Album: Dream Of The Blue Turtles (1985)

Charted: 44

License This Song 

• There's a moon over Bourbon Street tonight
  I see faces as they pass beneath the pale lamplight
  I've no choice but to follow that call
  The bright lights, the people, and the moon and all
  I pray everyday to be strong
  For I know what I do must be wrong
  Oh you'll never see my shade or hear the sound of my feet
  While there's a moon over Bourbon Street
  
  It was many years ago that I became what I am
  I was trapped in this life like an innocent lamb
  Now I can never show my face at noon
  And you'll only see me walking by the light of the moon
  The brim of my hat hides the eye of a beast
  I've the face of a sinner but the hands of a priest
  Oh you'll never see my shade or hear the sound of my feet
  While there's a moon over Bourbon Street
  
  She walks everyday through the streets of New Orleans
  She's innocent and young, from a family of means
  I have stood many times outside her window at night
  To struggle with my instinct in the pale moonlight
  How could I be this way when I pray to God above?
  I must love what I destroy and destroy the thing I love
  Oh you'll never see my shade or hear the sound of my feet
  While there's a moon over Bourbon Street Writer/s: GORDON SUMNER
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 12

• Iamdahat from FloridaThe song is a narration as told (or sung) by Louis, the central character of Anne Rice's Interview With The Vampire and eternal and internal struggle with his need to kill to feed and his regret.
• Bodhi from SomewhereThe main guitar arrangement is heavily inspired by Pepe Romero, was always surprised that Sting was able to put together such a melody, I mean this is the guy who has a song called De Do Do Daa on his record. But if you listen to the original then you know where he got it from.
• Miss Terry from Washington U.s.aMoon over Bourbon street is based on Louis from Interview with the vampire according to Sting. Not a werewolf.
• AnonymousNo its definately about a vampire, Sting said it himself, besides a werewolf would be in wolf form under a full moon not wearing a hat!
• AnonymousIt’s about werewolf
• Rob from Austin,txNice summary, but Bourbon Street is named after the Bourbon family- the dynasty of French monarchs, not the whiskey, which is also named after said royal family.
• Jess from St. Louis, MoI saw Sting in concert last week and he stated before he sang this song that he got the idea while walking around bourbon street at night and it is in fact about a vampire. He put on a black trench coat and talked about being followed by a vampire.
• Piet from Nijmegen, NetherlandsIt's not about vampire, it's about werewolf. After all, in the end of the song, he's howling like a wolf.
• Miz Lady from Oakland, Cato Matthew: 'while the moon's over Bourbon Street." - while the moon is out (at night, duh) the vampire is prowling in stealth and anonymity. "You'll never hear the sound of my feet..." - He casts no shade and he moves too quickly by air or by ground to hear him (like a vampire, duh!)
• Matthew from Milford, Ma...I wonder why they include the lines "You'll never see my shade or hear the sound of my feet while there's a moon over Bourbon Street" if vampires only come out during the night?
• Veronica from Sydney, AustraliaBloody brilliant (Pun intended!)
• Chelsea from Nyc, OrThe uncharacteristic sound for a Bluestune can in part be attributed to Keith playing a 12 string accoustic.

More Songfacts:

JetPaul McCartney & Wings

The Australian band Jet took their name from the 1973 song of the same by Paul McCartney and Wings.

Amber311

The 311 song "Amber" is likely about Nicole Scherzinger, who was dating the band's lead singer Nick Hexum.

DiamondsRihanna

Rihanna's 2012 hit "Diamonds" was written by Sia Furler, who two years later had a huge hit on her own with "Chandelier." Sia also wrote the David Guetta hit "Titanium."

Wild BoysDuran Duran

Duran Duran's "Wild Boys" is based on the book of the same name by William Burroughs.

I Won't Back DownTom Petty

"I Won't Back Down" is a very personal song for Tom Petty. "I thought it wasn't that good because it was so naked," he said.

Old ManNeil Young

Neil Young's song "Old Man" was inspired by the caretaker of the ranch he bought in 1970. Neil was the young man at the time, just 25.

Editor's Picks

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Lita FordSongwriter Interviews

Lita talks about how they wrote songs in The Runaways, and how she feels about her biggest hit being written by somebody else.

In The CardsSong Writing

Songwriters have used cards and card games to make sense of heartache, togetherness, and even Gonorrhea.

Kevin GodleySongwriter Interviews

Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Millie JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Outrageously gifted and just plain outrageous, Millie is an R&B and Rap innovator.