About the song
“Harvest Moon,” a poignant ballad by Neil Young, stands as a testament to enduring love and the passage of time. Released in November 1992 as the lead single from his album of the same name, the song quickly captured hearts with its nostalgic lyrics and evocative melody.
Neil Young, both writer and producer of “Harvest Moon,” drew inspiration from the moon itself, a motif he has long revered for its mystical and almost spiritual significance. The song unfolds in the key of D Major, featuring Young’s signature guitar tuned to Drop D and showcasing his vocal range spanning from D3 to F#4. Linda Ronstadt’s ethereal backing vocals add depth and harmony, enhancing the song’s emotional resonance.
Critically acclaimed, “Harvest Moon” has garnered praise for its lyrical beauty and musical arrangement. Rolling Stone recognized it as one of Young’s best songs, underscoring its enduring popularity among fans and critics alike. AllMusic’s Matthew Greenwald hailed it as a masterpiece that encapsulates the album’s essence, celebrating both nature’s power and the timeless allure of lifelong love. The melody, described as “positively gorgeous,” weaves a narrative of romance and commitment with effortless grace.
Pitchfork highlighted Young’s masterful guitar work, noting how the song’s atmosphere evokes a sense of eternity. The lyrics, filled with poetic imagery, paint a picture of lasting love through the metaphor of the harvest moon, a symbol of renewal and continuity. Alexis Petridis of The Guardian described “Harvest Moon” as a “genuinely beautiful hymn to marriage and enduring love,” capturing the essence of emotional connection across generations.
The music video, filmed at The Mountain House in Woodside, California, further enhances the song’s narrative. Set amidst a redwood forest, it portrays Young and his wife in a timeless dance, juxtaposing scenes from 1992 with flashbacks to 1967. These sequences symbolize the enduring nature of their relationship, underscored by subtle details like a matchbox dropped decades ago, left undisturbed—a poignant visual metaphor for enduring love across the years.
In essence, “Harvest Moon” is more than a song; it’s a timeless ode to love’s resilience and the beauty found in life’s cyclical nature. Neil Young’s ability to blend introspective lyrics with soul-stirring melodies cements this track as a classic, resonating with listeners for its heartfelt depiction of enduring romance under the shimmering light of the harvest moon.
Video
Lyrics
Come a little bit closer
Hear what I have to say
Just like children sleepin’
We could dream this night away
But there’s a full moon risin’
Let’s go dancin’ in the light
We know where the music’s playin’
Let’s go out and feel the night
Because I’m still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because I’m still in love with you
On this harvest moon
When we were strangers
I watched you from afar
When we were lovers
I loved you with all my heart
But now it’s gettin’ late
And the moon is climbin’ high
I want to celebrate
See it shinin’ in your eye
Because I’m still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because I’m still in love with you
On this harvest moon
Because I’m still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because I’m still in love with you
On this harvest moon