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The Waterboys — The Whole of the Moon
Album: The Best of the Waterboys
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 627









Released: 1991
Length: 4:59
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I pictured a rainbow
You held it in your hand
I had flashes
You saw the plan
I wandered out in the world for years
While you just stayed in your room
I saw the crescent
You saw the whole of the moon
The whole of the moon
You were there in the turnstiles
With the wind at your heels
You stretched for the stars
And you know how it feels
To reach too high
Too far
Too soon
You saw the whole of the moon
I was grounded
While you filled the skies
I was dumbfounded by truth
You cut through lies
I saw the rain dirty valley
You saw "Brigadoon"
I saw the crescent
You saw the whole of the moon
I spoke about wings
You just flew
I wondered, I guessed and I tried
You just knew
I sighed
And you swooned
I saw the crescent
You saw the whole of the moon
The whole of the moon
The whole of the…
Posted 4 years ago by rtrt    [ Reply ]
 ick wrote:
While some make plans and prepare to live a life, others just live.

 
{#Sunny}
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
This is more like Kate Bush than Kate Bush herself. Even the backing is Bush-esque. Or is she guest singer on this song?
Posted 14 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
<mute>
Posted 14 years ago by MM_Oz    [ Reply ]
You have to add "the return of the pan" to the playlist!
Posted 14 years ago by dead_flowers    [ Reply ]
I've always been a little "meh" on this song, but I do enjoy the rhyme of "whole of the moon" with "Brigadoon".

Posted 14 years ago by bellhog    [ Reply ]
While some make plans and prepare to live a life, others just live.
Posted 14 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
Wonderfully uplifting.  Evokes some great memories.  Thanks, Bill and Rebecca!
Posted 14 years ago by justin_thyme    [ Reply ]
Wonderous!!!!  9
Posted 14 years ago by Jazbo    [ Reply ]
oooooooohhhhh!  SWOON!
Posted 15 years ago by rosedraws    [ Reply ]
Terry Reid's version on The Driver is so much cooler than the Waterboys. Also listen to Fifth of July and Look at Life, plus of course The Driver 1 & 2  featured in Aspen High.
Posted 15 years ago by kevincrossley    [ Reply ]
AND WHAT ABOUT "THE PAN WITHIN"? ANOTHER GREAT SONG FROM THE WATERBOYS. IT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THE ALBUM "THE BEST". BY FAR BETTER THAN OTHER SONGS THERE.

Posted 15 years ago by rockingfan    [ Reply ]
 jedley wrote:
Hey you guys know that Karl Wallinger, the main singer and songwriter of the Waterboys,  is selfsame as World Party, right? Legend has it that he left the Waterboys, holed up alone in a cabin to record the entire White Album, note for note, sound for sound, playing all the instruments, then emerged a year later and recorded Goodbye Jumbo. I love that story. And that album.
 

Correction: main singer and songwriter was and is Mike Scott. I'll have to check out Goodbye Jumbo, though. It sounds interesting.
Posted 15 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
Hey you guys know that Karl Wallinger, the main singer and songwriter of the Waterboys,  is selfsame as World Party, right? Legend has it that he left the Waterboys, holed up alone in a cabin to record the entire White Album, note for note, sound for sound, playing all the instruments, then emerged a year later and recorded Goodbye Jumbo. I love that story. And that album.
Posted 15 years ago by jedley    [ Reply ]
i really liked this song when it first came out way way way back when... now i can't stand it. strange how that works.

Posted 15 years ago by rickhoran    [ Reply ]
 drews wrote:
"you saw the whole of the moon"..hang on, is he singing about somebody he exposed his butt cheeks to?
 

Oh, hey, now THAT's original.  Read a few comments next time before sharing.
Posted 15 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
"you saw the whole of the moon"..hang on, is he singing about somebody he exposed his butt cheeks to?
Posted 15 years ago by drews    [ Reply ]
LAME, like that horse we put down last week . . . .
Posted 16 years ago by jjbix    [ Reply ]
vit wrote:
it almost had a 5 until that organ kicked in. *shudder*
... and it had a 2 until those horns kicked in.
Posted 16 years ago by vit    [ Reply ]
it almost had a 5 until that organ kicked in. *shudder*
Posted 16 years ago by vit    [ Reply ]
lewie221 wrote:
All that treble is kinda painful.
Read the lewics Lerye.
Posted 16 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
All that treble is kinda painful.
Posted 16 years ago by lewie221    [ Reply ]
such a great song.
Posted 16 years ago by dancingplanet    [ Reply ]
squidish wrote:
The whole of the
Ha Ha Ha, but I do like the song
Posted 17 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]
Thought this song was from Novastar!?
Posted 17 years ago by warrior    [ Reply ]
Greeeeeaaaat song!!!!
Posted 17 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
Fantastic band! Fantastic song! One of those making you feel like after having double expresso...
Posted 17 years ago by incantation    [ Reply ]
YEAH!
Posted 17 years ago by frank-peter    [ Reply ]
If you want to hear a terrific remake of this song, check out Peter Mulvey's version on Rapture. There is a studio version and then a solo acoustic version that he recorded while playing in a Boston subway. Outstanding.
Posted 17 years ago by seqiro    [ Reply ]
This is a very epic song.
Posted 17 years ago by Whirlpool    [ Reply ]
I'm not sure what it is about the lyrics on this song - incredibly intense. The folks who are bashing this - sit and listen and think about what's being said. Quite amazing.
Posted 17 years ago by shayde    [ Reply ]
this song reminds me of a specific summer of my life, of a specific friend, and a really really nice time. Its so godo to hear it
Posted 17 years ago by meower    [ Reply ]
The whole of the
Posted 17 years ago by squidish    [ Reply ]
I *LOVE* this song!
Posted 17 years ago by superflyLD    [ Reply ]
the song gets good at the end but it still doesnt rank high
Posted 17 years ago by No-thing    [ Reply ]
thewiseking wrote:
good song, but a tad overwrought/overproduced. would be better without the whining horns.
I think most "pop/rock" music is better without horns.
Posted 17 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
radiozep wrote:
Many better Moons to be heard: Pink ****, Dark Side of the ****, Man on the ****, Blue ****, Bad **** Rising, Walking on the ****, **** Dance... This is awful.
Keith ****...
Posted 17 years ago by lionirons    [ Reply ]
mgm wrote:
Jennifer Warnes took this one and Ran with it. If the Waterboys, I'd rather a / the live version, than this rendition, which feels Tedious to me. Thanks!
I wouldn't mind giving that a try. This sounds like a good song but this version isn't easy on the ears(except for the Sound&Vision tribute part)
Posted 17 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
radiozep wrote:
Many better Moons to be heard: Pink ****, Dark Side of the ****, Man on the ****, Blue ****, Bad **** Rising, Walking on the ****, **** Dance... This is awful.
Also some worse moons to be heard: Mad Man ****, New **** on Monday...
Posted 17 years ago by Pazzat    [ Reply ]
meghan89 wrote:
sounds like something they'd play during the credits of a feel good after school special movie
Yeah this does have that feel. Speaking of after school specials, ever watched their corrupted relative "Strangers With Candy"? The series, not the recent movie. It's so wrong and consequently, so beautiful.
Posted 17 years ago by celadonstone    [ Reply ]
good song, but a tad overwrought/overproduced. would be better without the whining horns.
Posted 17 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Love to hear "Church Not Made With Hands"...
Posted 17 years ago by FilmSurgeon    [ Reply ]
Always loved the Waterboys! Great song.
Posted 17 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
wonderful song. Prototyical waterboys lyrics, music and singing.
Posted 18 years ago by MCKY    [ Reply ]
Jennifer Warnes took this one and Ran with it. If the Waterboys, I'd rather a / the live version, than this rendition, which feels Tedious to me. Thanks!
Posted 18 years ago by mgm    [ Reply ]
Many better Moons to be heard: Pink ****, Dark Side of the ****, Man on the ****, Blue ****, Bad **** Rising, Walking on the ****, **** Dance... This is awful.
Posted 18 years ago by radiozep    [ Reply ]
Wow. I have lost a little respect for James now. Thought this was them for a moment, but no! Much earlier than that, and somewhat better. Nice one.
Posted 18 years ago by esotericderek    [ Reply ]
HalifaxAl wrote:
It was likely the Jennifer Warnes cover.
Thankyouverymuch
Posted 18 years ago by Zarba    [ Reply ]
It was likely the Jennifer Warnes cover.
Posted 18 years ago by HalifaxAl    [ Reply ]
I was in a store yesterday and there was a cover of this song by a woman. I couldn't tell who it was. Anyone have any info?
Posted 18 years ago by Zarba    [ Reply ]
i just can't get into saxaphone. reminds me too much of 80's sitcoms and michael bolton.
Posted 18 years ago by ianmack    [ Reply ]
sarah_mae wrote:
Loving the lyrics and the concepts in this song. Such a human feeling to think that someone else has lived life more intensely. Too bad about the music, tho!
Too bad about the music? What's wrong with you??
Posted 18 years ago by StevenQ    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by hurrah    [ Reply ]
Loving the lyrics and the concepts in this song. Such a human feeling to think that someone else has lived life more intensely. Too bad about the music, tho!
Posted 18 years ago by sarah_mae    [ Reply ]
Pogues! Waterboys! YAYYYY! I love this stuff
Posted 18 years ago by rosedraws    [ Reply ]
AndyC wrote:
Dude, Molly Ringwald is most definitely *not* more like
you're talkin bout the chick with the overbite, right?
Posted 18 years ago by orpheus    [ Reply ]
There are better Waterboys songs, why not play them instead. Skip this one.
Posted 18 years ago by elara    [ Reply ]
ethajn wrote:
5 annoying songs in a row...I'm on the edge of turning RP off...what has happened to the world? If this is their idea of an April Fools' Day gag, it's not working.
See ya!
Posted 18 years ago by pousso    [ Reply ]
5 annoying songs in a row...I'm on the edge of turning RP off...what has happened to the world? If this is their idea of an April Fools' Day gag, it's not working.
Posted 18 years ago by ethajn    [ Reply ]
Marvelous!
Posted 18 years ago by alex287    [ Reply ]
Ahh...just caught the last of it. Reminds me of Alpine Pizza in Flagstaff, circa 1985.
Posted 18 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
Nice song....just nice though
Posted 18 years ago by LennytheB    [ Reply ]
First Ave. (Minneapolis - Prince fame) back in the mid to late 80's. Big horn section... and this was just an amazing song done live....
Posted 18 years ago by jdorn1    [ Reply ]
yeahh ... cool song!!
Posted 18 years ago by chmÀdchen    [ Reply ]
Mari wrote:
...( still lovin' it on 18/01/06 )... ...
Again on 16/02/06
Posted 18 years ago by the_bink    [ Reply ]
MickMan wrote:
This version Blows???? Take off you hoser.
Really... listen to Jennifer Warnes version....tell us what you think (without being rude, please). It's much better.
Posted 18 years ago by chucklesalmon    [ Reply ]
ankhara99 wrote:
Love this song!
Wanna dance?!
Posted 18 years ago by pilate    [ Reply ]
sounds like something they'd play during the credits of a feel good after school special movie
Posted 18 years ago by meghan89    [ Reply ]
Good choice! I love this song
Posted 18 years ago by dtb    [ Reply ]
Wonderful, lovely!
Posted 18 years ago by babygirl614    [ Reply ]
Yayyyy! This song gives me HUGE chills. Love it love it.
Posted 18 years ago by rosedraws    [ Reply ]
These guys have enough songs for a "best of" CD?
Posted 18 years ago by rixtar99    [ Reply ]
Pogues to The Waterboys but still no Saw Doctors on RP. Sigh.
Posted 18 years ago by AMH    [ Reply ]
Ghenghis_John wrote:
I absolutely love this song. A "9" for sure.
Likewise. However, a steady diet of the Waterboys reveals a tendency to be lyrically formulaic. They do 'pairs' in their verses a lot. However, this is such a classic (for me anyway).
Posted 19 years ago by Dahnyul    [ Reply ]
jadewahoo wrote:
Waterboys... I can't get too much of them. Whole of the Moon is so poetically expressive. More.
I"ll second that!
Posted 19 years ago by pousso    [ Reply ]
Waterboys... I can't get too much of them. Whole of the Moon is so poetically expressive. More.
Posted 19 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
The sentiments for me make up for the offbeat sound of the vocals. Judging by some of the comments below, some people aren't seeing any of the moon at all...
Posted 19 years ago by daedalus    [ Reply ]
Feel the energy. Thanks Bill!
Posted 19 years ago by markE    [ Reply ]
CanuckBeaker wrote:
This version blows. Jennifer Warnes has a great take on this tune on her disk The Hunter.
I would hate to be inside your head... ;)
Posted 19 years ago by SpaceCowboy    [ Reply ]
bmo wrote:
beautiful tune
What he said...
Posted 19 years ago by Zarba    [ Reply ]
beautiful tune
Posted 19 years ago by bmo    [ Reply ]
This is why I generally hate most eighties music... whiney voices, shallow minimalistic synthesizer drums and piano... wooh!
Posted 19 years ago by uritsukidoji    [ Reply ]
Gosh, haven't heard this for donkey's ears!!! Trust RP to remind us of times long gone.... Thanks for that!
Posted 19 years ago by pyxxel    [ Reply ]
CanuckBeaker wrote:
This version blows. Jennifer Warnes has a great take on this tune on her disk The Hunter.
THIS version? Huh? I thought this was a Waterboys original? I just don't get it when people like the cover better than as performed by the folks that crafted the song...
Posted 19 years ago by YecatsRoo    [ Reply ]
beelzebubba wrote:
Where's Molly Ringold? Where's Anthony Michael Hall?
Dude, Molly Ringwald is most definitely *not* more like
Posted 19 years ago by AndyC    [ Reply ]
Love this song!
Posted 19 years ago by ankhara99    [ Reply ]
Wooooooooo-hoooooooooooo!
Posted 19 years ago by resonator    [ Reply ]
I absolutely love this song. A "9" for sure.
Posted 19 years ago by Ghenghis_John    [ Reply ]
CanuckBeaker wrote:
This version blows. Jennifer Warnes has a great take on this tune on her disk The Hunter.
This version Blows???? Take off you hoser.
Posted 19 years ago by MickMan    [ Reply ]
This is one of my short-list goosebump songs. Must drive way too fast if you listen to it in the car!
Posted 19 years ago by Shaken_Bake    [ Reply ]
Hmmmm... liked (and bought) the soundtrack to "Waking Ned Devine" but not that crazy about this Waterboys' effort...
Posted 19 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
Johray63 wrote:
Such a "bigger than life sound" only works when the song and performance is also great. This one is.
Indeed - in the hands of a less sincere band, or with weaker lyrics, this song might come off as over-indulgent or sacharine. But in this case, this whole album actually, everything works. "Bang the Drum," "Trumpets," "Be My Enemy," "Old England," and "This is the Sea" are also excellent tunes.
Posted 19 years ago by DBCinCA    [ Reply ]
Darkmatter wrote:
I spoke about wings You just flew I wondered, I guessed, and I tried You just knew I sighed But you swooned I saw the crescent You saw the whole of the moon! The whole of the moon! ... Unicorns and cannonballs, Palaces and piers, Trumpets, towers, and tenemets, Wide oceans full of tears, Flag, rags, ferry boats, Scimitars and scarves, Every precious dream and vision Underneath the stars I just LOVE the imagery of the lyrics in this song! Larger than life!
ditto
Posted 19 years ago by orpheus    [ Reply ]
Wow! The Pogues and then the Waterboys... I feel like I am 16 again!! :D
Posted 19 years ago by shevek    [ Reply ]
Where's Molly Ringold? Where's Anthony Michael Hall?
Posted 19 years ago by beelzebubba    [ Reply ]
JCEntMan wrote:
I personally like the version Peter Mulvey does better than this one. The Mulvey cover has more of an urgent folk feel and less of that cheesy 80s feel.
Yes! I agree completely... I wish there was more Peter Mulvey on RP.
Posted 19 years ago by emleamy    [ Reply ]
snurfer wrote:
Yes...if you think that is sucko barfo, than i think that you look like sucko barfo. Go away to listen to hip hop sucker....
Czlowieku, przeciez to syf.
Posted 19 years ago by jacobus    [ Reply ]
not-a-fish wrote:
sucko barfo
Yes...if you think that is sucko barfo, than i think that you look like sucko barfo. Go away to listen to hip hop sucker....
Posted 19 years ago by snurfer    [ Reply ]
Is it just me, or do the vocals sound very David Bowie-esque there at the end?
Posted 19 years ago by skindy    [ Reply ]
I spoke about wings You just flew I wondered, I guessed, and I tried You just knew I sighed But you swooned I saw the crescent You saw the whole of the moon! The whole of the moon! ... Unicorns and cannonballs, Palaces and piers, Trumpets, towers, and tenemets, Wide oceans full of tears, Flag, rags, ferry boats, Scimitars and scarves, Every precious dream and vision Underneath the stars I just LOVE the imagery of the lyrics in this song! Larger than life!
Posted 19 years ago by Darkmatter    [ Reply ]
I personally like the version Peter Mulvey does better than this one. The Mulvey cover has more of an urgent folk feel and less of that cheesy 80s feel. For more Peter Mulvey info head here.
Posted 20 years ago by JCEntMan    [ Reply ]
Originally I quite liked this tune but after hearing it 87 times here on RP it's starting to get old.
Posted 20 years ago by Manbird    [ Reply ]
Such a "bigger than life sound" only works when the song and performance is also great. This one is.
Posted 20 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
beardp wrote:
there is nothing quite like seeing the full moon just above the northern horizon in the middle of your four hours of daylight to make you appreciate the subtleties of planetary mechanics
I'd really like to see that.
Posted 20 years ago by rklein    [ Reply ]
:goodvibes.gif:
Posted 20 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
there is nothing quite like seeing the full moon just above the northern horizon in the middle of your four hours of daylight to make you appreciate the subtleties of planetary mechanics
Posted 20 years ago by beardp    [ Reply ]
It's great to hear The Waterboys on RP. They have such an honest sound.
Posted 20 years ago by wxman    [ Reply ]