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.