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.
Have You Heard?
The Moody Blues Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now you know that you are real,
Show your friends that you and me
Belong to the same world,
Turned on to the same word,
Have you heard?
Now you know that you are free,
Living all your life at ease.
A look down life's hallways, doorways,
To lead you there.
[The Voyage]
Part 2
Now you know how nice it feels,
Scatter good seed in the fields.
Life's ours for the making,
Eternity's waiting, waiting,
For you and me.
Now you know that you are real,
Show your friends that you and me
Belong to the same world,
Turned on to the same word,
Have you heard?
Have you heard?
Have you heard?
Have you heard?
Have you heard?
The Moody Blues's song "Have You Heard" is a reflective song that encourages the listener to embrace their reality, finding comfort in the knowledge that they are real and belong to the same world. The first part of the song urges the listener to share this realization with others, suggesting that they are all "turned on to the same word." The second part shifts towards the idea of planting positive seeds in the world, implying that their actions have the potential to create lasting change. Ultimately, the song asks the listener if they've heard this message, repeating the question several times until it imprints upon the mind.
There are a few elements of this song that make it noteworthy beyond its message, such as its use of harmonies and orchestration. The Moody Blues was known for incorporating classical music influences into their rock songs, and "Have You Heard" is no exception. The song relies heavily on string arrangements and layered harmonies, giving it a dreamlike quality. Additionally, the song's structure is unique in that it is split into two distinct parts, each with its own melody and lyrics. The second part of the song is actually titled "The Voyage," and it relates to the broader story arc of the Moody Blues's album "On the Threshold of a Dream."
Line by Line Meaning
Now you know that you are real,
Now that you have discovered your own existence, you can perceive the same reality as everyone else around you.
Show your friends that you and me
Demonstrate to your acquaintances that we mutually recognize the same worldly experiences.
Belong to the same world,
We share the same physical realm, environment, and society.
Turned on to the same word,
We are inspired by the principles and ideas which engage and motivate us all.
Have you heard?
Are you aware of the conversations and discussions revolving around our shared reality and interests?
Now you know that you are free,
Having discovered your autonomy, you can live your life as you choose without hindrance or restriction.
Living all your life at ease.
A sense of comfort and contentment accompanies your unencumbered existence.
Each day has its always,
Every day provides constant opportunities to seize and live in the moment.
A look down life's hallways, doorways,
The path ahead is both wide and varied, offering different paths to take and doors to open.
To lead you there.
These choices and possibilities will guide you to your ultimate destination.
Now you know how nice it feels,
You understand the pleasure and satisfaction that comes with sharing positivity and kindness.
Scatter good seed in the fields.
Spread good fortune and positivity wherever you go.
Life's ours for the making,
We have the ability to shape our individual futures and destiny.
Eternity's waiting, waiting,
The infinite expanse of time and possibility always awaits and beckons for us to apply ourselves.
For you and me.
This isn't a single-person journey; the daunting but limitless breadth of the future requires collective cooperation.
Have you heard?
Have you taken the time to listen and comprehend the beckoning opportunities offered by the world and those sharing it with us?
Have you heard?
Are you still paying attention and ensuring that you continue to make the most of life's opportunity?
Have you heard?
Are you receptive to the potential and harmony instilled in the immense infinity of reality and time?
Have you heard?
And, most importantly, are you sharing what you learn and experience with others?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Frank Lavere, Leroy Rodde, Lew Douglas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Louis Ramos
The Moodies were the most influential musicians of my teenage years. Their songs touched me profoundly, and while some of my friends felt they were boring musicians, I believed the Moodies were almost preaching with their lyrics. To me each song had a profound message that literally touched my soul, and to me that produced what I felt was a real spiritual high. Starting with Days of Future Passed, each succeeding album was eagerly anticipated and every single one released did not disappoint. Still to this day I get a tingle in my chest when I play some of my favorite Moodie ballads. I know that there are many of you out there who feel the same way about our beloved Moody Blues.
PATTY RICHARDS
I'm 5 years younger than you, but as a 14 year old I always heard their music as I started hanging out with other people in high school. I totally understand what you are saying, I know people who LOVE THEM, and dislike them. LOVE Have you Heard. Peace
Lawrence Harrington
I am still heavily in there awesome music... Nothing else like it... 👍🇺🇲✌️❤️🖖🙏
Paula Lowery
Yesssss!!
Barry Anderson
Yes same for myself and millions of others ....The Moody Blues had a sound of their own and they knew how to brand their music very well indeed at the time .
Dean Yanko
most unawakened folks don't get it its a bit lonely being surrounded by ignorance.
Daryl Crandall
As being of a certain age (74) I too, extoll the power of the Moodies. The ideas in their first seven albums (the sacred 7) were the messages I needed to hear at the time. I still live my life by them. So far ahead of their time. And like the difference between shoot-em-up games and Myst, the Moodies are a unique and shining example of excellence.
JONATHAN BERNAL
Very well stated. I too am 74 and have followed MB all my life, never tiring of their lush arrangements. I took my wife to see them in Texas ( before Graeme's departure);
She asked why the audience (fans) all had white hair? I explained that these fans are loyal, lifetime followers!
richard meth
The Moodys were so far ahead of their time and so underrated - their songs were simply brilliant and transcended all other bands. I am 70 years old and never get tired of listening to them. Thank you Justin, John, Ray, Graeme and Mike- you are the source of my inner peace.
whisky2roxy
Ditto. I'm 63. Is your last name really meth?