With nothing more than his signature charm and an electric guitar in hand, Celtic Thunder’s Keith Harkin has done the unthinkable, reimagining Frank Sinatra’s timeless classic “Fly Me to the Moon” into something entirely his own.
Originally immortalized by Sinatra in 1964 as a smooth, swinging big-band number, “Fly Me to the Moon” has been covered by countless artists over the decades. But few could have predicted the way Harkin’s guitar-driven rendition would breathe new life into it.
A Fresh Take on a Timeless Standard
Harkin begins with a gentle, blues-inflected guitar intro, his warm Irish tenor gliding over each note with understated ease. Rather than attempting to replicate Sinatra’s orchestral flair, he strips the song back to its emotional core, letting every lyric linger.
By the second verse, the electric guitar adds a shimmer of modern edge — a sonic choice that elevates the performance without overpowering it. The result is a version that feels both intimate and expansive, familiar yet refreshing.
It’s no wonder fans are saying his take is “as good as, or better than, the original.”
Fans Can’t Stop Talking
Viewers from around the world have flooded the comments section with praise, turning this cover into an instant fan favorite.
“Love love you singing this song sweetheart ❤,” wrote one longtime supporter from Scotland, calling herself Harkin’s “number 1 fan.” Another shared from Mexico, “Saludos desde Mexico,” while yet another fan confessed, “This is the voice I love. ❤”
One listener reminisced about hearing Sinatra’s original decades ago but still called Harkin’s performance “fabulous.” Others zeroed in on the electric guitar twist: “This song so beautiful on the electric guitar… you’ve got such an amazing voice.”
A jazz enthusiast chimed in with a hopeful request: “Would love to hear you sing some jazz or salsa like ‘Sway’ or ‘Feeling Good.’ Any chance? On most songs you cover, you do as good or better than the original artist.”
Even fans who miss seeing him in Celtic Thunder gave their blessing: “Celtic Thunder without you is not good… but this cover is beautiful ❤.”
The Story Behind “Fly Me to the Moon”
“Fly Me to the Moon” was originally written in 1954 by Bart Howard under the title “In Other Words.” While many recorded it in the late 1950s and early ’60s, it was Frank Sinatra’s 1964 version — arranged by Quincy Jones and backed by Count Basie’s orchestra — that became the definitive take.
Sinatra’s rendition even made history beyond the music charts: in 1969, it was played on a cassette tape aboard Apollo 10 and Apollo 11, making it the first music heard on the moon.
Harkin’s cover may not be rocketing into space, but judging by the reaction, it’s already launched into the hearts of fans worldwide.
