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.
I am
The Moody Blues Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seems roses can't grow in the sea
A river can fashion a valley
From a thousand sweet drinking streams
I am
I am
I am the son
I am the son
Yes I am the son of love
I am
Burn in the times when eyes could see
What's written in the stars
Freedom was ever
And ever was never far
I am
(I am)
The Moody Blues's song "I Am" has profound and introspective lyrics that revolve around the concept of growth and transformation. The opening lines, "Salt water never grew roses, seems roses can't grow in the sea," suggest that certain things cannot exist in certain places. The mention of roses which are conventionally seen as a symbol of growth, passion, and love is juxtaposed with the saltwater of the sea, which is often seen as a symbol of vastness and depth. The next line, "A river can fashion a valley from a thousand sweet drinking streams" signifies that though at times it may seem difficult to grow, change is possible, even if it takes persistence and time. The metaphorical significance of the lines showcases the songwriter's reflection of his own growth and experiences.
The chorus of "I Am" repeats the phrase "I am the son of love" suggesting that the songwriter sees himself as a product of love. The line "Burn in the times when eyes could see" is an allusion to a time when things were more straightforward and clear, as if the experiences of the present moment have made everything opaque. The next line, stating that "Freedom was ever and ever was never far" is suggesting that while times have changed, the potential for liberation is still within reach. The song's title itself, "I Am," also has significant implications, referencing self-awareness, shedding light on individuality, and the power of self-realization.
Line by Line Meaning
Salt water never grew roses
Roses cannot grow in seawater because it is too salty.
Seems roses can't grow in the sea
It appears that roses cannot grow in the ocean as it is not suitable for their growth.
A river can fashion a valley
A flowing river can create and shape a valley over time.
From a thousand sweet drinking streams
Valleys can be formed by numerous smaller streams of freshwater that eventually lead to a river.
I am
The artist is declaring their existence.
I am
The singer reiterates their existence.
I am the son
The singer is referencing their identity as a child or descendant of something or someone.
Yes I am
The artist confirms their identity.
I am the son
The artist again references their identity as a descendant.
Yes I am the son of love
The artist specifies that they are the descendant of love, possibly in a spiritual or metaphorical sense.
I am
The singer once again declares their existence and identity.
Burn in the times when eyes could see
During a time when humans had a deeper understanding of the universe, they experienced a form of enlightenment.
What's written in the stars
The movements and patterns of celestial bodies were believed to hold significant meaning and influence over the lives of humans.
Freedom was ever
The concept of freedom has always existed throughout human history.
And ever was never far
The possibility of achieving freedom has always been within reach but difficult to attain.
I am
The artist's identity and existence are once again emphasized.
(I am)
The artist affirms their existence and identity once more by repeating it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: RAY THOMAS, Robert Thomas, Sasha Phillips, Timothy Hill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind