submissions
| The Moody Blues – Eternity Road Lyrics
| 3 years ago
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This song was probably written during Ray’s acid days (don’t forget he wrote the infamous “Timothy Leary’s dead…”)…the Moodies (but especially Ray and Mike Pinder) were into enlightenment back then. |
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| Justin Hayward & John Lodge – My Brother Lyrics
| 5 years ago
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In 1975, the Moody Blues had broken up, in part because Mike Pinder had moved to California and was no longer interested in touring. This song is about Mike, who brought Justin into the MBs, and who eventually became locked in a leadership struggle with Justin. Justin won. But he seems to have always wanted to revive that relationship. I don’t think Mike is very interested, however. |
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| The Moody Blues – Gypsy Lyrics
| 9 years ago
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Gypsy was written by Hayward so it's possible there was a Christian theme. But Lodge is the more vocally Christian of the two. The Moodies were also very friendly with Tim Leary (Legend of a Mind and When You're a Free Man, both by Pinder, were overtly about Leary). It's somewhat possible Gypsy was another ode to Leary. Moodies songs often had double meanings (the entire To Our Childrens' Childrens' Children album was ostensibly about the 1969 moon landing but was typically interpreted as also being about psychedelics) so both interpretations are possible. |
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| U2 – Mysterious Ways Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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This is U2/Bono playing with the conventional view of God as masculine. If you substitute "He" for "She" through most or even all of the lyrics, you will see what I mean. After all, "He moves in mysterious ways" is a very common and familiar saying about God.
These lyrics are most clearly about God:
To touch is to heal
To hurt is to steal
If you want to kiss the sky
Better learn how to kneel
(on your knees boy)
Seems clear to me. |
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| The Moody Blues – Legend Of A Mind Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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You are all correct. I was a teenager when the Moodies were a hip, psychedelic (even undergound) band. In the late 60s, if you were smoking good hash or dropping acid you listened to some mix of Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd (pre-Dark Side of the Moon) AND THE MOODY BLUES!! The Moodies, and Mike Pinder in particular, were "inner-nauts" who experimented with Eastern religion, meditation and (IMO) LSD. BTW, not that many people know this but the Moodies (Mike Pinder, actually) wrote another song about Tim Leary: "When You're a Free Man" on Seventh Sojourn. |
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| Tears for Fears – Head Over Heels Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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OK, my 2 cents: I believe Roland is at heart (1) a romantic, (2) a spiritual person (he is a liberal but devout Catholic, like U2's Bono). I believe this song is about meeting a woman, possibly even his wife. The line "This is my four leaf clover" is interesting because (1) I think it's Roland talking about how lucky he is about meeting this woman (his wife) and (2) the line is also repeated in "Me and My Big Ideas" on the RATKOS album, which I believe is about some difficulties in Roland's marriage. In that song, there is a line "Blown away my four leaf clover" in a song that (I believe) is about breaking up with a lover (an extramarial affair?). |
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| Tears for Fears – Raoul And The Kings Of Spain Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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Raoul is Roland's son (in real life), and Roland's family is originally from Spain. This song and the same-titled album was, I believe, recorded soon after a very difficult time in Roland's marriage. Possibly Roland was having an affair, or had been thinking about it. (See my comments on other songs from this album.) Hence the lyric: "Did you know all mothers come from heaven? Did you know all fathers come from hell? That is why they're at sixes and seven. ["At sixes and sevens" is an English phrase that means being in conflict.] That is why their marriage isn't well." This statement is directed at Roland's son, Raoul, and pretty much says it all. |
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| The Moody Blues – Question Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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This is the only song that routinely becomes a "sing along" at Moodies concerts, even to this day. Amazing how it still resonates. I think the song is really TWO songs combining in one, just as you have all written about: It's about a relationship with a narcissistic lover that is ending ("all the love you've been giving has all been meant for you"). It is also about the broader issues of those days (and these days, sadly enough). Who, in the middle of wondering what will happen after ending a relationship, hasn't also gone on to speculate about the future of the entire world? |
submissions
| The Moody Blues – Are You Sitting Comfortably Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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Such a mystic song...about dropping acid!
OK, maybe not, since it was written by Hayward and Thomas, and those two guys are diehard English romantics to this very day. But the song did serve as the intro to Have You Heard, by Mike Pinder, and I strongly suspect Mike was the purveyer of all things hallucinogenic back in those days. |
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| The Moody Blues – I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band) Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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You all have it right. I remember when Seventh Sojourn came out my college roommate (yes, I'm that old!) was really pissed off at the Moodies for this song. He really thought of them as revolutionary visionaries and read a whole lot into their lyrics (OK, I admit it, so did I). This song was a very clear statement that as far as being a prophet goes (to borrow from Dylan) "no no no, it ain't me babe, it ain't me you're looking for, babe." |
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| The Moody Blues – When You're A Free Man Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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Folks, this wonderful song by Mike Pinder is his SECOND homage to Timothy Leary. That's right! Obviously everyone knows about "Timothy Leary's Dead." This song has more subtle references. It was written after Tim was "liberated" by the Weather Underground following his 1970 incarceration in a prison; he and his wife Rosemary then lived in exile, first in Algeria and then in Switzerland. Ah, those were the days! |
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| The Moody Blues – Floating Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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I agree with Digi-G, especially since the entire To Our Childrens Childrens Children album was inspired by the Apollo landing on the moon in 1969. HOWEVER I also believe many of the songs, including this one, have double meaning. This was, after all, the heyday of the counterculture and the Moodies were actually considered a very experimental and psychedelic group back then!! (I remember, I was there.) The Moodies were in the same league as the early Pink Floyd for us old-fart hippies. There is little question that they experimented with hallucinogens (after all, Mike Pinder wrote two songs about Timothy Leary!). So "floating free as a bird" and most of the other lyrics can also refer to getting stoned. |
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| The Moody Blues – Eyes Of A Child, Part 1 Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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I agree with live2daygone2morrow, and would add that this song was written during the Moodies heyday of experimenting with hallucinogens, Eastern spirituality, meditation, etc. Back in those days (and I was there), many folks believed expanding consciousness in this way would bring back a child-like innocence that would allow us to see the world anew. This song was written by John Lodge back when he was doing a lot of writing with Mike Pinder (Pinder was the Moodies' "guru" and I speculate their LSD supplier as well), which is further evidence for my interpretation. |
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| The Moody Blues – Gemini Dream Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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Wow, you folks are really digging! This song was written after the Moodies began touring again (with Patrick Moraz replacing Mike Pinder), following their breakup in the early '70s. "Gemini dream" refers to the connection between the performer and the audience. "Long time no see, Short time for you and me" refers to their absence from the pop/rock scene; "We're on the road, Like you knew we would" refers to their resumption of touring, like their fans knew they would. "The lights go up for you and me" refers to going on stage. "We're here the time is right, to rock 'n' roll, right through the night" is a clear reference to performing a concert. |
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| The Moody Blues – English Sunset Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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I agree with you, Mindhuntress. Justin Hayward is actually a very conservative homebody. He's been married to the same woman for years, has one daughter (who recently married) and I've heard several people who know him state that he is the very opposite of the Rock Star kind of guy.
BTW, anyone who has been to the U.K. can relate to the English sunset line....wish I could be there right now! |
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| The Moody Blues – Higher And Higher Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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The ROCKETTES!?!?! Oh lord, I love the Moodies but that is just pathetic. I've heard them do this song, but I'm really glad I missed that. It just doesn't fit! |
submissions
| The Moody Blues – Higher And Higher Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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This song (and the album, To Our Childrens Children) was recorded in 1969...WAY before the shuttle, Mindhuntress! However, you are close. At a concert several years ago I heard Graham Edge state that this song was written immediately after Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon. The lines "Blasting, billowing, bursting forth" and "Man with his flaming pyre" refer to the Saturn V rocket that took Apollo to the moon. Of course, one might also give this song double meaning, as the Moodies (and Mike Pinder in particular) had done their fair share of experimenting with LSD and other hallucinogens, so "Higher and Higher" might also be referring to the use of drugs to achieve higher consciousness. The line "now we've learned to play with fire" can refer BOTH to rockets (and the astronauts OR nukes they carry) and hallucinogens. That is just my opinion, of course, perhaps the Moodies never conceived of this song being related to LSD. (And perhaps the Beatles really had no idea "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" might be interpreted as referring to LSD. Yeah, right.) |
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| Tears for Fears – God's Mistake Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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IMO, the album "Raoul and the Kings of Spain" (RATKOS) is at least in part about Roland having or almost having an extramarital affair. He has admitted publicly that the album was recorded during a very trying time in his personal life that he refuses to give details about. (Please see my comments on several other RATKOS songs.) I believe Roland fell in love with another woman, and this song is about that "mistake" that "sets us up for one more heartbreak." The line "never was so much at stake" refers (IMO) to his marriage being at stake. |
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| Tears for Fears – Elemental Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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(Please see my comments on "Mr. Pessimist.")
The bulk of the "Elemental" album is Roland's answer to his deep disappointment over Curt exiting TFF. Roland felt betrayed. After Curt left, Roland retained the TFF name, essentially "became" TFF, and felt he was beginning anew. The songs "Break It Down Again" and "Elemental" are both about starting over, without Curt. |
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| Tears for Fears – Break It Down Again Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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(Please see my comments on "Mr. Pessimist.")
The bulk of the "Elemental" album is Roland's answer to his deep disappointment over Curt exiting TFF. Roland felt betrayed. After Curt left, Roland retained the TFF name, essentially "became" TFF, and felt he was beginning anew. The songs "Break It Down Again" and "Elemental" are both about starting over, without Curt. |
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| Tears for Fears – Break It Down Again Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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(Please see my comments on "Mr. Pessimist.")
The bulk of the "Elemental" album is Roland's answer to his deep disappointment over Curt exiting TFF. Roland felt betrayed. After Curt left, Roland retained the TFF name, essentially "became" TFF, and felt he was beginning anew. The songs "Break It Down Again" and "Elemental" are both about starting over, without Curt. |
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| Tears for Fears – Mr. Pessimist Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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"Elemental" was Roland's first album without Curt, following their very tumultuous breakup. The two were extremely good friends, from childhood on. (No, NOT lovers. I once speculated about that, too, but many sources are very clear that the guys are straight; both are married.) There were a lot of bad feelings on both sides, but Roland actually felt quite betrayed. He felt Curt had abandoned the friendship and the TFT artistic "ethos" in favor of the pop star lifestyle. The album is essentially Roland's "answer" to Curt, and Mr. Pessimist is literally about Curt. |
submissions
| Tears for Fears – Falling Down Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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(For a longer discussion of my view of the album "Raoul and the Kings of Spain - RATKOS - please see my comment on the song "Me and My Big Ideas.")
Simply: I believe this album was written during or right after Roland Orzibal was involved in an extramarital affair. Many lyrics seem to allude to this. "Falling Down" is about the affair. Orzibal is actually a fairly devout Catholic (not a nut like Mel Gibson, more along the likes of U2's Bono, another liberal but devout Catholic). He felt very guilty about the affair. Hence this song, with it's allusions to having "lied to the nation" and his move back toward "trying to lead an ordinary life" despite the "weight of this crime." |
submissions
| Tears for Fears – Falling Down Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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(For a longer discussion of my view of the album "Raoul and the Kings of Spain - RATKOS - please see my comment on the song "Me and My Big Ideas.")
Simply: I believe this album was written during or right after Roland Orzibal was involved in an extramarital affair. Many lyrics seem to allude to this. "Falling Down" is about the affair. Orzibal is actually a fairly devout Catholic (not a nut like Mel Gibson, more along the likes of U2's Bono, another liberal but devout Catholic). He felt very guilty about the affair. Hence this song, with it's allusions to having "lied to the nation" and his move back toward "trying to lead an ordinary life" despite the "weight of this crime." |
submissions
| Tears for Fears – Me And My Big Ideas Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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The album "Raoul and the Kings of Spain" (RATKOS) is a very underrated album. IMHO, it contains some superb songs, including this one which is, I believe, a retort to "Head Over Heels" which also contains a reference to "my four leaf clover." My interpretation: This album is about an affair that almost destroyed Roland Orzabel's marriage. (Roland does indeed have a son named "Raoul" and his heritage is Spanish.) If you listen closely to the music and lyrics, there are several clues that suggest an affair; in addition, Roland himself has admitted that he wrote these songs during a "very difficult" time in his personal life. And so, "Me and My Big Ideas" is about his ending his extramarital affair. The line "in a way this dream is over" is, I believe, being spoken to his wife. Their perfect marriage is finished; the affair has "blown away this four leaf clover." (I have always believed Roland's earlier song "Head over Heels" was about meeting his wife, the beginning of that relationship which was to be his great fortune, his four leaf clover.")
If you listen to all of RATKOS, I think you might agree. I think "I Choose You" is about choosing his wife over the lover, "God's Mistake" is about the pain of this illegitimate love, etc., etc. |
submissions
| The Moody Blues – Out And In Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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The Moodies came out with this album right after Neil Armstrong's first walk on the moon (1969). They were awed and intrigued by this great accomplishment, and the album very deliberately questions whether or not this achievement will lead to a better world, now that "we have learned to play with fire." The song "Out and In" is in part another homage to the lunar landing, BUT it is also a warning: Traveling OUT into space will not lead to a better world unless we also travel INWARD to find "total view." Alternative meaning: This is a song about LSD and tripping. I believe the lyrics are by Mike Pinder, who also wrote the Moodies' famous salute to Timothy Leary ("Timothy Leary's dead...no, no, no, no he's outside, looking in..."). |
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