"Bless the Beasts and Children" was composed in 1971 by Barry De Vorzon and Perry Botkin, Jr., as the theme song to the film Bless the Beasts and Children. The Carpenters were chosen to record an arrangement for the soundtrack and movie. Richard and Karen decided to release the song on the B-side of their 1971 single, "Superstar"; for a song not intended to be a hit, "Bless the Beasts and Children" charted the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #67. It eventually found its way to inclusion on their fourth album, A Song For You.