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The Moody Blues — Question
Album: A Question of Balance
Avg rating:
7.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2108









Released: 1970
Length: 5:39
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Why do we never get an answer
When we're knocking at the door
With a thousand million questions
About hate and death and war

'Cause when we stop and look around us
There is nothing that we need
In a world of persecution
That is burning in its greed

Why do we never get an answer
When we're knocking at the door
Because the truth is hard to swallow
That's what the war of love is for

It's not the way that you say it
When you do those things to me
It's more the way that you mean it
When you tell me what will be

And when you stop and think about it
You won't believe it's true
That all the love you've been giving
Has all been meant for you

I'm looking for someone to change my life
I'm looking for a miracle in my life
And if you could see
What it's done to me
To lose the the love I knew
Could safely lead me through

Between the silence of the mountains
And the crashing of the sea
There lies a land I once lived in
And she's waiting there for me

But in the grey of the morning
My mind becomes confused
Between the dead and the sleeping
And the road that I must choose

I'm looking for someone to change my life
I'm looking for a miracle in my life
And if you could see
What it's done to me
To lose the love I knew
Could safely lead me to
The land that I once knew
To learn as we grow old
The secrets of our souls

It's not the way that you say it
When you do those things to me
It's more the way you really mean it
When you tell me what will be

Why do we never get an answer
When we're knocking at the door
With a thousand million questions
About hate and death and war

'Cause when we stop and look around us
There is nothing that we need
In a world of persecution
That is burning in its greed

Why do we never get an answer
When we're knocking at the door
Comments (219)add comment
A beautiful song.  Justin's vocals on this are fantastic.
 Typesbad wrote:

This was the first album I owned. It was a birthday gift from my sister, (20 to my just-turned 11) and was bundled with the first Cheech n Chong record. I knew nothing about either of them and of course, wanted to rush over to my Dad's "Hi-fi" console and play them. I recall my sister looking at all the family sitting at the table for my birthday dinner, and saying "Uh, I suggest you play the Moody Blues record first!"


I was around the same age, had a cousin 13 years older - I used to go round and listen to his collection. His Mum (my Auntie) bought me this, To Our CCC, EGBDF as Christmas presents. The Moodies '7' been with me all my life.
Such wonderful memories, cosmic trip after cosmic trip.
 Typesbad wrote:

This was the first album I owned. It was a birthday gift from my sister, (20 to my just-turned 11) and was bundled with the first Cheech n Chong record. I knew nothing about either of them and of course, wanted to rush over to my Dad's "Hi-fi" console and play them. I recall my sister looking at all the family sitting at the table for my birthday dinner, and saying "Uh, I suggest you play the Moody Blues record first!"



I hope you thank your lucky start for such an awesome sister!
Ah well now that was fun! Thanks RP! 
ahhhh

back when album cover art meant something. ..
 rabaak wrote:

I got a chance to watch the 1 Hour+ video of the Moody Blues at the Isle of Wight concert in 1970 on you-tube. If you get a chance, I would highly recommend it.



I was there .... watching 'our local lads' from Birmingham ❤️

Used to go 3 times a week to the Carlton Club where they played back in '64. Wonderful times, sitting on the stage, all chatting, all locals.  Lovely memories.

But wow, what was to come .. to be at the I-O-W in '70 watching them with Hendrix to follow ....................... looks around for a magic carpet to take me back  ☮️ ❤️
 Dapps wrote:


I'm 74 - they were our local band in 1964 in Erdington, Birmingham (the Carlton Club)  -  so for sure I have grown up with them, they were our local lads.  A little info - 'back in the day' it was Denny Laine who was singing -  'Go Now' - and during this time he met Macca in 1964 in another venue in Birmingham, the Plaza  (which explains why later he got to join him in Wings).

Wonderful memories of living in a wonderful world with fabulous clothes and terrific music.  Oh how I wish I could go back ....  looks around for a time machine ...  




Totally Cool!  I wish I was there!  
 joejennings wrote:



I'm 67 & senile, it makes me feel younger!!   PS: I was 15yrs old when this came out. I loved it then & I love it NOW!


I'm 74 - they were our local band in 1964 in Erdington, Birmingham (the Carlton Club)  -  so for sure I have grown up with them, they were our local lads.  A little info - 'back in the day' it was Denny Laine who was singing -  'Go Now' - and during this time he met Macca in 1964 in another venue in Birmingham, the Plaza  (which explains why later he got to join him in Wings).

Wonderful memories of living in a wonderful world with fabulous clothes and terrific music.  Oh how I wish I could go back ....  looks around for a time machine ...  

 Randomax wrote:

Truly - a HoF for all music.  I just looked up the TOP 10 on Radio Paradise and am pleased that Beethover has 2 in the top rated 10 and Bach is also in the top 10.  Music is Music and Radio Paradise fans know that better than most!


The HOF is all about money. The artists have to pay to attend and have to campaign to be included - or someone has to do it for them. It's a joke.
 thewiseking wrote:

Towering brilliance, power and beauty. When listening to works like this the idea of any sort of "Rating" is rendered useless. It should be retired. 




I agree but can't help but uprate your comment. I am sorry. Or am I not?
 ramsay wrote:

The great sushi roll in the sky?




LOL! ...Buzzroll!  ...w/ lots of ginger, soy sauce & wasabi!  ... great when you have a good buzz on!
 philbertr wrote:

This is making me feel quite old.....I loved this music in my young adulthood....52 years ago




I'm 67 & senile, it makes me feel younger!!   PS: I was 15yrs old when this came out. I loved it then & I love it NOW!
Just remembering that life moment when this was the greatest song I ever heard. Mmmmm.
 philbertr wrote:

This is making me feel quite old.....I loved this music in my young adulthood....52 years ago



Not that it's any of my business, but maybe think of Phil (if that's your name) in 10 years. *That* Phil will think current Phil is young. So if future Phil thinks you're young -- and future Phil is presumably wiser than current Phil -- then you're young.  :)
 philbertr wrote:
WITH YOU ALL THE WAY ON THAT.
 

This is making me feel quite old.....I loved this music in my young adulthood....52 years ago
Towering brilliance, power and beauty. When listening to works like this the idea of any sort of "Rating" is rendered useless. It should be retired. 
The great sushi roll in the sky?
This was the first album I owned. It was a birthday gift from my sister, (20 to my just-turned 11) and was bundled with the first Cheech n Chong record. I knew nothing about either of them and of course, wanted to rush over to my Dad's "Hi-fi" console and play them. I recall my sister looking at all the family sitting at the table for my birthday dinner, and saying "Uh, I suggest you play the Moody Blues record first!"
GODLIKE!!! ICONIC!!!   Mellotron heaven! The Mellotron was a mechanical keyboard, in the pre-electronic keyboard days, that simulated mostly orchestral music, along with other genres. It used multi-tracked loop tapes to accomplish this.
 jmsmy wrote:

PUT THIS BAND IN THE ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME. They are SO Important to Progressive Rock.



They got into the hall in 2018.https://www.rockhall.com/induc...
Godlike!
1970. How can that be? Whatever happened to The Moody Blues, I wonder? And The Hollies, come to that…
This was such an essential song for me in my teenage years! No matter if my parents were fighting like feral cats, or separated for the dozenth time, or my little brother was being a total little shit, I could hang out in my room, blasting this and all my Moody Blues, to my heart's content, and I'd emerge as if from therapy. I was glad that it was always cool to be into them, especially in *certain states, and I love that RP is cool enough to play them. I gladly worship here at RP.
This is my third two-fer this week!!!
Well this is a nice little blast from the past.
I bought this in 1970 as a 7"-single. 6 DM (Deutsche Mark) were a lot of money for a 12 year old boy.
  that bass, that badass bass, goosebumps everytime.. 😎
Takes me back. Way back. Questions. Wonderful
I got a chance to watch the 1 Hour+ video of the Moody Blues at the Isle of Wight concert in 1970 on you-tube. If you get a chance, I would highly recommend it.

Will any band of recent times or today, even try something like this? 




Why do we never get an answer
When we're knocking at the door

awe, but you are   MJdub wrote:
I wish I was around to experience it.  Awesome.
 

RP, knock it off.  There are simply too many very good - to - great songs here on this late NYC afternoon.  How the bleep am I to get stuff done? Besides hit the 'pause' button? In the middle of a superb timeless Moody Blues song? 
 jmsmy wrote:
PUT THIS BAND IN THE ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME. They are SO Important to Progressive Rock.
 

2 years after your post, your wish was granted. :-)
Beautiful
The Moody Blues made some memorable tunes in their heyday, including..........
this outstanding classic..."9"...
 alain.brault wrote:
This is so poorly produced. The guitar, the drums so disjointed. But it works!
 
Agreed 100%....and I'm trying to +1 this from 10 to …. well it is one of my top 3 MB tunes....yeah it's an 11....Long Live RP!!
 Isabeau wrote:
 
 
I've been a fan since the first album. I've seen them at Red Rocks as well with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, sometime in the 90's. Patrick Moranz was on keys/synths.
A bit too young to catch the Moodys the first time around. When they began touring again in the early 90's, collaborating with various cities' symphonies, (like LIVE at RED ROCK) I was blown away. A big fan ever since!
Long live Orchestral Rock! 
 
This is so poorly produced. The guitar, the drums all so disjointed.

But it works!
 dandueck07 wrote:
One of the first albums I bought with my brand new membership to a record club.  I memorized all the lyrics, but never got to sing them except by myself, since none of my friends owned the 8-track, nobody played the album at parties, and the song never got played on the radio.  Their loss.  They could have heard me belt out "out-of-tune" lyrics and been able to tease me the rest of my life.  It was, however, the beginning of my life-long love affair with The Moody Blues.  Thanks, Bill, for the impetus for a journey back to some of my rock and roll roots.
 
I have to admit that I'm from the day of CD's and I've always been a cassette and CD guy who bought greatest hits albums. One of the Maxell songs on my mixtape that led me to speed back home!!!
One of the first albums I bought with my brand new membership to a record club.  I memorized all the lyrics, but never got to sing them except by myself, since none of my friends owned the 8-track, nobody played the album at parties, and the song never got played on the radio.  Their loss.  They could have heard me belt out "out-of-tune" lyrics and been able to tease me the rest of my life.  It was, however, the beginning of my life-long love affair with The Moody Blues.  Thanks, Bill, for the impetus for a journey back to some of my rock and roll roots.
 jmsmy wrote:
PUT THIS BAND IN THE ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME. They are SO Important to Progressive Rock.
 

And we know how much the rock critics and other dopes who are part of the Rock Hall election process love Prog rock.  
Excellent. Sometimes I heard " The Last Shadow Puppets" indie group. But Alex is so prolifiy 
Age 22.  Sittin' on the floor of my shared apartment, between my floor speakers.  Playin' air drums.

Turn it up!!
 Carl wrote:
MBs and Fleetwood Mac are pretty much contemporaneous and similar in several ways, although mostly different styles. But I always preferred FM for their style, usually. MBs, not so much. Usually. :-)
BTW, I agree: "long live RP!"

 
ugh.......apples and oranges comparison IMHO.  However, (and I know this is blasphemous to sooo many FM fans out there) BEFORE the chicks infiltrated and commercialized FM, they were excellent......again, IMHO.  don't hate me
Their PBS program about their current tour is well worth the watch!!  I cannot believe his voice is about 99%......at his age that is an amazing thing!!
 lizardking wrote:

Great reply, Proclivities....and I think I've seen you post a similar comment on multiple songs' comments.  Wouldn't it be nice if the RnR HoF were actually relevant?  Heck, why not just a HoF for Music in general?  Having the name Rock & Roll Hall of Fame would seem to exclude acts like NWA, who I'm sure the average RPster doesn't listen to (or rap in general) and while I am probably one of the few who enjoy(ed) NWA's (rather limited) output, and also enjoyed Ice Cube's "induction speech/rant" the simple fact that the RAP group NWA is in the so-called HoF and the classic rock greats Moody Blues are not means to me that the entire thing is bullshit.  And I think I'll go the rest of my life without ever thinking about it again....other than to give you (and others) kudos for expressing the same sentiment that it's pure BULLSHIT! 

LONG LIVE RP!!



 
Truly - a HoF for all music.  I just looked up the TOP 10 on Radio Paradise and am pleased that Beethover has 2 in the top rated 10 and Bach is also in the top 10.  Music is Music and Radio Paradise fans know that better than most!
MBs and Fleetwood Mac are pretty much contemporaneous and similar in several ways, although mostly different styles. But I always preferred FM for their style, usually. MBs, not so much. Usually. :-)
BTW, I agree: "long live RP!"
 Bozo wrote:
Howard Stern was just talking today about what a crime it was that the Moody Blues were not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Donna Summers was.  Screw you, Jann Wenner!!!
Proclivities wrote:

It's his playground - a profit-making entity with no public mandate.  Why anyone pays attention to it is befuddling.

 
Great reply, Proclivities....and I think I've seen you post a similar comment on multiple songs' comments.  Wouldn't it be nice if the RnR HoF were actually relevant?  Heck, why not just a HoF for Music in general?  Having the name Rock & Roll Hall of Fame would seem to exclude acts like NWA, who I'm sure the average RPster doesn't listen to (or rap in general) and while I am probably one of the few who enjoy(ed) NWA's (rather limited) output, and also enjoyed Ice Cube's "induction speech/rant" the simple fact that the RAP group NWA is in the so-called HoF and the classic rock greats Moody Blues are not means to me that the entire thing is bullshit.  And I think I'll go the rest of my life without ever thinking about it again....other than to give you (and others) kudos for expressing the same sentiment that it's pure BULLSHIT! 

LONG LIVE RP!!


 dflee wrote:
"PUT THIS BAND IN THE ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME. They are SO Important to Progressive Rock"

Could not agree more. They have been a very important part of my music life. Thais is one great song.

Don

 
I've beating that drum for years.  They've made an amazing contribution to the history of not only progressive rock, but of R&R and music in general. I've been a fan since Days of Future Passed and got to see them last month preforming that album front to back.  It still holds up, it's still relevant. The Core Seven albums are still on my active playlist, and they've influenced my own musical endeavors since I was a young lad.

What can we do as fans to influence the Hall to get put them in as they so richly deserve?
"PUT THIS BAND IN THE ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME. They are SO Important to Progressive Rock"

Could not agree more. They have been a very important part of my music life. Thais is one great song.

Don
PUT THIS BAND IN THE ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME. They are SO Important to Progressive Rock.
I think this was the second album I owned.  That set a pretty high standard for the hundreds that followed.
2Cellos, Smooth Criminal ==> Moody Blues, Question

Most jarring transition I have heard on RP. 
Just wonderful...
 oldsaxon wrote:
I have memories of liking this. I dislike it now. Times change.

 
Loved this as a kiddo.  For 20 yrs now, can't change the channel fast enough.  
One of the most memorable shows I ever saw was The Moody Blues at Red Rocks with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra on a beautiful summer night.  I've been a lifetime fan of this remarkable, influencial group and often listen to their "core seven" albums to this day.  To Our Children's Children's Children is my fav, however slim a margin over On The Threshold of a Dream.

I've said it many times here and elsewhere, as many have, that the fact that The Moody Blues are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame while the likes of ABBA made it long ago deligitimizes the Hall.

Having said that, I don't believe I've ever read anything from any of The Moodies that they give a flying eff about it.  More likely they'd just say "We're just the singers in a rock and roll band" and head back out on the road.

My comment would be to merely quote them....

It riles them to believe that you percieve the web they weave...and keep on thinking free.
 Bozo wrote:
Howard Stern was just talking today about what a crime it was that the Moody Blues were not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Donna Summers was.  Screw you, Jann Wenner!!!

 
It's his playground - a profit-making entity with no public mandate.  Why anyone pays attention to it is befuddling.
One of ten songs I've rated ten on RP.  {#Clap}  It would sound even better in a sea of a million people at the National Mall.
{#Cry} Did you really just cut this song?! {#Cry}
They influenced "rock" music as few ever will.
I was lucky to see them twice in the 70's! Both awesome shows!
Brilliant. In a class of their own
Their music is a part of life.   Marvelous music
 
I wish I was around to experience it.  Awesome.
A blast from the past, a relic of a day when poetry was set to music, and people had the passion to see it reach its desired expression!
 ziakut wrote:
This is songwriting from a long and forgotten place. So glad it makes the light of day here at RP. I miss these days.

 
{#Yes}

I'm sure there are bands today that move listeners the same way, but I don't know their names. 

This version seems to have dropped the guy making high-pitched trills echoing the trumpets, and that's not a bad thing.  
I have memories of liking this. I dislike it now. Times change.
Some songs really do make the heart and mind race back exactly to the co-ordinates they were sublimated in. This is one of them. I remember being on vacation, way down in Florida, with my fighting parents. When Dad let me put this 8-track in my mind knew Peace.
my favorite original progressive rock band.. {#Yes}
 Lichenia, wrote:
I had a friend who with her husband loved the Moody Blues. They were alcoholics and he drank himself to death aged 40. Still remember them every time the MBs come on. Fab.
 
Could just as well have been obsessed with checkers, or Cheetos, or Jesus. 



Wonderful.
Memories.
Words.
Singing.
Bass.
Just about everything.
Wish it were longer. 
I've seen them in concert 3 times (most recently just a few months ago), and they still ROCK!

{#Dancingbanana_2}
 linden wrote:
Makes me wish I was knocking back a cold one at the Junction in Athens, OH.

 
Or the 40 Watt in Athens, GA.


For me this MB song will always be a 10, I suppose that when it was first released I was in a very dark place and this song more than any other helped me see the light.
Florence and the Machine no Light then this, wow I should be wielding a spear here at work like I'm a Viking.
This is songwriting from a long and forgotten place. So glad it makes the light of day here at RP. I miss these days.
 Stingray wrote:
@ Hippychick

please - do not be ridiculous!

Of course the song is beyond good, but your "Smileys" are simply....

out of place, "cheap" and....sorry, just ridiculous!

You can be nothing but an American hairdresser with "colorful" fingernails!

pffffffffffffffff....!

from Europe,
Stingray

 
other than the fact that the MOODYS are great, WOULD YOU PLEASE GO AWAY, OR SHUT THE **CK UP.......
 Stingray wrote:
@ Hippychick

please - do not be ridiculous!

Of course the song is beyond good, but your "Smileys" are simply....

out of place, "cheap" and....sorry, just ridiculous!

You can be nothing but an American hairdresser with "colorful" fingernails!

pffffffffffffffff....!

from Europe,
Stingray

 
Lighten up, Francis.
More relevant today than ever.
 
 Lichenia, wrote:
I had a friend who with her husband loved the Moody Blues. They were alcoholics and he drank himself to death aged 40. Still remember them every time the MBs come on. Fab.
 
Sounds like they were looking for a miracle in their lives, but never found Him.
Wonderful. After the beautiful words, voice and tune of the middle, the fast section is just fantastic. Pretentious? - Non!
Takes ME back too!
takes me right back to college...
Just a flat out great song.
The second album I ever bought, at the ripe age of 15 - from Beatties in Wolverhampton - had to play on the parental radiogramme, huge box thing in the corner of the living room - mono of course!  Ahh, memories!!

 The first album was 'T Rex'  - the one with Marc and Mickey Finn on the cover, just pre Glam stardom - and that's a belter too!
Howard Stern was just talking today about what a crime it was that the Moody Blues were not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Donna Summers was.  Screw you, Jann Wenner!!!
such an awesome song!  so many memories
I have always loved this great song. Great soundtrack for a sunny Oregon morning.
 Lichenia, wrote:
I had a friend who with her husband loved the Moody Blues. They were alcoholics and he drank himself to death aged 40. Still remember them every time the MBs come on. Fab.
 
Heavy...makes me think...
To hear the Moody Blues is to have lived the '60s.
I had a friend who with her husband loved the Moody Blues. They were alcoholics and he drank himself to death aged 40. Still remember them every time the MBs come on. Fab.
 marcc wrote:
i had the coolest aunt and uncle in the world: they LOVED the moody blues, and introduced me to them. my aunt was the coolest aunt because you could have fun with her, party with her and talk about family crap. we'd listen to the MBs on my uncle's kick-ass stereo and drink and smoke and it was wonderful. that was the mid-80s, and about 10 years later she died from an aneurism.

this song reminds me of those times and her too. rock on, amy.
 
There is only one thing more precious than that kind of memory.  That one thing is the actual moment of now.
{#Daisy}
i had the coolest aunt and uncle in the world: they LOVED the moody blues, and introduced me to them. my aunt was the coolest aunt because you could have fun with her, party with her and talk about family crap. we'd listen to the MBs on my uncle's kick-ass stereo and drink and smoke and it was wonderful. that was the mid-80s, and about 10 years later she died from an aneurism.

this song reminds me of those times and her too. rock on, amy.
REMAKE?
I always loved that piece. Even if someone here is compelled to cast aspersions. Must make him feel better than the music, which begs the question of why he (assuming it's a he) isn't hanging out with Kanye or Slipknot. 
Makes me wish I was knocking back a cold one at the Junction in Athens, OH.
{#Sunny}{#Dance}

Great music of days past.


I was listening to the Moody Blues back in the late sixties in my 1957 Ford on my 8 track tape player...nice to travel back in time. 
 oldman wrote:

Excelsior that you?
 
Sorry your personal attacks have no place here
keep your comments to the music
or find somewhere else
I see no reason to down someone for showing how happy they are for a song being played
I think I speak for most of the people here 

 
 


Agreed. This site is about the music, or about sharing stories on how that music affects us. Not everyone will agree on which song opens the heart and makes us feel passionate, but we can all agree that if we're here, then there is music that does it for us. And that is a beautiful, smiley face, dancing banana thing.
Rock on, hippiechick...and Stingray, go swim back to your dark, hateful slime. If all you have is hateful remarks, then you're pretty useless here.
 Stingray wrote:
@ Hippychick

please - do not be ridiculous!

Of course the song is beyond good, but your "Smileys" are simply....

out of place, "cheap" and....sorry, just ridiculous!

You can be nothing but an American hairdresser with "colorful" fingernails!

pffffffffffffffff....!

from Europe,
Stingray
 
Excelsior that you?
 
Sorry your personal attacks have no place here
keep your comments to the music
or find somewhere else
I see no reason to down someone for showing how happy they are for a song being played
I think I speak for most of the people here 

 
I read most of the "comments" (on page 1) about this GENIUS-MOODIES tune!

My comment (to the comments)...? None!

I do not wanna be banned fro this site!

This band and this song deserves more than "Smileys" and silly comments of the type
"this is my favourite MB song".

Whooooooo cares?

GENIUS is lightyears above+away from any blog.

S.

@ Hippychick

please - do not be ridiculous!

Of course the song is beyond good, but your "Smileys" are simply....

out of place, "cheap" and....sorry, just ridiculous!

You can be nothing but an American hairdresser with "colorful" fingernails!

pffffffffffffffff....!

from Europe,
Stingray
WOO HOO!

{#Bananajam}

{#Dancingbanana_2}

{#Bananajumprope}
 macbags wrote:

TURN IT UP!!!!!


 

I did....{#Drummer}

TURN IT UP!!!!!


I can remember, circa 1971, turning off all the lights in my dorm room and laying with my head between the speakers of my Panasonic stereo speakers (that I was SO proud of buying with MY OWN money), and listening, with candles burning to To Our Children's Children's Children....  and feeling.. oh, SO ...  evolved!!

There is just a visceral response to music from your youth.


LOVE it!  They are, and always have been, wonderful.  That is, of course, IMHO....
Les Moody Blues savent changer de rythme sans casser le style du blues Bravo..
My favorite Moody Blues song.
NOT MUCH FOR MY MEMORY, BUT THERE ONE THING I CAN REMEMBER OF MY BIG SISTER TEACHING ME HOW TO TAP MY
FOOT TO THE MUSIC. AND THIS WAS THE MUSIC. THANKS AGAIN MARCY.

The Moodys put out a series of terrific albums there.  This is one of those.  Released in 1970 to answer RP's question mark.
Went to see the Moody's in Brighton last year. The average age of the audience was about 60 (I felt young for once...!) and they had a comfort break (or interval)  half way through.  It was brilliant - Justin Haywood is still good looking  
Their music transcends time; maybe the most under-rated band ever, so my question is why?
I was listening to the Moody Blues on the way to work this morning. One of my favorite bands ever.
                                     ?  =    {#Hearteyes}