An American Odyssey in Song: Maryland and “Moonlight Feels Right”

Welcome to this occasional series where I am attempting a virtual journey around the 50 States of America in song. For anyone new to this place, I have a continuous route map where I enter and leave each state only once. Suggestions for the next leg always welcome!

Well, I’ve been stuck in Delaware since the summer of 2024, but now I’m ready to pick up my route and the next state I’m heading into is Maryland.

Maryland was founded by the 1st Baron Baltimore and it’s most populous city was named after him. Looking at a map of Maryland, it’s a markedly “watery” state, with Chesapeake Bay cutting right through its middle. Its western section contains stretches of the Appalachians and the central part of the state is mainly farmland. National Geographic once dubbed Maryland, “America in Miniature,” due to the fact that nearly every kind of terrain can be found there.

In 1790, the national capital was moved from Philadelphia to land in Maryland selected by the first President George Washington for the creation of the federal government. The land donated was along the north shore of the Potomac River and became Washington DC. The majority of Maryland’s population is concentrated in the cities and suburbs surrounding Washington DC, and in and around Baltimore. Maryland has the highest median household income of any state, owing mainly to its proximity to Washington, D.C., and a highly diversified economy spanning manufacturing, retail services, public administration, real estate, higher education, information technology, defense contracting, health care, and biotechnology.

But what song can I share that refers to the state of Maryland? As it turns out the song Moonlight Feels Right by Starbuck has been shared around here before as part of another series, but it does mention Chesapeake Bay so it’s a perfect candidate. It was never a hit in the UK, so although I know the song well it must be from hearing it on the radio over the years. It was however a big hit in the US, Canada and Australia, so I wonder why it didn’t strike a cord over here. To me it just screams 1976 America (as we called it back then), and reminds me of another song from across the pond I also like from that year. Yes, one of the very first songs I ever wrote about around here was I’d Really Love To See You Tonight by England Dan & John Ford Coley. In Scotland, even during a heatwave, it is never warm after dark, so back in 1976 I just loved the idea of those “warm winds blowin’ the stars around”. Likewise, in Moonlight…, we are painted a picture of warm summer evenings by the coast, with the moon and stars shining brightly in the night sky.

I’ll take you on a trip beside the ocean
And drop the top at Chesapeake Bay
Ain’t nothin’ like the sky to dose a potion
The moon’ll send you on your way

You say you came to Baltimore from Ole Miss
Class of seven-four, gold ring
The eastern moon looks ready for a wet kiss
To make the tide rise again

It’s from a long time ago now, but when I wrote about Delaware and mentioned I’d be heading into Maryland next, I did get one song suggestion from Khayem. He wrote:

Try searching The Divine Comedy and Maryland on YouTube and you should find it easily…

I did search and the song he refers to is this one, Maryland Electric Rainstorm, from their 1998 album End Of The Century/Fin de Siècle.

A new road, when on an old man’s bad advice
He left to cross the woods, but just
Got totally lost, and then
The Maryland electric rainstorm broke
Over his head, making him wet, upset, then
The Maryland electric rainstorm broke everything
Soaked through his skin, into his heart and soul

So there we have it, a whistle stop tour of Maryland and not many songs shared. Next time I’ll be heading into West Virginia and I already know that state will throw up a fair few tunes. Please do add your suggestions to the comments boxes if you have any.

Until next time…

Moonlight Feels Right Lyrics
(Song by Bruce Blackman)

The wind blew some luck in my direction
I caught it in my hands today
I finally made a tricky French connection
You winked and gave me your O.K.
I’ll take you on a trip beside the ocean
And drop the top at Chesapeake Bay
Ain’t nothing like the sky to dose a potion
The moon’ll send you on your way

Moonlight feels right
Moonlight feels right

We’ll lay back and observe the constellations
And watch the moon smilin’ bright
I’ll play the radio on southern stations
‘Cause southern belles are hell at night
You say you came to Baltimore from Ole Miss
Class of seven-four, gold ring
The eastern moon looks ready for a wet kiss
To make the tide rise again

Moonlight feels right
Moonlight feels right

We’ll see the sun come up on Sunday morning
And watch it fade the moon away
I guess you know I’m giving you a warning
‘Cause me and moon are itching to play
I’ll take you on a trip beside the ocean
And drop the top at Chesapeake Bay
Ain’t nothin’ like the sky to dose a potion
The moon’ll send you on your way

Moonlight feels right
Moonlight feels right

Moonlight feels right
Moonlight feels right