Find and listen to the long version, there is a poem at the end - you will like it. "Breathe deep the gathering gloom. Watch light fade from every room..." This song is part of an album-long exposition on a single day, with "Nights..." being the climactic ending.
@robertgrimes7401 Back in the 60's and 70's. Anything over three minutes. Was too long for raido play. Only the short version got airtime. With FM raido. The Night got tons of airtime.
To answer your question,... Knights were dressed in steel armour indicating their willingness to fight for your physical freedom. These nights in the song, were in white satin indicating a willing and gentle submissiveness to protect your emotions even at the cost of their own,... this is echoed in the lyrics "Knights in white satin, never reaching the end,... letters I've written never meaning to send" These were apparently letters that would hurt her but he chose not to send them on order to protect her from being hurt by his emotional loss. His anger was expressed in the letters but he chose not to send them in order to protect her feelings,... she would never know the pain she caused him but he still loves her. He gazed at people, some holding hands and he realized how lonely he was and this loneliness would never end.
Wikipedia-Band member Justin Hayward wrote and composed the song at age 19 while touring in Belgium and titled the song after a girlfriend gave him a gift of satin bedsheets. The song itself was a tale of a yearning love from afar, which leads many aficionados to term it as a tale of unrequited love endured by Hayward. Hayward said of the song, "It was just another song I was writing and I thought it was very powerful. It was a very personal song and every note, every word in it means something to me and I found that a lot of other people have felt that very same way about it
OMG, this version totally left out the full orchestra finale. The real full version of the songs with a poem and a gong. Most real fans don't feel it's complete without it. Listen to it during your free time. No reaction necessary. Just a reason to get the full vibe of the song.
You guessed it He is talking about a girl he knew that gave him a set of satin sheets and now he realises that hge loved her The pleading in his voice is unreal. You should see a live version with fullorchestra This is 1 deep rabbit hole youve jumped into. Love your spirit and joy when doing reactions your the best
"Breathe 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 colors from our sight. Red is gray and yellow white, But we decide which is right. And which is an illusion?"
Hey baby girl I heard this when I was 13 years old. There is a current live version from a few years ago you should look at that too the orchestra and his voice are amazing❤❤❤❤❤
Been a LONG time since I saw a Brit React. I thought, "What ever happened to that woman? She's not been on my feed." Looked you up and here you are. Scrolled down to see a song I recognized, and her it is. I loved this so much and your reaction so much I had to screen grab you at 7:27- now that's a photograph! Intense! Love, love, love, that closet office studio. Love it. It has its own vibe. I've said that before. Way before. Keep on doing what you do, girl. Signed, Someone In Canada.
Listen to the whole album, keeping in mind an unrequited love of six years. This album couldn't have been made in a more appropriate time to express accurately the love, the want and the angst of the situation that I had gone through and a very close male friend was going through at that time. He was not capable, at that time or now, of accurately expressing the depths of his feelings. That's a terrible condition with which to deal for months, and in his case a life time. Britt, keep on keeping on, you are smart, articulate and beautiful ( inside and out).
Pro royalty. “Question,” “Lovely To See You,” “The Story In Your Eyes,” “Ride My Eve-Saw,” “Legend of a Mind.” They switched to pop in the 80’s. “The Voice,” “Meanwhile,” “22,000 Days,” “iI Know You’re Out There Somewhere,” “Your Wildest Dreams,” “Painted Smile/Reflexive Smile/Veteran Cosmic Rocker.” There’s many more.
Justin Haywood is also very tall...he's about 6'4"! I was lucky enough to see him when he was performing in the live version of Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds...fantastic!
This coming Sunday I will be in a little theatre glistening to Justin Haywood singing this live 🎉 57 years on from its release date how's that for a bit of musical history 🤗❤️🤗❤️❤️❤
as a hardcore Moodies fan since i was 10 back in 1968, the moodies have many musical firsts, 7 concept albums in a row, 16 studio albums. this song and in fact the entire album should be listened to end to end. they are the grandfathers of progressive rock and they play so many musical styles. great reaction and hope you do more
We just lost the last original member of the Moody Blues at the age of 82 a few weeks back. Mike Pinder died in N. California. What a great band. Mike's orchestral sounds on the mellotron were legendary. When others wanted to recreate the sounds they came to him for advice and guidance.
@@averyhugefan Yes, he is. But, he wasn't an original member. Denny Laine sang for them from the beginning. Check out their video of them doing Go Now here on youtube. No Justin Hayward.
My first concert..1968 in Vancouver, BC. I was 17, totally rocked my world. Saw them again a few times in later years, just as spectacular. Best concerts ever. And then there was Bowie. ❤❤❤
It's hard to believe this is their only song like this - which was released in 1966🤯. Incredibly they were held to only this as their lone #1 - yet they did have a huge song 20 years later. Give a listen to the song "Your Wildest Dreams. That is terrific and happy and just as wonderful as anything they did early in their career.
Having listened to their music from LP, 8- track, Reel to Reel , cassette, and cd never prepared me for how much more incredible they sounded live when I finally saw them in 2000. ❤
Two songs to slow dance close to your girl - Nights in White Satin and Whiter Shade of Pale. Warm summer nights of blessed memory is all that remains. Old age is the price I am paying for being there. I would not have missed it for the world.
I just came across your channel. I'm impressed. Thank you. I love how you address your viewers as you are doing your reviews. To your comment section responders, and the folks commenting: also very impressed by their assistance they offer you, and others. Very well balanced and informative. My compliments to you, and your viewers
For me it is one of those songs you can write a movie script around. I nearly did. I watched a singer in a local nightclub sing it to his girlfriend with all the passion. The next year I went to the U of O in Oregon and for a class project scripted a movie (now we call it a music video) for the whole album. It was a novel idea at the time 1968 or 9 and impressed my professor. I can't tell you how many times I played and replayed the old 33 record to do it. As for what Nights in White Satin means, let your imagination go wild, the song has all the tension of dark drama, hope, longing, and fear it won't last long enough. The album's name adds to the mystery, "Days of Future Passed".
I bought the Days of Future Passed album when it was released in 1967 which contains Nights in White Satin. The entire album as has been mentioned in previous comments is a journey through a day. It is an album that one can listen through in its entirety and immerse yourself into an atmosphere of the musical greatness of which the Moody Blues were capable. A musical gem and an absolute classic. Britt, you reaction was lovely and were to listen to the album in its entirety would be even more intense.
Now that you listened to this version of this song, you should check out the live version with a full orchestra..! They are older in that performance but still sound fantastic..!
During the last instrumental break there is a poem read in the studio version called "A Late Lament". Breathe 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 grey is yellow white But we decide which is right And which is an illusion
I saw Moody Blues about 10-12 years ago at Wolf Trap in VA. They had a new flutist, but the rest were there. Justin Hayward's voice hadn't changed at all and their music was as incredible as ever. Awesome.
I saw them in Concord California pavillion, we sat on the grass. They had a comeplete philharmonic orchestra backing them up. It was great. I984,85. We get to share and watch younger people see and feel what we felt. Love and Light💕🌎✨️
Love your reaction as always. If you want to hear The Moody Blues step it up a notch, check out another hit of theirs, I'm Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band. It really moves but it's really melodic as well. The bass guitar line in it is so addictive. Tremendous vocals as always.
Like many old timers, i just don't feel that Nights in White Satin has its true and full climax until the gong is struck. This version just leaves many of us hanging. I think this was the AM radio version, most FM stations played the full length album version with beautiful poem reading and full orchestra. I think if they had tried to play the shortened version many would have gathered their pitchforks and met at the radio station
I've enjoyed listening to this song many times over the past 56 years. It brings back memories of my time in the Navy and especially the first time I heard it. My ship was in port in Toulon , France 1968. I was in a bar when this came on and I met a young lady whose father was French and mother Vietnamese. She stood about 5 ft 3. She had this long jet black hair that reached to the top of her toes. I spent the day and evening getting to know her.
Britt! Thanks for this Tuesday afternoon daylight! It is lovely to see you again! These guys have an unreal story and unique catalog. Love it and thank you for the always great reaction!!
Dear Britt: I love the way you deconstruct a song. I am learning so much about music from your videos. I love that you look like you're only 19 or 20 years old when your wisdom is years beyond that.
The music is beautiful. The lyrics are gut wrenching about his broken heart. I'll walk you through the lyrics. "Nights in white satin Never reaching the end" she gave him a gift of white satin sheets that were too short, the sheets didn't reach the end of the bed. Shortly after she dumped him. "Letters I've written Never meaning to send" with 20 version of his letter in the trash he never mails her a letter to try and win her back, why? "Beauty I'd always missed With these eyes before" he is just recalling how beautiful she was. "Just what the truth is I can't say anymore" this is why he doesn't mail the letter he doesnt know if she really loved him. 'Cause I love you Yes, I love you Oh, how I love you "Gazing at people Some hand in hand" Seeing others in love just brings back the pain. "Just what I'm going through They can't understand" His friends just don't understand how broken hearted he is. "Some try to tell me Thoughts they cannot defend" Unless you have had your heart broken don't try to defend your lack of understanding. "Just what you want to be You will be in the end" this line is directed at her. He's saying I'm letting you go be what you want to be but above all he wants her to be happy. 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 'Cause I love you Yes, I love you Oh, how I love you Oh, how I love you 'Cause I love you Yes, I love you Oh, how I love you Oh, how I love you I cry every time I hear this song and wonder where she is and what she is doing. Because I still have a broken heart 50 years later I perfectly understand his song.
Moody Blues. They were my older sister's favorite when I was a kid. Grew to be a big fan from her. Great choice. Check out any of the songs suggested here. You won't be disappointed.
Growing up, I always heard this as “knights” instead of “nights” - which made perfect visual sense in my head at the time because of the kind of performance costumes of the time. 😄 Wasn’t till I grew up that it finally clicked.
Hola Britt, glad you enjoyed the most beautiful unrequited love song in Rock history. The Moody Blues is a more than extraordinary groups of all time. Keep going down this incredible rabbit hole.
The poem at the end of the original, Late Lament”, written by drummer Graeme Edge and recited by Mike Pinder added so much to the song. In later years for live performances Graeme Edge would recite it. Such a classic.
Hello Britt, I think it's sheets. Back in its hey-day I thought the song was about Knights, lances and Armor. I'm glad you found them, this isn't their only hit. Their albums to me seemed set up ton flow from song tong. " A Question of Balance " etcetera.
Sitting in a hotel missing his lady. Lying on white satin sheets and trying to write his thoughts about her in a letter but hes conflicted. You nailed it as usual Britt, it's bittersweet. Love your reactions, PJ
There's a newer video with a full orchestra that is worth a watch. Saw em early 80s. Not a band i really followed , more a southern rock guy, but i was dating the timpani player in the Atlanta Symphony at the time so... Good show.
I have to admit that when I first encountered this song, while in high school in the 1960s, what I thought I heard was ‘Knights in White Satin.’ ’Knights Hospitaller’ or ‘Knights Templar’ sort of matched the initial aural image, but the rest of the lyric just didn’t gel. A few years later, when I had occasion to contemplate the song again, all of the other shoes metaphorically dropped, and a better fitting story was finally attached to the hauntingly beautiful music.
I really miss the orchestral ending that is in the original recording. Back in the day when this first came out after what people would call today an edible and we called a joint or hash pipe, this album could take you on quite a journey.
Yes, the nights in white satin refers to bed sheets. They were a gift from his girlfriend who was far away while he toured. I guess he was missing her, lol. The lyrics are very profound, ending with an amazing deep poem recited on the long version. The poem is brilliant and about life in general. (“Late Lament,” Poem by Graeme Edge; narrated by Mike Pinder.)
I was 14 when that was released. It is still one of my all-time favorite songs. The entire Days of Future Past album is brilliant. They were one of the first bands to add a symphonic element to their music. Another great band who did that is Procol Harum. Check out their song A Salty Dog, or Grand Hotel. Love your react videos.
When this song came out, back in my day, we kind of understood "White Satin" as meaning, not sheets per se, but the product of a man and a woman in love, if you get my drift.
One of the greatest voices in rock history. Justin is still crushing it @ age 77. The man is a legend.
❤❤"and I love you, how I love you"! Chills all over, how can you not feel this inside out!! 🥰 Flute 💋 Absolutely amazing!
Find and listen to the long version, there is a poem at the end - you will like it. "Breathe deep the gathering gloom. Watch light fade from every room..." This song is part of an album-long exposition on a single day, with "Nights..." being the climactic ending.
Favorite part of reactions are getting a back story about songs that I grew up with and still love today.
The Long Version is called, The Night.
I’ve always felt that the song is missing something when the prose/poem is left out!
@robertgrimes7401 Back in the 60's and 70's. Anything over three minutes. Was too long for raido play. Only the short version got airtime. With FM raido. The Night got tons of airtime.
Always loved Moody Blues . The poem came & comes off as pretentious,In 5 my humble opinion
The Official Nights in White Satin Live video on UA-cam with a full orchestra is Epic ! 40 + years later still sound Amazing !
Yea his voice is still as amazing as it ever was. One of my faves.
Yes please watch the LIVE version!!!
The version from the Royal Albert Hall was performed in 2000.
@ It takes a great song to another level !
So many great songs to get into…”Tuesday afternoon” “Question” “The story in your eyes” “ride my see saw”
Agreed!!!!
Love Ride my see-saw
Dear Diary, Blue World, to name a couple others.
Melancholy Man. another classic song 🎵
Bought the album in 1968 when I was 18. It will always be great.
One of the best bands ever!! Made beautiful music!!
To answer your question,... Knights were dressed in steel armour indicating their willingness to fight for your physical freedom. These nights in the song, were in white satin indicating a willing and gentle submissiveness to protect your emotions even at the cost of their own,... this is echoed in the lyrics "Knights in white satin, never reaching the end,... letters I've written never meaning to send" These were apparently letters that would hurt her but he chose not to send them on order to protect her from being hurt by his emotional loss. His anger was expressed in the letters but he chose not to send them in order to protect her feelings,... she would never know the pain she caused him but he still loves her.
He gazed at people, some holding hands and he realized how lonely he was and this loneliness would never end.
Wikipedia-Band member Justin Hayward wrote and composed the song at age 19 while touring in Belgium and titled the song after a girlfriend gave him a gift of satin bedsheets. The song itself was a tale of a yearning love from afar, which leads many aficionados to term it as a tale of unrequited love endured by Hayward. Hayward said of the song, "It was just another song I was writing and I thought it was very powerful. It was a very personal song and every note, every word in it means something to me and I found that a lot of other people have felt that very same way about it
Thanks for the story of the origin of the song.
Moody Blues are always a win. Go Now is a classic.
The live in Denmark 2006 performance is incredible.
His voice seemed to have improved over time-and it started great....
Yes baby girl he's talking about nights in White satin sheets with her😅
Actually the song is a Klu Klux Klan anthem. Its "Knights" In White Satin 😂
OMG, this version totally left out the full orchestra finale. The real full version of the songs with a poem and a gong. Most real fans don't feel it's complete without it. Listen to it during your free time. No reaction necessary. Just a reason to get the full vibe of the song.
This is the single version. Most reactors new to the song won’t know about the different versions unless they are made aware ahead of time.
Beat me it. LOL
Love Moody Blues and your reaction Love ❤️ 😍 👧 girl friend 🧡
Justin Hayward is 77 now. Still sounds great & still easy on the eyes. He was 19 when he wrote this song.
You guessed it He is talking about a girl he knew that gave him a set of satin sheets and now he realises that hge loved her The pleading in his voice is unreal. You should see a live version with fullorchestra This is 1 deep rabbit hole youve jumped into. Love your spirit and joy when doing reactions your the best
"Breathe 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 colors from our sight.
Red is gray and yellow white,
But we decide which is right.
And which is an illusion?"
Hey baby girl I heard this when I was 13 years old. There is a current live version from a few years ago you should look at that too the orchestra and his voice are amazing❤❤❤❤❤
Been a LONG time since I saw a Brit React. I thought, "What ever happened to that woman? She's not been on my feed." Looked you up and here you are. Scrolled down to see a song I recognized, and her it is. I loved this so much and your reaction so much I had to screen grab you at 7:27- now that's a photograph! Intense! Love, love, love, that closet office studio. Love it. It has its own vibe. I've said that before. Way before. Keep on doing what you do, girl. Signed, Someone In Canada.
They are right. You need to see the live version with the orchestra. You said you like the live performance. You'll love this one!
Hello Britt, Brought back memories,danced to this at our senior prom in 1974. Lovely take care and God Bless you.
The wife, a good friend, and I went to see them at Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass.
Sat in the front row, wonderful show.
6:07 Once again we shall learn together. Thanks for sharing.
Great band with many great tunes ! Cool that you listened Britt
Listen to the whole album, keeping in mind an unrequited love of six years. This album couldn't have been made in a more appropriate time to express accurately the love, the want and the angst of the situation that I had gone through and a very close male friend was going through at that time. He was not capable, at that time or now, of accurately expressing the depths of his feelings. That's a terrible condition with which to deal for months, and in his case a life time. Britt, keep on keeping on, you are smart, articulate and beautiful ( inside and out).
Pro royalty. “Question,” “Lovely To See You,” “The Story In Your Eyes,” “Ride My Eve-Saw,” “Legend of a Mind.” They switched to pop in the 80’s. “The Voice,” “Meanwhile,” “22,000 Days,” “iI Know You’re Out There Somewhere,” “Your Wildest Dreams,” “Painted Smile/Reflexive Smile/Veteran Cosmic Rocker.” There’s many more.
OMG, you need to check out the longer album version!!!
Justin Haywood is also very tall...he's about 6'4"! I was lucky enough to see him when he was performing in the live version of Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds...fantastic!
was lucky enough to have seen them in the mid 70's, they were fantastic and sounded just like their albums.
It's hard to believe that such a beautiful,, legendary & iconic song could come out of such a simple gesture of being gifted a set of satin sheets. ❤
It's too bad you didn't get to see them live , simply fantastic !!!!
I've seen this band 5x know kinda crazy.poetic .awesome in concert
This coming Sunday I will be in a little theatre glistening to Justin Haywood singing this live 🎉 57 years on from its release date how's that for a bit of musical history 🤗❤️🤗❤️❤️❤
❤❤OMG, how was it?? Must have been amazing! He still crushes this with that "cry" in his voice!! I'm sooo
jealous 😍🎉
21 years before Britt was born. Check out from them "Ride My See Saw" or "Tuesday Afternoon "
as a hardcore Moodies fan since i was 10 back in 1968, the moodies have many musical firsts, 7 concept albums in a row, 16 studio albums. this song and in fact the entire album should be listened to end to end. they are the grandfathers of progressive rock and they play so many musical styles. great reaction and hope you do more
We just lost the last original member of the Moody Blues at the age of 82 a few weeks back. Mike Pinder died in N. California. What a great band. Mike's orchestral sounds on the mellotron were legendary. When others wanted to recreate the sounds they came to him for advice and guidance.
Justin is still alive and well.
@@averyhugefan Yes, he is. But, he wasn't an original member. Denny Laine sang for them from the beginning. Check out their video of them doing Go Now here on youtube. No Justin Hayward.
@@dannymoore6886 I misread, I apologize.
This is perfect. Justin's singing voice is perfect. The Moody Blue's are perfect!! Perfect reaction❤
The full length (album) studio version is an ABSOLUTE MUST HEAR!!..TRUST ME my music lovin' sister. 🎶 ❤
Omg, you've got to hear the Live at Red Rocks version of this beautiful song with a full orchestra backup. It is superb!
Truly remarkable; agree!
I'll check it out!
Was fortunate enough to see them in Oakland Ca, in the early 70s. Such a phenomenal show!❤
I love music too, love your reaction to this song 🎵🎼🎶
My first concert..1968 in Vancouver, BC. I was 17,
totally rocked my world. Saw them again a few times
in later years, just as spectacular. Best concerts ever.
And then there was Bowie. ❤❤❤
It's hard to believe this is their only song like this - which was released in 1966🤯. Incredibly they were held to only this as their lone #1 - yet they did have a huge song 20 years later. Give a listen to the song "Your Wildest Dreams. That is terrific and happy and just as wonderful as anything they did early in their career.
This and A Whiter Shade Of Pale were like bookends to 1967. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I've known and loved this song for 50+ years and just learned in the last couple days that yes!, that is a reference to satin sheets!
Having listened to their music from LP, 8- track, Reel to Reel , cassette, and cd never prepared me for how much more incredible they sounded live when I finally saw them in 2000. ❤
Moody Blues-for my lady- live at red rocks
Two songs to slow dance close to your girl - Nights in White Satin and Whiter Shade of Pale. Warm summer nights of blessed memory is all that remains. Old age is the price I am paying for being there. I would not have missed it for the world.
they were my first concert-late 1970. still enjoy their music today.
I just came across your channel. I'm impressed. Thank you. I love how you address your viewers as you are doing your reviews. To your comment section responders, and the folks commenting: also very impressed by their assistance they offer you, and others. Very well balanced and informative. My compliments to you, and your viewers
Welcome aboard!
For me it is one of those songs you can write a movie script around.
I nearly did.
I watched a singer in a local nightclub sing it to his girlfriend with all the passion.
The next year I went to the U of O in Oregon and for a class project scripted a
movie (now we call it a music video) for the whole album. It was a novel idea at
the time 1968 or 9 and impressed my professor.
I can't tell you how many times I played and replayed the old 33 record to do it.
As for what Nights in White Satin means, let your imagination go wild, the song
has all the tension of dark drama, hope, longing, and fear it won't last long enough.
The album's name adds to the mystery, "Days of Future Passed".
I bought the Days of Future Passed album when it was released in 1967 which contains Nights in White Satin. The entire album as has been mentioned in previous comments is a journey through a day. It is an album that one can listen through in its entirety and immerse yourself into an atmosphere of the musical greatness of which the Moody Blues were capable. A musical gem and an absolute classic. Britt, you reaction was lovely and were to listen to the album in its entirety would be even more intense.
I just love this song. Great reaction.
Of the half dozen times I saw the Moody Blues, they were always spectacular. They sing to my heart.
Now that you listened to this version of this song, you should check out the live version with a full orchestra..! They are older in that performance but still sound fantastic..!
This has been a favorite song of mine since I was a kid (I'm 61 now). Love, love, love this song!
I remember the first time this played on the radio , I was just a puppy , and even then knew this was a going to be a major hit !
During the last instrumental break there is a poem read in the studio version called "A Late Lament".
Breathe 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 grey is yellow white
But we decide which is right
And which is an illusion
One of my favorite songs growing up. Amazing vocals
You nailed it, Britt. White satin sheets. A ladyfriend had gifted them to Justin Hayward, which sparked his song.
I saw Moody Blues about 10-12 years ago at Wolf Trap in VA. They had a new flutist, but the rest were there. Justin Hayward's voice hadn't changed at all and their music was as incredible as ever. Awesome.
They have been one of my favorite bands for half a century now and I still can’t get enough of them.
I saw them in Concord California pavillion, we sat on the grass. They had a comeplete philharmonic orchestra backing them up.
It was great. I984,85.
We get to share and watch younger people see and feel what we felt.
Love and Light💕🌎✨️
It was the one-of-a-kind Britt-conceived Clarinet-Flute !
l o l
God bless, girl.
He wrote this when he was just SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD ! There are;other versions with a full Orchestra and even a Poem at the end:)
Love your reaction as always. If you want to hear The Moody Blues step it up a notch, check out another hit of theirs, I'm Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band. It really moves but it's really melodic as well. The bass guitar line in it is so addictive. Tremendous vocals as always.
Like many old timers, i just don't feel that Nights in White Satin has its true and full climax until the gong is struck. This version just leaves many of us hanging. I think this was the AM radio version, most FM stations played the full length album version with beautiful poem reading and full orchestra. I think if they had tried to play the shortened version many would have gathered their pitchforks and met at the radio station
I've enjoyed listening to this song many times over the past 56 years. It brings back memories of my time in the Navy and especially the first time I heard it. My ship was in port in Toulon , France 1968. I was in a bar when this came on and I met a young lady whose father was French and mother Vietnamese. She stood about 5 ft 3. She had this long jet black hair that reached to the top of her toes. I spent the day and evening getting to know her.
Now please listen to the album version and hear the poem at the end
My favorite song of theirs ❤❤❤
Britt! Thanks for this Tuesday afternoon daylight! It is lovely to see you again! These guys have an unreal story and unique catalog. Love it and thank you for the always great reaction!!
No problem!
Glad you found this one and hope you go down the rabbit hole of the Moodie's. Really enjoyed your reaction to this song.
I will!
Dear Britt: I love the way you deconstruct a song. I am learning so much about music from your videos. I love that you look like you're only 19 or 20 years old when your wisdom is years beyond that.
The music is beautiful. The lyrics are gut wrenching about his broken heart. I'll walk you through the lyrics.
"Nights in white satin
Never reaching the end" she gave him a gift of white satin sheets that were too short, the sheets didn't reach the end of the bed. Shortly after she dumped him.
"Letters I've written
Never meaning to send" with 20 version of his letter in the trash he never mails her a letter to try and win her back, why?
"Beauty I'd always missed
With these eyes before" he is just recalling how beautiful she was.
"Just what the truth is
I can't say anymore" this is why he doesn't mail the letter he doesnt know if she really loved him.
'Cause I love you
Yes, I love you
Oh, how I love you
"Gazing at people
Some hand in hand"
Seeing others in love just brings back the pain.
"Just what I'm going through
They can't understand" His friends just don't understand how broken hearted he is.
"Some try to tell me
Thoughts they cannot defend"
Unless you have had your heart broken don't try to defend your lack of understanding.
"Just what you want to be
You will be in the end" this line is directed at her. He's saying I'm letting you go be what you want to be but above all he wants her to be happy.
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
'Cause I love you
Yes, I love you
Oh, how I love you
Oh, how I love you
'Cause I love you
Yes, I love you
Oh, how I love you
Oh, how I love you
I cry every time I hear this song and wonder where she is and what she is doing. Because I still have a broken heart 50 years later I perfectly understand his song.
Hang on, this is one of the greats! so far very accurate reaction, we are 3:53 in, PDC chiseled? LOL
Moody Blues. They were my older sister's favorite when I was a kid. Grew to be a big fan from her. Great choice. Check out any of the songs suggested here. You won't be disappointed.
I saw them when they appeared with the Des Moines Symphony. The sound with a full orchestra, live, was great.
Now go back and listen to the extended version. It's 21 minutes long, and has a poetry towards the end. I think you will enjoy it. Take care
It's totally melancholic. BTW They have a song called 'Melancholy Man', really worth listening to.
Justin Hayward wrote this song at 19 yrs old, a beautiful song, a beautiful man!👍👏👏👏♥️ they were all handsome men that were so talented.
Thanks for reminding us of this wonderful song! xx
Need to go down the Moody Blues rabbit hole. They have so many great songs. They have their own style not replicated by anyone that i know of.
So wish you could find the much later on version of them later on in life on this song with the full orchestra behind them - absolutely brilliant
Beautifully written and perfectly arranged 👌 ❤️
I agree!
Growing up, I always heard this as “knights” instead of “nights” - which made perfect visual sense in my head at the time because of the kind of performance costumes of the time. 😄 Wasn’t till I grew up that it finally clicked.
Totally agree with 'H' below. The orchestra adds incredible emotion.
Hola Britt, glad you enjoyed the most beautiful unrequited love song in Rock history. The Moody Blues is a more than extraordinary groups of all time. Keep going down this incredible rabbit hole.
Added!
The poem at the end of the original, Late Lament”, written by drummer Graeme Edge and recited by Mike Pinder added so much to the song. In later years for live performances Graeme Edge would recite it. Such a classic.
Hello Britt, I think it's sheets. Back in its hey-day I thought the song was about Knights, lances and Armor. I'm glad you found them, this isn't their only hit. Their albums to me seemed set up ton flow from song tong. " A Question of Balance " etcetera.
Exactly - For Years & Years I thought it was about Knights of Chivalry wearing White Satin garments under their chain-mail & armor!!!
Sitting in a hotel missing his lady. Lying on white satin sheets and trying to write his thoughts about her in a letter but hes conflicted. You nailed it as usual Britt, it's bittersweet. Love your reactions, PJ
There's a newer video with a full orchestra that is worth a watch. Saw em early 80s. Not a band i really followed , more a southern rock guy, but i was dating the timpani player in the Atlanta Symphony at the time so... Good show.
I have to admit that when I first encountered this song, while in high school in the 1960s, what I thought I heard was ‘Knights in White Satin.’ ’Knights Hospitaller’ or ‘Knights Templar’ sort of matched the initial aural image, but the rest of the lyric just didn’t gel. A few years later, when I had occasion to contemplate the song again, all of the other shoes metaphorically dropped, and a better fitting story was finally attached to the hauntingly beautiful music.
I really miss the orchestral ending that is in the original recording. Back in the day when this first came out after what people would call today an edible and we called a joint or hash pipe, this album could take you on quite a journey.
Yes, the nights in white satin refers to bed sheets. They were a gift from his girlfriend who was far away while he toured. I guess he was missing her, lol. The lyrics are very profound, ending with an amazing deep poem recited on the long version. The poem is brilliant and about life in general. (“Late Lament,” Poem by Graeme Edge; narrated by Mike Pinder.)
There album "Days of future Past" is one of the great ones.
I love me some Moody Blues
Check out Your Wildest Dreams
Great song, and the video is so spot on.
Great Band Britt, I saw them in concert and they were Awesome !!!😊❤
Luck you!
This song is one of the first popular songs that I learned how to play on the piano.
The whole album is a great single work of art, I'm sure you'd love it.
So, it seems this was your intro to 'orchestral rock'. Moody Blues are probably the most iconic group within the genre.
I was 14 when that was released. It is still one of my all-time favorite songs. The entire Days of Future Past album is brilliant. They were one of the first bands to add a symphonic element to their music. Another great band who did that is Procol Harum. Check out their song A Salty Dog, or Grand Hotel. Love your react videos.
When this song came out, back in my day, we kind of understood "White Satin" as meaning, not sheets per se, but the product of a man and a woman in love, if you get my drift.