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.
Tuesday Afternoon
The Moody Blues Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm just beginning to see
Now I'm on my way
It doesn't matter to me
Chasing the clouds away
Something calls to me
The trees are drawing me near
Those gentle voices I hear
Explain it all with a sigh
I'm looking at myself reflections of my mind
It's just the kind of day to leave myself behind
So gently swaying through the fairyland of love
If you'll just come with me you'll see the beauty of
Tuesday afternoon
Tuesday afternoon
Tuesday afternoon
I'm just beginning to see
Now I'm on my way
It doesn't matter to me
Chasing the clouds away
Something calls to me
The trees are drawing me near
I've got to find out why
Those gentle voices I hear
Explain it all with a sigh
The Moody Blues's song Tuesday Afternoon is a reflection on a beautiful and serene day. The lyrics depict the singer taking time to appreciate the natural surroundings and finding peace in the simple things. The opening line sets the tone for this reflective mood, as the singer acknowledges that they are just starting to understand and fully appreciate the beauty around them. The chorus emphasizes this point, with the repetition of the line "Tuesday afternoon, I'm just beginning to see."
Throughout the song, the singer is drawn towards the trees and their gentle voices, seeking to understand their secrets. The lyrics convey a sense of wonder and curiosity, as the singer seeks to discover what it is that calls to them. Additionally, the lyrics suggest that this pursuit of knowledge and understanding is important to the singer, highlighted by the line "I've got to find out why." Overall, Tuesday Afternoon is a song that encourages listeners to slow down, appreciate the world around them, and seek greater understanding and meaning in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Tuesday afternoon
The beginning of an introspective journey.
I'm just beginning to see
Realization of something significant, which was previously unclear.
Now I'm on my way
Starting a journey of discovery, unencumbered by past events.
It doesn't matter to me
Comfort with the unknown and detachment from material things.
Chasing the clouds away
Removing obstacles and distractions to gain clarity and focus.
Something calls to me
An unexplainable feeling that draws towards inner exploration.
The trees are drawing me near
The natural world is providing guidance and inspiration.
I've got to find out why
Impelled to discover the reason for the profound feeling of curiosity.
Those gentle voices I hear
Inner guidance or intuition calling for attention.
Explain it all with a sigh
Trying to communicate something ethereal or profound that defies explanation.
I'm looking at myself reflections of my mind
Examining one's own thoughts and emotions.
It's just the kind of day to leave myself behind
A day to escape from unproductive thoughts or negative feelings.
So gently swaying through the fairyland of love
Experiencing deep feelings of love, beauty, and harmony.
If you'll just come with me you'll see the beauty of
Inviting others to share in the experience of something beautiful or profound.
Tuesday afternoon
Reinforcement of the idea that this is a significant moment of introspection.
Tuesday afternoon
Reinforcement of the idea that this is a significant moment of introspection.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Justin Hayward
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@josephbrown2356
I'm a 78 year old child of the 60's, 70's, 80's and as with million's of others who were fortunate to have lived in this era and listened to beautiful music such as this. This music has a magic that will never be duplicated. nothing today even comes close. When I hear this I am magically transported back to my twenties, I turn up the stereo, turn down the lights and dream of beautiful times, beautiful people and moments I can only duplicate in my mind. All you folks have got it right!! Awesome!
@tonydearsley665
Couldn't agree more, met my lovely wife of 45 years on a blind date, never been happier than when we spent the afternoon just driving together in my black MGB whilst listening to Karla's Moody Blues tape, fantastic!
@markfromct2
TOTALLY AGREED Mr. Joseph Brown. (But we are here still enjoying it. Music is timeless. Peace 🙏
@richardperkins9748
Say ul di child,,,thanks all dy old
@tomikasims2025
You cần Definitely say that again darling 🎹🎤🎧💯🎼🎼💃🎸😎🌈⭐️📻💕📺🥁.
@petermoodie6902
OooRahhh!
GOD bless.
Sincerely,
Me.
@yesman2755
The day the Moody Blues recruited Justin Hayward was one of the most inspired moments in rock history. Their music will still be relevant in 50 years from now. Total magic.
@willyjames8300
heck of a change up from GO NOW.
@susanoakley7034
Amazing and. Ex boyfriend RayDowd introduced me to such wonderful music
@barneyronnie
@Susan Oakley Why an Ex, with such great taste in music? My girl and I used their music to complement our psychedelic journeys and mindblowing sex😉