Shame on the Moon
"Shame on the Moon" is a song written by Rodney Crowell and first recorded for his eponymous 1981 album. It was subsequently covered by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, as the lead single from their 1982 album "The Distance". Glenn Frey joins Seger on background harmony vocals on the song. The song spent four weeks at number two on the "Billboard" Hot 100 pop singles chart (blocked from the top spot by Patti Austin and James Ingram's "Baby, Come to Me" and by Michael Jackson's smash hit "Billie Jean") and topped the adult  contemporary chart. The song also went to number 15 on the country chart in early 1983, marking Seger's only Top 40 entry on that chart. Critical reception. "Billboard" magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that "his trademark acoustic guitar sets the tone, followed by an easygoing vocal and loping rhythm." Bob Seger's Comments. Speaking with Creem in 1983, Seger said: "It's more like a western song - a cowboy song - than it is a country & western song. And the track is flawless, the best and tightest track on the album. We cut it in like two hours, and  everyone decided it was the miracle track. But then we had to decide whether to use it or not because "The Distance" was going to be a real rock album. I purposely didn't write any medium-tempo songs for this one because I wanted it to be hard rocking with a few ballads for pacing. But we figured we'd throw it on and see what happened. The next thing we know, the Capitol guys are saying, 'That's the single!' (laughs) Fine! Whatever it takes! So thank you, Rodney. It's a great song, and I'm beholden  to the lad for writing it." Personnel. Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Seger's 2003 "Greatest Hits 2" compilation. The Silver Bullet Band Additional musicians Production