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.
Sooner or Later
The Moody Blues Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Swim with the life tide
Clear away the storm clouds
Oh
You got to
Roll with the punches
Shelter from the weather
Sooner or later oh
Sooner or later oh
We'll be walkin' on air
Live for the moment
''cause life is worth living
Love will surround you
Sooner or later oh
Sooner or later oh
We'll be walkin' on air
We'll be walkin' on air
Love is out there waiting for you
Wearing no disguise
Nothing left behind closed doors
It's right before your eyes
So take a walk in the sunshine
Send a message on your online
Then you can do it in your own time
Sooner or later oh
Sooner or later oh
We'll be walkin' on air
Walkin' on air
We'll be walkin' on air
Walk on the water
Shelter from the weather
Clear away the storm clouds
Sooner or later oh
Sooner or later oh
Sooner or later oh
Sooner or later oh
We'll be walkin' on air
Walkin' on air
We'll be walkin' on air
The Moody Blues’s song "Sooner or Later" is a very optimistic and hopeful song about life's journey. The song speaks about living in the moment, loving, and embracing everything that life has to offer with open arms, and no fear of darkness. The opening line, "Walk on the water, swim with the life tide, clear away the storm clouds" speaks of taking risks, embracing change, and taking control of one's life. It's about looking at the positive in every situation, even when everything seems to be falling apart.
The lyrics also urge the listener to "roll with the punches, shelter from the weather, have no fear of the darkness," conveying that taking life as it comes and persevering through hardships is a necessary part of the journey. The chorus, "Sooner or later, we'll be walking on air," is a statement of hope, suggesting that no matter what difficulties one encounters in life, there is always a chance of things getting better. The idea of walking on air is symbolic of the feeling of freedom and transcendence that one can experience when they conquer their fears and overcome adversity.
Overall, "Sooner or Later" is a song about hope, love, and the journey of life, urging the listener to embrace every moment and push forward with optimism and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
Walk on the water
Be brave and take risks, like walking on water, to achieve your goals.
Swim with the life tide
Go with the flow and embrace the changes in life.
Clear away the storm clouds
Overcome obstacles and challenges in life.
Oh
An expression of emotion or emphasis.
You got to
It is necessary or important to do the following actions.
Roll with the punches
Adapt to difficult situations and keep moving forward.
Shelter from the weather
Protect yourself from harm or negativity in life.
Have no fear of the darkness
Do not be afraid of the unknown or difficult times in life.
Sooner or later oh
Eventually or at some point in time.
We'll be walkin' on air
We will feel light and free, with a sense of accomplishment and happiness.
Live for the moment
Enjoy the present and make the most of every opportunity.
'cause life is worth living
Life has value and purpose, and should be cherished.
Love will surround you
Love is present in life and will bring happiness and fulfillment.
Love is out there waiting for you
There is someone or something to love and be loved by in life.
Wearing no disguise
Love is genuine and true, not hidden or deceptive.
Nothing left behind closed doors
No secrets or hidden truths in love or life.
It's right before your eyes
The love or opportunity you seek is within reach and readily visible.
So take a walk in the sunshine
Enjoy the good times in life and appreciate the beauty around you.
Send a message on your online
Connect with others and express yourself through technology or social media.
Then you can do it in your own time
Go at your own pace and take the time you need to achieve your goals.
Walkin' on air
Feeling light, happy, and free, with a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.
Lyrics © Fintage House Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: JOHN CHARLES LODGE, JUSTIN HAYWARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind