The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress
Radka Toneff
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See her how she flies 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 Once the sun did shine 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
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Written by: JIMMY WEBB
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
9 facts about this song
General Facts1. "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress" is a popular song that has been covered by numerous artists, including Charlie Haden, Glen Campbell, Jimmy Webb, Joe Cocker, Judy Collins, Linda Ronstadt, Michael Feinstein, and Radka Toneff.
2. The song was originally written by Jimmy Webb, an American songwriter known for his popular hits in the late 60s and early 70s.
3. "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress" is sometimes called "The Moon's a Harsh Mistress."
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Charlie Haden Facts4. Charlie Haden, a renowned double bass player, covered the song on his 1992 album Haunted Heart. Haden's version was instrumental, focusing on the bass.
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Glen Campbell Facts5. Glen Campbell was the first artist to release "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress" as a single, in late 1974.
6. Despite Campbell's version being the first, it did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
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Jimmy Webb Facts7. Despite writing the song, Jimmy Webb did not release his own version until his 1996 album Ten Easy Pieces.
8. Webb's version was a reimagining, featuring solo piano and a slower tempo than most covers.
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Joe Cocker Facts9. Joe Cocker covered the song on his 1996 album Organic.
10. Cocker's version was slightly more upbeat, with a full band arrangement.
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Judy Collins Facts11. Judy Collins version is the most well-known and was included on her 1975 album Judith.
12. Collins' version peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
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Linda Ronstadt Facts13. Linda Ronstadt performed the song on her 1983 album Get Closer. Her version features an orchestral arrangement.
14. Despite having several hits in the 80s, Ronstadt's version of the song did not chart.
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Michael Feinstein Facts15. Michael Feinstein's version appears on his 2003 album Only One Life: The Songs of Jimmy Webb.
16. Known for his interpretations of Great American Songbook material, Feinstein's rendition is a piano-vocal duet with Jimmy Webb.
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Radka Toneff Facts17. Norwegian singer Radka Toneff covered the song on her 1982 album Fairytales, and it remains one of her most popular interpretations.
18. Toneff's version, featuring Steve Dobrogosz on piano, is haunting and minimalist, showcasing her distinct vocal style.
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"The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 16 Mar. 2025. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/7693625/Radka+Toneff/The+Moon+Is+a+Harsh+Mistress>.
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