Nights In White Satin
Glenn Hughes & Chad Smith Lyrics


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Nights in white satin
Never reaching the end
Letters I've written
Never meaning to send

Beauty I'd always missed
With these eyes before
Just what the truth is
I can't say anymore

Cuz I love you
Yes, I love you
Oh, how, I love you
I love you

Gazing at people
Some hand in hand
Just what I'm going thru
I can't understand

Some try to tell me
Thoughts they cannot defend
Just what you want to be
You will be in the end

And I love you
Yes, I love you
Oh, how, I love you
Oh, how, I love you

Nights in white satin
Never reaching the end
Letters I've written
Never meaning to send

Beauty I'd always missed
With these eyes before
Just what the truth is
I can't say anymore

Cuz I love you
Yes, I love you
Oh, how, I love you Oh, I love you

I love you
Yes, I love you
Oh, I love you




I really do
I love you

Overall Meaning

The song "Nights in White Satin" by Glenn Hughes, Chad Smith, and John Frusciante is a cover of the original song by The Moody Blues. The first verse talks about the singer's struggle to come to terms with their feelings for someone they love. Despite having written many letters to this person, they have never sent them, indicating a fear of rejection or possibly not knowing how to express their feelings. The chorus is a declaration of love for this person, with the singer stating "Yes, I love you" repeatedly.


The second verse describes the confusion and frustration the singer feels as they observe other people in relationships. They cannot understand why they are struggling with their own emotions while others seem to have it all figured out. The final lines of the verse, "Just what you want to be, you will be in the end," suggest that the singer believes that eventually they will find their own way and be with the person they love. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the depth of the singer's love for this person.


Overall, the song explores themes of unrequited love, confusion, and the struggle to express oneself emotionally. It is a melancholy and reflective piece that speaks to the universal human experiences of love and heartbreak.


Line by Line Meaning

Nights in white satin
Describing a time or a phase in his life that feels pure, innocent and ethereal, almost dreamlike.


Never reaching the end
This idyllic period doesn't seem to have a definite ending, perhaps creating an illusion of timelessness.


Letters I've written
He has expressed his thoughts and feelings through written words, perhaps as a form of self-reflection or communication with others.


Never meaning to send
These letters were never meant to be read or shared with anyone, perhaps due to their personal nature or the fear of vulnerability.


Beauty I'd always missed
He has failed to recognize or appreciate certain aspects of life or himself in the past, perhaps due to a lack of awareness or maturity.


With these eyes before
This newfound perception of beauty is something he hasn't experienced or realized until now, emphasizing the idea of growth and change.


Just what the truth is
He's unsure of what's real or true, perhaps struggling with internal conflicts, doubts or uncertainties.


I can't say anymore
He's unable to articulate or explain his thoughts and feelings, perhaps due to their complexity, intensity or personal nature.


Cuz I love you
This love is an overarching theme and motivation behind his thoughts and actions, driving him to explore, discover and express himself.


Gazing at people
Observing or noticing other people around him, perhaps feeling detached, curious or envious.


Some hand in hand
Seeing couples or people in relationships, highlighting the theme of love and companionship that's prevalent in this song.


Just what I'm going thru
He's uncertain or confused about his own emotions, desires or expectations, perhaps looking for answers or insights from others.


I can't understand
He's unable to comprehend or relate to certain experiences or situations, perhaps feeling isolated or disconnected from others.


Some try to tell me
Others are trying to communicate or advise him, perhaps sharing their own perspectives or experiences.


Thoughts they cannot defend
These opinions or ideas lack substance, logic or validity, perhaps revealing the limitations of human understanding or communication.


Just what you want to be
You have control over your own destiny, identity or character, encouraging individualism, self-expression and authenticity.


You will be in the end
Your choices, actions and values will shape who you become and what you achieve in life, emphasizing the theme of personal growth and development.


Oh, how, I love you
This love is overwhelming, intense and genuine, evoking strong emotions and desires.


I love you
This phrase is a repetition and affirmation of his love, emphasizing its significance and sincerity.


Oh, I love you
This line reinforces the idea of love as a central theme, emphasizing its emotional and poetic qualities.


I really do
This is a final confirmation and assurance of his love, perhaps addressing doubts, misunderstandings or insecurities.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Justin Hayward

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@olivershagnasty7704

+Vimti Gasta Give Peace A Chance (John Lennon - with various artists, produced by Lenny Kravitz, 1991)
New Dawn Fades (Joy Division - with New Order, Moby and Billy Corgan, 2001)
Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World (Ramones - solo on a tribute album, 2003)
Heart Of Gold (Neil Young - with Johnny Cash, 2003)
We'll Meet Again (Vera Lynn - with Johnny Cash, 2003)
Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode - with Johnny Cash, 2005)
Nights in White Satin (Moody Blues - with Glenn Hughes and Chad Smith, 2005)
Things Behind The Sun (Nick Drake - with The Mars Volta, 2007)
Let The Good Times Roll (Shirley and Lee - with George Clinton, Kim Manning, Flea and Chad Smith, 2008)
Red Money (David Bowie - with Swahili Blonde, 2010)
Scoundrel Days (A-ha - with Swahili Blonde, 2011)



All comments from YouTube:

@irenahalder

So happy Frusciante still picks up a guitar now and again 😍

@irenahalder

Roger Salmerón oh, before he put it down, you mean 🙁

@irenahalder

Roger Salmerón Indeed. Actually I’m quite pleased he didn’t pick up his guitar for this type of thing 😉

@superLSD

Frusciante still picks up his guitar on a lot of his recent music

@brunacruz4132

He has his own projects now and shares art with us quite regularly

@OneGoodBite

​@Roger Salmerón It is. The song is also on Glenn Hughes' album "Music for the divine" that was released in 2006. John Frusciante plays on two tracks, Nights in white satin and This is how I feel. Chad Smith plays drums on the entire record that was recorded at his home.

1 More Replies...

@davidcowell5722

Up until now I believed that the Nirvana version of Bowie' The Man Who Sold The World was the best cover of all time. This song just changed my mind.

@JLAT2

That riff <3

@drwrevoltar

definitely john's guitar tone

@masterofbears1948

and backing vocals

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