For My Lady
| "For My Lady" | |
|---|---|
Tony Clarke |
"For My Lady" is a song written by
Lyrics and music
The lyrics to "For My Lady" are about the singer's desire for true love.[1] The lyrics may have been inspired by Thomas' recent divorce at the time he wrote the song.[1]
Music journalist Geoffrey Freakes described "For My Lady" as an "uncomplicated, uncluttered and blissfully romantic song" that is "supremely elegant."[1] Moody Blues biographer Marc Cushman felt that "the melody and heartfelt vocal performance convey a sadness despite the positive nature of the lyrics.[2] Tampa Tribune critic Ralph Harold described the song as "an elegant love song, almost Elizabethan, although somewhat gimmicky with a cymbal sound of ocean waves and a nautical hamonica and organ background.[3]
At one point Justin Hayward plays a guitar note that had some listeners thinking that the guitar string broke.[4] But according to Hayward that it was not a broken string but merely an emphasized pluck to accompany the lyrics "and slowly bow her head."[4]
Reception
Cushman felt that "For My Lady" may be Thomas' "most beautiful and enduring song" as well as "the most lovely song Thomas has written, and among his finest vocal deliveries."[2] Classic Rock History critic Brian Kachejian rated "For My Lady" as the Moody Blues' 7th greatest song, saying that "The song’s bouncy flute opening had a very Irish ethnic storybook sound that took me someplace out to sea."[8]
Although not released as a single a-side, "For My Lady" received a lot of airplay on the Pennsylvania radio station WSAN.[2] One of the reasons "For My Lady" was released as the b-side of "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock 'n' Roll Band)" was because it was one of the most frequently played tracks on radio from Seventh Sojourn.[2]
"For My Lady" was included on several Moody Blues compilation albums, including This Is The Moody Blues in 1974 and Time Traveller in 1994.[9][10]
Live
The Moody Blues did not play "For My Lady" live for many years after the song was first released, likely due to the fact that Thomas sings the lead vocal and plays flute on the song, although the band could have replaced the flute with the
Personnel
- Ray Thomas – lead vocals, flute
- Justin Hayward – acoustic guitar, backing vocals
- John Lodge – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Mike Pinder – Chamberlin, backing vocals
- Graeme Edge – drums, percussion
References
- ^ ISBN 9781789520422.
- ^ ISBN 9780999507803.
- ^ Harold, Ralph (30 December 1972). "...Moodys make the same trip different". Tampa Tribune. p. 10-A. Retrieved 2024-03-24 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ ISBN 0964280892.
- ^ "Rolling Stone review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 6 June 2008. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Tannyan, Gary (7 December 1972). "Moody Blues". Star-Phoenix. p. 4. Retrieved 2024-03-24 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Hoffman, Dean (22 February 1973). "Platter Chatter". Camarillo Star. p. B-3. Retrieved 2024-03-24 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Kachejian, Brian (June 2022). "Top 10 Moody Blues songs". Classic Rock History. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
- ^ Eder, Bruce. "This Is the Moody Blues". Allmusic. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
- ^ Unterberger, Richie. "Time Traveller". Allmusic. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
- ^ Eder, Bruce. "A Night at Red Rocks with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra". Allmusic. Retrieved 2024-03-24.