Blue World (The Moody Blues song)

Last updated
"Blue World"
Blue World (The Moody Blues single - cover art).jpg
Single by The Moody Blues
from the album The Present
B-side
  • "Going Nowhere" (UK)
  • "Sorry" (US)
Released12 August 1983 (UK)
16 August 1983 (US)
Recorded8 March – 10 December 1982
Genre Rock
Length5:20 (Album version)
3:38 (Single version)
Label Threshold
Songwriter(s) Justin Hayward
Producer(s) Pip Williams
The Moody Blues singles chronology
"Talking Out of Turn"
(1981)		"Blue World"
(1983)		"Sitting at the Wheel"
(1983)

"Blue World" is a 1983 single by the Moody Blues written by Justin Hayward. It was first released in the UK as the lead single of the album The Present in August 1983. It was released as single in the US in the Fall of 1983. "Blue World" was one of three singles from The Present, with the others being "Sitting at the Wheel" and "Running Water." The single's cover is a pastiche of the painting Daybreak by Maxfield Parrish. [1] [2]

Contents

Writing and recording

Hayward first recorded "Blue World" as a demo in is home studio, utilizing a LinnDrum drum machine. [3] The final recording by the band also used the LinnDrum. [3] Producer Pip Williams said:

Justin wrote the song and prepared a demo at home with exactly the same verse/chorus structure as the finished product. He was using one of the new cutting-edge drum machines, the original LinnDrum. It was a pretty startling innovation at the time, and really freed songwriters to make much better demos at home. In fact, the single Linn bass drum, snare and hi-hat pattern that Justin had programmed for "Blue World" was kept right through the song, with the addition of some extra programmed percussion (congas, cowbell, cabasa and tambourine). We did try it with Graeme [Edge] playing real kit, but Jus preferred that metronomic machine groove, which does work well with Patrick [Moraz'] bass line. Those early Linn drums were less than convincing when playing fills, however, and apart from hi-hats, they had no cymbals, so Graeme played all the drum fills and cymbal crashes. [3]

Hayward played several guitars on the track, including a 6-string acoustic guitar and his electric Gibson 335. [3] Williams contributed a 12-string acoustic guitar and John Lodge played bass guitar. Moraz played the synthesizer, including the bass line, synthesized string instruments and flute-like trills. [3] Hayward sings all the vocals. [3]

Music and lyrics

Music journalist Geoffrey Freakes described "Blue World" as "bright" and "upbeat". [2] Moody Blues biographer Marc Cushman felt that Moraz' synthesized bass line was the most effective aspect of the song, and that the synthesized strings were also effective. [3] However, he noted that listeners were split on flute-like trills, with some listeners liking them but others finding them "unnecessary and unwelcome". [3] The chorus does not come in until two minutes into the song. [2]

The themes of "Blue World" include "longing, nostalgia, and the search for meaning in a complex world." [4] Philadelphia Daily News critic Jonathan Takiff said that the lyrics show Hayward to be "the perennial melancholy man, decrying the 'Blue World' out there." [5] Freakes felt that the lyrics echo the artwork on the album's and single's cover. [2] Jeff Segal of The Michigan Daily described the lyrics as "mystical, if dumb." [3]

Reception

Jim Zebora of the Record-Journal said it was "among the best and most likeable of any [songs] the band has done in years." [6] The Morning Call said that "'Blue World', with its heavy bass line and Hayward's rather mechanical vocal, will please (momentarily) pseudo new-wavers." [7] Gazette critic Dick Hogan considered "Blue World" as one of the best songs on The Present and particularly praised Hayward's smooth lead vocal and "imaginative lyrics", as well as the band's harmony vocals and Ray Thomas' "soaring flute." [8] Boston Globe critic Brett Milano called it a "soaring, melodic number with a heartfelt vocal." [9] News-Pilot critic Michael Davis called it "a fine medium tempo song reminiscent of a good Paul McCartney solo tune brimming with unique sounds and unexpected melodies. [10] Jim Sanville of the Evening Express called it "an ear catching pop number" and "the type of song strong enough to provide momentum" to the Moody Blues into the 1980s. [11] Rolling Stone critic Errol Somay felt that "Blue World" was one of the songs on The Present where "the Moody Blues are at their creative best." [12]

Jim Bohen of the Daily Record said that the song "serves up a likeable tune and a mildly philosophical lyric to a soft-rock beat and billowing synthesizer accompaniment." [13] Memphis Press-Scimitar critic Bill E. Burk said it has a "smooth, melodic structure fit within a rock framework." [14] Bernardsville News critic Charles T. Zavalick found it to be "spiritually uplifting". [15]

In the Kansas City Star, Tim McGraw complained about the song's "sophomoric lyricism", asking "How many times can the message that the world is unjust and lacks compassion be regurgitated without people failing to take it seriously." [16] The Age found "Blue World" to be "soporific" and a "[clone] of upteen old Moody Blues ballads." [17] Allan McQuillan of the Western Daily Press called the single "quick, slick, soft and well produced but without much to remember it by." [18]

Ultimate Classic Rock critic Nick DeRiso rated it as the Moody Blues' 8th greatest song. [19] SingersRoom critic Edward Tomlin rated it as the band's 6th best song, saying that "it captivates listeners with its dreamy melody and poignant lyrics. The song envelops you in a sonic landscape, blending lush instrumentation with haunting vocals that transport you to a realm of introspection and wonder." [4]

Charts

"Blue World" was a moderate success for the Moody Blues in the U.S., charting at #32 on the Mainstream Rock chart, and at #62 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. [20] [21] In the UK it reached #35 and in Canada it reached #40. [2] [3] [22]

Live

"Blue Moon" was included in the Moody Blues live set list for a few years, generally appearing in the latter part of the show. [2]

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Moody Blues</span> English band

The Moody Blues were an English rock band formed in Birmingham in May 1964. The band initially consisted of drummer Graeme Edge, guitarist/vocalist Denny Laine, keyboardist/vocalist Mike Pinder, multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Ray Thomas, and bassist/vocalist Clint Warwick. Originally part of the British beat and R&B scene of the early–mid 1960s, the band came to prominence with the UK No. 1 and US Top 10 single "Go Now" in late 1964/early 1965. Laine and Warwick left the band by the end of 1966, being replaced by guitarist/vocalist Justin Hayward and bassist/vocalist John Lodge. They embraced the psychedelic rock movement of the late 1960s, with their second album, 1967's Days of Future Passed, being a fusion of rock with classical music that established the band as pioneers in the development of art rock and progressive rock. It has been described as a "landmark" and "one of the first successful concept albums".

<i>Long Distance Voyager</i> 1981 studio album by the Moody Blues

Long Distance Voyager is the tenth album by the Moody Blues, first released in May 1981 on the group's Threshold record label. It was the group's first album featuring keyboardist Patrick Moraz in place of co-founder Mike Pinder, who left after Octave in 1978.

<i>The Other Side of Life</i> 1986 studio album by the Moody Blues

The Other Side of Life is the twelfth studio album by English progressive rock band the Moody Blues, released in April 1986 by Polydor Records.

<i>The Present</i> (Moody Blues album) 1983 studio album by The Moody Blues

The Present is the eleventh album by the Moody Blues, released in 1983. This was the group's last original studio album to be released on their custom label, Threshold Records.

<i>Keys of the Kingdom</i> 1991 studio album by the Moody Blues

Keys of the Kingdom is the fourteenth album by the rock band the Moody Blues, released in 1991. Although some of the tracks recall the songwriting on Sur la Mer, the failure of Keys of the Kingdom to produce any major hit singles would mark the beginning of the Moodies' decline in popularity with mainstream audiences after their success in the MTV video generation.

"Veteran Cosmic Rocker" is a 1981 song by the progressive rock band the Moody Blues. It was written by the band's flautist Ray Thomas. "Veteran Cosmic Rocker" first appeared as the final track of the Moody Blues' 1981 album Long Distance Voyager, and was later released in November 1981 on the B-Side of "Talking Out of Turn."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Voice (The Moody Blues song)</span> 1981 single by the Moody Blues

"The Voice" is a song written by Justin Hayward that was first released on the Moody Blues' 1981 album Long Distance Voyager and also as its second single. The song continued the success of previous single "Gemini Dream", becoming a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at No. 15 in October 1981. The song had previously topped the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart for four weeks during June–July 1981. The song also reached No. 9 in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Your Wildest Dreams</span> 1986 single by The Moody Blues

"Your Wildest Dreams" is a 1986 single by the progressive rock band the Moody Blues, written by Justin Hayward. The song was first released as a single, and later released on the Moody Blues' 1986 album The Other Side of Life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Know You're Out There Somewhere</span> 1988 single by The Moody Blues

"I Know You're Out There Somewhere" is a 1988 single by the English rock band the Moody Blues. It was written by guitarist Justin Hayward, and it is the sequel to the Moody Blues' 1986 single "Your Wildest Dreams", also written by Hayward. It is the band's final Top 40 single in the United States, peaking at #30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Question (The Moody Blues song)</span> 1970 single by The Moody Blues

"Question" is a 1970 single by the English progressive rock band the Moody Blues. It was written by guitarist Justin Hayward, who provides lead vocals. "Question" was first released as a single in April 1970 and remains their second highest-charting song in the UK, reaching number two and staying on the chart for 12 weeks. The song reached number 21 on the Billboard Top 40 in the USA. It was later featured as the lead track on the 1970 album A Question of Balance. The single also features the song "Candle of Life" on its B-side, which was from the Moody Blues' previous album To Our Children's Children's Children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gemini Dream</span> 1981 single by the Moody Blues

"Gemini Dream" is a song written by Justin Hayward and John Lodge that was released by The Moody Blues on their 1981 album Long Distance Voyager and also as the lead single from the album. It reached number 12 on the US Hot 100, as well as number 1 on the Canada RPM Top 100 Singles chart. It ranked as the 28th biggest Canadian hit of 1981.

<i>Anthology</i> (The Moody Blues album) 1998 compilation album by The Moody Blues

Anthology is a compilation album by the progressive rock band the Moody Blues. It was released in the US on 20 October 1998. It was not released in the UK until 2001 under the title The Collection with different artwork but with the same tracks as the US release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talking Out of Turn</span> 1981 single by the Moody Blues

"Talking Out of Turn" is a 1981 single written by John Lodge and first released by the Moody Blues on their 1981 album Long Distance Voyager. It was also released as the third single from the album in November 1981 with "Veteran Cosmic Rocker" on the B-side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Other Side of Life (song)</span> 1986 single by The Moody Blues

"The Other Side of Life" is a 1986 single written by Justin Hayward and first released by The Moody Blues in May 1986 as the title track on the album The Other Side of Life. It was released as a single in August 1986, the second single released from the album, the first being "Your Wildest Dreams". After its release, it became a modest success in the United States, making #11 and #18 on the adult contemporary and mainstream rock charts respectively. It also reached #58 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sitting at the Wheel</span> 1983 Moody Blues single

"Sitting at the Wheel" is a 1983 hit single by The Moody Blues, written by John Lodge. It was released in the US as the lead-off single from The Present in August 1983 and debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 3, 1983. In the UK, "Sitting at the Wheel" was released in November 1983 as the second single from The Present, following "Blue World".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No More Lies (The Moody Blues song)</span> 1988 single by The Moody Blues

"No More Lies" is the second single released from the Moody Blues 1988 album Sur la Mer. As a single, it charted at #15 on the Adult Contemporary chart in 1988. Like the album's previous single, "I Know You're Out There Somewhere," "No More Lies" was written by Justin Hayward.

<i>Gold</i> (The Moody Blues album) 2005 greatest hits album by The Moody Blues

Gold is a compilation album by The Moody Blues, released in 2005 by Polydor Records as part of Polydor's Gold series.

"Meanwhile" is a song written by Justin Hayward that was released on the Moody Blues 1981 album Long Distance Voyager. Although never released as a single, it reached #11 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">22,000 Days</span> Moody Blues song released in 1981

"22,000 Days" is a song written by Graeme Edge that was first released by the Moody Blues on their 1981 album Long Distance Voyager. It was also released as the B-side to the top-ten single "The Voice". "22,000 Days" reached No. 38 on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Running Water (song)</span> 1983 Moody Blues single

"Running Water" is a song written by Justin Hayward that was first released on the Moody Blues' 1983 album The Present. It was released as the third single from the album in the United States but did not chart.

References

  1. ↑ Rockin' the Classics and Classicizin' the Rock: Janell R. Duxbury - 2001 p261 " FRANKFURT ROCK ORCHESTRA SS0695 Classic Moody Blues hits: featuring Justin Hayward and friends. ... know you're out there—Running water—New horizons—Blue world—Isn't life strange—The voice—Blue guitar—I'm just ..."
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Freakes, Geoffrey (2019). The Moody Blues: Every Album, Every Song. Sonicbond. p. 94. ISBN   9781789520422.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Cushman, Marc (2021). Long Distance Voyagers: The Story of the Moody Blues Volume 2 (1980-2018). Jacobs Brown Press. pp. 100–101, 123, 132–133. ISBN   9781735567358.
  4. 1 2 Tomlin, Edward (20 February 2024). "10 Best The Moody Blues Songs of All Time". SingersRoom. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  5. ↑ Takiff, Jonathan (21 October 1983). "Live! This Week". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 79. Retrieved 2024-03-23– via newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ Zebora, Jim (6 January 1984). "Off the Record". Record-Journal. p. 15. Retrieved 2024-03-23– via newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Records". The Morning Call. 8 October 1983. p. 76. Retrieved 2024-03-23– via newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ Hogan, Dick (30 September 1983). "Moodies' 'Present' exceptional package". The Gazette. p. 1B. Retrieved 2024-03-23– via newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ Milano, Brett (6 October 1983). "Records". Boston Globe. p. 8. Retrieved 2024-03-23– via newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Davis, Michael (18 November 1983). "Record Reviews". News-Pilot. p. E11. Retrieved 2024-03-23– via newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ Sanville, Jim (24 October 1983). "Moody Blues stirs audience". Evening Express. p. 8. Retrieved 2024-03-24– via newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ Somay, Errol (1983-10-27). "The Moody Blues: The Present : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 2008-06-06. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  13. ↑ Bohen, Jim (28 October 1983). "Music Notes". Daily Record. p. 53. Retrieved 2024-03-23– via newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ Burk, Bill E. (29 September 1983). "'Clowning' tinged with heroism". Memphis Press-Scimitar. p. C3. Retrieved 2024-03-23– via newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ Zavalick, Charles T. (20 October 1983). "The Present Is Now for Moody Blues". Bernardsville News. p. 16. Retrieved 2024-03-21– via newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ McGraw, Tim (27 November 1983). "Veratility of Oregon expands bounderies of 'outdoor' music". Kansas City Star. p. 7F. Retrieved 2024-03-23– via newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "Records". The Age. 20 October 1983. p. 10. Retrieved 2024-03-24– via newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ McQuillan, Allan (13 August 1983). "Back on the Hit Trail". Western Daily Press. p. 20. Retrieved 2024-03-24– via newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ DeRiso, Nick (August 31, 2013). "Top 10 Moody Blues songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  20. ↑ "Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  21. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  22. ↑ "RPM Top 50 Singles - December 3, 1983" (PDF).
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.