“Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” is a 1981 hit by Christopher Cross that served as the theme for the film Arthur, starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli. Originally, Cross was hired to compose the film’s score, but director Steve Gordon vetoed this decision due to Cross’s inexperience, instead hiring Burt Bacharach to score the movie. Bacharach subsequently invited Cross to collaborate with him and his partner Carole Bayer Sager on the theme song.
The song’s iconic lyric, “When you get caught between the moon and New York City,” was originally written by Peter Allen (Minnelli’s ex-husband) and Sager for an unreleased song in 1976. Allen conceived the line while his plane was stuck in a holding pattern at JFK Airport, inspired by seeing the moon from the window. Sager recalled the lyric years later, secured Allen’s permission to use it, and the group completed the song over the phone with Allen in Australia.
The track became a massive commercial and critical success, reaching Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks in October 1981. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 54th Oscars and the Golden Globe for Best Original Song at the 39th ceremony. The song is widely regarded as a quintessential example of the Yacht Rock genre, produced by Michael Omartian.
[Verse 1]
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 ‘cross town
Wondering to yourself, “Hey, what’ve I found?”
[Chorus]
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
[Verse 2]
Arthur, he does as he pleases
All of his life, his master’s toys
Deep in his heart, he’s just, he’s just a boy
Living his life one day at a time
And showing himself a pretty good time
Laughing about the way they want him to be
[Chorus]
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
[Saxophone Solo]
[Chorus (Repeat Until Fade-Out)]
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
[Outro]
When you get caught between the moon and New York City
I know it’s crazy, but it’s true
