THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

313-The Moody Blues-Nights in White Satin.

1967-Number 19 single. The song was re-issued in 1972, this time peaking at Number 9. The song was re-released for a third time in 1979, and this time reached Number 14.

Best Bit-At 5.51. Like many a great song the lyrics are vague and open to interpretation, but it is probably not about a very comfortable pair of pyjamas.

The Moody Blues were formed in Erdington, Birmingham, England, in 1964, the original line up were Graeme Edge (1941-2021) (drums) Denny Laine, (guitar) Mike Pinder, (keyboards) Ray Thomas, (1941-2018) (flute and harmonica) and Clint Warwick, (1940-2004) (bass) all five members also provided vocals. The Moody Blues first found success with the release of their second single ‘Go Now’ in 1964, it was a cover of an R&B track first recorded by the American artist Bessie Banks earlier in the same year. The lead vocals were provided by Denny Laine (see also best songs 646 and 107) who would stay wit the band until 1966, that year also saw the departure of Clint Warwick, and the arrival of their replacements Justin Hayward, and John Lodge. It was Mike Pinder who chose the bands name, as they played a mixture of R&B and the ‘Blues,’ Pinder has said he was interested in how music changes people’s moods. The Moody Blues were active until going on hiatus in 1974, but they reformed in 1977, until the band were retired in 2018, in total their have been nine members, with Graeme Edge being the bands one constant. They released 16 studio Albums between 1965-2003, and 36 singles, of which 10 reached the UK top 40, and 13 made the Billboard top 40, with this song being their most successful making Number 2.

‘Nights in White Satin’ was written by Justin Hayward, and first appeared on The Moody Blues second studio Album ‘Days of Future Passed’ from 1967. In it’s original form it was the middle segment of three pieces of music, part one is ‘The Night’ written by Hayward and Pete Knight, (1917-1985) and part three ‘Late Lament/Resolvement’ was written by Edge and Knight. The arrival of Justin Hayward and John Lodge marked a significant shift in the type of music The Moody Blues recorded. The original line up had started out playing mainly covers of R&B songs, but Hayward in particular changed their sound by introducing Art/Progressive/Psychedelic, and Symphonic Rock. ‘Days of Future Passed’ is considered to be a ground breaking recording, and one of the first examples of what would become known as Progressive Rock.

Justin David Hayward was born on October 14th, 1946, in Swindon, Wiltshire, England, he was 19 years old when he wrote ‘Nights in White Satin.’ Hayward has said,’It was a series of random thoughts and was quite autobiographical. It was a very emotional time as I was at the end of one big love affair, and the start of another, a lot of that came out in the song.’

‘Nights in white satin never reaching the end, letters I’ve written never meaning to send. Beauty I’d always missed with these eyes before, just what the truth is I can’t say anymore.’