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.
My Song
The Moody Blues Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And sing it all day long
A song that never ends
How can I tell you, all the things inside my head.
The change in these past years
Has made me see our world
In many different ways
Love can change the world
Love can change your life
Do what makes you happy
Do what you know is right
And love with all your might
Before it's too late
Where did I find all these words
Something inside of me is burning
There's life in other worlds
Maybe they'll come to earth
Helping man to find a way
One day I hope we'll be in perfect harmony
A planet with one mind
Then I could tell you
All the things inside my head
I'm going to sing my song
And sing it all day long
A song that never ends
How can I tell you, all the things inside my head.
I'm going to sing my song
A song that never ends
The Moody Blues's song "My Song" is a ballad about love and the power it holds to change the world. The singer is determined to express his innermost thoughts through this song that will never end. He sings about the changes that he has witnessed in the world and the different perspectives that it has revealed to him. He speaks of love's ability to alter one's life and cause a paradigm shift in the world as well. The singer urges his listeners to do what makes them happy and to follow the light that guides them towards the right path.
The song speaks of other worlds and the possibility of them coming to Earth to help humanity find its way. The singer expresses his hopes that one day the world will achieve perfect harmony, and everyone will share one mind. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer once again expressing his desire to sing his song that will never end and share the things inside his head with the world.
Overall, "My Song" is deeply reflective and hopeful, calling for the power of love in transforming and unifying the world.
Interesting Facts:
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going to sing my song
I will express myself and convey my thoughts through music.
And sing it all day long
I will persistently share my song with others.
A song that never ends
My passion for music will never fade.
How can I tell you, all the things inside my head.
It's difficult for me to express my deep thoughts and emotions through words alone.
The change in these past years
Throughout recent times, I've experienced significant transformations.
Has made me see our world
These changes have influenced and broadened my perception of the world.
In many different ways
These transformations have led me to realize and view the world from diverse perspectives.
How can I tell you, love can change our destiny.
It's challenging to communicate how love can have a profound impact on our lives and future.
Love can change the world
The power of love can impact and transform our world for the better.
Love can change your life
Love has the power to significantly influence and transform an individual's life.
Do what makes you happy
Pursuing what brings joy and fulfillment is essential in life.
Do what you know is right
Following one's morals and values is crucial in making life choices.
And love with all your might
Love and give your all to those who matter most to you.
Before it's too late
Take action now, as life can pass by quickly.
Where did I find all these words
I'm uncertain where the inspiration for my words came from.
Something inside of me is burning
I have an intense desire to share my insights and message with the world.
There's life in other worlds
I believe that other forms of life exist beyond Earth.
Maybe they'll come to earth
Perhaps these other forms of life will visit our planet one day.
Helping man to find a way
They could help guide humanity towards a positive path forward.
One day I hope we'll be in perfect harmony
I aspire for humanity to achieve ultimate cooperation and unity.
A planet with one mind
A world where everyone is on the same page and united in purpose.
Then I could tell you
At that point, I would be able to express myself more clearly and effectively.
All the things inside my head
I have many thoughts and ideas that I desire to share with the world.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Michael Pinder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Love can change the world
Love can change your life
Do what makes you happy
Do what you know is right
And love with all your might
Before it's too late
One day I hope we'll be in perfect harmony
A planet with one mind
Then I could tell you
All the things inside my head
Beautiful.
OG Woot
I'm goin' to sing my song
And sing it all day long
A song that never ends
How can I tell you
All the things inside my head?
… The change in these past years
Has made me see our world
In many different ways
How can I tell you
Love can change our destiny?
… Love can change the world
Love can change your life
Do what makes you happy
Do what you know is right
And love with all your might before it's too late
… Where did I find all these words?
Something inside of me is burning
There's life in other worlds
Maybe they'll come to Earth
Helping man to find a way
… One day I hope we'll be in perfect harmony
A planet with one mind
Then I could tell you
All the things inside my head
… I'm goin' to sing my song
And sing it all day long
A song that never ends
How can I tell you
All the things inside my head?
… I'm goin' to sing my song
A song that never ends
Scott Nevison
This entire album is masterpiece. The apex of the Moody blues creativity and uniqueness.
Isis O. Speenie
I wish that they were allowed to mention Christ and God in their lyrics. They could have started a love of life revival that could have changed the world ! But that could not be allowed by the scientific controllers!
dc2257
Couldn't agree more! My Favourite.
Daniel Kenney
Yes this is the "One" had it on 8 track and wore it out
kingmar8
What a powerful song from Mike. The ending brings shivers. Definitely the most progressive member of the group. And that mellotron playing is simply amazing.
Isis O. Speenie
Yes , it is such a shame that they were forced to glorify Satan instead of Christ to gain worldly riches !
Isis O. Speenie
@RHEANNE BURNHAM so you really like the whole ET thing ? I have to change the ET lyrics in my mind to something that makes better sense. His solo album that came out a couple years later was filled with even more ET nonsense. A headline from Melody Maker said in 1972 " The Moody Blues on the road with the Salvation Army " LoL I'm all about uplifting songs but he seemed to be promoting the latest New World Order fad .
RHEANNE BURNHAM
@Isis O. Speenie huh? I think that he had not only wisdom and compassion in this song, but also incredible foresight. Wait and see..
Isis O. Speenie
Some of the lyrics really detract from the magistery that could have been. Michaels pre-occupation with ET's was fashionable at that time but does not age well ! LoL
andrew rosen
Could not agree with you more! Simply brilliant song and ends up making me cry!!
Yes, Mike's mellotron work here is just so perfect and Mike's ability to bring forth hope for humanity and Mother Earth.