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.
Happy Xmas
The Moody Blues Lyrics
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Another year over, a new one just begun.
And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun,
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fears.
And so this is Christmas for weak and for strong,
The rich and the poor ones, the road is so long.
And so happy Christmas for black and for white
For the yellow and red ones let's stop all the fights.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
And so this is Christmas and what have we done
Another year over, a new one just begun.
And so happy Christmas we hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
War is over if you want it, war is over now.
The Moody Blues's song "Happy Xmas" is a powerful message of hope, love, and peace for people of all races, classes, and ages around the world. The song starts by reflecting on the passing year and the beginning of a new one. The opening lines "So this is Christmas and what have you done, Another year over, a new one just begun" asks listeners to take stock of their actions, accomplishments and hopes for the new year.
The next verses extend that reflection to highlight the importance of spending time with loved ones, irrespective of differences. The lyrics encourage people to celebrate Christmas while keeping in mind those who are important to us, including the old and the young, the rich and the poor, and people of all races. The line "let's stop all the fights" urges for the end to the fighting and the establishment of peace among all people. The repeated chorus of "A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year, Let's hope it's a good one without any fear" reinforces the message of peace and the strong desire for a peaceful new year all over the world.
The final verse, "And so this is Christmas and what have we done, Another year over, a new one just begun, And so happy Christmas we hope you have fun, The near and the dear ones, the old and the young. A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year, Let's hope it's a good one without any fear. War is over if you want it, war is over now" carries a message of hope, as it suggests that the end of the war is in our hands. It asks people to recognize their power to stop war and promote peace. It's a call to action for unity, and to make the world a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
So this is Christmas and what have you done, Another year over, a new one just begun.
Reflecting on the passing year and the start of a new one, with a focus on personal growth and accomplishments.
And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun, The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
Sharing in joyful festivities with loved ones of all ages and generations.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year Let's hope it's a good one without any fears.
Extending holiday wishes for happiness and prosperity in the coming year, free from worries or trouble.
And so this is Christmas for weak and for strong, The rich and the poor ones, the road is so long.
Acknowledging that everyone, regardless of status or circumstance, is part of the journey of life which can be difficult for all at various times.
And so happy Christmas for black and for white For the yellow and red ones let's stop all the fights.
A call for unity and compassion towards people of all races and ethnicities, with a plea to put aside conflict and division.
And so this is Christmas and what have we done Another year over, a new one just begun.
Reiterating the concept of reflection during the holiday season, with a broader sense of collective responsibility and action.
And so happy Christmas we hope you have fun The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
Repeating the desire for happiness and enjoyment with loved ones during the holiday season, emphasizing the multi-generational aspect of the celebration.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
Closing by restating holiday well-wishes for a positive and peaceful year to come, with no cause for concern or distress.
War is over if you want it, war is over now.
A final, powerful message of peace and hope, with the reminder that it can be achieved if we are truly committed to it.
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Winston Lennon, Yoko Ono
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind