Our Top 10 Moody Blues songs list stretches across the long and fabulous career of a band that crossed the boundaries between the genres of progressive rock and top 40. While so many bands that arrived as part of the mid-1960s British invasion tried mimicking The Beatles, the Moody Blues separated themselves from the pack with a dynamic and original sound. They weren’t as progressive as a band like Yes or King Crimson, yet they were not just a simple rock and roll band. The elements of classical orchestration fueled the beautiful arrangements of The Moody Blues music. The deep warm vocals of The Moody Blues created an original sound that was distinctively different from other progressive bands of the time period. While the Moody Blues gained mass appeal with the tremendous success of the song “Nights in White Satin,” they also cultivated a strong cult following.
The Moody Blues was formed in 1964. Their first top 10 hit, “Go Now,” was released in 1965. The Moody Blues’ highest Billboard charting single was released in 1972 when “Nights In White Satin” hit No.2 on the charts. The Moody Blues last song to register on the Billboard charts was released in 1988 when “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere” reached No. 30 on the Top 40 Billboard charts. The list below lists 10 of the best Moody Blues songs of the band’s career.
The Top 10 Best Moody Blues Songs
# 10 – Emily’s Song
The Moody Blues’ seventh album, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, was released on July 23rd, 1971. The Moody Blues’ “Emily’s Song” featured John Lodge on vocals. It can easily be argued that “Emily” was one of the Moody Blues’ most beautiful and heartfelt ballads. John Loge sang this song for his newborn daughter, Emily. You can hear the love in John’s vocals and the earnest sentiment in his beautiful lyrics.
Read More: John Lodge: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview
# 9 – I Know You’re Out There Somewhere
The Moody Blues song “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere” was released on the Sur la Mer, LP. The vinyl record hit the stores on June 6th, 1988. The song was the sequel to the Moody Blues MTV hit “Your Wildest Dreams,” released in 1986. The Moody Blues Justin Haywood penned the song. “Your Wildest Dreams” was a vast MTV video hit that received tremendous airplay. The song was based on the story of a rock star longing for a past teenage love.
The story resonated with the public based on the typical “One that got away” storyline. Even though the band has defined the song “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere” as a sequel to the Wildest Dreams story, many fans believed the song had a deeper spiritual meaning. One of the drawbacks of the MTV era was the issue of bands taking away fan interpretations of their favorite songs because of the videos released for the material. However, regardless of interpretation, the song “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere” presented a more beautiful melodic line and seemed more sensitive and appealing than the “Your Wildest Dreams” recording.
# 8 – Nights in White Satin
Yes, I know, how could this not be No. 1 on the list. After all, it was the Moody Blues biggest selling single. It reached number two on the Billboard charts, higher than any other Moody Blues song. It has been included in countless movies and classic rock compilations. It’s all over the rock and roll historic landscape. So what’s the deal, why is it not number 1? The simple reason is if you ask a Moody Blues fan to name their favorite Moody Blues song, they will never bring up “Nights in White Satin.” It’s a great and beautiful historic song, but it simply did not define the essence of the Moody Blues and their signature sound.
# 7 – For My Lady
I remember buying the Moody Blues single “I’m Just A Singer in a Rock and Roll Band” in the early seventies. It was a great rock and roll song. However, the flip side of the single called “For My Lady” caught my interest. The song’s bouncy flute opening had a very Irish ethnic storybook sound that took me someplace out to sea. Moody Blues music always depicts great visuals for those with vivid imaginations. Ultimately, there’s nothing more extraordinary than buying a 45 rpm single and then discovering that the B side is more interesting. Too bad those days are gone.
# 6 – Ride My See-Saw
While “I’m Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band,” was one of the heaviest Moody Blues songs, “Ride My See-Saw” combined heavy and mystic rhythms with the great signature Moody Blues spoken introduction. Even though the intro was labeled as a separate piece called Departure, it was essentially connected to “Ride My See Saw.” When you hear the song on FM radio, they always play both parts. However, when “Ride My See Saw” was released as a single, the record company deleted “Departure” from 45 Records to make the song more AM pop radio-friendly, which was still the dominant format on radio back in 1968.
# 5 – Question
The Moody Blues “Question” featured one of the most extraordinary acoustic guitar openings of any classic rock track. When Justin Heywood sang, “Why do we never get an answer when there’s knocking at the door,” Graeme Charles responded with a drum fill that catapulted the song into classic rock history. The killer vocal by Justin Heyward and the dynamic time change in the middle of the track confirmed “Question” as one of the best Moody Blues songs in the band’s history.
# 4 – Lost in a Lost World
Released on the Seventh Sojourn album in 1972, the Moody Blues “Lost in a Lost World” seemed to be a political and social statement in the wake of the Vietnam Era and Civil Rights movements of the 1960s. Although the band tried to claim neutrality within the social climate of the 60s and 70s by writing the song “I’m Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band,” no artist making serious music during the Vietnam Era could escape the anti-war sentiments completely.
# 3 – New Horizons
“New Horizons” was the second track on the classic Moody Blues album Seventh Sojourn. The song contained one of the most beautifully written and sung choruses in the band’s history. It was not one of the most popular songs in the band’s catalog because it seemed to be overshadowed by songs on the album like, “I’m Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band,’ “Isn’t Life Strange,” and “Lost in a Lost World.” However, the breathtaking beauty inherent in the song’s lyrical suggestion of hope is not denied.
# 2 – Story in Your Eyes
The Moody Blues song “Story in Your Eyes” was the second track on the classic Moody Blues album Every Good Boy Deserves Favour. The song was released as a single and reached the No. 23 spot on the Billboard 100 charts in 1971. The song’s classic opening guitar lick is easily one of the most recognizable in classic rock history. The soaring string lines of the Mellotron lifted the chorus above the incredible vocals of Justin Hayward. John Lodges’ and Mike Pinder’s backing vocals cemented the sonic landscape surrounding the main vocal line. The song also featured some of Justin Hayward’s best lead guitar playing. All the best elements of the Moody Blues signature sound can be found on this beautiful song.
# 1 – Tie – Tuesday Afternoon / I’m Just A Singer In A Rock And Roll Band
Many Moody Blues fans would agree that “Tuesday Afternoon” was the band’s masterpiece. The song was recorded for the Moody Blues Day Of Future Passed album released in 1968. On the album, it was initially called “Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?) When the song was released as a single, the name was changed to “Tuesday Afternoon.” On later compilation albums, the song continued to be titled as “Tuesday Afternoon.” Justin Hayward wrote and sang the song.
Once again, Mike Pinder’s Mellotron played a dominant role in the song’s orchestration. At the song’s end, the London Festival Orchestra was featured during the song’s coda. Justin Hayward’s beautiful lyrics and melody combined with John Lodges’ guitar work and Mike Pinder’s Mellotron presented Moody Blues fans with the group’s grandest work and the finest recording of the band’s long career.
“I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)” was released in 1972 as the final track on their album Seventh Sojourn, stands out as a high-energy anthem that reflects the band’s response to the cultural and spiritual weight often placed on them during their peak. Written by bassist John Lodge, the song diverges from the more introspective and ethereal qualities of the album, opting for a driving, straightforward rock sound that encapsulates the frustrations and realities of being seen as spokespeople for an era.
Lyrically, the song is both a declaration and a rebuttal. Lodge speaks directly to their audience, reminding listeners that the band members are merely musicians, not prophets or saviors. The lyrics dismiss the notion of rock stars as cultural leaders, instead emphasizing individuality and self-reliance in finding meaning in life. The chorus, with its infectious repetition of the title, drives home the idea that they are, above all, performers providing an outlet, not answers.
As a single, “I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)” reached Number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, showcasing its resonance with fans and critics alike. Its upbeat tempo and assertive message contrasted sharply with the introspective tone of Seventh Sojourn, making it a fitting closer to the album and a lasting emblem of the band’s complex relationship with their fame.
Read More: Complete List Of Moody Blues Albums And Discography
Photo: By Nationaal Archief, Den Haag, Rijksfotoarchief: Fotocollectie Algemeen Nederlands Fotopersbureau (ANEFO), 1945-1989 – negatiefstroken zwart/wit, nummer toegang 2.24.01.05, bestanddeelnummer 923-9509 (Nationaal Archief) [CC BY-SA 3.0 nl (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/nl/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons
Written by Brian Kachejian and Mike LaMalfa.
Updated December 1, 2024
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Nice But. The kids in my neighborhood loved ” Timothy Leary’s Dead ” and even though it was an early version of the band Denny Laine’s ” Go Now ” deserves inclusion. One night we all went to the Fillmore to see the band. Headliners. The Mellotron went down very early in the set. The Mellotron was what made their live sound distinctive in those days. The roadies ,techs and band members huddled on stage for an entire hour trying to fix it . The crowd was incredibly patient but to no avail. The band came to the microphones to apologize . They played three songs with just guitar ,bass and drums before leaving . Applause was polite. But no Mellotron no Moodys.
Great Article .
Some of these songs i have never heard. I wasn’t much of a Moody Blues fan
back in the day, but it’s amazing how many great songs they had. Hearing them
some 3 or 4 decades later gives a much greater appreiciation to the quality of the
playing and writing, I guess for me this band kind of got lost in the shuffle amoungst
all of the really incredible music that was coming out during those years.
I will definetly be listening to more of these guys.
Surprised that ….”Just A Singer” wasn’t here.
Very similar to “Story In Your Eyes” I guess.
Brian how about “Other Side of Life”?
This song is a sound departure for the band in my opinion. Sounds almost like an Eagle’s tune. It is great though.
Saw them back in the day and was already a fan. It was a truly psychedelic experience , like WOW. Top 10 list is a hard one but for me Ride My See Saw #1 , Legend of a Mind #2 How is it we are Here #3 Tuesday Afternoon #4. Couple of. Great DVD’s of theirs are live from Paris , France 1970 in a small club and from later same year live from the Isle of Wight before a hundred thousand or more. They were never the same after Mike left but still real good.
Whoa..been to many Moodies concerts..the ovation for NIWS goes on and on and on..it is most definitely number 1 for the Moody Blues and the genius of Justin Hayward
Great least, great songs. For my taste, I’d havre to include “Gypsy” from “To Our Children’s Children’s Children,” and “Legend of a Mind” (the Timothy Leary song), with an honorable mention to a wrongfully overlooked late addition to the Moody canon, “English Sunset,” which is not just a really good rocker (from guys in their late 40s/early 50s!), but some of their best lyrics.