Have you ever wondered if the stories we share truly resonate with others? As a content creator, I often ponder this, especially when crafting pieces about music – a universal language that speaks to the soul. It’s a question that lingers until a message arrives, reminding you of the profound impact a simple story can have.
Recently, I received a message that perfectly encapsulated this feeling. It was a response to a piece I wrote last year about the classic summer hit, “Moonlight Feels Right.” A year later, a reader named Murray West shared a deeply personal story that underscored the enduring power of a Moonlight Song.
Murray wrote:
“There’s a tradition in our family regarding “moon songs.” My parents had shared a love of “Blue Moon,” and when my dad passed away, my mom would hear that song and tell me that she felt my dad’s presence. I laughed it off as a funny story, and one day I was on a long road trip driving at 2 am and thinking of my dad. I said out loud “Dad, if you and I were to have a moon song it would be; “Moonlight Feels Right.” I drove on and 10 minutes later “Moonlight Feels Right” came on the radio. To my dying day I will think my Dad reached out to me through the airwaves to say hello.”
Murray’s heartfelt message is a beautiful reminder of why I continue to write. It’s about connecting with people through stories, especially those woven around music that holds a special place in our hearts. And it’s why I want to revisit and expand on the story of “Moonlight Feels Right,” a song that clearly holds a special place for many.
If you missed it before, or are just discovering its magic, let’s delve into the story of “Moonlight Feels Right,” a true moonlight song that captures the essence of summer nights, romance, and enduring memories.
“The wind blew some luck in my direction….I caught it in my hands today…”
Whenever “Moonlight Feels Right” graces the airwaves, it’s impossible not to turn up the volume. This iconic track, a major hit in the summer of 1976, has a timeless quality. Even after thousands of listens over nearly five decades, the opening notes still bring an instant smile, even in the depths of winter. But make no mistake, “Moonlight Feels Right” is unequivocally a summer anthem. It evokes images of long, sun-drenched days, balmy nights, and the scent of suntan lotion – the quintessential summer experience of that era.
“We’ll lay back and observe the constellations…and watch the moon smiling bright…”
But what is it about this particular moonlight song that has allowed it to endure for so long? Who crafted such a captivating tune, and who is responsible for that unforgettable marimba solo that dances through the melody? The answer lies with the band Starbuck and the creative force behind them, Bruce Blackman.
Starbuck-Moonlight-Feels-Right-Rock-N-Roll-Rocket
Bruce Blackman, hailing from Greenville, Mississippi, is the mastermind behind “Moonlight Feels Right.” He not only wrote and performed the song, showcasing his keyboard skills and signature mustache, but also formed the band Starbuck, produced their records, and holds the majority of the song’s publishing rights. Speaking from Atlanta in the summer of 2015, Bruce reflected on the song’s incredible legacy: “I am one of the luckiest people alive. That one song has made me a comfortable living, and I still love it today.” His words reveal a genuine appreciation for the moonlight song that changed his life.
“You say you came to Baltimore from Ole Miss….class of ’74 gold ring…the eastern moon looks ready for a wet kiss…to make the tide rise again…”
The most enduring songs often stem from personal experiences, and “Moonlight Feels Right” is no exception. Bruce shared the heartwarming story behind the lyrics: “My inspiration for writing the song came from a beautiful girl from Greenville, Mississippi.” It all began with a newspaper photograph of beauty pageant contestants hanging in a dorm room at Delta State. Captivated by one particular young woman, Bruce was so smitten that he enrolled at her college with the sole intention of meeting her. His persistence paid off. “I did meet her and asked her out 3 times. The third time she accepted and that’s when “the wind blew some luck in my direction”.”
Peggy and Bruce in 1977
Peggy and Bruce in 1977
He continued, “The song then became a light fictional fantasy about what I hoped would happen.” This “fantasy” turned into reality, as Bruce and Peggy are still happily married 47 years later, and as Bruce proudly states, “she’s just as beautiful as ever.” Their enduring love story is beautifully captured in photos, including one with their daughter Sarah, who is also a singer, highlighting the musical legacy of the family touched by this moonlight song.
Bruce Blackman, daughter Sarah, and his wife Peggy, who inspired
Bruce Blackman, daughter Sarah, and his wife Peggy, the inspiration behind “Moonlight Feels Right”
Interestingly, “Moonlight Feels Right,” this quintessential summer moonlight song, wasn’t initially intended for summer release. “We actually released it in late 1975,” Bruce explained, “but nobody noticed.” Despite Bruce’s prior experience in various bands and record releases, radio stations initially overlooked the track. Facing rejection, Bruce and bandmate Bo Wagner took a grassroots approach, visiting radio stations personally, urging them to give their song a listen. Slowly, they found believers, but widespread momentum remained elusive for months.
“We’ll see the sun come up on Sunday morning…and watch it fade the moon away….”
The turning point arrived in the spring of 1976 with a phone call to the president of Private Stock Records. Michael St. John from WERC in Birmingham, Alabama, called with a crucial message: “You ought to get this Starbuck song out, because it is taking off. Our listeners want to know why they can’t find it in the stores.” This sparked the label’s attention. The song’s popularity spread from Birmingham to Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte, igniting a wildfire of demand. Bruce Blackman finally had a hit record on his hands, not through overnight success, but through persistent groundwork and organic listener demand. Michael St. John, now at Fun 92.7, aptly described the song’s ascent: “That song literally heated up. The hotter it got outside, the more people wanted to hear it. It is truly a summertime hit.” A true moonlight song perfectly timed for the summer season.
“I guess you know I’m giving you a warning….’cause me and moon are itchin’ to play….”
The record label swiftly responded, rushing the album into production, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Decades later, Bruce Blackman embraces the legacy of “Moonlight Feels Right.” “People ask me if I resent being called a one-hit wonder. No sir, stop and think about it. Most singers can’t get a record deal, and if they do, they don’t score a hit. I’ve got this little song that has given me a great life. I heard it in Home Depot the other day. It’s fun to see people singing along to my song. I’ve never hollered out, ‘Hey that’s me!’ but I’m glad they like it.” His humility and gratitude are evident.
“I guarantee you, it’s on the radio somewhere in the world right now, it never stops,” Bruce confidently states. He even shares humorous and deeply touching anecdotes about the song’s impact. From fans jokingly claiming he’s responsible for their birth to incredibly moving stories like the one from a doctor who shared how “Moonlight Feels Right” became a final, cherished moment for a leukemia patient and her sister.
“I’ll take you on a trip beside the ocean….and drop the top on Chesapeake Bay….ain’t nothing like the sky to dose a potion….the moon’ll send you on your way…”
The original Starbuck lineup reunited in the summer of 2013 for a performance in Atlanta, proving the song’s enduring appeal and the band’s timeless energy. Bruce Blackman continues to create music, driven by an intrinsic need to write songs, regardless of commercial success. And if “Moonlight Feels Right” remains his defining work, he’s content. “I hope they put it on my tombstone,” he jokes. “That song has made a lot of people happy, I see it in their faces every time I sing it. For a songwriter, it doesn’t get any better than that.” The power of a moonlight song to bring joy and create lasting memories is truly immeasurable.
“Moonlight….feels right…..moonlight…..feels right…..”
This moonlight song, “Moonlight Feels Right,” continues to resonate, not just as a summer hit, but as a soundtrack to memories, a source of comfort, and a testament to the enduring magic of music.
