“Love’s Cosmic Serenade: The Untold Tale of Conway Twitty’s ‘I Don’t Know A Thing About Love (The Moon Song)'”

Unveiling the Tale Behind Conway Twitty‘s Iconic Tune: “I Don’t Know A Thing About Love (The Moon Song)”

Penned by the prolific songwriter Harlan Howard, the enigmatic track “I Don’t Know A Thing About Love (The Moon Song)” became an integral part of Conway Twitty‘s music legacy, scaling the charts to claim the top spot in 1984. Harlan Howard, a songwriting virtuoso with a remarkable career spanning nearly four decades, wasn’t confined to the country music genre, having crafted pop hits and even some rhythm & blues gems.

Harlan Howard’s journey into songwriting began in Detroit, Michigan, as a young boy tuning in to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio. He had a knack for reimagining the lyrics to the melodies that filled the airwaves. His big break came in 1958 when Charlie Walker’s rendition of “Pick Me Up On Your Way Down” cracked the top ten, cementing Howard’s status as a composer. Soon after, “Heartaches By The Number” soared to #2 on the country charts with Ray Price and claimed the #1 spot on the pop charts with Guy Mitchell. These early successes set the stage for a long and illustrious career marked by an extensive catalog of iconic compositions.

Howard’s creations would see new life breathed into them by younger artists, as his timeless tunes resurfaced on national playlists. Alongside revitalizing old classics, Harlan continued to craft fresh material. Hits like “Somebody Should Leave” by Reba McEntire, “Why Not Me” by the Judds, and “Somewhere Tonight” by Highway 101 left an indelible mark on contemporary music charts. However, it was Conway Twitty who, in 1984, revisited Howard’s work by recording “I Don’t Know A Thing About Love (The Moon Song).”

Conway Twitty and Harlan Howard’s friendship traced back to the mid-1960s. Harlan played a pivotal role in Conway’s transition from rock to country music, helping him secure a place in the Nashville music scene. Twitty, during his time at a studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, had recorded demos of some country songs. It was Harlan who took these tapes to Decca’s A&R chief, Owen Bradley, who immediately recognized Conway’s potential and signed him to the label. Over the years, Conway recorded several of Howard’s compositions for albums. Still, it wasn’t until 1984 that he released his second country single, following the 1966 record “Look Into My Teardrops,” which peaked at #36 on the Billboard chart.

The creation of “I Don’t Know A Thing About Love (The Moon Song)” unfolded during one of Howard’s fishing trips on Center Hill Lake, a reservoir near Nashville. Harlan found the act of fishing conducive to songwriting, given its tranquil and almost meditative nature. On this particular evening, he found himself captivated by the moon, reminiscing about the awe-inspiring moon landings by astronauts. These thoughts segued into reflections on the timeless, romantic moon-centric ballads from Tin Pan Alley, where the moon assumed an almost mystical role in love stories. Howard’s creativity sparked, and he reached for a pad and pen he always kept handy. Right there, in his fishing boat, a significant portion of “I Don’t Know A Thing About Love” was conceived.

After returning home, Howard continued to fine-tune the song. However, it wasn’t until he added a pivotal line towards the end that the moon speaks, “Don’t ask me, there’s somebody above me that you need to talk to,” that the song took on deeper, slightly religious undertones. Harlan realized that he had something truly special in his hands.

At the time, Harlan Howard had a strong inclination towards Don Williams recording the song. However, Don never did. Instead, the track found its way to Conway Twitty, who propelled it to the #1 position on Billboard’s country singles chart on October 20, 1984. This marked Conway’s 37th chart-topper, and he went on to achieve three more over the next two years, ultimately setting a record with 40 #1 hits, a feat unrivaled until George Strait surpassed it in 2006 with his 41st number one country hit. To this day, George Strait holds the record with 44 chart-toppers, an authentic and official Billboard count.

Artist: Conway Twitty
Album: By Heart
Released: 1984

Lyrics
I talked to the Man in the Moon.
I said, “Sir, is she coming back soon?”
He smiled and he stated,
“Son, I’m over-rated,
I’ve had to much credit in those old love tunes.
I don’t know a thing about love,
I just kind of hang here above.
I just watch from the sky,
Will love grow, will it die?
I don’t know a thing about love.”
Then I asked him “Where is she tonight?
You must see all things with your light.”
He said, “Son, I could tell you things that might kill you,
But I don’t get involved in what’s wrong or right.
I don’t know a thing about love,
I just kind of hang here above.
I just watch from the sky,
Will love grow, will it die?
I don’t know a thing about love.”
He said, “I can move oceans when I take the notion.
Or make mountains tremble and rivers run dry.
But in all matters human, remember there’s someone
In charge of those things way above you and I.
I don’t know a thing about love,
I just kind of hang here above.
I just watch from the sky,
Will love grow or will it die?
I don’t know a thing about love.
I don’t know a thing about love.”