“Walking on the Moon” by The Police isn’t just about an astronaut’s lunar stroll. This classic tune galore metaphors about the heady, euphoric feelings you get when in love. You know, the kind where your feet “hardly touch the ground.” Sting, the man behind the lyrics, takes us on an intimate and universal musical journey. He’s talking about the elation, the fears, and even the risks—”I hope my leg don’t break”—of walking through love’s emotional landscape. This song captures that larger-than-life feeling that only love can give you, when you’re so buoyed by emotion, you might as well be “walking on the moon.”
Curious to know what makes this song tick and why it’s more than just a catchy tune? Stick around and get ready for an insightful journey.
“Walking on the Moon” Lyrics Meaning
Let’s get into it. “Giant steps are what you take, walking on the moon” is our opener. It’s immediately clear that the singer is talking about something transformative, an experience that’s out of this world. It’s like saying love is a monumental step, a giant leap if you will, that can make you feel as if you’re not bound by earthly rules.
The lyrics, “I hope my leg don’t break,” introduce a note of caution. Love isn’t all sunshine and rainbows; there’s risk involved. Just like an astronaut might worry about the dangers of space travel, someone in love knows that a misstep can bring a world of hurt.
“We could walk forever, walking on the moon. We could live together, walking on, walking on the moon,” continues the theme of boundless possibilities. These lines express a sense of eternal optimism, as if love could conquer all obstacles.
Then, “Walking back from your house, walking on the moon,” adds a personal touch. It gives a snapshot of an ordinary moment—maybe a date—that feels extraordinary through the lens of love. Your walk home becomes a celestial experience, where “feet they hardly touch the ground.”
As for the lines “Some may say, I’m wishing my days away, no way,” they address the skeptics. It’s a nod to those who might dismiss these emotions as naive or fleeting. But the rebuttal is firm: “If it’s the price I pay, some say, tomorrow’s another day. You stay, I may as well play.” In other words, even if it’s a risk, even if it might end, the experience itself is worth it.
The Story Behind “Walking on the Moon”
This song, one of The Police’s hits from their 1979 album “Reggatta de Blanc,” was written by Sting. At the time, the band was riding the waves of newfound fame, and Sting was navigating the complexities of love and life in the spotlight.
Interestingly, the song’s original title was “Walking on the Moon” but was inspired by Sting feeling “drunk” on love, according to interviews. That feeling morphed into the metaphor of walking on the moon, capturing both the euphoria and the disorienting aspects of love. Given that the late ’70s were a time of particular fascination with space exploration, the metaphor was also timely and resonant with audiences.
Sting’s musical genius shines through not just in the catchy, reggae-inspired beats, but also in how he encapsulates the universality of love’s experience. While the song might sound light and buoyant, it carries the weight of human emotion, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to dive into love, risks and all.
In fact, the repeated line “Keep it up, keep it up” serves almost as a mantra, a gentle push towards embracing love with all its highs and lows. Because let’s face it, taking “giant steps” in love, or life, is often as thrilling as it is terrifying. But according to “Walking on the Moon,” it’s a journey well worth taking.