"The Whole of the Moon" is a song by the Scottish band The Waterboys, released as a single from their 1985 album This Is the Sea. Written and produced by the band's founder Mike Scott, it has become one of their most iconic and enduring songs
. The song initially had modest chart success but later became one of The Waterboys' best-known and most commercially successful tracks. It won the Ivor Novello Award for "Best Song Musically and Lyrically" in 1992. Upon its re- release in 1991, it reached No. 3 on the UK charts
. Lyrically, the song contrasts the narrator's limited perspective ("I saw the crescent") with someone else's broader, visionary outlook ("You saw the whole of the moon"). The lyrics use vivid, imaginative imagery to convey this theme of insight and inspiration, reflecting on the difference between seeing part of a situation and understanding it fully
. Musically, "The Whole of the Moon" features a rich, expansive sound characteristic of The Waterboys' "Big Music" style during the mid-1980s, blending rock with folk influences
. The song remains a staple in the band's live performances and has been included on multiple albums and compilations, including This Is the Sea (1985), The Best of The Waterboys 81–90 (1991), and The Whole of the Moon: The Music of Mike Scott and the Waterboys (1998)
. Mike Scott has expressed that the song's timelessness and meaningful lyrics contribute to its lasting appeal, and he still enjoys performing it decades after its release
. In summary, "The Whole of the Moon" is a celebrated and influential song by The Waterboys, known for its poetic lyrics, sweeping sound, and enduring popularity since its release in 1985
