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.
Watching And Waiting
The Moody Blues Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For a friend to play with
Why have I been alone so long
Mole he is burrowing his way to the sunlight
He knows there's some there so strong
'Cause here there's lot of room for doing
The thing you've always been denied
There's no one here to stop you trying
Soon you will see me
'Cause I'll be all around you
But where I come from I can't tell
But don't be alarmed by my fields and my forests
They're here for only you to share
'Cause here there's lot of room for doing
The things you've always been denied
So look and gather all you want to
There's no one here to stop you trying
Watching and waiting
For someone to understand me
I hope it won't be very long
The Moody Blues’ “Watching and Waiting” is a song about loneliness and the search for meaning. The singer is waiting for a friend to play with, wondering why they have been alone for so long. Meanwhile, a mole is burrowing to the surface, aware of the strong presence of something above ground. The lyrics suggest that all life is searching for something bigger and better than what they have, and the burrowing mole is a metaphor for this search.
The song also speaks of a place where there is “room for doing the thing you’ve always been denied.” This place is characterized by abundant resources and freedom to pursue one’s desires. The singer urges the listener to “look and gather all you want to,” as there is no one there to stop them from trying.
In the second verse, the singer promises to be “all around” the listener soon, though they cannot disclose where they come from. The listener is warned not to be alarmed by the fields and forests surrounding them, as they are there for them to share. Again, it is emphasized that there is plenty of room for everyone to pursue their goals in this unknown place.
Overall, “Watching and Waiting” represents a longing for connection and a search for meaning, as well as a belief that such a place exists where individuals can pursue their dreams without fear of judgment or limitation.
Line by Line Meaning
Watching and waiting
Being patient and alert, anticipating something significant to happen
For a friend to play with
In search of companionship and camaraderie, longing for a friend to share experiences with
Why have I been alone so long
Questioning and wondering about the reasons for being isolated for an extended period
Mole he is burrowing his way to the sunlight
A metaphorical representation of striving towards better things despite the obstacles and the journey being challenging
He knows there's some there so strong
Despite the lack of visible assurance, there's a belief that a powerful presence is awaiting to be discovered
'Cause here there's lot of room for doing
An observation that in this particular place or time, there's plenty of opportunities to explore and experiment
The thing you've always been denied
Alluding to a situation where an individual was deprived of fulfilling their desires and dreams previously
Look and gather all you want to
A call to action, encouraging to collect and acquire whatever one desires without any limitations
There's no one here to stop you trying
An assurance that there's no interference or obstruction to hold back from attempting or pursuing something
Soon you will see me
A prediction of an eventual encounter or connection
'Cause I'll be all around you
A declaration of an imminent, constant presence
But where I come from I can't tell
An acknowledgment that the origin or background of this significant presence is unknown and mysterious
But don't be alarmed by my fields and my forests
A reassurance that the unfamiliar surroundings aren't dangerous or harmful
They're here for only you to share
An implication that these surroundings are available to be explored and enjoyed exclusively
Watching and waiting
Reinforcement of the initial sentiment of being vigilant and patient
For someone to understand me
Striving to be comprehended and valued by someone else
I hope it won't be very long
Expressing a desire and belief that the wait will end soon
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JUSTIN HAYWARD, RAY THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tommy Roberts
Watching and waiting
For a friend to play with
Why have I been alone so long
Mole he is burrowing his way to the sunlight
He knows there's someone there so strong
'Cos here there's lot of room for doing
The things you've always been denied
Look and gather all you want to
There's no one here to stop you trying
Soon you will see me
'Cos I'll be all around you
But where I come from I can't tell
But don't be alarmed by my fields and my forests
They're here for only you to share
'Cos here there's lot of room for doing
The things you've always been denied
So look and gather all you want to
There's no one here to stop you trying
Watching and waiting
For someone to understand me
I hope it won't be very long
buckfan1969
I remember bringing home my first Moody Blues album from college; probably 1969. It was Days of Future Past. As I played it at home I noticed my Dad listening to it closely. He had never really cared for our rock & roll at that point. But when he heard this he thought I'd started to listen to 'grown-up' music. He's been gone for years, but I still miss him dearly and hearing this tonight reminded me of that special time.
AAA
@Garyt Bradbury My dad was verbally abusive and controlling, he made me feel like a loser. I promised my self I would Never treat my son like that.
Bonnie Price
👍😁☯️☮♾🔜💙💜💛❤💚🧡⛰🌬🔥🌊⚡
Brad Heilman
@irene Call me
Donald Pedigo
.. SUCH A GREAT MEMORY OF YOUR FATHER .. HUGS & KISSES TO YOU BOTH ..
WHS
@Garyt Bradbury Man that hit me. Love you brother
Andy Peace
To me it is a story about the Creator waiting for humanity to realize the connectedness of all things.
Parnel Pospahala
What I've always thought, too.
Randy Schwartz
Yes that’s what me and my friends came to realize. Such an incredible song !
xiropigado
Exactly Right