Dancing in the Moonlight (It's Caught Me in its Spotlight)

Thin Lizzy

About Dancing in the Moonlight (It's Caught Me in its Spotlight)

"Dancing in the Moonlight (It's Caught Me in Its Spotlight)" is a song by the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy. It appears on their 1977 album Bad Reputation and was also released as a single a few months before the album. The song reached No. 14 in the UK Singles Chart in September 1977. It should not be confused with a similarly named song, "Dancing in the Moonlight", recorded by King Harvest and Toploader, amongst others. The song builds on the introductory bass riff played by Phil Lynott, adding the vocal melody line sung by Phil Lynott which contrasts and synergizes with the saxophone melodic counterpoint played by Supertramp's John Helliwell.  


Year:
2004
3:28
92 

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

When I passed you in the doorway
You took me with a glance
I should have took that last bus home
But I asked you for a dance

Now we go steady to the pictures
I always get chocolate stains on my pants
My father he's going crazy
Say's I'm living in a trance

But I'm dancing in the moonlight
It's caught me in its spotlight
It's alright, alright
Dancing in the moonlight
On the long hot summer night

It's three o'clock in the morning
And I'm on the streets again
I disobeyed another warning
I should have been in by ten

Now I won't get out until Sunday
I'll have to say I stayed with friends
But it's a habit worth forming
If it means to justify the end

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Thin Lizzy

Thin Lizzy are an Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott, met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of twelve studio albums. Thin Lizzy are best known for their songs "Whiskey in the Jar", "Jailbreak" and "The Boys Are Back in Town", all major international hits still played regularly on hard rock and classic rock radio stations. After Lynott's death in 1986, various incarnations of the band have emerged over the years based around guitarists Scott Gorham and John Sykes, though Sykes left the band in 2009. more »

3 fans

Written by: Philip Parris Lynott

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


9 facts about this song

Song Details
"Dancing in the Moonlight (It's Caught Me in Its Spotlight)" is a song by the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy. - It was released as a single in July 1977 and later included in the album "Bad Reputation".
Performers
The song features Phil Lynott on lead vocals and bass guitar, Brian Downey on drums, and Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson as guitarists. - Gary Moore, though not a member of Thin Lizzy at the time of the song's recording, is credited for playing rhythm and lead guitar on this track.
Composition Influences
The song is known for its distinctive funk-inspired rhythm and saxophone parts, which are quite unusual for a Thin Lizzy song. - Lead vocalist, Phil Lynott, has expressed that both the song lyrics and the saxophone were heavily influenced by Bruce Springsteen's music, particularly his use of saxophonist Clarence Clemons.
Song Lyrics
The lyrics revolve around the joy of coming out in the moonlight and dancing, undeterred by normal societal pressures. - The phrases "dancing in the moonlight" and "it's caught me in its spotlight" reflect the feelings of both liberation and exposure experienced in everyday life.
Chart Performance
Despite its fresh departure from their typical hard-rock sound, "Dancing in the Moonlight" prominently crushed the charts. - The single reached No. 14 on the UK Singles Chart, proving to be Thin Lizzy's last major hit for the next five years.
Pop-Culture References
This catchy tune has found its way into various TV shows, films, and commercials over the years. - It can be heard in episodes of the popular British series, "Top Gear" and a 2020 commercial for the video game, "Fortnite".
Noteworthy Instrument
A special mention goes to the saxophone solo by jazz musician, "Super" John Earle. It's a key element in making the song so memorable and distinctly 'jiving'. He was also a member of the band during the Bad Reputation tour.
Song Cover
Indie rock band Alt-J included a cover of "Dancing in the Moonlight" as a B-side to their 2012 single "Matilda". This became another popular version of the original track.
Live Performances
Thin Lizzy performed the song live many times, turning it into a favourite feature of their concert setlists. - One memorable performance was at Sydney's opulent State Theatre in 1978. This concert was filmed and released as "Live and Dangerous".

Discuss the Dancing in the Moonlight (It's Caught Me in its Spotlight) Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Dancing in the Moonlight (It's Caught Me in its Spotlight) Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 16 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/8731532/Thin+Lizzy/Dancing+in+the+Moonlight+%28It%27s+Caught+Me+in+its+Spotlight%29>.

    Missing lyrics by Thin Lizzy?

    Know any other songs by Thin Lizzy? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Dancing in the Moonlight (It's Caught Me in its Spotlight)

    46,262
    626     37

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    She can't see the landscape anymore, it's all painted ___ ___ ___
    A on the streets
    B at her feet
    C blue at sea
    D in her grief

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Thin Lizzy tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!