Take Five: Early Moody Blues Classics

The Moody Blues are best known as the group that made the groundbreaking Days of Future Passed, followed by a remarkable string of popular albums (known among the band and fans as “the core seven”), all between 1967 and 1972. After taking a hiatus following the release of 1972’s Seventh Sojourn, the band returned briefly for 1978’s Octave, and then went silent again. The Moodys returned yet again in 1981, enjoying an MTV-era resurgence in popularity that sustained them through the decade. By 2003 the band had released its final studio album, December, but the band continued as a live act until the 2018 retirement of drummer and founding member Graeme Edge.

Yet casual fans may not know that The Moody Blues had a modestly successful career even before Days of Future Passed. Launched in 1964 in Birmingham, England, the early lineup of the band created music in more of an r&b- and British Invasion style. In that period, the group turned out a successful album and a succession of singles that hinted at the direction they’d soon take. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the release of The Magnificent Moodies, here are five pre-Days of Future Passed classics from the band.

“Go Now” (1965)
Far and away the most well-known early Moody Blues recordings, “Go Now” is in fact a cover. Music legends Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller produced the original recording by Bessie Banks; released in 1964, her recording made it to the lower reaches of the U.S. R&B singles chart. Later that year The Moody Blues covered it; their version – with Denny Laine’s heart-rending lead vocal – made it to the No. 1 spot on the UK singles chart. (As documented on the 1976 triple LP Wings Over America, Laine would sing the song on tour in the ‘70s with Paul McCartney and Wings.)

“Time is on My Side” (1965)
Rock-era fans may incorrectly assume that “Time is on My Side” is a Rolling Stones original. In fact the song was composed by Jerry Ragovoy in 1963. Jazz artist Kai Winding was the first to record it; Irma Thomas cut the second version. The Stones recorded their version in June 1964, releasing it in September of that year. In 1965, The Moodies’ “Time is on My Side” was released as the B-side of “I Don’t Want to Go On Without You,” scoring a minor hit single (No. 33) in the UK.

“Boulevard de la Madeleine” (1966)
With gentle acoustic guitar flourishes, strums of a zither and distinctly Parisian flavor, “Boulevard de la Madeleine” wasn’t included on the original band’s sole UK or U.S. albums. It did, however, provide the title for a European-released LP, On Boulevard de la Madeline. In England, the song appeared as the B-side of 1967’s non-album single “This is My House (But Nobody Calls).”

“Life’s Not Life” (1967)
The final single from the Moody Blues with Denny Laine on lead vocals, “Life’s Not Life” has hints of the baroque touches that would figure into the band’s style going forward. But the song is still rooted in r&b-flavored pop. Released in 1967, the song wasn’t included on an LP until the 21st century. Produced by Denny Cordell, the tune was a co-write by Laine and keyboardist Mike Pinder.

“Fly Me High” (1967)
A track that truly bridges the first and second phases of The Moody Blues, “Fly Me High” was released as a single in 1967, and featured the group’s newest members, guitarist Justin Hayward (on lead vocals) and bassist John Lodge. Never released on an album during the band’s original run, “Fly Me High” is a true obscurity that failed to chart anywhere in the world. But it’s a fine pop number that – viewed with hindsight – provides a preview of the Moodies’ upcoming proto-progressive sound.