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 LPโs. 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.
Lean On Me
The Moody Blues Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be there
Whenever you need someone
To share in every prayer
In every dream
You've left somewhere
'Till tomorrow
Will be just like it was when we were young
I'm gonna take you where
I've never taken you before
Lean on me
I'm every where
Where ever you look I'll be
Forever yours
The northern lights
The southern cross
I'll give to you
'Till tomorrow
Will be just like it was when we were young
'Cause tonight
I'm gonna take you where
I've never taken you before
If you're lonely
You know where you can find me
You know there's no escape when you are on your own
And if you're worried
And you can see your world slip through your fingers
I'll reach out for you in my heart
There's no more dancing in the dark
You're not alone
Tomorrow
Will be just like it was when we were young
'Cause tonight
I'm gonna take you where
I've never taken you before
Will be just like it was when we were young
Tonight I'm gonna take you where
I've never taken you before
Will be just like it was when we were young
The Moody Blues's song "Lean On Me" is a comforting and reassuring love song about being there for someone when they need you most. It speaks to the idea of two people getting older together and facing life's challenges, but always being able to rely on each other for support. The lyrics describe being there for someone through thick and thin, in every prayer and dream they have, and promising to take them to new places they've never been before. It's a song about trust, love, and commitment, and the idea that no matter what happens, the two of them will always be there for each other.
The lyrics use imagery to convey a sense of timelessness and constancy, with references to the northern lights and southern cross representing a sense of stability and continuity in their lives. The chorus repeats the phrase "will be just like it was when we were young," emphasizing the idea that no matter what happens in the future, they will always have each other and the memories of their youth. The last verse is a call to action for anyone feeling alone or worried, with a promise to always be there when they need someone to lean on.
Line by Line Meaning
Lean on me
Count on me for support and comfort
I'll be there
I will always be available and present for you
Whenever you need someone
Whenever you require assistance or companionship
To share in every prayer
To participate in all your hopes and beliefs
In every dream
In all your aspirations and goals
You've left somewhere
In all the ambitions you've abandoned or forgotten
'Till tomorrow
Until the future
Will be just like it was when we were young
The future will be reminiscent of our youth
'Cause tonight
Because this evening
I'm gonna take you where
I am going to show you or take you to
I've never taken you before
Somewhere you've never been with me
I'm everywhere
I can be found or reached anywhere
Where ever you look I'll be
You will always be able to see or find me
Forever yours
I belong to you and will always be yours
The northern lights
The natural light display in the sky at high latitude
The southern cross
The southern hemisphere constellation representing the crucifixion of Jesus
I'll give to you
I will provide or grant to you
If you're lonely
If you're feeling alone and isolated
You know where you can find me
You know I am always available for you
You know there's no escape when you are on your own
You cannot escape loneliness when you are by yourself
And if you're worried
And if you're feeling anxious or concerned
And you can see your world slip through your fingers
And you observe everything you value slipping away from you
I'll reach out for you in my heart
I will emotionally support you when you need it the most
There's no more dancing in the dark
There's no reason to despair or feel hopeless anymore
You're not alone
You have someone by your side
Lyrics ยฉ Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: JOHN CHARLES LODGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevenlawrence3614
I saw THE MOODY BLUES in Philadelphia when I saw them do this song, it made me cry like a baby! The Moody Blues Are one of the pivotal bands in England! In my opinion of course! I donโt think Iโll get an argument either!
@LLcoolDel
Where in phila did you see them
@danieltilley7518
Yes this is what the young people are missing. This is what music is all about!
@edwardnimerowski7577
This song sounds like George Harrison!๐ฎ
@cbrtMetallicA420
One of my favorites. Very sad good music like this is being overshadowed by crap nowadays. So glad I was born to parents who listened to real music :P
@moodyguymick
Brilliant John Lodge composition.
@BeerCigarsAndTexas
The moody blues were my dads music and now it's my music
@richardsunter6057
Same ๐
@johnkusek9366
@@richardsunter6057 yeah rich. I'm 65 years old an I grew up with the band. Love them an always will. The music is the greatest
I've seen them.,6 time the in 96 . Keep.on listening 2 them.
@jimfrazzitta4218
There really are no words to describe this John Lodge Moodies' classic. Your wonderful video is a perfect compliment to this masterpiece.