Sting:
Moon Over Bourbon Street was inspired by “Interview With A Vampire” by Anne Rice.
Source: Dream of the Blue Turtles liner notes.
The song is about a vampire who wants to be good, but a higher power has condemned him to do evil.
[Verse 1]
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
[Refrain]
Oh you'll never see my shade
Or hear the sound of my feet
While there's a moon over Bourbon Street
[Verse 2]
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
[Refrain]
Oh you'll never see my shade
Or hear the sound of my feet
While there's a moon over Bourbon Street
[Verse 3]
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 moon light
How could I be this way
When I pray to god above
I must love what I destroy
And destroy the thing I love
[Outro]
Oh you'll never see my shade
Or hear the sound of my feet
While there's a moon over Bourbon Street
Moon Over Bourbon Street was written by Sting.
Moon Over Bourbon Street was produced by Sting & Pete Smith.
Sting released Moon Over Bourbon Street on Sat Jun 01 1985.