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la

Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him
You give yourself to him

La, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la

Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him

Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him

La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la

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Lyrics submitted by numb

The Killing Moon Lyrics as written by Leslie Thomas Pattinson Ian Stephen Mcculloch

Lyrics © Tratore, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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The Killing Moon song meanings

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122 Comments

+19
General Comment
this song is about the moon becoming radioactive and killing everyone

this song is about the moon becoming radioactive and killing everyone

Reason:

incuon May 09, 2004 Link
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@incu

I laughed so hard when I read that one, thinking of that scenario, I just HAD to vote it up

philipkindredon March 10, 2011

....facepalm...

douglasoguon September 22, 2014

@incu Ha, very good.

Jojododoon March 10, 2018

@incu ????????????

gil1176271on November 21, 2022

@incu BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA HA HA HA HA HA AH, THAT made me laugh.

kathtuson May 05, 2023
+12
General Comment
Actually, according to Ian, the Killing Moon is about death "up in your arms to let to beg you or cancel it....." About fate up against your will. He says in Chris Adams new book "Torquoise Days: The Weird World of Echo and the Bunnymen" something to the effect that he always found it funny that people thought the Killing Moon was about two dudes kissing under a lamp post. No love song here people. Sorry to spoil it!

Actually, according to Ian, the Killing Moon is about death "up in your arms to let to beg you or cancel it....." About fate up against your will. He says in Chris Adams new book "Torquoise Days: The Weird World of Echo and the Bunnymen" something to the effect that he always found it funny that people thought the Killing Moon was about two dudes kissing under a lamp post. No love song here people. Sorry to spoil it!

Reason:

NocturnalMeon October 11, 2002 Link
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@NocturnalMe

@NocturnalMe Yes, over 100 comments and Ian has over the years been very clear about the meaning of the song. It's not a love song or about heartbreak. It's about free will versus fate and Ian leans towards fate.

Jojododoon March 10, 2018
+9
General Comment
Its about death, how you have no control over it. I take the' give yourself to him' bit to be about giving yourself to god when you die. It fitted so well with Donnie Darko, especially when you think of what happened in the end.

Its about death, how you have no control over it. I take the' give yourself to him' bit to be about giving yourself to god when you die. It fitted so well with Donnie Darko, especially when you think of what happened in the end.

Reason:

Luxieon May 04, 2003 Link
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@Luxie
+7
General Comment
It's unbelievable how only few people have can give a good interpretation to this lyrics. Taylor, that's interesting but you went too far. tuvia, I agree with you. A sensible interpretation. I just wanted to reafirm it. This song is obviously about death. Not only about passing away, but about the death, as character (you may call it god, fate or, preferably, the KILLING MOON), taking people away. In this case, the singer. Many of you did talk about death, but nobody realized that the whole song is about it and there's no one else on scene: only the singer and death. "Under blue moon I saw you / so soon you'll take me". It's obvious that He saw the death coming to take him in its arms. Now it's too late to beg. He will die anyway: its his killing time. Doesn't it fit perfectly? The rest goes like that. He doesn't want to die, but fate acts against his will. "He will wait until you give yourself to him". It is talking about fate. That's the only part of the song which is not very clear for me because if fate acts against your will, you should die anyway. So, fate won't wait anything: will just take him away. It's a little contradiction of these lyrics, which doesn't affect this song's beauty.

It's unbelievable how only few people have can give a good interpretation to this lyrics. Taylor, that's interesting but you went too far. tuvia, I agree with you. A sensible interpretation. I just wanted to reafirm it. This song is obviously about death. Not only about passing away, but about the death, as character (you may call it god, fate or, preferably, the KILLING MOON), taking people away. In this case, the singer. Many of you did talk about death, but nobody realized that the whole song is about it and there's no one else on scene: only the singer and death. "Under blue moon I saw you / so soon you'll take me". It's obvious that He saw the death coming to take him in its arms. Now it's too late to beg. He will die anyway: its his killing time. Doesn't it fit perfectly? The rest goes like that. He doesn't want to die, but fate acts against his will. "He will wait until you give yourself to him". It is talking about fate. That's the only part of the song which is not very clear for me because if fate acts against your will, you should die anyway. So, fate won't wait anything: will just take him away. It's a little contradiction of these lyrics, which doesn't affect this song's beauty.

Reason:

ilanon January 15, 2005 Link
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@ilan

If I could just offer an ammendment to your confusion. I think it reaffirms the theory you support. The giving "yourself to him" lyrics denotes the body giving up. If you take the view that this song heralds the inevitability of death then this lyrics should be ostensible in it's effect.

You give yourself to him when your body retires on you. No matter how much willpower you maintain, your bodyclock ticks along to the beat of fate.

OzymandiasVeidt1on June 01, 2010

@ilan Ian has said over the years that it's about free will versus fate. That encompasses death of course but no, the song isn't just about death. Ian has a very grandiose interpretation of the song--that it's about everything in life. He has said listen to the song in place of reading the bible. And what controls life? Ian's in the fate camp.

Jojododoon March 10, 2018
+6
General Comment
Ian has told a few times what it's about (sorry to ruin debates with interview quotes, but that's being a true Bunnymen addict for you). It's about religion, about ignoring earthly pleasures and desires because of wanting to stay true to your religious believes. "He will wait until you give yourself to Him" - the He and Him is not some distant boyfriend or so, it's God. Ian has clearly confirmed this in several interviews, and it was also shortly mentionned in Turquoise Days, the EATB biograpghy. Apart from that I do adore the imaginary of this song: "your lips' magic world, the sky all hung with jewels" - you will rarely find a line more romantic than that. The video is also a must-see, deeply romantic yet somewhat macabre, showing Ian's face lit by the moon only. And last but not least, the sleeve pic for the old vinyl single shows a remote nocturnal rocky beach with a little boat drifting near the shoreline, all lit by only the moon. No picture could suit this song better.

Ian has told a few times what it's about (sorry to ruin debates with interview quotes, but that's being a true Bunnymen addict for you). It's about religion, about ignoring earthly pleasures and desires because of wanting to stay true to your religious believes. "He will wait until you give yourself to Him" - the He and Him is not some distant boyfriend or so, it's God. Ian has clearly confirmed this in several interviews, and it was also shortly mentionned in Turquoise Days, the EATB biograpghy. Apart from that I do adore the imaginary of this song: "your lips' magic world, the sky all hung with jewels" - you will rarely find a line more romantic than that. The video is also a must-see, deeply romantic yet somewhat macabre, showing Ian's face lit by the moon only. And last but not least, the sleeve pic for the old vinyl single shows a remote nocturnal rocky beach with a little boat drifting near the shoreline, all lit by only the moon. No picture could suit this song better.

Reason:

Cracked Pleasureson June 03, 2006 Link
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@Cracked Pleasures

@Cracked Pleasures Wow, I don't think you understood what you read. Especially the whole earthly pleasures and desires bit. Ian does write about god quite a bit but he's not some fundamentalist Christian. It's not a straight-forward song about the traditional god many have in mind. He has said the song's about free will versus fate and let's just say free will doesn't come up the winner. The part about "giving yourself to him" isn't about someone willing following god and the bible's tenets. It's about the inevitability of fate.

And Ian's just about the last person to forego earthly pleasures. His biography should probably be titled, "Ciggies, drinks and drugs (and the birds)"

Jojododoon March 10, 2018
+5
Song Meaning
I'm all but certain this song is inspired by the play Bodas De Sangre (Blood Weddings) by Federico Garcia Lorca, or it is an overwhelming coincidence if not. I'll look at the verses first, then the chorus; The first verse, I think is about Death (Death appears as a beggar woman in the play) 'Under blue moon I saw you, so soon you'll take me up in your arms' The second verse is more about Leonardo's feelings for The Bride (In the play) - The Bride is to be married to a son of a wealthy family, but she has fallen in love with Leonardo, who returns her feelings. Due to the social outrage that would be caused if the Bride were to attempt a relationship with someone whose family is in such dire straits as Leonardo's, she must continue with the wedding. At the wedding, the two elope and flee to a nearby wood. However the moon and Death work together to let the Groom catch up with Leonardo and kill him. The moon shines brighter so that the Groom can achieve this, hence the song title. The chorus: Fate Vs Will is the main theme of the play, not just in Leonardo and the Bride's ill-fated romance, but also several other sub-plots of the play.

I'm all but certain this song is inspired by the play Bodas De Sangre (Blood Weddings) by Federico Garcia Lorca, or it is an overwhelming coincidence if not. I'll look at the verses first, then the chorus; The first verse, I think is about Death (Death appears as a beggar woman in the play) 'Under blue moon I saw you, so soon you'll take me up in your arms' The second verse is more about Leonardo's feelings for The Bride (In the play) - The Bride is to be married to a son of a wealthy family, but she has fallen in love with Leonardo, who returns her feelings. Due to the social outrage that would be caused if the Bride were to attempt a relationship with someone whose family is in such dire straits as Leonardo's, she must continue with the wedding. At the wedding, the two elope and flee to a nearby wood. However the moon and Death work together to let the Groom catch up with Leonardo and kill him. The moon shines brighter so that the Groom can achieve this, hence the song title. The chorus: Fate Vs Will is the main theme of the play, not just in Leonardo and the Bride's ill-fated romance, but also several other sub-plots of the play.

Reason:

MattofDerbyshireon January 29, 2013 Link
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@MattofDerbyshire
+4
General Comment
In the liner notes for the 2003 reissue of the 1984 Bunnymen album 'Ocean Rain' Ian (lead singer, just to let all you Bunnymen non-fans know) clearly states that "disguised within the veil of a love song is a song about pre-destiny." He also says "The chorus is key; it's about God rather than a woman..." That should clear things up.

In the liner notes for the 2003 reissue of the 1984 Bunnymen album 'Ocean Rain' Ian (lead singer, just to let all you Bunnymen non-fans know) clearly states that "disguised within the veil of a love song is a song about pre-destiny." He also says "The chorus is key; it's about God rather than a woman..." That should clear things up.

Reason:

theEasySilenceon July 10, 2006 Link
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@theEasySilence
+4
My Interpretation
funny, I've read all 97 or so comments here and NO one thought it was about what I thought it was...about losing one's virginity. I won't go into detailed chemical analysis...listen to the song again and go with it. But if the guy who wrote it tells you what it's about well...it's his song right? (now everyone listen to the Bunnymen because if you never saw them live you have at least their music to indulge in...great freakin' band man.) I was devastated when Pete passed...the band were never the same after that. Note his work on 'BACK OF LOVE'- he played this w/cross-sticking, and you can hear/feel it.

funny, I've read all 97 or so comments here and NO one thought it was about what I thought it was...about losing one's virginity. I won't go into detailed chemical analysis...listen to the song again and go with it. But if the guy who wrote it tells you what it's about well...it's his song right? (now everyone listen to the Bunnymen because if you never saw them live you have at least their music to indulge in...great freakin' band man.) I was devastated when Pete passed...the band were never the same after that. Note his work on 'BACK OF LOVE'- he played this w/cross-sticking, and you can hear/feel it.

Reason:

descallyjrdrummeron April 28, 2010 Link
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@descallyjrdrummer

@descallyjrdrummer: this is what I thought it was too, although some of the comments about death and religion are interesting.

kate108127on April 22, 2017
+3
General Comment
..this song was written nearly twenty years before Donnie Darko. It was a great British song of the mid-80s by a great British band. It is good that the song was used in the film Donnie Darko, however the song was known and highly regarded well before the film. The song captures the threshold of death and has one of Ian's best vocal perfromances.

..this song was written nearly twenty years before Donnie Darko. It was a great British song of the mid-80s by a great British band. It is good that the song was used in the film Donnie Darko, however the song was known and highly regarded well before the film. The song captures the threshold of death and has one of Ian's best vocal perfromances.

Reason:

CharmingManon February 27, 2006 Link
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@CharmingMan
+3
General Comment
I have yet to see anyone tie this song to "The Mists Of Avalon" but when it came out around the same time as this song, it seemed totally obvious to me and everyone else who had read the book. There is a plotline in MOA in which a virgin priestess must assist in killing the Merlin Kevin for betraying Avalon by enchanting him and waiting for a certain phase of the moon to seduce him to ensure his death. Part of the spell entails her falling in love with him yet carrying out her assignment anyway. It's all there: the underlying theme of "fate vs. will", the seduction, the sudden knowledge that it's too late to call it off, the killing moon. Would love to know if anyone sees this connection.

I have yet to see anyone tie this song to "The Mists Of Avalon" but when it came out around the same time as this song, it seemed totally obvious to me and everyone else who had read the book. There is a plotline in MOA in which a virgin priestess must assist in killing the Merlin Kevin for betraying Avalon by enchanting him and waiting for a certain phase of the moon to seduce him to ensure his death. Part of the spell entails her falling in love with him yet carrying out her assignment anyway. It's all there: the underlying theme of "fate vs. will", the seduction, the sudden knowledge that it's too late to call it off, the killing moon. Would love to know if anyone sees this connection.

Reason:

konasmomon August 03, 2012 Link
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@konasmom

I totally agree, though I am not sure if it was intentional, but it really does fit quite well.

Uplifton June 29, 2013

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The Killing Moon

Echo and the Bunnymen

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