XXXTentacion has made us all feel his presence through his music this time last year and this year as well. X released his second studio album ‘?’ in March 2018, just three months before his sudden passing. “Moonlight” track which was featured in the album gets released today-Oct 1st-3 months after the shocking death. His recently released collab with Lil Peep “Falling Down” made major waves in the industry as an allude to two artists gone too early.
“This album not about the words, it’s about the feeling…it’ll be very hard to understand, but very easy to listen to,” said X about this album. “Moonlight” track is a perfect example of this. The song speaks about the singer’s adoration of this beautiful girl. Much like the music video for the song, the rhythm flows slow and smooth and the scenery is relaxing. It is all about feel-good vibes in this song and the video.
The song is written by John Cunningham and X, where X had involved in the production and the creative direction of the music video as well.
Watch “Moonlight” Music Video by XXXTentacion
Download “Moonlight” Song on iTunes and Amazon
Buy ‘?’ Album on iTunes and Amazon
The music video shows a gathering of people out in what seems like a small wood during a full moon. The people seem to be enjoying life, talking, laughing and dancing. They seem to be unaware of the presence of X, who also enjoys looking at the people. Quite difficult to pinpoint what X’s intention was with the video, just like he predicted.
Lyrics Review and Song Meaning of “Moonlight”
Chorus
‘Spotlight’ could mean the recent success X received towards 2017 and 2018. He was being critiqued as one of the best upcoming artists and a controversial one at that as well. His single “SAD!” charted high on many music charts around the world. On the other hand, he could be talking about this girl who has shed a light on his darkened life and soul.
X then goes on to talk about how good looking her girl is under the moonlight. Maybe this girl was there in the music video under the moonlight gathering.
‘Badmind’ is a term derived from Jamaican culture to reference a person of ill mind and thoughts. The Jamaican influence would have come from X’s father, who is of Jamaican descent. Is he trying to say that sexual thoughts have corrupted the mankind?
Verse
XXXTentacion believes he was destined for greatness. In an interview in 2017, X said “I finally have everything in my f*cking hands so now you’re gonna see who’s the greatest artist of the century. I’m not talking about the best artist in my city, or in my country—I’m going for the best artist in the world.”
X also talks about the violence in the industry. He says he doesn’t need Smith & Wesson-a gun manufacturer. He would rather use his words, which cut deeper than a knife.
Continuing on the same theme, X confront a girl who apparently trapped him. He says that he knows she had a plan to put him down all along. This could be a reference to his ex-girlfriend Geneva Ayala, who accused X of physical abuse.
Bridge
Feel-good vibes start flowing in these lyrics of the song. He talks about how this special girl can take all his worries away. One call is all it takes to breathe some life into an otherwise dull life of X who has been betrayed before.
“Moonlight” is an interesting track by XXXTentacion. The song is short clocking a little over 2 minutes. However, the song gives us all the feels. Isn’t that what music is supposed to do?
Let us know what you think about “Moonlight” by XXXTentacion. Felt good? Felt bad? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.