Dennis DeYoung charts with “Desert Moon,” debut solo single

Desert Moon Dennis DeYoung

Writer(s): Dennis DeYoung (see lyrics here) Released: August 1984 First Charted: September 8, 1984 Peak: 10 US, 10 CB, 5 GR, 7 RR, 4 AC, 31 AR, 7 CN, 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 11.13 video, 4.04 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Singer/songwriter and keyboardist Dennis DeYoung was a founding member of Styx. During the ‘70s and ‘80s, they became one of the world’s most successful rock bands. most notably releasing four consecutive multi-platinum albums. After 1983’s Kilroy Was Here, the band splintered, not coming back together again for seven years. During the interim, several members released solo albums. DeYoung, who took the lead on seven of Styx’s eight top-10 hits, found the greatest success. His first album, 1984’s Desert Moon, produced a top 10 hit for him with the album’s title cut. All Music Guide’s Stephen Thomas Erlewine said of the song, that is was “a song that justifies an entire album.” AMG The title of the song came about because DeYoung as a result of the 1984 movie Dune. A friend told DeYoung they were looking for someone to write a song for the movie. Because the story was set on a desert planet, DeYoung played with the idea of moons and the desert. Before he could write the song, they hired someone else. However, DeYoung stayed with the song, turing “desert moon” into “an imaginary place in your past to which you desperately want to return, where life seemed simple and innocent.” SF It became a reflection on his youth and “warm summer nights and endless possibility.” SF In the song, the narrator reconnects with his first love and they reflect on what happened to their dreams. SF The video was directed by Jack Cole, who also helmed Steve Perry’s “Oh Sherrie.” It played on the same idea as the song with DeYoung returning to his hometown, hanging out with his buddies, and reminiscing about his first love. It was partially filmed at the train depot and other historic buildings in and around Santa Paula, California. Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Dennis DeYoung AMG All Music Guide review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine of the Desert Moon album SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 10/27/2022; last updated 12/27/2022.