Introduction
“Neon Moon” was originally written by Ronnie Dunn and released in February 1992 as the third single from Brooks & Dunn’s debut album Brand New Man. It quickly climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming their third straight chart-topping single and cementing their emergence as a dominant force in early ’90s country music .
From the outset, “Neon Moon” stood out for its blend of melancholy and danceable rhythm—a “cowboy cha‑cha” style that made it a hallmark of honky‑tonk heartbreak songs . Lyrically, the song portrays a man nursing a broken heart beneath the glow of a neon-lit bar, a setting that becomes both sanctuary and stage for his sorrow: “As long as there’s light from a neon moon,” Dunn delivers with resigned tenderness . Ronnie Dunn has discussed how he deliberately infused the melody and lyric with a ray of hope even amid sadness, drawing from his song‑writing philosophy in Nashville .
Brooks & Dunn did not release an official music video for the original “Neon Moon,” a rarity given its huge impact, yet its reach only grew with time through radio airplay, live performances, and fan‑driven covers . It has appeared high on “greatest country songs” lists—including Rolling Stone’s ranking of it at No. 41 in their 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time in 2024 .
In November 2024, Brooks & Dunn teamed up with Morgan Wallen to re-record “Neon Moon” for their collaborative album Reboot II, released on November 15, 2024 . Wallen, who grew up listening to the duo, deliberately kept the arrangement faithful to the original—believing “it was already done” right the first time—while adding his own subtle stylistic touches .
The resulting 2024 version captures the timeless emotional resonance of the original while introducing it to a new generation of country listeners, reaffirming the song’s legacy and Brooks & Dunn’s lasting influence.
Video
Lyrics
[Verse 1: Morgan Wallen]
When the sun goes down on my side of town
That lonesome feelin’ comes to my door
And the whole world turns blue
There’s a run-down bar across the railroad track
I got a table for two, way in the back
Where I sit alone and think of losin’ you
[Pre-Chorus: Morgan Wallen]
I spend most every night
Beneath the light of a neon moon
[Chorus: Morgan Wallen]
Now if you lose your one and only
There’s always room here for the lonely
To watch your broken dreams dance
In and out of the beams of a neon moon
[Verse 2: Brooks & Dunn]
I think of two young lovers, runnin’ wild and free
I close my eyеs and sometimes see
You in the shadows of this smokе-filled room
No tellin’ how many tears I’ve sat here and cried
Or how many lies that I’ve lied
Tellin’ my poor heart
Oh, she’ll come back someday
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[Pre-Chorus: Brooks & Dunn]
Oh, and I’ll be alright
As long as there’s light from a neon moon
[Chorus: Brooks & Dunn]
If you lose your one and only
There’s always room here for the lonely
To watch your broken dreams dance
In and out of the beams of a neon moon
[Bridge: Morgan Wallen]
The jukebox plays on, drink by drink
And the words of every sad song seem to say what I think
And this hurt inside of me ain’t never gonna end
[Pre-Chorus: Brooks & Dunn]
Oh, but I’ll be alright
As long as there’s light from a neon moon
[Chorus: Morgan Wallen, Brooks & Dunn]
Oh, if you lose your one and only
There’s always room here for the lonely
To watch your broken dreams dance
In and out of the beams of a neon moon
[Outro: Brooks & Dunn, Morgan Wallen]
Oh, watch your broken dreams dance
In and out of the beams of a neon moon
Oh, watch your broken dreams dance
In and out of the beams of a neon moon