Once in your life you find her
Someone that turns your heart around
And next thing you know you're closing down the town
Wake up and it's still with you
Even though you left her way across town
Wondering to yourself, "Hey, what've I found?"

When you get caught between the moon and New York City
I know it's crazy, but it's true
If you get caught between the moon and New York City
The best that you can do
The best that you can do is fall in love

Arthur he does as he pleases
All of his life, he's mastered choice
Deep in his heart, he's just, he's just a boy
Living his life one day at a time
And showing himself a really good time
Laughing about the way they want him to be

When you get caught between the moon and New York City
I know it's crazy, but it's true
If you get caught between the moon and New York City
The best that you can do (the best that you can do)
The best that you can do is fall in love

When you get caught between the moon and New York City
I know it's crazy, but it's true
If you get caught between the moon and New York City
The best that you can do (the best that you can do)
The best that you can do is fall in love

When you get caught between the moon and New York City
I know it's crazy, but it's true
If you get caught between the moon and New York City
The best that you can do (the best that you can do)
The best that you can do is fall in love

When you get caught between the moon and New York City
(I know it's crazy)


Lyrics submitted by numb

Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) Lyrics as written by Christopher Cross Burt Bacharach

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Best That You Can Do (Arthur's Theme) song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

13 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +3
    General Comment

    I love this song but it has special meaning to me... I went on my 1st date to see Arthur with my 1st love and have kept him in my heart for years and then 26 yrs later, We ran back into each other and you guessed it...it started all over for us ;@)

    piglet411on February 07, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i think the song is about finding the love of your life that can only happen ''once in your life'', the image of been caught 'between the moon and New York city' is a surreal ''crazy'' image but it's supposed to show how crazy a time it is when we meet that special person -our emotions are all over the place, and when it happens we must grab the opportunity as ''the best that you can do is fall in love''.

    billythepubon August 04, 2015   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Arthur he does as he pleases All of his life, he's masters choices Deep in his heart, he's just, he's just a boy

    what does this lyric mean?

    bsc_bigsixxon June 19, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    bsc, have seen the movie "Arthur"? when you see the movie, the lyric makes a little more sense. Arthur lives this spoiled, rich lifestyle. At least, that's what I remember-- it was a long time ago.

    yazzerson August 15, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Cheese at its finest.

    I love the "When you get caught between the moon and New York City" bit. There's something almost perverted about being caught in such a position. (Hey, I'm kidding!)

    ToroTrashon August 30, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is a really good song. My take is that if your caught, or stranded, in some random place or situation... that's the best time to fall in love... when you least expect it.

    allen314159on September 06, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    These lyrics -- I know they're crazy, but they're true!

    muzorewisdaughteron August 31, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It's a pretty song, but it has some of the laziest rhyming ever. "Town" is rhymed with "town," "time" with "time," "choices" with "pleases"... In fact, there's not a single actual rhyme in it. OK, maybe "true" and "do".

    kreniighon October 28, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    arthur is drunk all the time. he's high. as a kite. he doesnt wanna come down. to reality. to new york. to real life. hes caught between the moon and new york city. the best that he can do is fall in love. if he falls in love he will sober up. surely ;-)

    case1352on July 07, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Lyric Correction

    I have seen the second verse written two ways, and neither of them is the version above. The most common is "all of his life his master's toys" (which honestly makes no sense to me). The other is "all of his life he's mastered choice(s)". I can't find a definitive source though.

    BTW, the line about "when you get caught between the moon and New York City" was originally written by Peter Allen when his plane was stuck in a holding pattern above New York. This obviously doesn't invalidate the various interpretations, of course.

    Grailwolfon August 26, 2011   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Step
Ministry
Both as a standalone and as part of the DSOTS album, you can take this lyric as read. As a matter of public record, Jourgensen's drug intake was legendary even in the 1980s. By the late 90s, in his own words, he was grappling with massive addiction issues and had lost almost everything: friends, spouse, money and had nearly died more than once. "Dark Side of the Spoon" is a both funny & sad title for an album made by a musical genius who was losing the plot; and this song is a message to his fans & friends saying he knows it. It's painful to listen to so I'm glad the "Keith Richards of industrial metals" wised up and cleaned up. Well done sir.
Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve. The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future. Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere" The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.