The Moody Blues “The Voice” charted

The Voice The Moody Blues

Writer(s): Justin Hayward (see lyrics here) Released: July 23, 1981 First Charted: June 6, 1981 Peak: 15 BB, 15 CB, 7 GR, 16 HR, 6 RR, 16 AC, 14 AR, 9 CN, 91 AU, 3 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 4.21 video, -- streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: The Moody Blues formed in Birmingham, England, in 1964. They leapt out of the gates with “Go Now,” a UK chart-topper and top-ten hit in the United States. After the departure of guitarist/singer Denny Laine and bassist/singer Clint Warwick, the group brought in singer/guitarist Justin Hayward and bassist/singer John Lodge. Their dramatic change of sound was apparent with their next album, 1967’s Days of Future Passed and its hit single “Nights in White Satin.” That was the first of eight albums the band released from 1967 to 1978 which established them as one of the premiere progressive rock and psychedelic rock bands. All eight albums reached gold or platinum status, three topped the UK album chart, and one topped the U.S. album chart. They also generated classic rock staples such as “Tuesday Afternoon,” “Ride My See-Saw,” “Question,” “The Story in Your Eyes,” “Isn’t Life Strange,” “I’m Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band,” and “Driftwood.” When they released Long Distance Voyager in 1981, it had been three years since their last studio release. While a dropoff in commercial appeal would have been understandable, the Moody Blues instead maintained the same level of success they’d experienced for more than 15 years with a #1 album in the U.S. which reached platinum status. The album was buoyed by two top-20 singles – “Gemini Dream” and “The Voice.” The latter marked a first for the band – their first chart-topping hit on the Billboard album rock tracks chart just established that year. AllMusic.com’s Dave Connolly called the song “a sweeping and majestic call to adventure.” AMG Billboard described it as “a texturally lush piece of pop in the best tradition of [the Moody Blues’] earlier work.” WK Songfacts.com echoed a similar statement, saying “the lyrics have the same philosophical tone of their songs in the late 1960s.” SF Classic Rock’s Malcolm Dome said the song “offers hope for the future as long as people take control of their lives and events.” WK Nick De Riso of Ultimate Classic Rock commended the song for “so deftly marry[ing] the mystical elements of Hayward’s classic songcraft with [a more] modern approach.” WK Justin Hayward wasn’t sure what to call the song as it lacked an obvious title based on the lyrics. When Greg Jackman, the group’s engineer, asked Hayward what to call it, Justin said, “I’ll think of that after.” Jackman misunderstood him and wrote “Fat Arthur” on the tape. That was the name of the song through the mastering process when Hayward finally came up with the title of “The Voice.” SF Resources: AMG All Music Guide albu review by Dave Connolly SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 9/17/2023.