Jimmy Webb is responsible for writing numerous popular and Top 10 hits sung by a disparate group of artists, including Glen Campbell ("Galveston"); Art Garfunkel ("All I Know"); Donna Summer and many others.
Webb's father was a Baptist minister and a former Marine. His mother died when he was a teenager. His most popular songs were all composed when he was between 19 and 21 years of age.
"By the Time I Get to Phoenix" is one of the most recorded songs of the 20th century.
He is noted for having written songs that were hits in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, and is the only person to receive Grammy Awards in all three categories: music, lyrics and orchestration. Webb has also written the music for the animated film The Last Unicorn.
Webb is also a performer of his own music, although his solo output has never matched the commercial success of recordings of his work by other performers.
He was elected to the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1986.
The moon
Jimmy Webb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Golden sails across the sky
Close enough to touch
But careful if you try
Though she looks as warm as gold
The moon's a harsh mistress
The moon can be so cold
Lord, it felt so fine
The moon a phantom rose
Through the mountains and the pines
And then the darkness fell
And the moon's a harsh mistress
It's so hard to love her well
I fell out of her eyes
I fell out of her heart
I fell down on my face
Yes, I did, and I, I tripped and I missed my star
God, I fell and I fell alone, I fell alone
And the moon's a harsh mistress
And the sky is made of stone
The moon's a harsh mistress
She's hard to call your own.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is a song that speaks of the many contrasts of the moon. The moon is described as a thing of beauty, in the sky, modestly voluptuous, and hovering close enough to touch. The persona in the song advises the listener to be careful as the moon can be deceiving. The moon is covered in a golden glow, its warmth is enticing and soothing, but its beauty belies its true nature. The moon is a harsh master that can be merciless, cold, and distant.
The Moon is referred to as a mistress, which is a double entendre that portrays it as both a lover and an oppressor. The moon can destroy as quickly as it can create, and it can be as unforgiving as it is soothing. The line "Once the sun did shine, Lord, it felt so fine, the moon a phantom rose," portrays the moon as a phantom; it is a beauty that appears during the night, inspiring awe, but it is also ephemeral and intangible, existing only in the night.
The song speaks of the persona's failed attempt to "catch" the moon, ultimately falling alone, away from the celestial being. The persona recognizes that the moon is a force beyond comprehension or control, in essence, a harsh mistress that cannot be tamed. The concluding line, "She's hard to call your own," signifies the moon's autonomy and independence, an entity that even the most determined cannot completely possess.
Line by Line Meaning
See her how she flies
Observe the moon as it moves through the sky
Golden sails across the sky
The moon is reminiscent of a ship with sails made out of gold
Close enough to touch
While appearing close to the earth, the moon is in reality a great distance away
But careful if you try
Attempting to touch the moon could have dangerous consequences
Though she looks as warm as gold
Despite the visual impression it creates, the moon is not warm like the metal gold
The moon's a harsh mistress
The moon can be a difficult companion
The moon can be so cold
The moon is quite cold given the absence of any atmosphere
Once the sun did shine
In the past, the sun provided warmth and light
Lord, it felt so fine
It was a wonderful experience
The moon a phantom rose
The moon appeared like a ghostly figure rising in the sky
Through the mountains and the pines
The moon's ascent visible over the mountains and trees
And then the darkness fell
Nighttime arrived
It's so hard to love her well
It is challenging to have a deep affection for the moon
I fell out of her eyes
The singer was no longer reflected in the moon's reflection
I fell out of her heart
The moon is no longer a source of comfort or inspiration
I fell down on my face
The artist had a dramatic fall
Yes, I did, and I, I tripped and I missed my star
The moon was unable to offer guidance to the artist
God, I fell and I fell alone, I fell alone
The singer feels isolated
And the moon's a harsh mistress
The moon is an unforgiving companion
And the sky is made of stone
The sky feels distant and cold
She's hard to call your own.
It is difficult to connect with the moon on an intimate level
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMMY WEBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
robtempe
Glad you found a better copy than the one that was floating around forever. Thanks for sharing! Linda's voice was glorious on this song.
Dead Andburied
Agree with robtempe đ
Maura Hobart
Forever brilliant, can sing anything with such emotion. Canât put Linda in a box with all the versatility she brings to every genre.
Tony White
Wonderful. I first heard this song done by Joe Cocker on his I Can Stand A Little Rain album , equally impressive !
ellen fransen
I like this song best sung by Scott Walker. Worth to listen. But I like the writer of the lyrics. He writes beautiful songs. Greetings from Holland
idealismisnotdead
Thank you, a fabulous rendition.
gonetoutah
She is just so good. Nothing like her before or since.
Listening to Adelle's concert on tv last night. She is good but not like linda.
Monique Chalk
Magnificent!
Jean-Paul Beaubier (DazzlerTyler)
uncombarable. no one can sing better than her
John Mackenzie
There is no words to describe how beautiful this is.