Neon Moon

"Neon Moon"
Single by Brooks & Dunn
from the album Brand New Man
B-side	"Cheating on the Blues"
Released	February 24, 1992
Recorded	1991
Genre	Country
Length	4:20
Label	Arista 12388
Songwriter(s)	Ronnie Dunn
Producer(s)	Don Cook Scott Hendricks
Brooks & Dunn singles chronology
"My Next Broken Heart" (1991) "Neon Moon" (1992) "Boot Scootin' Boogie" (1992)

"Neon Moon" is a song written by Ronnie Dunn and recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It was released in February 1992 as the third single from their debut album Brand New Man. The song became their third consecutive number one single on the country charts.[1] It was also their first single not to have an accompanying music video. In 2024, Brooks and Dunn made a remix of the song with Morgan Wallen for their album, Reboot II. This version peaked at number 24 on the Hot Country Songs chart.[2]

Content

The song's narrator is a man who is at a bar, feeling brokenhearted because his significant other has left, so he "spend[s] most every night beneath the light of a neon moon".

Critical reception

In 2024, Rolling Stone ranked the song at number 41 on its 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time ranking.[3]

Cover versions

Country music singer Carrie Underwood covered the song from The Last Rodeo Tour.

On December 18, 2018, American dream pop band Cigarettes After Sex released a cover version to streaming platforms.

A newly recorded version by Brooks & Dunn featuring American country singer Kacey Musgraves appeared on the duo's 2019 duet album, Reboot, released on April 5, 2019. Musgraves also performed the song on several dates of her 2018–2019 Oh, What a World: Tour.[4][5][6]

Kelly Clarkson covered the song with Gwen Stefani, John Legend, and Blake Shelton in the first season of The Kelly Clarkson Show as a Kellyoke which aired on November 21, 2019.

Dave Audé covered the song with Cody Belew released on June 17, 2022.

Chart positions

Weekly charts

Chart (1992)	Peak position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[7]	1
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[2]	1

Year-end charts

Chart (1992)	Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[8]	25
US Country Songs (Billboard)[9]	9

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[10]	5× Platinum	5,000,000^‡
with Kacey Musgraves
Canada (Music Canada)[11]	3× Platinum	240,000^‡
United States (RIAA)[12]	Platinum	1,000,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
2. "Brooks Dunn Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
3. "The 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. May 24, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
4. DeVille, Chris (April 5, 2019). "Kacey Musgraves - "Neon Moon" (Brooks & Dunn Cover)". Stereogum. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
5. Reuter, Annie. "Kacey Musgraves Joined by Brooks & Dunn in Nashville For Stunning 'Neon Moon' Performance: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
6. Browne, David (January 27, 2019). "Kacey Musgraves Brings Pop Star Power to Beacon Theatre Show". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
7. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 2135." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. May 23, 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
8. "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1992". RPM. December 19, 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
9. "Best of 1992: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1992. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
10. "American single certifications – Brooks & Dunn – Neon Moon". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
11. "Canadian single certifications – Brooks & Dunn – Neon Moon (with Kacey Musgraves)". Music Canada. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
12. "American single certifications – Brooks & Dunn with Kacey Musgraves – Neon Moon". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 26, 2025.