It's a shame they aren't better known. Prog rock always had that uphill battle against the critics and the record labels. Arguably they recorded the first ever prog album, but I see many sites saying the first prog album is Court of the Crimson King (a great album itself), but it came years later than Days of Future Passed.
From John Lodge who wrote the song...“This is where one of the lyrics for I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band) came from… I remember coming back from a tour and there was a whole load of people camped out in my front garden! I was like, ‘Er… What are you doing?’ and they all said, ‘John, we’ve come to tell you you’re going to save the Earth. You’re going to be flying the spaceship and fly us all to safety…’ And I was like, ‘Pardon? Just a minute, I actually don’t like flying! So I won’t be me.’ And they said, ‘When the time comes, it will be you.’ “So that’s when I started thinking: ‘Hang on, I’m just a singer in a rock ‘n’ roll band. I know nothing.’ And that’s why, at the very end of the song, I wanted to put, ‘We’re all just singers in a rock ‘n’ roll band.’ Also, it was the Vietnam War and around Europe there were riots going on all over the place, so I included lyrics like ‘Riots by the people for the people.’ In other words, you’re destroying yourself. “And I talk about, ‘Scorched earth, scorching this earth,’ and there was that incredible photograph of the young girl on fire and that hit me really hard, so that’s why I put that into the song. I wanted to put all that into a rock ‘n’ roll song, so I remember sitting in my music room with my guitar. I was at home in Cobham and I’m still here - I’ve written so many songs in my home, I think it vibrates with music!
It was one person not a whole group. He carried a sign that said something like "10 days until the Moody Blues save us, 9 days..." He was then upset when nothing happened at the concert.
@@elizabethrogers8306 That one guy was camped out in front of the ticket office. When the spaceship didn't show up, he started screaming "Charlatans!" at the band as they left.
"How can we understand riots by the people, for the people, who are only destroying themselves. And when you see a frightened person who is frightened by the people who are scorching this earth"
The instrument that sounded like an orchestra, was actually a mellotron. A keyboard that can play full chords with a single key---- Mellotrons were used before synthesizers were invented and popularized. Another good song to hit from The Moody Blues is, " The Story in Your Eyes "..
First Man to master the mellotron=Rick Wakeman and he was paid £6 to play it on David Bowie's "Space Oddity". Thereafter all the sound engineers wanted to know the secret in 1968 but Rick would not sayso he kept being used until someone else finally sussed it.
Not a Mellotron on this track but it's precursor a Chamberlin. Both employ playback tapes of single note recordings of instruments triggered by their corresponding notes on the keyboard. The development timeline of the Chamberlin and later the Mellotron combined are roughly parallel with that of various synthesisers.
@@Isleofskye Wakeman first man to 'master' the mellotron in '68? Mike Pinder of the Moodies was using the mellotron in their recordings as far back as '66. Instrument used predominantly in their album Days Of Future Passed, 1967. Mike actually worked at the facility that made mellotron's in the early 60's as a tester, so was aware of their 'finicky' nature with humidity, etc. Graham Bond is considered one of the first rock musicians to record with a 'tron in '65. Pinder introduced the instrument to John Lennon & Paul McCartney who used it on Strawberry Fields Forever in '66. Wakeman was a pioneer on keys no doubt, but a bit of an embellishment to say 'first man to master' the instrument. Not sure your sources on that.
@@EchoesDaBear, I will have a word with my, almost certain, unreliable, source, Fred ,a former neighbour next time we have a pint at THe Skinners Arms but I,heavily,suspect, Fred has put me away 😀
This was written during the Vietnam War. John Lodge, the writer, singer and bassist, was inspired by the famous, horrific photo of the young girl running naked down the street after her clothes were burned off in an attack.
The Moody Blues were one of the first to use the mellotron, which is a keyboard instrument that duplicates all the instruments in an orchestra, with each instrument part recorded on a separate tape. Mike Pinder was the mellotron wizard in the group. After he left the group in '77 or '78, the band went more pop than classical.
Yes, it's playing at a fast pace, almost frantically. But listen to the lyrics or look them up. Very thought-provoking. The Moody Blues were pioneers of progressive rock and were most known for the concept albums that they recorded...the kind of albums that are best heard in their entirety.
Ahhh... sigh... The Moody Blues ~ such a huge part of my youth. Deep, majestic, incredible bass, drums, vocals and instrumentation, and background music. My God, they were amazing! They took me so deep within myself. Love, love love. Wait till you try Tuesday Afternoon!
The Moody Blues were an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1964. Here are 4 hit songs of them you haven't reacted to yet. The Voice 1981 Tuesday Afternoon 1967 Story in Your Eyes 1971 Your Wildest Dreams 1986
The Moody Blues are something you have to go down the rabbit hole to truly appreciate but definitely worth the time and effort. A bit challenging to the listener at first but when you get it...you get it good.
They had so many thought provoking songs. One that is overlooked is "Candle of Life". But not many people react to any Moody Blues except their hits and miss so much of their music.
You're so right, there are so many of their great songs which are seldom mentioned. To Our Children's.......album is my favourite, with Gypsy and Watching and Waiting a couple of other wonderful songs, but the song l love the most is New Horizons.
well over 200 songs in their catalogue, the Moodies have so much to choose from. from someone who has been a hardcore fan since 1968 try their song "Procession, The Story in Your Eyes for a real trip through musical history
Just some of the wonderful music of my teenage years… thanks for playing it for me! ❤️ The Moody Blues were a progressive rock band that used a Mellotron for the symphonic sound… it was an early synthesizer type instrument. A similar instrument called a Chamberlin was used in this particular song… there was no “orchestra”. However, there are some great live versions of this when they play with a real orchestra.
The Mellotron was a core instrument of just two bands: The Moody Blues and King Crimson. Just two of the biggest names in prog. I love the use of the Mellotron in this album and Every Good Boy does Favor, in particular.
A fantastic John Lodge song, and so nice to see a Moody Blues reaction that isn't 'Nights In White Satin'. To me the sheer driving force of this song beats 'White Satin' hands down. I've seen John perform this solo, though I've never see the Moodies all together. A few more John Lodge Moody songs: Survival Nervous Rock'n'Roll Over You It May Be A Fire And no, I'm not quite sure what Asia was talking about either! 🤔
You should hear this performed live. I’ve heard it many times. If you think this has energy a live concert version will blow you away. They are very nice guys too. I’ve met them.
Lyrics: I'm just a wandering on the face of this earth Meeting so many people who are trying to be free And while I'm traveling I hear so many words Language barriers broken, now we've found the key If you want this world of yours to turn about you You can see exactly what to do, don't tell me I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band A thousand pictures can be drawn from one word Only who is the artist, we got to agree A thousand miles can lead so many ways Just to know who is driving, what a help it would be So if you want this world of yours to turn about you And you can see exactly what to do, don't tell me I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band How can we understand Riots by the people for the people Who are only destroying themselves And when you see a frightened Person who is frightened by the People who are scorching this earth, scorching this earth I'm just a wandering on the face of this earth Meeting so many people, who are trying to be free While I'm traveling I hear so many words Language barriers broken, now we've found the key If you want this world of yours to turn about you You can see exactly what to do, don't tell me I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band How can we understand Riots by the people for the people Who are only destroying themselves When you see a frightened Person who is frightened by the People who are scorching this earth, scor-scorching this earth Music is the traveler crossing our world Meeting so many people, we're bridging the seas I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band We're just the singers in a rock and roll band
Another one of my favorite oldies. This one takes me back to my Freshman year. I love rocking out to these oldies with you guys, you guys make me feel like we are hanging out at the same party 🥳🎉 together. Moody Blues we're huge, all through the late 60s and early to mid 70s. Maybe for their next tune, I could get you guys to play ( Lovely to see you again.)
For an amusing tangent, Deep Purple has a song called "No One Came" from Fireball which is also about a singer in a rock and roll band, but much more tongue in cheek.
They went through an acid/psychedelic phase and people thought they were gurus or something and had all the answers. They burned through that and came back to earth and just wanted people to understand “I’m just a singer in a rock and roll band.”
To understand the true significance of this song, you have to know where The Moody Blues stood in popular culture at the dawn of the 1970s. This was off their 7th studio album, and they were considered rock gods by many by then. They also had a very continual core spiritual theme running through their albums. People began to think they were actually mystical beings coming to their town, and that became too much of a burden for the Moody's. This was guitarist Justin Hayward's attempt to address that, reminding their fans that when all is said and done, they were just a rock and roll band -- and they didn't like people treating them as gurus. I think if you read the lyrics with this concept in mind, you will appreciate what a powerful message song this was from the group to their millions of fans at that time.
John Lodge's attempt (he wrote the song) not Hayward's. Lodge is also the dominant vocal here. Hayward gets too much attention at the expense of all the other talented members of this band.
Graeme Edge was a phenomenal drummer. Watching him perform is a real treat! Edge is credited with creating the first electronic drum. Sadly, he passed away last year from cancer.
The Moody Blues have some great songs, one of my favorites is "The Question" and pretty much anything off that album "A Question Of Balance", " You guys would probably like "Your Wildest Dreams", "Gemini Dream", " "I Know Your Out There Somewhere" and "The Voice". I can see where Asia is coming from although I never made that connection. But I can see someone tying a woman to the train tracks with a villain laughing manically and having to be saved by Dudley Doo Right.
I grew up listening to this group & they are one of my favorites from the 60's - 80's. They have had so many hit songs. Love their mix of rock with classical music. They have a sound like no other band. The Moody Blues' most successful singles include "Go Now", "Nights in White Satin", "Tuesday Afternoon", "Question", "Gemini Dream", "The Voice", Ride My See-Saw", "The Story In Your Eyes", "Your Wildest Dreams". But all of their music is great.
I don't care about hits or commercial success. About half of the songs you listed are fantastic songs. They're a band that really had a sweet spot, but before and after they didn't do so well (although "Your Wildest Dreams" bucked the trend and was superb.
This piece is from the Moody's "Seventh Sojourn" album and is a very thought provoking message laden music...in the same vein also is their first song from this album "Lost in a lost world"..critics ,of course, will criticise these pieces, but anyone with the ears to hear will get the message which speaks to the heartfelt sentiments of that time
Seventh Sojourn was my first Moody Blues album and after listening to it, I quickly got their other 6 albums. I don't mind I'm Just a Singer but it was my last pick on that record. IMO all of the others were so much better. Try Are You Sitting Comfortably from On The Threshold of a Dream.
I see I'm Just a singer....mentioned so often by YT subscribers, yet to me it's not nearly upto the standard of some of their other wonderful songs. Watching and Waiting, Why Is It (We Are Here), Lost in a Lost World to name a few, and my favourite song of all, New Horizons.
I saw them a few times in the 80s and 90s, including front row center at the Orpheum in Minneapolis. Their music is an experience, an exquisite experience, not to be missed. Their first seven albums should be listened to in their entirety. One of a kind. Beautiful, thought-provoking, emotional music of distinct imagery.
If I was stranded on an deserted Island and had the choice to listen to the full collection of "The Moody Blues" or the full Collection of "Pink Floyd". I almost would say it's a toss up , but I would have to give the tiniest of edges to The Moody blues. A die hard, seen them 4 times (still have the jersey from 2001 and I consider 2001 the best of maybe all 40 different concerts I been to) a Fan since 1973 and I'm now 69.
MB had so many great tunes - The Story In Your Eyes, Your Wildest Dreams, etc. If Asia is into great vocalists check out Lalah Hathaway live with Snarky Puppy singing "Something"
This song is the closing track off of the last album of the "Classic 7" by the awesome Moody Blues. They released 7 records in a little more than 5 years from 1967-71. After 'Seventh Sojourn,' they wouldn't make another album for 6 years. The orchestra sounds you're hearing are actually being played by Michael Pinder on a mellotron. The Moody Blues have quite a few great songs that charted in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s!!
So muh in their arsenal worth listening to. I'm not sure how far you've gotten, but "You And Me" and "The Story In Your Eyes" are tops on my list. Show for the many talented musical instruments. Stay to listen to Justin Hayward sing.
I LOVE this song !! When I'm running errands it keeps me pumped up as I check things the list. Here is a song with some groove and kick for you to listen to. The band is Spirit. The song is, I GOT A LINE ON YOU. Enjoy.
He wrote this song in response to a kind of crazy fan who was holding up a sign about how the were going to save the earth. Something like that. After the show the same guy was outside their hotel shouting that they didn't save the world. His response is the name of this song.
John Lodge (a bassist in the group) said that when coming back from a tour people were asking his stance of events occurring at the time, for which he had no answer so, he started thinking: ‘Hang on, I’m just a singer in a rock ‘n’ roll band. I know nothing.’ And that’s why, at the very end of the song, he put, ‘We’re all just singers in a rock ‘n’ roll band.’ Also, it was the Vietnam War and around Europe there were riots going on all over the place, so he included lyrics like ‘Riots by the people for the people.’ In other words, you’re destroying yourself.
Context for this piece...the Vietnam war was still raging and this song was the personification/depiction of the war weary sentiment and mindset of Americans and peeps from all over the world...like today...peeps just wanna get on with their lives...Ty guys for this
people have the tendency to think the celebrities of the day, have the answers. The lead here professes ignorance. how refreshing. He's just here to entertain, not solve the worlds problems.
As others have pointed out, Lodge (the writer) was telling fans he was not a person with all the answers, he is just a singer in a Rock and Roll band...
There Is a video of the Moodies playing this song and it is live. And I always remembered it because at the time it was recorded, Graeme had very long, dark brown hair and it was very shiny and lovely. If you look for it, you will find the video. And Graeme's drumming was magnificent then.
The Moody Blues had hits in the 60s, 70s, and 80s- one of the most famous groups in rock history....they have MANY classic songs...
It's a shame they aren't better known. Prog rock always had that uphill battle against the critics and the record labels. Arguably they recorded the first ever prog album, but I see many sites saying the first prog album is Court of the Crimson King (a great album itself), but it came years later than Days of Future Passed.
Asia & BJ, you’ll love their Their "Question” and "The Voice"!!
My favorite band. Their music takes me to worlds that no one else's can. I wish more reactors would discover The Moody Blues.
Michael you should buy a Moody Blues concert DVD i have one and out of all the concert DVDS i have it's the best one
zq9m3xh8; Definitely!
The British were notorious over achievers when it comes to 60's and 70's rock music...and for that I will be eternally grateful!
Moody Blues were a great band, so many great songs, this is an upbeat song for them
From John Lodge who wrote the song...“This is where one of the lyrics for I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band) came from… I remember coming back from a tour and there was a whole load of people camped out in my front garden! I was like, ‘Er… What are you doing?’ and they all said, ‘John, we’ve come to tell you you’re going to save the Earth. You’re going to be flying the spaceship and fly us all to safety…’ And I was like, ‘Pardon? Just a minute, I actually don’t like flying! So I won’t be me.’ And they said, ‘When the time comes, it will be you.’
“So that’s when I started thinking: ‘Hang on, I’m just a singer in a rock ‘n’ roll band. I know nothing.’ And that’s why, at the very end of the song, I wanted to put, ‘We’re all just singers in a rock ‘n’ roll band.’ Also, it was the Vietnam War and around Europe there were riots going on all over the place, so I included lyrics like ‘Riots by the people for the people.’ In other words, you’re destroying yourself.
“And I talk about, ‘Scorched earth, scorching this earth,’ and there was that incredible photograph of the young girl on fire and that hit me really hard, so that’s why I put that into the song. I wanted to put all that into a rock ‘n’ roll song, so I remember sitting in my music room with my guitar. I was at home in Cobham and I’m still here - I’ve written so many songs in my home, I think it vibrates with music!
It was one person not a whole group. He carried a sign that said something like "10 days until the Moody Blues save us, 9 days..." He was then upset when nothing happened at the concert.
@@elizabethrogers8306 That one guy was camped out in front of the ticket office. When the spaceship didn't show up, he started screaming "Charlatans!" at the band as they left.
The Moody Blues have dozens of incredible songs.
"How can we understand riots by the people, for the people, who are only destroying themselves. And when you see a frightened person who is frightened by the people who are scorching this earth"
One of the best bands saw them live greetings from South Africa
The instrument that sounded like an orchestra, was actually a mellotron.
A keyboard that can play full chords with a single key---- Mellotrons were used before synthesizers were invented and popularized.
Another good song to hit from The Moody Blues is, " The Story in Your Eyes "..
First Man to master the mellotron=Rick Wakeman and he was paid £6 to play it on David Bowie's "Space Oddity". Thereafter all the sound engineers wanted to know the secret in 1968 but Rick would not sayso he kept being used until someone else finally sussed it.
Not a Mellotron on this track but it's precursor a Chamberlin. Both employ playback tapes of single note recordings of instruments triggered by their corresponding notes on the keyboard. The development timeline of the Chamberlin and later the Mellotron combined are roughly parallel with that of various synthesisers.
@@Isleofskye Wakeman first man to 'master' the mellotron in '68?
Mike Pinder of the Moodies was using the mellotron in their recordings as far back as '66. Instrument used predominantly in their album Days Of Future Passed, 1967. Mike actually worked at the facility that made mellotron's in the early 60's as a tester, so was aware of their 'finicky' nature with humidity, etc. Graham Bond is considered one of the first rock musicians to record with a 'tron in '65.
Pinder introduced the instrument to John Lennon & Paul McCartney who used it on Strawberry Fields Forever in '66.
Wakeman was a pioneer on keys no doubt, but a bit of an embellishment to say 'first man to master' the instrument. Not sure your sources on that.
@@EchoesDaBear, I will have a word with my, almost certain, unreliable, source, Fred ,a former neighbour next time we have a pint at THe Skinners Arms but I,heavily,suspect, Fred has put me away 😀
@Lisa Rainbow Wait, are u saying there are no horns or strings at all in this masterpiece?
This was written during the Vietnam War. John Lodge, the writer, singer and bassist, was inspired by the famous, horrific photo of the young girl running naked down the street after her clothes were burned off in an attack.
The Moody Blues were one of the first to use the mellotron, which is a keyboard instrument that duplicates all the instruments in an orchestra, with each instrument part recorded on a separate tape. Mike Pinder was the mellotron wizard in the group. After he left the group in '77 or '78, the band went more pop than classical.
Moody Blues are in a league of their own my favorite band .
My favorite band as well. I love them
Moody Blues are rock and roll royalty.....
Yes, it's playing at a fast pace, almost frantically. But listen to the lyrics or look them up. Very thought-provoking. The Moody Blues were pioneers of progressive rock and were most known for the concept albums that they recorded...the kind of albums that are best heard in their entirety.
I loved this song. ❤️🎶🎼❤️
If you like this try an Emerson Lake and Palmer tune _what a lucky man he was_ .
Use to dance to this in the mid 70s. Yes I had bellbottoms and Plat form shoes. Peace
Ahhh... sigh... The Moody Blues ~ such a huge part of my youth. Deep, majestic, incredible bass, drums, vocals and instrumentation, and background music. My God, they were amazing!
They took me so deep within myself. Love, love love. Wait till you try Tuesday Afternoon!
You mention several important aspects of their music, but I'd say the Mellotron was the single best thing they had going for them.
The Moody Blues were an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1964. Here are 4 hit songs of them you haven't reacted to yet.
The Voice 1981
Tuesday Afternoon 1967
Story in Your Eyes 1971
Your Wildest Dreams 1986
Asia, I think you're trying to say the song has tension and a sense of urgency. Spot on.
First time heard The Moody Blues was back in 1971. The album "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour". Still my favourite album.
One of my favourite MB songs is "Nice To Be Here" The imagery that it evokes is wonderful!
The Moody Blues have a great library of music, doing things other rock bands weren’t doing, such as playing a lot of songs with symphony music.
The Moody Blues are something you have to go down the rabbit hole to truly appreciate but definitely worth the time and effort. A bit challenging to the listener at first but when you get it...you get it good.
They had so many thought provoking songs. One that is overlooked is "Candle of Life". But not many people react to any Moody Blues except their hits and miss so much of their music.
You're so right, there are so many of their great songs which are seldom mentioned. To Our Children's.......album is my favourite, with Gypsy and Watching and Waiting a couple of other wonderful songs, but the song l love the most is New Horizons.
One of the most unforgettable concerts I've ever been to. It was a euphoric experience (and no drugs were involved).
Their albums were theme albums so its difficult to appreciate all the lyrics until you hear the other songs on the albums.
The Moody Blues have a very deep rabbit hole! Enjoy! Try Nights in White Satin by the Moody Blues! 😎✌❤
Thanks for the tip!
You've got to love the Mellotron sound
well over 200 songs in their catalogue, the Moodies have so much to choose from. from someone who has been a hardcore fan since 1968 try their song "Procession, The Story in Your Eyes for a real trip through musical history
This band predates Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple and brilliant Musicians and story tellers. I’ve been a fan since 1964.
Just some of the wonderful music of my teenage years… thanks for playing it for me! ❤️
The Moody Blues were a progressive rock band that used a Mellotron for the symphonic sound… it was an early synthesizer type instrument. A similar instrument called a Chamberlin was used in this particular song… there was no “orchestra”. However, there are some great live versions of this when they play with a real orchestra.
Glad you enjoyed it!
The Mellotron was a core instrument of just two bands: The Moody Blues and King Crimson. Just two of the biggest names in prog. I love the use of the Mellotron in this album and Every Good Boy does Favor, in particular.
OMG I'm so glad you guys are tapping into some more of the Moody Blues 💙
ELO, Moody Blues, Yes, were instrumental big band sound with spacey trippy feel.
All I can say is I’m glad you finally got here! 😂😂😂 Lots more Moody Blues for you to react. Symphonic rock started here.
Many of their songs were philosophical in nature and as a kid and young man they made you think.
Moody blues has so many good songs if you ever revisit them listen to question it's a good song
This song goes at a break-neck pace virtually from the start.
A fantastic John Lodge song, and so nice to see a Moody Blues reaction that isn't 'Nights In White Satin'. To me the sheer driving force of this song beats 'White Satin' hands down. I've seen John perform this solo, though I've never see the Moodies all together.
A few more John Lodge Moody songs:
Survival
Nervous
Rock'n'Roll Over You
It May Be A Fire
And no, I'm not quite sure what Asia was talking about either! 🤔
You should hear this performed live. I’ve heard it many times. If you think this has energy a live concert version will blow you away. They are very nice guys too. I’ve met them.
Lyrics: I'm just a wandering on the face of this earth
Meeting so many people who are trying to be free
And while I'm traveling I hear so many words
Language barriers broken, now we've found the key
If you want this world of yours to turn about you
You can see exactly what to do, don't tell me
I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band
A thousand pictures can be drawn from one word
Only who is the artist, we got to agree
A thousand miles can lead so many ways
Just to know who is driving, what a help it would be
So if you want this world of yours to turn about you
And you can see exactly what to do, don't tell me
I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band
How can we understand
Riots by the people for the people
Who are only destroying themselves
And when you see a frightened
Person who is frightened by the
People who are scorching this earth, scorching this earth
I'm just a wandering on the face of this earth
Meeting so many people, who are trying to be free
While I'm traveling I hear so many words
Language barriers broken, now we've found the key
If you want this world of yours to turn about you
You can see exactly what to do, don't tell me
I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band
I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band
How can we understand
Riots by the people for the people
Who are only destroying themselves
When you see a frightened
Person who is frightened by the
People who are scorching this earth, scor-scorching this earth
Music is the traveler crossing our world
Meeting so many people, we're bridging the seas
I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band
I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band
I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band
We're just the singers in a rock and roll band
Another one of my favorite oldies. This one takes me back to my Freshman year.
I love rocking out to these oldies with you guys, you guys make me feel like we are hanging out at the same party 🥳🎉 together.
Moody Blues we're huge, all through the late 60s and early to mid 70s. Maybe for their next tune, I could get you guys to play
( Lovely to see you again.)
Rock on!
You need to hear the whole album to follow it. Every song is exceptional.
For an amusing tangent, Deep Purple has a song called "No One Came" from Fireball which is also about a singer in a rock and roll band, but much more tongue in cheek.
They went through an acid/psychedelic phase and people thought they were gurus or something and had all the answers. They burned through that and came back to earth and just wanted people to understand “I’m just a singer in a rock and roll band.”
To understand the true significance of this song, you have to know where The Moody Blues stood in popular culture at the dawn of the 1970s. This was off their 7th studio album, and they were considered rock gods by many by then. They also had a very continual core spiritual theme running through their albums. People began to think they were actually mystical beings coming to their town, and that became too much of a burden for the Moody's. This was guitarist Justin Hayward's attempt to address that, reminding their fans that when all is said and done, they were just a rock and roll band -- and they didn't like people treating them as gurus.
I think if you read the lyrics with this concept in mind, you will appreciate what a powerful message song this was from the group to their millions of fans at that time.
John Lodge's attempt (he wrote the song) not Hayward's. Lodge is also the dominant vocal here. Hayward gets too much attention at the expense of all the other talented members of this band.
There Album ‘ Days of Future Past’ with full Orchestra released in 1967, brilliant!
And they could play it all LIVE.
Yes , their music fits a soundtrack- which to me has always been mysteriously Suspicious as to how successful they’ve been. Good ear👍
The Moody Blues are troubadours, they tell stories with their music.
I always liked how the drums brings the beat up to speed at the beginning of the song. Great song.
Graeme Edge was a phenomenal drummer. Watching him perform is a real treat! Edge is credited with creating the first electronic drum. Sadly, he passed away last year from cancer.
@@melodymcdonald2140 The drums were awesome. Cancer sucks.
if you havent already, 'story in your eyes' is well worth a reaction.
The Moody Blues have some great songs, one of my favorites is "The Question" and pretty much anything off that album "A Question Of Balance", " You guys would probably like "Your Wildest Dreams", "Gemini Dream", " "I Know Your Out There Somewhere" and "The Voice". I can see where Asia is coming from although I never made that connection. But I can see someone tying a woman to the train tracks with a villain laughing manically and having to be saved by Dudley Doo Right.
I grew up listening to this group & they are one of my favorites from the 60's - 80's. They have had so many hit songs. Love their mix of rock with classical music. They have a sound like no other band. The Moody Blues' most successful singles include "Go Now", "Nights in White Satin", "Tuesday Afternoon", "Question", "Gemini Dream", "The Voice", Ride My See-Saw", "The Story In Your Eyes", "Your Wildest Dreams". But all of their music is great.
I don't care about hits or commercial success. About half of the songs you listed are fantastic songs. They're a band that really had a sweet spot, but before and after they didn't do so well (although "Your Wildest Dreams" bucked the trend and was superb.
This piece is from the Moody's "Seventh Sojourn" album and is a very thought provoking message laden music...in the same vein also is their first song from this album "Lost in a lost world"..critics ,of course, will criticise these pieces, but anyone with the ears to hear will get the message which speaks to the heartfelt sentiments of that time
Great song, my favourite though is New Horizons.
I hear ya Asia. It does sound like a soundtrack to a action movie. Listen to “Story in Your Eyes”. It has the same sound
My take on it is Hey, don't ask me to solve world problems, I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band.
always been a fan of theirs, got to meet them back in the early 90's!
This was the Moodys announcing their new, big, bold, solid-state sound. Before this album, they had a more tube-y, analog sound.
Anything off of The Seventh Sojourn is pure gold
Especially New Horizons!
I like how energetic and hyped this song is. It's still played on the radio and always a joy to hear. Woooo!
I could hear each knuckle crack...almost in time,it was AWSOME ,good job Asia, enjoy the vibes🙏
This is ten years before the epic anime Heavy Metal This is a must see for Asia
Seventh Sojourn was my first Moody Blues album and after listening to it, I quickly got their other 6 albums. I don't mind I'm Just a Singer but it was my last pick on that record. IMO all of the others were so much better. Try Are You Sitting Comfortably from On The Threshold of a Dream.
I see I'm Just a singer....mentioned so often by YT subscribers, yet to me it's not nearly upto the standard of some of their other wonderful songs. Watching and Waiting, Why Is It (We Are Here), Lost in a Lost World to name a few, and my favourite song of all, New Horizons.
@@keithjones7390 New Horizons...beautiful!
All were multi-instruments. They pioneered the use of the mellotron, which came way before synths.
Y'all are my FAVORITE to watch ❤❤ love you guys love y'all's energy together Asia you are so beautiful!
I saw them a few times in the 80s and 90s, including front row center at the Orpheum in Minneapolis. Their music is an experience, an exquisite experience, not to be missed. Their first seven albums should be listened to in their entirety. One of a kind. Beautiful, thought-provoking, emotional music of distinct imagery.
Great job and great live performance great band
You heard the Mellotron. Unique to the Moody Blues at this point in music
If I was stranded on an deserted Island and had the choice to listen to the full collection of "The Moody Blues" or the full Collection of "Pink Floyd". I almost would say it's a toss up , but I would have to give the tiniest of edges to The Moody blues. A die hard, seen them 4 times (still have the jersey from 2001 and I consider 2001 the best of maybe all 40 different concerts I been to) a Fan since 1973 and I'm now 69.
MB had so many great tunes - The Story In Your Eyes, Your Wildest Dreams, etc. If Asia is into great vocalists check out Lalah Hathaway live with Snarky Puppy singing "Something"
Thank you. I haven't heard this one in many many years. I love it.
This song is the closing track off of the last album of the "Classic 7" by the awesome Moody Blues. They released 7 records in a little more than 5 years from 1967-71. After 'Seventh Sojourn,' they wouldn't make another album for 6 years.
The orchestra sounds you're hearing are actually being played by Michael Pinder on a mellotron. The Moody Blues have quite a few great songs that charted in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s!!
So muh in their arsenal worth listening to. I'm not sure how far you've gotten, but "You And Me" and "The Story In Your Eyes" are tops on my list. Show for the many talented musical instruments. Stay to listen to Justin Hayward sing.
Now that you mention this, I really could see this set to an action film! That never really occurred to me before
Every song they did was good. Mind expanding spirit songs.
I LOVE this song !! When I'm running errands it keeps me pumped up as I check things the list. Here is a song with some groove and kick for you to listen to. The band is Spirit. The song is,
I GOT A LINE ON YOU. Enjoy.
Cinematic. Absolutely ❤️
Please keep going they are Amazing and have a huge catalog !!
The Moody Blues, creators of the Genre 'Symphonic Rock'.
Moody Blues 1 of the most amazing groups from the past ! 👍 This Is not what most of there songs are like !
He wrote this song in response to a kind of crazy fan who was holding up a sign about how the were going to save the earth. Something like that. After the show the same guy was outside their hotel shouting that they didn't save the world. His response is the name of this song.
You need to see them live at the Isle of Wight festival to see how they do stuff live in their prime.
John Lodge (a bassist in the group) said that when coming back from a tour people were asking his stance of events occurring at the time, for which he had no answer so, he started thinking: ‘Hang on, I’m just a singer in a rock ‘n’ roll band. I know nothing.’ And that’s why, at the very end of the song, he put, ‘We’re all just singers in a rock ‘n’ roll band.’ Also, it was the Vietnam War and around Europe there were riots going on all over the place, so he included lyrics like ‘Riots by the people for the people.’ In other words, you’re destroying yourself.
I really like this song, and every time I hear it the word that comes to my mind is frenetic.
Ahhh a great song! Great group! Love the reaction!
Context for this piece...the Vietnam war was still raging and this song was the personification/depiction of the war weary sentiment and mindset of Americans and peeps from all over the world...like today...peeps just wanna get on with their lives...Ty guys for this
You guys should react to the Live version of this song on the concert DVD where Justin Hayward sings all of the Moody Blues songs
Legend of a Mind: "Timothy Leary's dead...no no no no he's outside looking in"
Awesome Song!
Tuesday afternoon,,, Moody Blues.
people have the tendency to think the celebrities of the day, have the answers. The lead here professes ignorance. how refreshing. He's just here to entertain, not solve the worlds problems.
Moody Blues, "The Question." ✌️
Love their discography
Great song. Thanks
Loved Moody Blues!!
Saw them twice...awesome
you guys are great.. I think you are the only reactors who read our comments and put a like on them so we know you read them... thanks
As others have pointed out, Lodge (the writer) was telling fans he was not a person with all the answers, he is just a singer in a Rock and Roll band...
I don't think I would have thought of that but I think Asia is right, if there was a video to this song it probably would have had a lot of action.
There Is a video of the Moodies playing this song and it is live. And I always remembered it because at the time it was recorded, Graeme had very long, dark brown hair and it was very shiny and lovely. If you look for it, you will find the video. And Graeme's drumming was magnificent then.
@@SweetThing I'll check it out thanks for the info.
@@ralphfiligenzi6180 - RIP Graeme & Ray. xx