On the album, "The Story in Your Eyes" is the second track, and is preceded by the track "Procession". "Procession" was the first and only song that was written by all five members of the band. The song was intended to describe the history of music from the beginning of time, and the only three words in the whole piece are "desolation", "creation", and "communication".
"The Story in Your Eyes" features a repeated electric guitar riff, a propulsive yet elegant bass line, and Justin Hayward on lead vocals, while incremental use of a Mellotron and a choral background generates an expansive, rhapsodic sound. "The Story in Your Eyes" was the Moody Blues' final single to feature only the Mellotron as it would be supplanted by the chamberlin, a similar instrument in time for their next album, Seventh Sojourn. The SACD release of the album Every Good Boy Deserves Favour contains a version of "The Story in Your Eyes" that has the Mellotron in dominant role.
The distinctive picture sleeve used for the French single release used a photograph of a close-up face with the Threshold logo in place of the mouth.
The Story In Your Eyes
The Moody Blues Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I've decided that we're really not to blame
For the love that's deep inside us now, is still the same
And the sound we make together
Is the music to the story in your eyes
It's been shining down upon you now, I realize
Listen to the tide slowly turning
We are part of the fire that is burning
And from the ashes we can build another day
But I'm frightened for your children
And the life that we are living is in vain
And the sunshine we've been waiting for
Will turn to rain
Listen to the tide slowly turning
Wash all our heartaches away
We are part of the fire that is burning
And from the ashes we can build another day
But I'm frightened for your children
And the life that we are living is in vain
And the sunshine we've been waiting for
Will turn to rain
When the final line is over
And it's certain that the curtain's gonna fall
I can hide inside your sweet, sweet love
Forever more
The Moody Blues's song "The Story In Your Eyes" is a song that explores the themes of love, fortune, and the state of the world as a whole. The writer of the song reflects on their fortune and experiences and decides that love is the only thing that matters. They recognize that the love they share with their partner is still strong and the sound they make together is the music to the story in their partner's eyes. The writer believes that their love has been shining down on them and they only realize that now.
However, the writer is also concerned about the state of the world and the future of their children. They feel that the life they are living is in vain and the sunshine they've been waiting for will turn to rain. The writer is afraid that the world is becoming a worse place for their children, and all their efforts to make it better might be futile.
The chorus of the song repeats the idea of listening to the tide slowly turning, washing all heartaches away. The writer suggests that they are part of the fire that is burning and from the ashes, they can build another day. The final verse of the song is an expression of the writer's hope that they can find shelter in their partner's love after everything is over, and they can hide there forever more.
Overall, "The Story In Your Eyes" is a reflection on the complex nature of life and love, and how the two are intertwined. The song expresses both hope and despair, and the belief that love is the only constant in a world that is constantly changing.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been thinking about our fortune
I have pondered on our current situation and the circumstances surrounding it.
And I've decided that we're really not to blame
I have come to a conclusion that our present state is not the result of any fault on our part.
For the love that's deep inside us now, is still the same
Despite everything, the strong affection we have for each other still remains constant.
And the sound we make together
The noises we produce collectively as a couple
Is the music to the story in your eyes
It is the symphony that best forms the narrative in your expressive eyes.
It's been shining down upon you now, I realize
I have just become conscious of how your eyes have been radiating with that glow.
Listen to the tide slowly turning
Be attentive to the gradual shifts happening in the world.
Wash all our heartaches away
Let the waves in the ocean cleanse the pain and distress we harbor.
We are part of the fire that is burning
We are involved in the passion, enthusiasm, and vigor that is very much alive.
And from the ashes we can build another day
We can always rise from the destruction and construct something anew.
But I'm frightened for your children
I am anxious about the future of your offspring.
And the life that we are living is in vain
I feel that our way of life is senseless and that it is an effort in futility.
And the sunshine we've been waiting for
The brightness we have long anticipated
Will turn to rain
Will ultimately transform into tears and downheartedness.
When the final line is over
When the last sentence or moment of our lives on this earth comes to an end
And it's certain that the curtain's gonna fall
And it is an irrefutable fact that the end is near and unavoidable.
I can hide inside your sweet, sweet love
I can seek refuge in the affection and fondness we share with each other.
Forever more
For eternity.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Justin Hayward
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davideaston6944
One of my favourites of theirs.
I had their entire catalogue between Days of Future Passed and The Other Side of Life (11 albums!), so I guess I was a fan. But 'The Classic Seven" indeed... Of course, one of the draws to their albums was never knowing what was coming next, as you had 5 guys who were all song writers, lead singers, and multi-instrumentalists, playing virtually EVERY SOUND on their albums themselves. Certainly, Justin Hayward's iconic drone (at many times almost like a classic crooner from the 30's and 40's!) was front and centre in many of their most famous songs, but each album would be a hop-scotch-skipping stone from Thomas to Lodge to Pinder to Edge with Hayward the solid foundation.
This sheer variety in song-writing and voicings made them NEVER dull, or repetitive. And when they took those vocals and harmonised... wow. And every album had a track that could wake and shake you up from your deepest depressions, as well as a track that could lull the wildest child to dreamland, and a variety in between. Known to most by their "pop" standards, they were also a band that (for that reason) were probably highly under-appreciated as cerebral writers / composers.
The Moody Blues, as Supertramp would be a while later, were the band(s) for me that "progressed" their rock to straddling over the edge between "prog rock" (concept albums) and the "pop" culture of "singles" (as Genesis would reach, with "Genesis"), most successfully. Don't under-estimate this classic band.
@smokinjz
I've been thinking about our fortune
And I've decided that we're really not to blame
For the love that's deep inside us now, is still the same
And the sound we make together
Is the music to the story in your eyes
It's been shining down upon you now, I realize
Listen to the tide slowly turning
Wash all our heartaches away
We are part of the fire that is burning
And from the ashes we can build another day
But I'm frightened for your children
And the life that we are living is in vain
And the sunshine we've been waiting for
Will turn to rain
When the final line is over
And it's certain that the curtain's gonna fall
I can hide inside your sweet sweet love
Forever more
Listen to the tide slowly turning
Wash all our heartaches away
We are part of the fire that is burning
And from the ashes we can build another day
But I'm frightened for your children
And the life that we are living is in vain
And the sunshine we've been waiting for
Will turn to rain
@4747robo
There aren’t words in any language to describe what a musical masterpiece this song is, it makes my heart soar on my darkest days when I play this song.
@izzytoons
I listened to them from the release of Days of Future Passed. I saw them many times in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. There live performances always sounded just as perfect as their studio recordings. Phenonmenal. The composiion, vocals, and musicianship of the Moodys was always top shelf.
@ericstrunck3611
yup
@FromThaStarz
Some of the best lyrics I've ever heard.... Their sound is truly original and divinely inspired. So blessed to have The Moody blues!!!
@The65kasimir
I've listened to Moody Blues since I was about 7 years old - thanks to my older sister and brothers. I could say that I learned the first steps of English language by listening Moody Blues vinyl records with lyrics - maybe somebody knows or remembers that there used to be lyrics in the inner cover of records :) However, Moody Blues is one of my favourite bands of all times and I'll never get enough of them.
@kimwood9119
That's great!
Yes, and lyrics of Moody Blues, and Blue Jays albums, have the lyrics, included on their CD's.
@edwardlewek904
This is my all time favorite Moody Blues recording. It is a great song with a fantastic production and arrangement. As Justin Hayward said…”This song was not lined up to be a single 45 release, but the American response to this record was to make it an airplay Hit…and I’m so glad that it was…..”
@patriceanaya3353
One of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time.
@randyacuna3248
Patrice Anaya without question. It's the moody blues and the Beatle in front and center. My take.
@weebitofbirdandpupsbabiest2827
@Randy Acuna No, you're right! (Or that's my take too!🤠)