You have reached a quiet bamboo grove, where you will find an eclectic mix of nature, music, writing, and other creative arts. Tao-Talk is curated by a philosophical daoist who has thrown the net away.
Jim, I enjoyed your conglomeration of weather lyrics in the first paragraph of the prompt. Nancy, what a good suggest for this week’s musical excursion that is Song Lyric Sunday. It didn’t take me long to figure out whose music I wanted to share this week and hoped he would have a song with one of the elements that are being called for.
A musical artist that always manages to infuse emotion in me is Harry Nilsson. Whether it is zoning out in the bliss of the mantra-like Coconut, or tap dancing along the street with Gotta Get Up, or crying my guts out to Without You, or jumping up and dancing, singing along with Jump Into the Fire, or quietly curling up in cozy blankets and letting Harry sing me an exquisite lullaby to sleep.
The Moonbeam Song uses a moonbeam to navigate weather and other things on its journey across the night. Then its little buddy, the windbeam joins in the adventure, blissfully making the night their own and pulling us off to dreamland in the process.
“The Moonbeam Song” is from 1971 album, Nilsson Schmilsson, as are all of the other songs I mentioned above. What can I say, it is an iconic album. It is his seventh studio album, released by RCA Records on 11/11/71. It is his most commercially successful work, producing three of his best-known songs. Among these was the number 1 hit “Without You”, written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans of the group, Badfinger. The album was the first of two Nilsson albums recorded in London and produced by Richard Perry. “Jump into the Fire” and “Coconut”, both written by Nilsson, also became hits. The album performed well at the 1973 Grammy Awards, earning a nomination for Album of the Year, while “Without You” won the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. In 2006, it was ranked number 84 on Pitchfork’s “Top 100 Albums of the 1970s”. The album was ranked #281 in the 2020 revision of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. It is not on Ranker’s List of The 55 Best Moon Songs, but it should be!
I found this excellent mini-blurb about the song at Allmusic.com:
The Moonbeam Song Review by Matthew Greenwald
With its lazy, vaguely country rhythm, “Moonbeam” was one of the many highlights on Nilsson Schmilsson, his breakout 1971 album. The song has a wonderful stream-of-consciousness feeling as a simple observation of nature. In this way, it’s somewhat similar to “Think About Your Troubles” from The Point. Country renegade Steve Forbert cut a charming version of this on Everybody Sings Nilsson.
Movies where this song has been used are Breakfast on Pluto (2005) and High Fidelity (2000.)
Personnel: Harry Nilsson – vocals, Mellotron John Uribe – acoustic guitar Klaus Voormann – acoustic guitar Herbie Flowers – bass Jim Gordon – drums
The Moonbeam Song
Have you ever watched a moonbeam As it slid across your windowpane Or struggled with a bit of rain
Or danced about the weather vane Or sat along a moving train And wonder where the train has been?
Or on a fence with bits of crap Around its bottom Blown there by a windbeam Who searches for the moonbeam
Who was last seen Looking at the tracks Of the careless windbeam
Moving to the tracks Of the tireless freight train And lighting up the sides Of the weather vane And the bits of rain And the windowpane And the eyes of those Who think they saw what happened
Have you ever watched a moonbeam As it slid across your windowpane Or struggled with a bit of rain Or danced about the weather vane Or sat along a moving train And wonder where the train has been?
Choral intermission
Looking at the track Of the careless windbeam And moving to the tracks Of the tireless freight train And lighting up the sides Of the weather vane And the bits of rain And the windowpane And the eyes of those Who think they saw what happened
Written by: Harry Nilsson Album: Nilsson Schmilsson Released: 1971
Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday. This week the theme is to find a song related to weather conditions of sunny, cloudy, windy, rainy, or stormy suggested by Nancy of the Elephant’s Trunk aka The Sicilian Storyteller.
Such a fantastic album. I think this is where everything finally came together for Nilsson. I feel and hear a strong Beatles influence that contributes to its masterful diversity. Every time I play it I am cast back to a confusing time and place where it was largely the music that held things together for me. Very special!
Sean, I feel a similar affection for the album. When I’m feeling a little detached and maybe even a little blue, I put this album on. “Masterful diversity” is an excellent way to describe it, and I also here a Beatles influence. When I saw Badfinger wrote Without You, and that they were close to the Beatles also, it makes sense. Thanks for your wonderful comment on a wonderful album <3
Lisa what a beautiful song what a talent he is1, so I’m surprised I’ve not heard it before. The lyrics are wonderful- a mix of child-like wonder and adult melancholy. It’s almost like a gentle lullaby – balancing his vocal talent with his eccentricity 🙌 Thanks Lisa 🩷
I was never a fan but my sister had that album, so I heard it a lot. This is a lovely song, one of the ones on it that I liked after the indoctrination!
I can almost always expect you will introduce me to something I haven’t heard before- and The Moonbeam was no exception. Such a tender, lazy melody. I loved it.
V, there were so many good songs on the album, it wasn’t chosen as one to release as a single. Happy you have had a chance to hear it. Appreciate you listening and your comment <3
I don’t think I’ve heard this song…which is strange because I know a lot of his. Of course I love it…anything Harry did I’ll listen and most likely like! He was the complete package as songwriter and singer.
Tao-Talk 
lovely song Li I enjoyed it 💜💜
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Happy you do, CA.
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Such a fantastic album. I think this is where everything finally came together for Nilsson. I feel and hear a strong Beatles influence that contributes to its masterful diversity. Every time I play it I am cast back to a confusing time and place where it was largely the music that held things together for me. Very special!
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Sean, I feel a similar affection for the album. When I’m feeling a little detached and maybe even a little blue, I put this album on. “Masterful diversity” is an excellent way to describe it, and I also here a Beatles influence. When I saw Badfinger wrote Without You, and that they were close to the Beatles also, it makes sense. Thanks for your wonderful comment on a wonderful album <3
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Harry was also close to John Lennon around this time.
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Lisa what a beautiful song what a talent he is1, so I’m surprised I’ve not heard it before. The lyrics are wonderful- a mix of child-like wonder and adult melancholy. It’s almost like a gentle lullaby – balancing his vocal talent with his eccentricity 🙌 Thanks Lisa 🩷
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Ange, I adore the way you describe the song <3
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💕😊💕
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<3
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I was never a fan but my sister had that album, so I heard it a lot. This is a lovely song, one of the ones on it that I liked after the indoctrination!
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LOL on indoctrination, Clive. Happy this one made the cut for you. Thanks for listening and your comment.
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I can almost always expect you will introduce me to something I haven’t heard before- and The Moonbeam was no exception. Such a tender, lazy melody. I loved it.
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V, there were so many good songs on the album, it wasn’t chosen as one to release as a single. Happy you have had a chance to hear it. Appreciate you listening and your comment <3
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Great choice, Lisa and I didn’t expect The Moonbeam Song to be so tranquil, calm and soothing and I can see why you like it so much.
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Jim, I never met a moonbeam that I didn’t like and your description of the song is why. Happy you liked my choice.
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Li, thanks for this lovely song today. I am having a “what’s it all about moment” and the song is perfect for that! 🥰
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<3 Christine, glad the song fits the moment for you. You are very welcome. Hope you are enjoying your Sunday.
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I am Li. Thanks so much 🥰
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You’re very welcome, Christine <3
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A very nice selection for this theme, Lisa. I can really hear the Beatles influence coming through.
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Thanks much, Nancy. Glad you can hear it.
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Most welcome, Lisa
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I know Harry but this song passed by me somehow. Thanks for sharing.
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J, happy you heard it today. My pleasure on sharing.
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I don’t think I’ve heard this song…which is strange because I know a lot of his. Of course I love it…anything Harry did I’ll listen and most likely like! He was the complete package as songwriter and singer.
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Glad you got a chance to hear it today. I love that he made a mega-hit of a Badfinger song. Yes, he was!
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Yea….that has really helped Badfinger’s families…I’m so glad he covered it.
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Good song to highlight- its never jumped out at me on rhe album, but sounds great when I paid attention to it now.
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Graham, it’s like being in a candy shop with that album. Glad you paid attention to this bon bon today :)
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What a great and mellow tune! Great choice for the weather theme.
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Marina happy you enjoyed the tune :)
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I haven’t heard this one in a long time. Excellent choice. (K)
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Honestly, I just got a visual in my head of Harry being there, in my bedroom, singing this to me <3
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Maybe he was!
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<3
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This song is a new one for me. I feel as you do about Nilsson. Especially “Without You.”
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:) I have to be careful with songs like “Without You” as they can be emotional dynamite for me.
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I know what you mean; it’s a very potent one. And he made it so compelling.
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Nice and easy one, I can see it would be a good one to play as you go to sleep. :)
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Happy you like it, Barbara.
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