Hayward was born in Dean Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, England, and educated at Shrivenham School in Berkshire and the Commonweal School in Swindon. He was playing in several bands as early as age 15 when he bought his Gibson 335, a guitar that appears on nearly all of his records throughout his career, and a Vox AC30 amplifier. All previous guitars were "unsatisfactory" and required modification. He performed with local Swindon groups in clubs and dance halls playing mostly Buddy Holly songs. One of Hayward's early groups was All Things Bright, which opened for The Hollies and Brian Poole and the Tremeloes. At age 17, he signed an eight-year publishing contract as a songwriter with the skiffle artist and record producer Lonnie Donegan, a move Hayward later regretted, as it meant the rights to all his songs written before 1974 would always be owned by Donegan's Tyler Music. In 1965 he answered an advertisement in Melody Maker and auditioned as guitarist for Marty Wilde and he went on to work with Wilde and his wife in The Wilde Three.
For the most part, Hayward has used a red Gibson ES-335, though he also uses other guitars in both performing and recording, including a 1955 Martin D-28 "Dreadnought", a James Olson six-string acoustic, a black Guild acoustic, a Squier Stratocaster (essentially an inexpensive Fender Stratocaster, as Squier is a subsidiary of Fender), a Fender Telecaster, a blonde Guild 12-string acoustic (tuned to "open C" for "Question"), and in 1967 a black Gibson Les Paul. Between 1965 and 1968, he was without his Gibson 335 and relied on other instruments, most notably a 1964 Fender Telecaster and a hand-built 12-string guitar he had renovated for Donegan (he eventually bought this guitar from Donegan's widow). However, in an interview included on the Lovely to See You concert DVD (2005), Hayward says the 1963 Gibson 335 has been with him since 1967. Recently, he has played a Collings D3 on stage and on recordings. Among other instruments, Hayward also played mandolin on A Question of Balance and sitar on In Search of the Lost Chord.
Written at the end of one love affair and the beginning of another, the song "Nights in White Satin" was, according to Hayward, "in adoration of all women". Hayward married model Ann Marie Guirron on 19 December 1970. His daughter Doremi, who sings on the track "Raised on Love" on Hayward's 1977 album Songwriter, was born on 3 December 1972.
In 2013, Hayward spoke of his learning Transcendental Meditation in 1967, along with other members of the Moody Blues.
Promised Land
Justin Hayward Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They came with nothing but pockets full of dreams,
They came in hope, looking for The Promised Land.
They brought their faith, believing in their hearts,
They brought their children, searching for a new start.
They came looking for The Promised Land.
And all the rumours said it was Heaven there
And all the signs were pointing to a new world,
Somewhere... there's got to be.
A better way, a new beginning, a second chance...
It's all in the new world.
Equality, liberty, freedom...
It's all in the new world.
A better life, a brighter future, the right to believe...
It's all in the new world.
For you and me, it's going to be... freedom...
It's all in the new world.
Through the ages, all through history,
They braved the deserts, sailed the raging sea,
And left their homes, looking for The Promised Land.
They brought their culture, pride and prejudice,
All they wanted was a reason to exist
And still they come, looking for The Promised Land,
And all the rumours said it was Heaven there
And all the signs were pointing to a new world,
Someway, somehow there's got to be... a place for us,
Somewhere... there's got to be.
A better way, a new beginning, a second chance...
It's all in the new world.
Equality, liberty, freedom...
It's all in the new world.
A better life, a brighter future, the right to believe...
It's all in the new world.
For you and me, it's going to be... freedom...
It's all in the new world.
The song "Promised Land" by Justin Hayward is about the journey of immigrants who leave their homes and travel to a new land in search of a better life. The lyrics describe the hope and faith that these travelers bring with them on their journey to a place where they believe the promised land is located. The song speaks of the rumors that are circulating about this place, with all signs pointing to a new world that promises equality, liberty, and freedom. The lyrics also note the sacrifices these immigrants make, leaving behind their homes, their culture, and their identity in search of a better future.
Throughout history, people have pursued the idea of the promised land. This song captures the spirit of those who risk everything to find a new place where they can belong. The repeated references to "the new world" are likely a nod to the explorers who voyaged to the Americas in search of a new and better life. Hayward celebrates the resiliency, courage, and determination of people who leave everything behind in search of freedom.
"Promised Land" was written by Justin Hayward and produced by Tony Clarke. It was released in 1978 as part of the album "Songwriter." The song has a nostalgic quality, with guitar strums and keyboard backing reminiscent of the 1970s era. The lyrics are set to a downtempo ballad, which adds to the nostalgic tone.
Line by Line Meaning
They came from nowhere, with nowhere else to go,
People came from a place of having nothing and nowhere to go.
They came with nothing but pockets full of dreams,
Despite having nothing material, people brought their hopes and dreams with them.
They came in hope, looking for The Promised Land.
People came in search of a better life with the belief that they can achieve it.
They brought their faith, believing in their hearts,
People carried their religious beliefs with them and it fueled their motivation to find a better place.
They brought their children, searching for a new start.
Families moved to find a new beginning and a brighter future for their children.
And all the rumours said it was Heaven there
There were many rumors about the better life and opportunities that awaited people in the new land.
And all the signs were pointing to a new world,
There were indications that a new world full of promises and possibilities awaited people.
Someway, somehow there's got to be... a place for us,
Despite the struggles and hardships, people believed that they will eventually find a place where they belong.
Somewhere... there's got to be.
People held on to the hope that they will eventually find what they are looking for.
A better way, a new beginning, a second chance...
The new land represented an opportunity to start anew and improve one's life.
It's all in the new world.
The place that people were searching for, and the promises it held, were all in the new land.
Equality, liberty, freedom...
The values that the new land represented and promised to offer people.
A better life, a brighter future, the right to believe...
People hoped for a life that was full of opportunities and promise, where they have the freedom and right to choose their own beliefs.
For you and me, it's going to be... freedom...
It is a belief people share that the new land is a place where they will be free to create the life they want.
Through the ages, all through history,
Across generations, people have moved in the hope of finding a better life and opportunities.
They braved the deserts, sailed the raging sea,
People have gone through harsh times, resolute in their determination to get to the new land.
And left their homes, looking for The Promised Land.
People left their homes behind, in search of a new place that would hold better prospects for them.
Lyrics © Fintage House Publishing
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Susie Kemper
There is - heaven. Thanks for the beautiful song Justin.
MissyD97
I didn't know this was released in '97 that's cool. And this would be a great song to play when people become legal citizens. I love this song I sang it in high school for our division win for chorus.
LOVEFOREVERBLUE
Wow, very inspirational. Beautiful😊💖💐
James Watts
A song that says so much means so much thank you Justin
Rosemary Stanley
Love this song!🌹
Tom Loughlin Jr.
This should be played at all Naturalization Ceremonies. I am going to send it to the League of Women Voters to see that they have a good swing at getting it done. Tom Loughlin Jr, Utica NY
רותי ליפקה
Justin is the best