Hijo de la Luna
Encyclopedia
"Hijo de la Luna" is a song written by José María Cano
performed originally by the Spanish band Mecano
with lead singer Ana Torroja
. It appeared on their 1986 album, Entre el cielo y el suelo
and had great success all over the Spanish speaking world, as did the album. From December 28, 1998 to January 11, 1999, a cover version by Loona
topped the German charts, around the same time, it reached number two in the Swiss singles' chart.
for a husband. The Moon asks for the woman's first born as payment.
After the child is born, his parents are dismayed to see that his skin is the whitest white and his eyes are grey, even though they both have dark skin and dark eyes. The lyrics explain that the child is a "lunar Albino." But the man assumes that the baby is not his and stabs his wife to death. He takes the child and runs into the wild, where he abandons it to die of exposure.
Later the baby is said to live happily ever after with the Moon as his mother. And when the child cries, the Moon wanes to cradle and comfort him.
The chorus says that the moon wants to be a mother, yet cannot find a lover who will make her his wife, and questions her as to what she would do with a human child.
In turn, the Moon doubts the mother's commitment to the little boy, wondering how much can someone love a child if that someone is eager to trade it for a partner.
The song can be construed as a myth that explains the phases of the Moon as a function of the Moon's interaction with her adopted human son.
CD maxi
topped the German charts in 1999.
CD maxi
for Mecano
. A number of cover versions exist:
José María Cano
José María Cano is a Spanish composer, once a member of the Spanish pop group Mecano, and more recently a conceptual artist.-Biography as a musician:...
performed originally by the Spanish band Mecano
Mecano
Mecano was a Spanish pop band whose debut coincided with La Movida Madrileña , a sociocultural movement that occurred in Madrid, Spain during the 1980s...
with lead singer Ana Torroja
Ana Torroja
Ana Torroja is a Grammy Award-nominated Spaniard singer. She is the lead singer of the pop trio Mecano, considered one of the most popular pop bands from Spain during the 1980s and 1990s. Mecano split in 1998 and she embarked on a solo career.-Biography:Ana Torroja met José María Cano while...
. It appeared on their 1986 album, Entre el cielo y el suelo
Entre el cielo y el suelo
Entre el cielo y el suelo is an album by pop group Mecano. It was released in 1986. This was the album that established them as international artists not just in Spain, but also in the Americas, Germany, France and Italy. It was their first release with Ariola Records...
and had great success all over the Spanish speaking world, as did the album. From December 28, 1998 to January 11, 1999, a cover version by Loona
Loona
Marie-Jose van der Kolk also known by her stage names Loona and Carisma, is a Dutch singer, songwriter and dancer. She is most noted for her collaboration with DJ Sammy, and performing as a duo under the stage name of DJ Sammy feat. Carisma...
topped the German charts, around the same time, it reached number two in the Swiss singles' chart.
Lyrics
The lyrics depict a gypsy woman, who prays to the MoonMoon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
for a husband. The Moon asks for the woman's first born as payment.
After the child is born, his parents are dismayed to see that his skin is the whitest white and his eyes are grey, even though they both have dark skin and dark eyes. The lyrics explain that the child is a "lunar Albino." But the man assumes that the baby is not his and stabs his wife to death. He takes the child and runs into the wild, where he abandons it to die of exposure.
Later the baby is said to live happily ever after with the Moon as his mother. And when the child cries, the Moon wanes to cradle and comfort him.
The chorus says that the moon wants to be a mother, yet cannot find a lover who will make her his wife, and questions her as to what she would do with a human child.
In turn, the Moon doubts the mother's commitment to the little boy, wondering how much can someone love a child if that someone is eager to trade it for a partner.
The song can be construed as a myth that explains the phases of the Moon as a function of the Moon's interaction with her adopted human son.
Track listings
7" single- "Hijo de la luna" – 4:21
- "Mujer contra mujer" – 4:06
CD maxi
- "Hijo de la luna" – 4:18
- "Por la cara" – 3:06
- "El cine" – 4:01
Peak positions
| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Singles Chart | 45 |
| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
| Dutch Top 40 | 3 |
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
| French SNEP Singles Chart | 6 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1989) | Position |
|---|---|
| German Singles Chart | 45 |
| Chart (1990) | Position |
| Dutch Top 40 | 39 |
Certifications
| Country | Date | Certification | Sales certified | Physical sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 1991 | Silver | 125,000 | 195,000 |
Loona version
"Hijo De La Luna" is a song initially by the Spanish band Mecano but a cover version by LoonaLoona
Marie-Jose van der Kolk also known by her stage names Loona and Carisma, is a Dutch singer, songwriter and dancer. She is most noted for her collaboration with DJ Sammy, and performing as a duo under the stage name of DJ Sammy feat. Carisma...
topped the German charts in 1999.
Track listings
CD single- "Hijo de la luna (sentimiento version)" – 4:08
- "Another Christmas Without You" – 4:11
CD maxi
- "Hijo de la luna (sentimiento version)" – 4:08
- "Hijo de la luna (radio remix version) " – 3:52
- "Another Christmas Without You" – 4:11
- "Hijo de la luna (instrumental version)" – 4:15
- "Hijo de la luna" (Flip Mjc acapella version) – 3:20
Charts
| Chart (1998/99) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Singles Chart | 1 |
| Austrian Singles Chart | 3 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 2 |
Other cover versions
The song was written by José María CanoJosé María Cano
José María Cano is a Spanish composer, once a member of the Spanish pop group Mecano, and more recently a conceptual artist.-Biography as a musician:...
for Mecano
Mecano
Mecano was a Spanish pop band whose debut coincided with La Movida Madrileña , a sociocultural movement that occurred in Madrid, Spain during the 1980s...
. A number of cover versions exist:
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