Artists & Bands

Walk The Moon | Tunes + Guitar Lessons

Blending slick pop-rock with retro flair, Walk The Moon rose from indie underdogs to chart-topping stars. Then one explosive single changed everything!

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Walk The Moon: From Indie Beginnings to Dance-Pop Stardom

American dance/pop/rock band Walk The Moon has often cited influences like David Bowie, Tears For Fears, Phil Collins, and The Police. In fact, their name is taken from the classic Police track Walking On The Moon. To me, they sound like a cleaner, more polished version of The Killers.

After independently releasing their debut album I Want! I Want! in 2010 and gaining attention with the single Anna Sun, the band signed with RCA. Their self-titled major label debut in 2012 included a re-recorded version of Anna Sun. If you listen to both versions, you’ll notice a shift in the production—everything sounds a little tidier, with a more polished vocal that hints at the label’s influence. It’s almost like a remix rather than a complete re-recording.

While the music saw some adjustments, the label’s marketing focus was clear. They worked hard to get the band’s sound out to a wider audience, with tracks featured in FIFA 13, Saints Row IV, and a laptop commercial. On tour, Walk The Moon also hit the road with Panic! at The Disco and Fun, helping to increase their exposure.

Following the debut, the band released an EP that included a cover of Burning Down The House (Talking Heads), which only solidified their place in the alternative music scene.

However, it was their signature track, Shut Up and Dance, released in 2014, that truly brought them into the spotlight. The song became a worldwide hit and a staple on every cover band’s setlist. Its infectious energy and catchy chorus made it a household name for Walk The Moon. If you listen closely, you can hear similarities to Mr. Brightside by The Killers—likely a reference track the band used in their own production process.

Despite the success of Shut Up and Dance, Walk The Moon’s subsequent albums and singles haven’t quite matched the heights of that breakout track. Their 2017 album What If Nothing produced the moderately successful One Foot, but their most recent release, Giants (2022), didn’t chart at all, suggesting their commercial momentum may have slowed.