Lyrically, the song is a tribute to the comedian and performer Andy Kaufman, with numerous references to his career, including his Elvis impersonation, wrestling, and the film "My Breakfast with Blassie". The song's title and chorus refer to the Moon landing conspiracy theories, as an oblique allusion to rumors that Kaufman's death in 1984 was faked. The song gave its name to "Man on the Moon" (1999), Miloš Forman's film based on Kaufman's life, and was featured prominently in the film's soundtrack.