A song that has had many lives, The Killing Moon by Echo & The Bunnymen truly is a song no one else but them could make. Brooding but still uplifting, solemn but with an infectious hook. Ian McCulloch’s beautiful voice floats on a psychedelic goth atmosphere.

A hit single in 1984, it’s easily their most recognisable song, at least on this side of the Atlantic, where British music always had an abode. Blame it generations fed The Beatles and The Rolling Stones on a daily basis, blame it on our penchant for the overtly dramatic lyrics. British music always seems to be a larger hit in Mexico than in the USA. Just look at the sales of Oasis and Blur. Or how big The Smiths are in Mexico in contrast to the US. Even Chuck Klosterman dedicated one of his navelgazing essays to the topic.

A staple of classic radio, The Killing Moon is about the inevitability of death. A fate set on us, against our will. No wonder it worked so well in Donnie Darko, a movie that rattles the cages of too many cinephiles, while still confounding the general public. I personally like it, but prefer The Box. Takes all kinds, I guess.

Although I love Echo & The Bunnymen’s version, it was Grant Lee Phillips beautiful, understated cover what truly galvanised this love. The folksy cover shines a light on the lyrical work. McCulloch’s words, supposedly arriving to him after waking up from a dream, benefit from Phillips’ vulnerable approach.

I’ll delve longer into Grant Lee Phillips tomorrow, because I’ve got plenty to write about the fella. For the time being, hope you have good memories of this song, and if not, why not make new memories? After all, we’re just wearing stupid man suits.

-Sam J. Valdés López