This threw me! MOODY BLUES - I'm just a singer in a Rock and Roll Band REACTION - First time hearing

[@willyboyw.5771]

Great Mellotron and piano work by Pinder.

[@joebloggs8636]

This was the Moodies answer to the fans, who looked to them for the "answers, we're just a Singer in a Rock n Roll band!

[@davidmckenzie420]

The Moodies were/are extraordinary. One could argue that they actually were the first "Prog" rock group. And Symphonic. And classic. From 1967 onward, they changed music. And by the way--that keyboard player pioneered the melotron (strings from keyboard). Awesome stuff. Glad I got to see them once. You have much more to hear, Hari.

[@ellenstrack6274]

Hearing this live with the full drum effects was amazing. They are great in concert.

[@armoredinf]

When it come to most underrated guitarist of all time, Justin Hayward is on the top of my list.

[@erickvermeulen9734]

I love the guitar playing by Justin Hayward, also nice rocking on their song Ride My See-Saw

[@angelajakem366]

They are such a versatile band.

[@dannycasson1551]

Classic song. Legendary band. I've never seen a drummer playing that physical before!

[@dannycasson1551]

@@derklavierspieler7491 thanks...I'll check it out!

[@jimtatro6550]

I was about 11 years old when I first heard this and it’s one of the songs that inspired me to play the drums, the full version has a epic drum beat

[@TheDude68305]

They are the ultimate cosmic philosiphers!

[@IllumeEltanin]

There are various stories of how the lyrics for this song came about. This is from an interview by the composer John Lodge, the bassist and singer from the track. It's from an interview he gave Song Writing Magazine in 2021. “This is where one of the lyrics for I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band) came from… I remember coming back from a tour and there was a whole load of people camped out in my front garden! I was like, ‘Er… What are you doing?’ and they all said, ‘John, we’ve come to tell you you’re going to save the Earth. You’re going to be flying the spaceship and fly us all to safety…’ And I was like, ‘Pardon? Just a minute, I actually don’t like flying! So I won’t be me.’ And they said, ‘When the time comes, it will be you.’ “So that’s when I started thinking: ‘Hang on, I’m just a singer in a rock ‘n’ roll band. I know nothing.’ And that’s why, at the very end of the song, I wanted to put, ‘We’re all just singers in a rock ‘n’ roll band.’ Also, it was the Vietnam War and around Europe there were riots going on all over the place, so I included lyrics like ‘Riots by the people for the people.’ In other words, you’re destroying yourself. “And I talk about, ‘Scorched earth, scorching this earth,’ and there was that incredible photograph of the young girl on fire and that hit me really hard, so that’s why I put that into the song. I wanted to put all that into a rock ‘n’ roll song, so I remember sitting in my music room with my guitar."

[@lostinalostworld2290]

RIP Graeme Edge (drums) and Ray Thomas (sax). Written and sung by John Lodge (bass), along with Justin Hayward (guitar) and Mike Pinder (mellotron). An energetic closing song to their 1972 masterpiece album "Seventh Sojourn". "I'm Just a Singer in a R&R Band" was their response to fans who (due to their often philosophical lyrics) put them on a pedestal and thought they knew the answers to the universe. Cheers.

[@willyboyw.5771]

RIP Mike Pinder.

[@tonyradmilovich3154]

The energy of this band could power a city for weeks! They didn't anything in their pockets on this one! Seriously, they played it until it hurt. What's even more amazing is that they're still rockin' to this day.

[@Cynthia...]

Excellent Miss B. The Moody Blues is such a fantastic group and this is one of their great songs. ❤✌

[@CheshorcatBeats]

Never would've guessed that this is the Moody Blues. I love it!

[@Thejazzfan66]

I think this is one of the Moodies best singles. A classic.!

[@7bestthings]

One of the best songs of the 70's! John's music, lyrics and fantastic bass riff, Mike's soaring keyboards, Justin's breathtaking guitar solo, and Graeme's driving drums make this one of my all time favorite songs! This would be the last song on their last album before they took a break in the early 70's, and they lyrics are definitely a message to their fans not to get too carried away or take them too seriously. If you have the chance, you should check out some of their live versions where Justin does an extended guitar solo. Thanks for another great Moodies reaction Harri!

[@tonyradmilovich3154]

Those guys have more talent in their pinkies than most musicians could ever hope for in a lifetime. Rumor has it that they had to keep Graham Edge in a cage with Keith Moon and Nick Mason between gigs.

[@jerryjeromehawkins1712]

Man, that BASS!!! 🤩

[@elysehfm8797]

Great song! Now I have to search your other Moody Blues reactions. Have a great weekend! 💜

[@barrycohen311]

I remember reading some of the back story on this song. It seems to be partly inspired by a fanatical (in a good way) fan of the band. The band arrived to a city 2-3 days early, ahead of their performance, and saw a fan camping out for several days trying to obtain tickets. Some of the members talked to him and provided him with front row seats, free of charge, for the show. But they did not understand his fanatical devotion, hence- "I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band."

[@IllumeEltanin]

That's a little different from what I heard via several John Lodge interviews. Let me see if I can find one to quote. I'll put it in a separate comment if I do.

[@barrycohen311]

@@IllumeEltanin Fair enough, my memory is foggy. I could be trippin. :-)

[@IllumeEltanin]

@@barrycohen311 I would say, "Nah," on you trippin'. The story I found is quite different than what I remember hearing before, which is sort of a combination of the one you shared and the one I found. The story I heard is that there was a fan for about a week outside the stadium, but rather than wanting to get in, he had signage which proclaimed the Moody Blues as the new Saviors of the World. And that the fan was severely angry at the band when nothing changed after their show. 🤷‍♀️

[@tommcgowan525]

It's actually a cover of a Bessie Banks song written by her husband

[@tommcgowan525]

WRONG Sorry my head was in Go Now mode

[@marybaillie8907]

This was released in 1973, from their Seventh Sojourn. It reached Number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100's. The instruments are blazing, so fantastic. From "Go Now" to "Nights in White Satin", The Moody Blues have such a range of tempo to their songs. When this song came out with such an upbeat rock sound, people, including myself, at first didn't recognize this as the Moody Blues. Until you hear their beautiful vocals, the harmonies are a give away. Great memory and reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Miss Blondie. 👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[@EShelby2127]

I remember seeing that it was written as a reaction to fans believing that they must have the answers! Spot on reaction. I've loved them since the "Threshold of a Dream" LP, which I fell asleep to many times in the 70s!

[@geraldmcboingboing7401]

I first heard this song on an 8-track player not long after it was released, when I was temporarily stationed on the U.S.S. Midway. It blew me away!!! Great performance of a great song!!!

[@arthurdrake3274]

Great song, love this band.❤️

[@douglasg.9271]

Love this band. ❤️

[@joelliebler5690]

A big hit back in the early 1970’s. One of the best bands all time!

[@The5thGen]

One of John Lodge’s best songs.

[@debbiechang5781]

Miss Blondie, thank you so much for requesting this great song from my favorite MB album. I sometimes forget how great these guys are. Harri is a great reminder here. 🌺✌️

[@brianh9358]

Lyrics: I'm just a wandering on the face of this earth Meeting so many people Who are trying to be free And while I'm traveling I hear so many words Language barriers broken Now we've found the key And if you want the wind of change To blow about you And you're the only other person to know, don't tell me I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band A thousand pictures can be drawn from one word Only who is the artist We got to agree A thousand miles can lead so many ways Just to know who is driving What a help it would be So if you want this world of yours To turn about you And you can see exactly what to do Please tell me I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band How can we understand Riots by the people for the people Who are only destroying themselves And when you see a frightened Person who is frightened by the People who are scorching this earth I'm just a wandering on the face of this earth Meeting so many people Who are trying to be free And while I'm traveling I hear so many words Language barriers broken Now we've found the key And if you want the wind of change To blow about you And you're the only other person to know, don't tell me I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band How can we understand Riots by the people for the people Who are only destroying themselves And when you see a frightened Person who is frightened by the People who are scorching this earth Music is the traveler crossing our world Meeting so many people bridging the seas I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band We're just the singers in a rock and roll band I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band

[@bethcrumpton476]

Thanks for this! Now I finally know the lyrics.

[@MichaelBoyce-tm2vw]

About being a protest singer.

[@John.Mini-Clubman]

@@bethcrumpton476; Indeed. W/such 'musical intensity,' knowing 'all' the lyrics now was rewarding... Thanx!

[@relic69]

Thanks for that. Sometimes it's hard to listen to brilliant lyrics, when the music totally kicks a*s

[@rebeccalipps23]

This was the opener when I saw them in the late 80s. Then, they changed the lighting to Blues & purples & drifted into "Nights in White Satin".

[@KevinRCarr]

They released an album in the late 70s called Octave, that you might find very interesting. A different sort of energy than you might expect from them as well. I'd recommend a song called Steppin in a Slide Zone.

[@Thejazzfan66]

I didn’t hear The Moody Blues until their album Long Distance Voyager, from the early 80’s. Like a lot of classic rock bands, I had to go backwards to hear their classic period.

[@kirkhall2099]

THis came off their Seventh Sojourn album witch was awesome.

[@Really658]

Good to see you and excellent reaction.

[@acehays]

I had the luck and pleasure of seeing them in the LA Forum in '70 and even though I was a fan I was blown away by how much more "Rock" they were live. There albums were pieces of art and history so while I can't fault the production their live shows were totally different. From one experience, but it was a big enough surprise I will never forget.

[@dragon-shepherd]

Greetings Young Sir... I have been waiting for you to get to this song ever since I saw your reaction to SeeSaw. Incredible band.

[@Sheamarie]

Love your review. They are my favorite band. I believe they were the first band to record in stereo.

[@edforeman6401]

The MBs leave G&Rs in the dust. Great sax by Ray.

[@signal12hvac]

they have always put on a great live show

[@billofalltrades2633]

An awesome song! Great reaction!🧡🙏

[@wgdavis5353]

Hi Mr. Harri, I love the Moody Blues... ♠W.G.

[@byronmitchell3784]

MOODY BLUES, "I'M JUST A SINGER IN A ROCK AND ROLL BAND", despite the massive catalog of the Moody Blues. This became my favorite song. Musicly it was most jamming. The band expanded members was great. Another song telling society too get it's shit together. 50 years later that still hasn't happened.

[@garysteinert8040]

1984…Santa Barbara bowl I believe… Great show.

[@kianpa1]

So groovy! ❤ Thank you!

[@JJ8KK]

I don't know how to tell you this, but the song you just reacted to is FAR from being the best song on the Moody Blues' 7th album, *Seventh Sojourn.* In fact two of the Moody Blues' BEST SONGS EVER are on that album: *You And Me* & *The Land Of Make Believe.* They both have soaring passages that give me chills. Do yourself & others a favor & react to them both. You will NOT be disappointed...

[@lostinalostworld2290]

He has already reacted to both as well as most of the other songs from Seventh Sojourn, so you should definitely check those out. Another favorite of mine from the album that I Believe Harri has yet to hear is "New Horizons". I would highly recommend. It is such a beautiful ballad with beautiful vocals and soaring guitar. Cheers!

[@lhcarter]

Dylan sang “ Ain’t no use in talking to me. It’s just the same as talking to you”. He didn’t feel he was better or smarter than anyone else.

[@BaltoD60]

Their😂 musical arrangements were fantastic

[@davidschecter5247]

One of the greatest groups in the world. Four voices working in unison/harmony. Brilliant musicians. Another great one from this album (SEVENTH SOJOURN) is John Lodge's "Isn't Life Strange." John also wrote "I'm Just a Singer..."

[@springertube]

The Moody Blues as versatile as they get - equally adept at the rockers such as this, Question, Story In Your Eyes, etc, as slower, soft, thoughtful ballads such as Land Of Make Believe (from this same album), Never Comes The Day, and so many others.

[@joshuadeshaies7266]

I love you Harri!! It’s just a pleasure watching your reactions and being sub.to you. Rock on bro!!¡

[@tgforty5]

Oh, how I loved this song when it came out! So many great memories. May I also recommend "The Story in Your Eyes" as another rocker by the Moodies.

[@janabraam7963]

I saw them twice in concert. Once in the 80's & again in 2018. They did this song both times. It was great....both times. Awesome band.

[@willyboyw.5771]

"All Instruments played by the Moody Blues."

[@velvetbees]

Graham Edge drumming his heart out always affects me. He works so hard on this.

[@jamesvomsaal3814]

Need to do. Story In Your Eyes

[@keymack2477]

Try "Ride My See Saw" Harri!

[@Kate-hu5uz]

He already did :))

[@keymack2477]

@@Kate-hu5uz Thank you!!

[@Kate-hu5uz]

@@keymack2477 My pleasure.

[@briankeenan4901]

Man, You totally Nailed it!! Even with the sound quality. I can only hope you can analyze one of my satirical songs. Like, The year the Geese came through' or "the best Harley song ever". You have the insight that everyone should have and your listening abilities are extraordinary. Thanks, Harry.

[@jjflash1645]

I have always liked this group and their songs since I first heard them when I was in the Navy back in the mid-60s. THEY ROCK!

[@chrisvickers7928]

Ride My Seesaw from In Search of the Lost Chord has similar energy. It's been their second encore whenever I've seen them.

[@TheMercilessEye]

Pretty much anything by John Lodge is amazing, energy-wise.

[@diane-]

Nice one Miss Blondie and thanks to Harri also.

[@ShadowBob-m5s]

Harri, I wish you had the chance to see them live myself (8x). You would then get the chance to energy from both the band and the fans

[@TheRealRedAce]

Another wonderfully modest/honest rock star is Alice Cooper: "If you're listening to a rock star to get your information on who to vote for, you're a bigger moron than they are."

[@garyrobb5341]

After all their psych mystical magical music they just had to tell everyone “I’m just . . .”

[@marleneclausen30]

Must say this is always the song that comes to mind first when I hear “Moody Blues.”

[@jackempson3044]

Their albums are meant to be al the way thru from first song to last one song leading to another.

[@tommcgowan525]

You ready for another curve, try Go Now, Their 1965 hit . Denny Laine was a member back then, later he became Paul McCartney`s right hand man in Wings

[@Cynthia...]

I believe Harri has already reacted to that one. I do love it mind you.

[@rmacdougallaliasdogviticus]

They could bring the fire, no doubt about it. One of the 1st bands I ever saw, never a bad show. I know you have heard 'Ride my See Saw' and 'The Story in Your Eyes' before so I think you are not really being truthful saying you didn't know they had such rockin tunes. Cheers.

[@mjhammer11]

Hi man !! I've watched a lot but never commented. I just wanted to say thanks, and I enjoy your honest assessments.

[@kenkomurek]

you need to listen to a recorded or live version. One of their best songs.

[@stevedahlberg8680]

The drummer is going to have to sleep for three days and three nights to get over that, LOL and I see you did address the sound quality later in the reaction. Yeah check out the studio cut man, it's almost identical but it is fantastic quality. I know you would love it.

[@davebzen795]

Miss B - What a terrific submission, I had not seen this video before. The near-frenetic pace of The Moodies on this one makes this song rather unusual for them. Nonetheless, I have always enjoyed the entire Seventh Sojourn album. Harri, your review was excellent and well-informed. Great job by both of you!

[@hermodstordal9209]

This is the first MB song I heard, and it gave me a kind of spinal shock that never lost the grip,and you can never imagine how many thousands of hours I have spent listeneng to their music. In addission to that I have a list of the songs, that I sing along with my guitar🎸 Thanks for the best music 😍

[@zex7689]

The actual recording of the song sounds much better.

[@Silverstreak1985]

It's 1970, 2am, the bars just closed, get home and throw a few LPs on the turn table. The Moody Blues always made the cut. They are fantastic in concert. Fortunately, I saw them several times, as I didn't get to many other concerts.

[@Stroudtucson]

I've always felt this song to be one of the greatest rock anthems ever recorded. Love your videos, HarriBest!

[@markcornish2519]

Graeme edge channeling his inner Keith moon on this!

[@astral276]

Watching Graham Edge in this performance, I wonder if it was the inspiration for the character 'Animal' (drummer) in Jim Henson's 'The Muppet Show'? Same wild energy, hair flying everywhere, and even the collapse over the drums at the end. 😊

[@moonshinefiftyseven6063]

No, Animal was based on Keith Moon.

[@MollieC-uc1fk]

This one does ramp it up big time so yeah, don't normally hear music from them like this but it's great! I think there are several different stories where this came from so who knows. This is one of their earlier ones with Pinder still on organ. It was first released in 1972 as the final track on the album Seventh Sojourn and was later released as a single in 1973, with "For My Lady" as its B-side. It was the second single released from Seventh Sojourn, with the first being "Isn't Life Strange", which was also written by Lodge.

[@larryhall4883]

❤

[@stephaniemarx9162]

Harri, Might I suggest "The Story In Your Eyes" or "After You Came" On the "Classic 7" Moodies albums they usually alternated a hard song with more trippier , romantic and introspective ones.

[@rosejohnson9957]

Honestly I think you would have enjoyed the live version from the Royal Albert Hall of I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band. This is one they were young and crazy and drugged out lol

[@peterbaruxis2511]

HarriBest, you sound British- are you? Every part of this song is outstanding but the drums are out of this world- the way they start so hard and slow build. This song and "Playing in the Band" (Robert Hunter/Bob Weir) always remind me of each other. like your take and love the Guns n Roses comment. "knackered"- I looked it up- lol.

[@bobshaw8319]

If you think this is something ..check out "Isn't life strange" live video from Royal Albert Hall .. It will leave you speechless Harri

[@MichaelBoyce-tm2vw]

Crossfade versiom single veriom has the complete version look for the cut it happens during Mikes solo.

[@peterbaruxis2511]

2023; "Riots by the people for the people who are only destroying themselves- and when you see a freightened person who is freightened by the people who are schorching this earth" c1972.

[@stevedahlberg8680]

I grew up with The Moody Blues and like a lot of their stuff but this is Far and Away my favorite song of theirs. If you really like it, I was just listening to the studio cut because the Fidelity on it is about a thousand times better than this recording for whatever reason. But I believe there was a bit of an issue going on here to which has always been an issue where people tell musicians to shut up and play and not voice opinions about things and so I think this is their take on that.

[@catalinaumbert]

This is a 6 minutes song but the album only had room for 4:17' Moody Blues : Hold my beer.

[@timbrown2637]

Did you notice how much Graeme Edge looked like John Bonham?

[@pauldover1403]

If my memory isn't failing, I think that the Moodys were supported on a tour around this time by Hard Stuff, probably just before the latter band recorded "Bolex Dementia" because they wouldn't be touring after the car crash. Hard Stuff, as the name implies, were a hard rock band so this might have been an influence on the Moodys. You also mentioned the band's wide range of music. "A Simple Game" was also one of their songs kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHSWf5qbpt-lb5o , although you will know the Four Tops version better kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3WsdWBng750oMk Thanks for the choice, Miss Blondie, it's a great song.

[@brucer2152]

love the melotron....nothing really makes the sounds it makes.

[@craigaust3306]

Actually, on this album, Mike Pinder changed to an instrument called the Chamberlin.

[@brucer2152]

@Craig Aust oh ok. Learn something new everyday! Ty

[@MichaelBoyce-tm2vw]

Promo film 1972.

[@alrodack4695]

Just today, John Lodge who wrote the song posted what it was about! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGKUkIGoo5WVd7c

[@BClarke]

The drums on this are insanely good…but am I the only one who thinks the drummer looks completely confused half the time? See 0:56 and 3:20 as examples. 😂

[@MichaelBoyce-tm2vw]

Tape fixed the break you ca. See it!

[@silentflier5144]

Danger... Do not listen to this song while driving... especially if there are speed cops about 🚔 Oops! Otherwise Volume up and let it rip.... 😆

[@LarsSmith-rv4ot]

I didn't care for this song when I listened to back in the late 70's. It was a good song but didn't seem to fit. I enjoy it more today here in the 2020's.

[@markthoele1808]

Everyone is singing except the drummer.

[@OttoByOgraffey]

Why do you suppose there are so many black reaction channels?

[@robertjohnson5796]

You mean they don't?