The novel that inspired this song introduced the slogan TANSTAAFL (Tan-Staff-el), short for "There Ain't No Such Thing as a Free Lunch", a motto FReepers often embrace. In a 2009 interview Jimmy Webb talked about the influence of Robert Heinlein and the song's title:
"Robert Heinlein, was a kind of early mentor of mine. I started reading his books when I was eight years old. ... I guess I was really getting more of my education out of science-fiction than out of public school. I was reading Ray Bradbury and Isaac Asimov and learning a great deal about the patois of the language itself and how these words were being used to create emotions. I was learning this from writers without even knowing it. ... "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" was one of the best titles I've ever heard in my life. I really am guilty of appropriating something from another writer. In this case I had contact with Robert A. Heinlein's attorneys. I said, 'I want to write a song with the title, "The Moon is A Harsh Mistress". Can you ask Mr. Heinlein if it's okay with him?' They called me back and he said he had no objection to it."The haunting song is especially associated with Glen Campbell, who performed it on his farewell tour. Other versions include Joe Cocker, Linda Ronstadt, Joan Baez, Judy Collins and Michael Feinstein. Webb recorded the song twice, in 1977 for his El Mirage album, and again in 1996 for his Ten Easy Pieces album.
~ Joe Cocker ~
The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress (1982)
~ Linda Ronstadt ~
