This is an updated version

Moon over Bourbon Street was written and performed by Sting and allegedly inspired by the Anne Rice book and adapted movie Interview with a Vampire (first published as a gothic horror novel in 1976). It tells the tale of Louis de Pointe du Lac (played by Brad Pitt in the 1994 film).

Reviews for the movie were mixed but it made more than 200 million worldwide and the intellectual property spawned the series The Vampire Chronicles – as well as other adaptations. In 2020 the rights were purchased by AMC for further development as a TV series.

Sting doesn’t deny that Interview was his inspiration for the song but has gone on record that when he visited New Orleans during this period to record this song, he had the distinct impression one moonlit night of being followed through the French Quarter.

Sting has also said he was fascinated not by the, morally ambivalent and heartless vampire Lestat du Lioncourt (played by Tom Cruise) but by the tortured character of Louis (the protagonist in the original tale) a vampire consumed by his animal nature but agonizingly torn between his lustful desire and his conscience. Rice describes all her vampires as ‘Lost Souls.’

Moon over Bourbon Street is one of my favorite dark, narrative lyric stories about a predator regretting his compulsive behavior. The lyrics are those of the anti-hero archetype and they tell a story loud and clear. The music (which I again don’t have on hand) compliments the tale with moody, sultry, understated, jazz elegance. I’ll have to work on providing my own original soundtracks. Just don’t hold your breath. 😊

There’s a moon over Bourbon Street tonight. I sees faces as they pass beneath the pale lamp light. I’ve no choice but to follow the call. The bright lights, the people, the moon and all. I pray every day to be strong, for I know what I do must be wrong.

Oh you’ll never see my shade or hear the sound of my feet, while there’s a moon over Bourbon Street.

It was many years ago that I became what I am. I was trapped in this life like an innocent lamb. Now I can never show my face at noon and you’ll only see me walking by the light of the moon. The brim of my hat hides the eye of a beast. I’ve the face of a sinner with the hands of a priest.

Oh you’ll never see my shade or hear the sound of my feet while there’s a moon over Bourbon Street.

She walks every day through the streets of New Orleans. She’s innocent and young from a family of means. I have stood many times outside her window at night to struggle with my instincts in the pale moonlight.

How could I be this way? And pray to God above. I must love what I destroy and destroy the thing I love.

Oh you’ll never see my shade or hear the sound of my feet while there’s a moon over Bourbon Street.