The Moody Blues — Nights in White Satin
Album: Days of Future PassedAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 3258
Length: 7:11
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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.
'Cos I love you, yes I love you, oh how I love you.
Gazing at people, some hand in hand,
Just what I'm going through they can't 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, yes I love you,
Oh how I love you, oh how I love you.
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 anymore.
'Cos I love you, yes I love you,
Oh how I love you, oh how I love you.
'Cos I love you, yes I love you,
Oh how I love you, oh how I love you.
Breath 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 gray and
Yellow white
But we decide
Which is right
And
Which is an Illusion
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.
'Cos I love you, yes I love you, oh how I love you.
Gazing at people, some hand in hand,
Just what I'm going through they can't 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, yes I love you,
Oh how I love you, oh how I love you.
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 anymore.
'Cos I love you, yes I love you,
Oh how I love you, oh how I love you.
'Cos I love you, yes I love you,
Oh how I love you, oh how I love you.
Breath 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 gray and
Yellow white
But we decide
Which is right
And
Which is an Illusion
Comments (304)add comment
I remember sitting in a pub and first hearing this in 1972, when somebody picked it from the Juke Box play list . It blew me away..
Theotis wrote:
I had to look up the phrase "bedsitter People" to fully get the loneliness that the lyric relayed.
When I was young pup and heard the line "senior citizens wish they were young", it was the first time I had ever considered older people may not enjoy being old.
Now that I am older, while I may desire to physically feel like I was younger, I don't really have a wish to be young again. I enjoy wisdom.
I had to look up the phrase "bedsitter People" to fully get the loneliness that the lyric relayed.
A neighbor listened to this album, and ONLY this album, every
weekend evening. Just cannot anymore.
weekend evening. Just cannot anymore.
Takes me back to student days in the 70's when this was so often the last track to be played at dances/ discos - and the last chance to summon up the courage to ask the girl of your dreams for a slow and smoochy dance
idiot_wind wrote:
LOL. The Irishman with a Brummie accent? Actually it's Graeme Edge.
Sounds like Richard Harris narrating.
bumped it up to nine due to peer pressure.
grundyster wrote:
....73 and still find it incredible....
It's a great song but, I've just heard it too many times. This can, unfortunately, happen when you get into your late 50s. I imagine it sounds incredible, as it did to me, when it's new to you.
....73 and still find it incredible....
joejennings wrote:
You Lucky Duck! I wish I was there too!
....they played Calgary around 84....awesome....
You Lucky Duck! I wish I was there too!
....they played Calgary around 84....awesome....
Roku wrote:
You Lucky Duck! I wish I was there too!
perfect - outstanding - always - saw them live in Victoria,BC. - perfect
You Lucky Duck! I wish I was there too!
Had this at a nine. WTH was I thinking, This is a masterpiece. TEN for sure.
perfect - outstanding - always - saw them live in Victoria,BC. - perfect
Riccardo_Cabeza wrote:
you accidently posted this along moody blues' "nights in white satin". which song did you mean to comment on?
oh look. more dismal 60's crap.
you accidently posted this along moody blues' "nights in white satin". which song did you mean to comment on?
mexstef wrote:
Peace or piece - we decide which is right and which is an illusion
still remembers me to a fantastic time and a great peace of music arrangement
Peace or piece - we decide which is right and which is an illusion
still remembers me to a fantastic time and a great peace of music arrangement
Still moves me as much as it did when it came out. Playing with them our tour in the early 90s was a huge buzz....
It's a great song but, I've just heard it too many times. This can, unfortunately, happen when you get into your late 50s. I imagine it sounds incredible, as it did to me, when it's new to you.
a little spare time, enjoying morning coffee while listening to RP. The first '9' I've ever given..
ThePoose wrote:
Then-girlfriend knew all about my love: I started several conversations about how the two of us -- 16 years old -- could run away, get married, and live happily ever after.
She was much more grounded than I, thankfully, and ended each conversation simply: "I am not marrying you."
When I was 19, I connected this song to the deep love I felt for my first real (intimate) girlfriend,
and for the last 41 years, hearing Nights in White Satin always evokes her face—and that love—in my mind and heart.
She never knew any of this.
Sigh.
Then-girlfriend knew all about my love: I started several conversations about how the two of us -- 16 years old -- could run away, get married, and live happily ever after.
She was much more grounded than I, thankfully, and ended each conversation simply: "I am not marrying you."
adiemus13 wrote:
I Agree!! Thanx RP!
I love that RP always plays the full version, that cinematic ending gets me every time
I Agree!! Thanx RP!
Makes me moody and blue
Denny Laine (born 29 October 1944) is an English musician, singer, and songwriter, known as a founder of two major rock bands - The Moody Blues in 1964 (to 1966), and Wings in 1971 ( to 1981).
idiot_wind wrote:
It's Graeme Edge.
Sounds like Richard Harris narrating.
It's Graeme Edge.
Theotis wrote:
Yeah, but imagine having that wisdom as a young pup of 21....
When I was young pup and heard the line "senior citizens wish they were young", it was the first time I had ever considered older people may not enjoy being old.
Now that I am older, while I may desire to physically feel like I was younger, I don't really have a wish to be young again. I enjoy wisdom.
Yeah, but imagine having that wisdom as a young pup of 21....
We will miss you Ray and Graeme, but your awesome music and many historic concert experiences will live on. Fan for ever Rockin Tom
Jelani wrote:
"Pop" ? Really?
I was there, and it wasn't "pop".
I agree! Me too, I was there! ...but NYC AM radio station WMCA 570 AM DID play it on limited rotation at the time (short version). WNEW FM 102.7 NYC used to play the long version, especially Allison Steele, the late night DJ!
"Pop" ? Really?
I was there, and it wasn't "pop".
I agree! Me too, I was there! ...but NYC AM radio station WMCA 570 AM DID play it on limited rotation at the time (short version). WNEW FM 102.7 NYC used to play the long version, especially Allison Steele, the late night DJ!
I always heard it as "another day's useless envy is spent", which fits the regretful tone of the song better than "useless energy".
Sounds like Richard Harris narrating.
Paddy_Hannan wrote:
"Pop" ? Really?
I was there, and it wasn't "pop".
One of the greatest pop records ever made. A triumph.
"Pop" ? Really?
I was there, and it wasn't "pop".
One of the greatest pop records ever made. A triumph.
I love this!.. Wow, it's like an anthem.. Such a great album..
Love your comments Bill, gives me a good chuckle everytime!
Love your comments Bill, gives me a good chuckle everytime!
PLEASE PLAY MORE TUNES FROM THIS ALBUM!!! THANK YOU!!!
The most impressive part of this song to me is trying to write a verse that sounds like Shakespeare, and pulling it off brilliantly.
I love that RP always plays the full version, that cinematic ending gets me every time
GODLIKE!!! ICONIC!!!
Cinematic grandeur, hallucinogenic clarity, sensuous philosophy.
fishercat wrote:
You say that as if there's something wrong with Prog rock, whereas for me the best of Prog is the summit of the art of rock music. Not all of it, of course. I do have some taste
Seriously, I think this song kept them out of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for years. Prog rock at its progiest
You say that as if there's something wrong with Prog rock, whereas for me the best of Prog is the summit of the art of rock music. Not all of it, of course. I do have some taste
fishercat wrote:
Ruby Tuesday Afternoon is a good name for a musical. kinda like Hello Dolly Llama.
I like to listen to Tuesday Afternoon followed by Ruby Tuesday, of course I listen to Monday Monday first.
Ruby Tuesday Afternoon is a good name for a musical. kinda like Hello Dolly Llama.
h8rhater wrote:
oh look. crap post.
'Riccardo Cabeza', eh? i see what you did there.
oh look. crap post.
'Riccardo Cabeza', eh? i see what you did there.
fishercat wrote:
The so-called "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" is a complete joke. I try to ignore it, as best I can.
(But this song is the Moody Blues -- it adds to the catalog; it does not diminish it.)
Seriously, I think this song kept them out of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for years. Prog rock at its progiest
The so-called "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" is a complete joke. I try to ignore it, as best I can.
(But this song is the Moody Blues -- it adds to the catalog; it does not diminish it.)
This song came on a lot when I was a kid in the back seat of long car journeys. TIL it is Nights in White Satin, not Knights in White Satin which was my child brain always thought it was
Since the last post was so dismal, I thought I would freshen up the blog. This song is so awesome!!! For those that got have this as the soundtrack of their childhood on AM radio, it was really blissful when it came on
A lot of kissing was done slow dancing to this back in the early 70's
-good times at the Marco Forster Jr High school dances
-good times at the Marco Forster Jr High school dances
Another song that takes me to a specific place and time in my life. This song would occasionally come on the classic rock station that was always playing in the locomotive shop where I once worked. Wasn't a fan of the song back then, and only slightly nostalgic for it today. "Paint It Black" was our favorite, given that painting things black was a common task in a locomotive shop. Not much in the way of white satin within our soot and grease covered confines...
Seriously, I think this song kept them out of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for years. Prog rock at its progiest
I like to listen to Tuesday Afternoon followed by Ruby Tuesday, of course I listen to Monday Monday first.
Quality.
I wore out the vinyl by age 15.
Like to play Conquistador and Lucky Man in the same mix.
ThePoose wrote:
The definition of "unrequited".
When I was 19, I connected this song to the deep love I felt for my first real (intimate) girlfriend,
and for the last 41 years, hearing Nights in White Satin always evokes her face—and that love—in my mind and heart.
She never knew any of this.
Sigh.
The definition of "unrequited".
Sad to hear of the death of Graeme Edge. RIP
Haven't heard this in awhile. It's good to hear this melody. A gem.
When I was young pup and heard the line "senior citizens wish they were young", it was the first time I had ever considered older people may not enjoy being old.
Now that I am older, while I may desire to physically feel like I was younger, I don't really have a wish to be young again. I enjoy wisdom.
Now that I am older, while I may desire to physically feel like I was younger, I don't really have a wish to be young again. I enjoy wisdom.
I love that orchestra at the beginning and the end
Breath deep
The gathering gloom
Watch lights fade
From every room
Bedwetting people
Look back and lament
my inner 11 yr old at work...
The gathering gloom
Watch lights fade
From every room
Bedwetting people
Look back and lament
my inner 11 yr old at work...
Edweirdo wrote:
Absolutely. Though this is an orchestra.
It's both.
From the Wikipedia entry:
Absolutely. Though this is an orchestra.
It's both.
From the Wikipedia entry:
The London Festival Orchestra provided the orchestral accompaniment for the introduction, the final rendition of the chorus, and the "final lament" section, all of which were in the original album version. The "orchestral" sounds in the main body of the song were actually produced by Mike Pinder's Mellotron keyboard device,[7] which would come to define the "Moody (Blues)'s signature sound".[8]
The song is written in the key of E minor[9] and features the Neapolitan chord (F).
In 1979 I saw the Moody Blues on my wedding night! I still have the album and even with my vast collection it still makes the rotation. Truly groundbreaking.
The wife? Not so much.
The wife? Not so much.
Omg cheesy back in the day. Now cheesy in a fun sing along way
KCayenne wrote:
I know exactly what you're saying, and yet I still love it.
(Overwrought is kinda their thing, but in a good way.)
OH BROTHER! This song is SO over-wrought with cheese. It always reminds me of a Renaissance movie soundtrack. MORE GONG!!!!
I know exactly what you're saying, and yet I still love it. (Overwrought is kinda their thing, but in a good way.)
I'm a died-in-the-wool progrock head ... but I've never really embraced the Moody Blues. Nevertheless, this song rates the Most Excellent score from me. 
grantura wrote:
Absolutely. Though this is an orchestra.
Love the Mellotron.
Absolutely. Though this is an orchestra.
This song is magic! Thanks Bill for the "forever" playlist! and keeping it multi dimensional!
Consign this song to oblivion
One needs to listen to this album very closely to hear how they fused the band and a live orchestra songs together. They alternate from one to another and the engineer did an amazing job. All using analog tape. If you have a really good turntable & system you can hear the very light tape hiss. Analog at it's best. -John
Riccardo_Cabeza wrote:
Yes, I agree. These types of songs make you think and reflect way too much. Hoping Bill plays something from the Archie's soon!
oh look. more dismal 60's crap.
Yes, I agree. These types of songs make you think and reflect way too much. Hoping Bill plays something from the Archie's soon!
Riccardo_Cabeza wrote:
oh look. crap post.
oh look. more dismal 60's crap.
oh look. crap post.
This song truly brought me to tears when I first heard it (and still does) for this melancholy man.
Love the Mellotron.
One of my favorite songs until Bronx Tale kind of ruined it for me. That song has no business in a scene where people are being beat up!
oh look. more dismal 60's crap.
The ultimate LSD album of the mid '60's
Godlike! This one holds a special place for me for 2 reasons, neither of which I'll explain here, and both of which allow me to listen to this overplayed (?) track happily anytime I hear it.
Long Live RP!
(8.2 rating? wow, that seems a bit low)
Shame on you Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame.
dwlangham wrote:
There are some things beyond the ken of mortal man.
This is truly godlike and the furtherest thing from pretentious crap.
Sorry. I had to try to write that with a straight face.
Sorry. I had to try to write that with a straight face.
There are some things beyond the ken of mortal man.
lethias wrote:
Absolutely. Still get goosebumps when I hear the opening notes.
Reading the comments it seems that many people just overplayed this song. I listen it few times a year and still as good as the day I heard it first time. Truly magnificent .
Absolutely. Still get goosebumps when I hear the opening notes.
Reading the comments it seems that many people just overplayed this song. I listen it few times a year and still as good as the day I heard it first time. Truly magnificent .
Truly awesome in its own way, and amusing to remember, but I don't really need to hear it anymore. So many new and excellent things to encounter instead...
genius
So BORING complete waste of time ....... Sorry!
zzzzzz....
I had the original mint Deramic Sound System LP until my mother gave it away to a charity shop while I was away at university. Words were had.
BWWOOOONNNNNNNNGG !!! 
OK. I want Steven Wilson to produce and mix this...... probably from scratch. Silly me.
But it is still iconic, path-breaking and just a terrific song all by itself. Heard this for the first time in the late 60s; played the album to death while working and exploring the Canadian Rocky mountains in the mid-1970s.
But it is still iconic, path-breaking and just a terrific song all by itself. Heard this for the first time in the late 60s; played the album to death while working and exploring the Canadian Rocky mountains in the mid-1970s.
alcal74 wrote:
Get a life...
This song = Terrible B-movie soundtrack.
Get a life...
alcal74 wrote:
You say that like it's something bad ...
This song = Terrible B-movie soundtrack.
You say that like it's something bad ...
coloradojohn wrote:
"Precious"?!? Condescend much?
Ugh, keep working on that re-boot.
It IS a bit precious, as many songs were in that era, but — these guys were different, and we all just knew it was an Immortal Classic!
"Precious"?!? Condescend much?
Ugh, keep working on that re-boot.
This is truly godlike and the furtherest thing from pretentious crap.
Sorry. I had to try to write that with a straight face.
Sorry. I had to try to write that with a straight face.
Probably the best song I've ever heard
rdo wrote:
Thanks for the wishes — even if I am a few months late.
So are you voting in all the primaries?
Up here in Canuckistan, we're all rootin' for Trump! Trump for president!
That way when he does become POTUS, your brightest and best come streaming north.
Great song. Merry Xmas Rpeeps. I am still here and have not yet gone completely off the rails. Thanks for all the kind words of support! ;-)
Thanks for the wishes — even if I am a few months late.
So are you voting in all the primaries?
Up here in Canuckistan, we're all rootin' for Trump! Trump for president!
That way when he does become POTUS, your brightest and best come streaming north.
More gongs please!
This song = Terrible B-movie soundtrack.
I'd forgotten how much I disliked this portentous bit of claptrap.
Great song. Merry Xmas Rpeeps. I am still here and have not yet gone completely off the rails. Thanks for all the kind words of support! ;-)
25demayo wrote:
The godlike category was invented for this song I believe.
79% of those that have voted rate this song anywhere between Excellent and Godlike
Play it again Bill
The godlike category was invented for this song I believe.
Why not 11?
junebaby65 wrote:
It seems like they used that mellotron on just about every song they recorded - and it was rarely "in the background". Fortunately, they showed a little more restraint with it in this recording.
Isn't that a Mellotron in the background? That was part of the late 60's sound for many bands.
It seems like they used that mellotron on just about every song they recorded - and it was rarely "in the background". Fortunately, they showed a little more restraint with it in this recording.
Gets better every time I hear it and I loved it from the start.
TerryS wrote:
Awwwwwwwwwwwww yeah! Thanks!
Awwwwwwwwwwwww yeah! Thanks!
swtobias508 wrote:
Hardly pretentious I'd say it's wonderful as is the whole album
Loved this as a kid, listening to it on a transistor radio late at night, it was magical. 30+ years later I pray for it end. Now It seems so very pretentious and over the top. Absolutely hate it.....
Hardly pretentious I'd say it's wonderful as is the whole album
Loved this as a kid, listening to it on a transistor radio late at night, it was magical. 30+ years later I pray for it end. Now It seems so very pretentious and over the top. Absolutely hate it.....
bb_matt wrote:
Exactly what I thought. Make it stop already! :)
Exactly what I thought. Make it stop already! :)
79% of those that have voted rate this song anywhere between Excellent and Godlike
Play it again Bill
hayduke2 wrote:
Cheers to that z!
always loved that deep voiced recital at the end ( and of course " BWONNNNNNNG!!!" the gong ; )
Songs that begin and/or end with gongs are cool. See Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and James Brown's "My Thang" for further examples.
Cheers to that z!
always loved that deep voiced recital at the end ( and of course " BWONNNNNNNG!!!" the gong ; )
Songs that begin and/or end with gongs are cool. See Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and James Brown's "My Thang" for further examples.
Knights in white satin - where's me half coconuts?
One of the greatest ever!
ScottN wrote:
Exactly what I thought. Make it stop already! :)
hasn't aged well...boring.
Exactly what I thought. Make it stop already! :)
Isn't that a Mellotron in the background? That was part of the late 60's sound for many bands.
hasn't aged well...boring.
Still love it. Just wish it had some re-mastered love…
Heard it again today and downgraded to 1. Holy crap this is self-indulgent garbage.
ziakut wrote:
Cheers to that z!
always loved that deep voiced recital at the end ( and of course " BWONNNNNNNG!!!" the gong ; )
Overblown drama...lends itself to very pretentious content. In this case with the Moody Blues...it works. I like the production and over use of strings and the stately, dramatic "breathe deep" reading...It's all part of a time gone completely from mainstream music. Never such a concept or vision is created today in this sterile, "buy one song from the artist not the album on iTunes", formulaic music society. Long story short...yes it's a bit campy and over the top...but I'll take it.
Cheers to that z!
always loved that deep voiced recital at the end ( and of course " BWONNNNNNNG!!!" the gong ; )
Guess we ALL know this song... I would like to hear some less known tunes, e.g. In My World from their 1981 album "Long Distance Voyager"!
a classic!
Outstanding
Amen to that. Long overdue! They probably won't get around to it until the last band member dies.
buddy wrote:
buddy wrote:
When in the hell is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame gonna get their head out of their ass and induct these guys? I mean....ABBA??
OH BROTHER! This song is SO over-wrought with cheese. It always reminds me of a Renaissance movie soundtrack. MORE GONG!!!!
Jesus this is the song that will not end.
Love this song... Instant memories of hot summers whilst at school.... 
if you can find it (not on youtube at the moment), there was a Simpsons episode where the Moody Blues recited a version of the poem at this song's end to reprimand Homer and Ned Flanders. I can't hear the Moody Blues w/o thinking of that scene. Season 9 or 10 where the two guys go to Vegas, get drunk and marry 2nd wives.
Great song. Crappy poem though.
Great song. Crappy poem though.