Explaining the Viral “You Take the Moon and You Take the Sun” Meme

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Trend expert Jemaree Jay shares where the popular Chowder meme came from

Co-authored by Bailey Cho Reviewed by Jemaree Jay

Last Updated: January 21, 2026 Fact Checked

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Meme Explained

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Origins & Spread

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More Viral Memes

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Have you heard of the “you take the moon and you take the sun” meme and wondered what it means? Well, you’re not alone, and we’re here to break it down for you! In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the viral TikTok meme, including its meaning and origins, with insights from trend expert Jemaree Jay. We’ll also cover more viral memes so you’re up to date on the latest trends!

“You Take the Moon and You Take the Sun” Meme Overview

Trend expert Jemaree Jay says the “you take the moon and you take the sun” meme comes from the theme song of Cartoon Network’s TV show Chowder. It’s a popular audio snippet on TikTok that’s often paired with random, brainrot content. On other platforms, people create out-of-context memes using silly images from the show.

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“You Take the Moon and You Take the Sun” Meme Explained

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The “you take the moon and you take the sun” meme is a popular audio snippet on TikTok. The audio is from the theme song of the animated TV show Chowder, and many creators use it (or reference its lyrics) when posting random, nonsensical content, says Jay.^{[1]
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Jemaree Jay
Trend Expert

Expert Interview} The memes range from classic lip-syncing videos to edits that recreate the song’s lyrics.
- Examples of the meme: This TikTok video from @daveyrz shows him adding a paper cutout of the moon emoji on a CD and repeating the phrase.
- This TikTok video from @lowkeymatt_ shows the creator repeatedly removing an image of the moon using photo-editing software.
- This TikTok video from @poorbutterflygirl features two people in costumes lip-syncing to the lyrics.
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Jemaree Jay is a trend expert and content creator. He specializes in content that breaks down Gen Z identity, internet culture, race-based archetypes, and friend group dynamics.
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Outside of TikTok, people create funny memes using the audio and/or lyrics. The audio and the show are so iconic that many internet users create remixes, memes, and videos using them. These are also random and nonsensical, especially since most are paired with out-of-context visuals. If you don’t know the audio or show, you’ll have no idea what the meme even means!
- Examples of the meme: Check out this YouTube video, which has remixed the audio into a meme featuring the movie Despicable Me.
- Check out this brainrot meme that features funny, creative lyrics that deviate from the original audio.
- Check out this meme from Reddit of a character crashing into the moon.

Section 2 of 3:

Meme Origins & Spread

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The “you take the moon…” meme originates from the TV show Chowder. The animated series first aired on Cartoon Network on November 2, 2007. It’s about a purple cat-bear-rabbit hybrid named Chowder who works as an apprentice in Chef Mung Daal’s catering company. In the opening theme song, Chef Mung Daal sings the lyric “You take the moon, and you take the sun,” which is where the meme comes from.^{[2]
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- On November 12, 2016, YouTuber Little Yiu posted this 10-minute-long video of Mung Daal continuously singing, “and you take the moon.” This audio was then remixed with other media to create various memes.^{[3]
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- Jay notes that a glitchy version of the song was used as a meme several years ago, which went something like, “you take the moon, and you take the moon, and you take the moon.”^{[4]
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- People began posting remixes of the Chowder song on platforms like YouTube, Reddit, and Tumblr, often adding weird or out-of-context images and GIFs to make it funnier. They also created meme templates featuring the phrase, which helped it gain popularity.
- Today, TikTokers use the “you take the moon” audio for various content. Some creators post their own covers of the song (check out this TikTok from @brettchase2), while others post funny videos commenting on how similar the drumline sounds to other songs (check out this TikTok from @kirkiimad).
- According to Jay, the current popularity of the meme may be due to Gen Zers reminiscing about the brainrot memes they grew up with, rather than the ones that are current now (like the 67 meme).^{[5]
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Section 3 of 3:

More Viral Memes

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Here are more popular memes taking over social media. New memes and trends are constantly popping up online, especially on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. If you want to be in the know, check out these funny memes below: