Nights in White Satin #TedTocksCovers #MusicisLife #MoodyBlues #NancySinatra

Today’s song is so timeless and beautiful that I am literally amazed at the fact it was written by a man who was only 19 years old. Justin Hayward had just joined The Moody Blues when he penned the epic love song ‘Nights in White Satin’ in 1967. The original release rose to #19 on the U.K. singles chart and only #103 in the U.S. which I find baffling. Where this song really succeeds is in its timelessness and absolute beauty. It definitely benefited from a re-release in 1972 which saw it hit #2 in the U.S. and because for the most part Canadians know great music, #1 in Canada.

So now let’s focus on the song. Justin Hayward’s gift to music was literally an ode to a gift he received from his girlfriend at the time. She had given him a set of satin bedsheets and he was moved to write this tale of love that upon reflection depicts a maturity way beyond his years. Typical of many songwriters Justin Hayward is relatively humble;

It was just another song I was writing, and I thought it was very powerful. It was a very personal song and every note, every word in it means something to me and I found that a lot of other people have felt that very same way about it.

While this statement is true enough, it is what The Moody Blues did with the powerful lyrics that made it the magnificent piece of music it became. By enlisting the support of the London Philharmonic Orchestra for the introduction, the chorus and the part known as ‘the late lament; the band created a song that would ultimately become known as the bands signature piece and a sound that would define their place in the progressive rock domain. In addition to the London Philharmonic’s contribution ‘Nights in White Satin’ is also a credit to the contribution of Moody Blue, Mike Pinder who managed to create an orchestral sound through his Mellotron keyboard. This device maintains the mood in parts of the song where the actual orchestra is not present. Overall, ‘Nights in White Satin’ is a song in two parts. You have the original piece and then, as mentioned previously; the ‘late lament’. This poem appears near the six minute part of the song. It was written by drummer, Graeme Edge and recited by keyboardist Mike Pinder. On the album Days of Future Passed the ‘late lament’ did not receive its own credit but in future releases it is justifiably given its own listing. It too, is a beautiful piece of poetry. Overall, ‘Nights in White Satin’ and the ‘Late Lament’ reflect a wonderful combination of music and poetry. Among many reasons this is why I have always been drawn to the piece.

As mentioned above, ‘Nights in White Satin’ has been recognized by many as The Moody Blues signature piece. While the prolific band wrote a number of fantastic songs this composition stands at the pinnacle. Throughout the ‘90s into the early 2000s The Moody Blues toured with a full orchestra and recreated both ‘Nights in White Satin’ and the ‘Late Lament’. In later years the ‘Late Lament’ was recited by Graeme Edge, as Mike Pinder had left the band in the late ‘70s.

For his part, Mike Pinder holds an interesting footnote in music history. In addition to the role he played in defining The Moody Blues sound he is credited with introducing John Lennon to the limitless applications of the Mellotron which inspired the Beatles epic ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ composition.

I have gotten this far without mentioning the reason I am featuring ‘Nights in White Satin’ today. One year ago The Moody Blues founding member, composer, flute player and backing vocalist, Ray Thomas passed away. Due to health issues, Thomas had not been a member of the band since 2002 but his presence was never forgotten. It is appropriate that he was still around to see that The Moody Blues were announced to become members in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in late 2017, but unfortunately his untimely passing occurred shortly before the actual induction. His long time friend Graeme Lodge lamented this timing with this quote.

Ray was my best pal…I met Ray when I was 14. We were two young kids from Birmingham who were reaching for the stars — and I think we got there. I’m really pleased that Ray was around to know we’d be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I spoke to Ray just before Christmas — because his birthday was after Christmas, on the 29th — and we had a long conversation. We’re very close friends — or were very close friends. Very sad. Very, very sad.

Before I move on here is a performance of ‘Nights in White Satin’ by The Moody Blues nearly 50 years after its original release. You will note Graeme Edge reciting his own poetry and hopefully you will recognize the power and passion of Justin Hayward’s delivery as he nears his 70^th birthday. It is truly a timeless song.

Here are the lyrics to both the ‘Late Lament’ and ‘Nights in White Satin’.

Breathe deep the gathering gloom,
Watch lights fade from every room.
Bedsitter people look back and lament,
Another day’s useless energy spent.
Impassioned lovers wrestle as one,
Lonely man cries for love and has none.
New mother picks up and suckles her son,
Senior citizens wish they were young.
Cold hearted orb that rules the night,
Removes the colours from our sight.
Red is grey and yellow white.
But we decide which is right.
And which is an illusion?

Nights in white satin
Never reaching the end
Letters I’ve written
Never meaning to send

Beauty I’ve always missed
With these eyes before 
Just what the truth is
I can’t say any more

‘Cause I love you
Yes I love you
oh oh oh I love you

Gazing at people
Some hand in hand
Just what I’m going through 
They can understand

Some try to tell me 
Thoughts they cannot defend
Just what you want to be 
You will be in the end

And I love you

For today’s cover version I have chosen one of many beautiful renditions of ‘Nights in White Satin’ by Nancy Sinatra. I like the guitar and her delivery strikes me as a lament in its own right. It just seems fitting.