Moon Joy DeJamz

A playlist for anyone inspired to change careers and become an astronaut.

Amber Corkey, Chief Copy Editor & Newsletter Editor

April 27, 2026

Lucy Brewster

From the Artemis II mission, “Project Hail Mary” sweeping the theaters, and Earth Day just passing, I’m feeling adoration for the celestial bodies of our solar system. The only way I can sum up the awe I feel for this wonderful ball of rock and water and plasma is through the words of astronaut Reid Wiseman reporting his view of the moon to ground control.

“You know I’m not one for hyperbole, but it’s the only thing I can come up with. … Absolutely unbelievable. This is incredible.”

And ground control responded with a happy chuckle, “Copy, Moon joy.”

Enjoy these curated songs that bring me Moon joy.

“Dream Sweet in Sea Major” by Miracle Musical

I’m on the side of TikTok that is flooded with edits — clips of shows and interviews dramatically timed to music and aligned with the lyrics. When the Artemis II was making its orbit, TikTok was full of edits of astronaut Chistina Koch gazing at the Earth set to the gorgeous opening of “Dream Sweet in Sea Major” by Miracle Musical. Just imagine: a view of the Earth accompanied by the lyrics, “Alone at the edge of a universe humming a tune / for merely dreaming we were snow.” The entirety of the album “Hawaii: Part II” describes an abstract love story and unprocessed grief for Sept. 11. It’s a fever dream of a concept album, but each individual song tells a beautiful story. The finale, “Dream Sweet,” sends us off in the story with a goodbye.

“The Lady on the Moon” by Noah Floersch

It’s no secret that I’m a huge Noah Floersch fan. I’ve been to three of his concerts, and it’s a transcendent experience every time. I first heard “The Lady on the Moon” on TikTok when Floersch was still writing it. He tells the story of a lady living on the moon who falls in love with a musician on Earth. He writes songs for her, and one day, she comes down to enjoy the sunlight with him. How I wish to write love songs to the moon so she knows how much I adore her.

“Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles

I will not admit how many times I’ve seen “Project Hail Mary” in theaters. I know that the scene of Eva Stratt singing “Sign of the Times” at karaoke is not in the book, but it’s the most fabulous addition any screenwriter could have added. The lyrics are so spot on for the story: three astronauts agreeing to go on a suicide mission to save their sun from dying, knowing they will never return to home to Earth. That takes an immense love for the planet and humanity. Every time the chorus hits, I blast my headphones at full volume. Sure, it’s terrible for my ears, but this song makes me feel like I’m there with those (fictional) astronauts and all of humanity.

“12 Seconds to the Moon” by Robert W. Smith, performed by the United States Air Force Reserve Band

I can’t make a list of moon songs and not include this masterpiece homage to man’s conquest of the skies. I played this piece in my high school band, and I listen to it when I’m nostalgic for the time when I could play an instrument. Named for the 12 seconds of the first Wright brothers’ flight, the 12-minute piece tells the story of a shuttle taking off to the moon: from the soaring French horn solo, to the 7/8 time signature and trombone glissandos and brake drum, to liftoff and its triumphant melody.

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About the Contributor

Amber Corkey, Chief Copy Editor & Newsletter Editor

Amber is a first year grad student in the Writing, Rhetoric & Discourse program at DePaul. They enjoy immersing themself in fantasy worlds, overthinking punctuation and rethreading their sewing machine for the zillionth time. Contact Amber: [email protected]