Gemini Dream

Last updated
"Gemini Dream"
Gemini Dream.jpg
Single by The Moody Blues
from the album Long Distance Voyager
B-side "Painted Smile"
Released19 May 1981
RecordedSpring 1980 [1]
Genre
Length4:09 (album version)
3:46 (single version)
Label Threshold
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Pip Williams
The Moody Blues singles chronology
"Driftwood"
(1978)		"Gemini Dream"
(1981)		"The Voice"
(1981)
Music video
"Gemini Dream" on YouTube

"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.

Contents

Background

"Gemini Dream" was the first of three singles released from Long Distance Voyager, with "Painted Smile," another track from the album, on the B-side. Two more songs from Long Distance Voyager, "The Voice" and "Talking Out of Turn," were subsequently released as singles after the album's release." [2]

"Gemini Dream" was written jointly by the band's lead guitarist Hayward and bassist Lodge, both of whom won an ASCAP songwriting award for it. [3] While Hayward and Lodge had collaborated on a duet album outside of the Moody Blues in 1975 called Blue Jays, "Gemini Dream" was the first song performed by the Moody Blues that they had written together. [2]

The song developed out of a jam session. [1] Hayward said:

We started grooving on that particular beat – I suppose it's about 115 or 120 [beats per minute], something like that, perhaps a bit faster – and then what came out was a sort of guitar riff, and [drummer] Graeme [Edge] was a real four-on-the-floor beat – boom-CHA-boom-CHA – that kind of thing, and John [Lodge] was doing an eight to the bar. And we had headphones on and were shouting silly things, sort of like a joke. The song itself developed out of us sort of saying "Oh, that's quite good,' and remembering this groove." [1]

Haywards also said:

I came up with the guitar riff out of that [jam session]. Then John and I wrote some lyrics to it. I didn’t think it was anything important at the time, but politically, in the group and everything, it was kind of the right thing to do. [4]

As they developed the lyrics they tried to make it a song about touring that would be meaningful to fans but also a love song. [1] Lodge had wanted to give the song the title along the lines of "Touring the USA" and Hayward wanted to call it "Backstage Pass", but they didn't think either was right, and eventually settled on "Gemini Dream", since "Gemini" represented the two personalities. [1]

Lyrics and music

Most of the lyrics of "Gemini Dream" are about a rock band while touring, but also lyrics are also about shared love. [2] [5] The Star Press critic Kim Teverbaugh said that "It is about the band getting back together and taking to the road. [6] Lodge remembers:

I wanted to write the song saying, let's get back on the road. Be who we want, because I'm a musician. I like to play. I like to perform. We had a band which could really perform, and I really wanted to get back on the road. So it's 'long time, no see. Short time for you and me.' I had that in my brain. And actually the first incarnation of it, roughly, it was called "Touring America", not "Gemini Dream". But that was like the engine that started us on that road, Long Distance Voyager. [7]

Detroit Free Press critic Bruce Britt described the music as having "a hybrid folk-disco sound." [8] Ottawa Citizen critic Bill Provick compared its sound to ELO. [9]

Hayward and Lodge sing lead vocals in harmony. [1] [2] Long Distance Voyager was the Moody Blues' first album since Patrick Moraz replaced Mike Pinder as the keyboardist, and so "Gemini Dream" was the first single released with Moraz. [1]

Reception

Record World called the song a "majestic rocker with just a touch of disco." [10] Billboard said the band was "in super form" and called the song a "dance-beat propelled track that is highlighted by crisp, clear vocals and the group's patented orchestral sound." [11]

Upon the album's release, Teverbaugh felt "It most likely is the best song this year will produce" and noted that the song sounded a little like ELO. [6] Post-Gazette critic Gary Graff described it as sounding like "Lipps, Inc. meets the Electric Light Orchestra." [12] Sacramento Bee critic Bob Sylva said it "possesses a clever, very Hall & Oates-like vocal harmonies between Justin Hayward and John Lodge that's a delight." [13] News-Democrat critic Roger Schlueter joked that "Rock fans will probably see 'Gemini Dream' as [Long Distance Voyager's] saving grace much as they saw 'Peak Hour' as one of the best cuts Days of Future Past had to offer," noting that "the beat and vocals are straight-forward." [14]

Ultimate Classic Rock critic Nick DeRiso rated it as the Moody Blues' 10th greatest song, calling it "a canny update of their core sound" and saying that it "set a template for the glossy-sheened prog-pop of Asia and the '80s-era retooled Yes." [15] Allmusic critic Dave Connolly felt that it "does sound dated in today's post- Xanadu landscape." [16] Music journalist Geoffrey Freakes described the song as "synth-pop", combining ELO-like melodies and harmonies with the Human League-like rhythm and synth hook, which he says is "a strange concoction that hasn't dated particularly well." [2]

John Lodge version

Lodge released a live solo version of the song in 2021, recorded in Las Vegas, as a single and on his album The Royal Affair and After . [3] Lodge said of the release after COVID-19 lockdowns:

'Long time no see'...those opening words to Gemini Dream resonate even more with me today – what was true in 1981 has become true again in 2021. The song is about balancing 'twin' lives – touring musicians, and non-touring musicians. I finished my tour on March 8, 2020, and was in lockdown within days, but I never expected to be off the road for this long...Although this was a forced 'sojourn', it was a creative time, writing and recording new songs and a time well-spent with family, but as the song says, "the time is right" to get back on the road. Let’s keep that Gemini Dream alive for all of us…..and thank you for keeping the faith. [3]

Chart performance

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 1964. The band initially consisted of Graeme Edge (drums), Denny Laine (guitar/vocals), Mike Pinder (keyboards/vocals), Ray Thomas (multi-instrumentalist/vocals), and Clint Warwick (bass/vocals). 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 both left the band in 1966, with Edge, Pinder and Thomas recruiting new members Justin Hayward (guitar/vocals) and John Lodge (bass/vocals). 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Thomas</span> British musician (1941–2018)

Raymond Thomas was an English musician, singer and songwriter. He was best known as a founding member of the English progressive rock band the Moody Blues. His flute solo on the band's 1967 hit single "Nights in White Satin" is regarded as one of progressive rock's defining moments. In 2018, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Moody Blues.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graeme Edge</span> British musician (1941–2021)

Graeme Charles Edge was an English musician, songwriter and poet, best known as the co-founder and drummer of the English band the Moody Blues. In addition to his work with the Moody Blues, Edge worked as the bandleader of his own outfit, the Graeme Edge Band. He contributed his talents to a variety of other projects throughout his career. In 2018, Edge was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Moody Blues.

<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">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">Blue World (The Moody Blues song)</span> 1983 Moody Blues single

"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.

<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.

"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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Cushman, Marc (2021). Long Distance Voyagers: The Story of the Moody Blues Volume 2 (1980-2018). Jacobs Brown Press. pp. 20–21, 27. ISBN   9781735567358.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Freakes, Geoffrey (2019). The Moody Blues: Every Album, Every Song. Sonicbond. pp. 78, 90, 92. ISBN   9781789520422.
  3. 1 2 3 Bolwell, Richard (22 November 2021). "It's a 'Gemini Dream' For John Lodge as the Moody Blues' Bass Player Unveils New Single". NMPR. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  4. ↑ Graff, Gary (24 November 2024). ""I sat on the side of the bed and just wrote the two verses. I was at the end of one big love affair and the beginning of another." Justin Hayward on the Moody Blues' "Nights in White Satin" and the 12-string he got from Lonnie Donegan". Guitar Player. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
  5. ↑ Wilhelm, Rich (18 May 2021). "Meanwhile and Far Away: The Moody Blues' 'Long Distance Voyager' at 40". Pop Matters. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  6. 1 2 Teverbaugh, Kim (2 August 1981). "The Moody Blues Return to Prominence with Latest Album". The Muncie Star. p. B-10. Retrieved 2024-02-12– via newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ John Lodge on Days of Future Passed. The Strange Brew. Accessed January 24, 2024. https://thestrangebrew.co.uk/interviews/john-lodge/.
  8. ↑ Britt, Bruce (26 July 1981). "Moody Blues is a big fish in heavy metal seas". Detroit Free Press. p. 6C. Retrieved 2024-02-12– via newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ Provick, Bill (29 May 1981). "Elton, Moody Blues revive careers". The Ottawa Citizen. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-02-12– via newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 30 May 1981. p. 1. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  11. ↑ "Elton John Has No. 1 Disc Again". The Indianapolis News. 10 June 1981. p. 26. Retrieved 2024-02-14– via newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ Graff, Gary (5 June 1981). "Records: Moodies score with new sound". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 24. Retrieved 2024-02-12– via newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ Sylva, Bob (1 October 1981). "Records: In the cavern". Sacramento Bee. p. Out & About 7. Retrieved 2024-02-12– via newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ Schlueter, Roger (18 June 1981). "'Cosmos' earns five-galaxy rating". Belleville News-Democrat. p. 7C. Retrieved 2024-02-14– via newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ DeRiso, Nick (31 August 2013). "Top 10 Moody Blues songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  16. ↑ Connolly, Dave. "Long Distance Voyager". Allmusic. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  17. ↑ Library and Archives Canada, August 29, 1981
  18. ↑ "RPM Top 100 Singles of 1981 - December 26, 1981" (PDF).
  19. ↑ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1981". Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  20. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1999). Pop Annual. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN   0-89820-142-X.
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.