The Moody Blues was an English rock band formed in Birmingham, Warwickshire… Read Full Bio ↴The Moody Blues was an English rock band formed in Birmingham, Warwickshire in 1964, initially consisting of keyboardist Mike Pinder, multi-instrumentalist Ray Thomas (died 2018), guitarist Denny Laine (died 2023), drummer Graeme Edge (died 2021), and bassist Clint Warwick (died 2004). The band came to prominence with the UK No. 1 and US Top 10 single "Go Now" in late 1964/early 1965 and subsequently embraced the psychedelic rock movement of the late 1960s with their 1967 album "Days of Future Passed" that established the band as pioneers in the development of art rock and progressive rock. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

The band began by playing rhythm and blues music. After some early lineup changes, the band settled on a line-up of Pinder, Thomas, Edge, guitarist Justin Hayward and bassist John Lodge, which would stay together for most of the band's "classic era" through the late 1960s-early 1970s. Their second album, "Days of Future Passed", released in 1967, was a fusion of rock with classical music and established the band as pioneers in the development of art rock and progressive rock. Days Of Future Passed has been described as a "landmark" and "one of the first successful concept albums".

The Moody Blues became known internationally by recordings of songs including "Go Now", "Nights in White Satin", "Tuesday Afternoon", "Question" and "Your Wildest Dreams". The band has been awarded 18 platinum and gold LP’s. The band sold 70 million albums worldwide. The Moody Blues were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

The Moody Blues formed in 1964 in Erdington, a suburb of Birmingham in the county of Warwickshire. Ray Thomas, a young John Lodge and (occasionally) Mike Pinder had been members of El Riot & the Rebels. They disbanded when Lodge, the youngest member, went to technical college and Pinder joined the army. Pinder then rejoined Thomas to form the Krew Cats. Back from a disappointing spell in the Hamburg region a few months later, the pair recruited guitarist/vocalist Denny Laine and band manager-turned-drummer Graeme Edge. Pinder and Thomas initially approached their former El Riot bandmate John Lodge about being the bass player, but Lodge declined as he was still in college. They instead recruited bassist Clint Warwick. The five appeared as the Moody Blues for the first time in Birmingham in 1964. The name developed from a hoped-for sponsorship from the M&B Brewery which failed to materialise, the band calling themselves both "The M Bs" and "The M B Five", and was also a subtle reference to the Duke Ellington song "Mood Indigo". In an interview it was revealed that the band was named "Moody Blues" because Mike Pinder was interested in how music changes people's moods and due to the fact that the band was playing blues at the time. Around this time the band were the resident group at the Carlton Ballroom, later to become rock music venue Mothers on Erdington High Street.

The Moody Blues' "rich symphonic sound" influenced groups such as Yes, Genesis, the Electric Light Orchestra and Deep Purple. They also helped make synthesizers and philosophy "part of the rock mainstream".

The Moody Blues became members of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. In 2013, readers of Rolling Stone Magazine voted for them as one of the ten bands that should be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Ultimate Classic Rock called them "perennial victims of an unaccountable snubbing" and inducted them into its own Hall of Fame in 2014.

Writing for The Guardian in 2015, Rob Chapman described the band as "psychedelia's forgotten heroes". He stated: "Despite their success, rock critics rarely took the Moody Blues seriously, a pattern that continued for the next 45 years." He also wrote: "Despite the critical disapproval, the best of the Moody Blues music between 1967 and 1970 possessed grace and beauty. Like The Beatles, they understood how pop songs worked as ensemble pieces. None of them were particularly virtuosic or showy as musicians and their music is refreshingly free of the noodling longeurs that characterised the output of their more self-indulgent contemporaries."

In December 2017, the band were announced as inductees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On 14 April 2018, they were inducted as part of the 2018 class. During his acceptance speech in Cleveland, OH, Justin Hayward said, "If you didn't know already, well we're just a bunch of British guys, but of course to us and to all British musicians, this is the home of our heroes and we all know that..." acknowledging the inspirational role of America's rock and roll icons. During the ceremony, Ray Thomas was included as a star that was lost in the past year.

On 11th November 2021 Graeme Edge died. Upon Edge's death, Justin Hayward announced that The Moody Blues had no longer been active since Edge had retired in 2018 (Edge being the only member to remain with the band from formation to ending). Founding member Denny Laine died on 5 December 2023.

From the Bottom of My Heart
The Moody Blues Lyrics

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I can't be with you anymore
In love with you
You gotta realise, baby
There ain't nowhere
I can find love anymore
That I can criticize
From the bottom of my heart
I really love you

Yes, I do now
It didn't take too long
To be sure
From the bottom of my heart
I really do

Things you do I admire
And I'm in love with you
You gotta realise, baby
Everyday our love grows
Higher and higher
I find no fault in you
I can criticize
From the bottom of my heart
I really love you
Yes, I do now
It didn't take too long to be sure
From the bottom of my heart
I really do

Now don't you ever go away
Without you
I just don't know
Where to start
I'm asking you to stay
And, baby, you know I've said it
From the bottom of my heart

It's so good
That I know
And I'm in love with you
All you gotta realise baby
As day by day
Our love will grow
I find no fault in you
I can criticize
From the bottom of my heart
I really love you
Yes, I do now
It didn't take too long
To be sure
From the bottom of my heart
I really do

Oh, I really do love you
I really do love you, babe

Overall Meaning

The Moody Blues's song "From The Bottom of my Heart" is a beautiful love song that describes a love that has grown stronger and deeper over time. The lyrics express the singer's deep love for his partner, and how he has found no fault in her. The singer emphasizes that he can criticize his partner from the bottom of his heart because he really loves her, and he wants her to stay with him forever.

The song is a testament to the power of love and how it can withstand the test of time. It is a beautiful expression of love that is pure and true, with no hidden agenda or ulterior motive. The lyrics are simple yet powerful, and they convey a message of love that is both honest and sincere. The singer's emotional and soulful voice adds to the overall impact of the song, making it a classic love ballad that will stand the test of time.

Line by Line Meaning

I can't be with you anymore
I cannot continue to be with you

In love with you
I have strong romantic feelings for you

You gotta realise, baby
You must understand, my dear

There ain't nowhere
There is no place

I can find love anymore
Where I can find love

That I can criticize
That I can fault

From the bottom of my heart
Truly, sincerely

I really love you
I have deep affection for you

Yes, I do now
I assure you that I do

It didn't take too long
It didn't take much time

To be sure
To be certain