Legend Of A Mind
The Moody Blues Lyrics
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No, no, he's outside looking in
Timothy Leary's dead
No, no, he's outside looking in
He'll fly his astral plane
Takes you trips around the bay
Brings you back the same day
Timothy Leary, Timothy Leary
Timothy Leary's dead
No, no, he's outside looking in
Timothy Leary's dead
No, no, he's outside looking in
He'll fly his astral plane
Takes you trips around the bay
Brings you back the same day
Timothy Leary, Timothy Leary
Along the coast you'll hear them boast
About a light they say that shines so clear
So raise your glass, we'll drink a toast
To the little man who sells you thrills along the pier
He'll take you up, he'll bring you down
He'll plant your feet back firmly on the ground
He flies so high, he swoops so low
He knows exactly which way he's gonna go
Timothy Leary, Timothy Leary
He'll take you up, he'll bring you down
He'll plant your feet back on the ground
He'll fly so high, he'll swoop so low
Timothy Leary
He'll fly his astral plane
He'll take you trips around the bay
He'll bring you back the same day
Timothy Leary, Timothy Leary
Timothy Leary, Timothy Leary
Timothy Leary
The Moody Blues's song "Legend of a Mind" is a tribute to Timothy Leary, a psychologist who famously advocated for the use of psychedelic drugs in the 1960s. The song begins with the ironic line "Timothy Leary's dead, no, no, he's outside looking in," indicating that Leary's legacy and ideas continue to live on. The second verse speaks of Leary's ability to take people on trips with his "astral plane," which is a reference to the idea of journeying through the mind's eye with the help of mind-altering substances.
The rest of the song speaks of the culture around Leary and psychedelic drug use in the 60s. The listener is encouraged to raise their glass in a toast to the "little man who sells you thrills along the pier," referencing the drug dealers of the time. The final verse speaks of Leary's ability to take people on highs and lows, and his knowledge of where to go. The lyrics "he'll fly so high, he'll swoop so low" are reflective of the chaotic nature of the era as people experimented with drugs and alternative lifestyles.
Overall, "Legend of a Mind" can be interpreted as a celebration of the counterculture movement and the lasting impact of those who dared to think and act outside of the mainstream. It highlights the excitement and thrill of experimentation and the ways in which those experiences can alter one's perspective on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Timothy Leary's dead
The well-known American psychologist Timothy Leary has died.
No, no, he's outside looking in
Despite his physical death, Timothy Leary's influence and legacy are still present in society.
He'll fly his astral plane
Timothy Leary's beliefs in psychopharmacology and the exploration of the human mind were often associated with otherworldly experiences and altered states of consciousness.
Takes you trips around the bay
He can take individuals on transformative journeys through their own minds and perspectives.
Brings you back the same day
Despite the intensity of these experiences, an individual can still return to their original state of mind and reality.
Timothy Leary, Timothy Leary
His impact and ideas continue to resonate even after his death.
Along the coast you'll hear them boast
Others also claim to have had similar transformative experiences and attribute them to a particular location or source.
About a light they say that shines so clear
These experiences are often described as a clear and profound revelation or understanding of oneself and the world around them.
So raise your glass, we'll drink a toast
In celebration of these experiences, individuals may choose to acknowledge and honor the source of their revelation.
To the little man who sells you thrills along the pier
This refers to someone who offers similar transformative experiences, perhaps through the use of drugs, along a pier or boardwalk area.
He'll take you up, he'll bring you down
Just like Timothy Leary, this individual can offer intense and transformative experiences that can lead to a heightened sense of understanding and awareness, as well as a return to normalcy.
He knows exactly which way he's gonna go
This individual is in control of the experience and knows how to guide and direct it to a specific outcome or revelation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ray Thomas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind