Moonraker

Album: Moonraker soundtrack (1979)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was Shirley Bassey's third Bond theme song ("Goldfinger" and "Diamonds Are Forever" preceded it). The song was written by John Barry, who wrote many of the series themes and soundtracks. The movie was the highest grossing Bond film to that time, but the theme song failed to attract much attention. The film was a particularly campy version of James Bond, as it was set in space ("Moonraker" is the name of a space shuttle in the movie), and this orchestral ballad sung by Bassey didn't go well with the film. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Kelley - Hickory, KY
  • In Bond film tradition, this song plays at the beginning of the movie. A disco version, also sung by Bassey, plays over the end credits.
  • Originally, Kate Bush was asked to write and record the Moonraker's theme, but when she declined, Barry and lyricist Hal David penned this. The plan was initially for Johnny Mathis to record it, but he was unhappy with the song so the producers drafted in Bassey at short notice. The Welsh singer has since admitted she hated this tune and only did it as a favor to John Barry.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds

Jim McCarty of The YardbirdsSongwriter Interviews

The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.