The Voice by The Moody Blues

Album: Long Distance Voyager (1981)

Charted: 15

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Songfacts®:

This was one of the songs that propelled The Moody Blues to a comeback in the early 1980s, and of their newer songs, it appealed the most strongly to fans of their original work. Written by Justin Hayward, the lyrics have the same philosophical tone of their songs in the late 1960s, and the song is alternately urgent and hopeful about the future. It seems to be telling listeners that they face major choices on how their world will turn out, and that there is great hope in it, but only if they make it happen of their own initiative. >>
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Mike - Santa Barbara, CA
After the Moody Blues came to San Francisco and played their psychedelia-tinged songs in 1967, they've been perceived in some circles as a Flower Power band. They are certainly very introspective, but their music changed with the times, thanks in part to a shift in songwriting for Justin Hayward. By the '80s, he no longer needed to be in just the right mood to write a song (like he was on one Tuesday Afternoon), but could compose in his music room on a regular schedule. Hayward cites this discipline for the band's continued success in the '80s.
With no clear title in the lyrics, Justin Hayward had no idea what to name this song. When the group's engineer, Greg Jackman, asked him what to call it, Hayward replied, "I'll think of that after."

Jackman thought he said, "Fat Arthur," and wrote that on the tape. That was the song's name right up to the mastering process, when Jackman pushed for a more sensible title before they turned it over to the label. Hayward went through the lyrics and picked out "The Voice," which is what stuck. (As told in our interview with Justin Hayward.)
Hayward did something different on this track, recording two guitars to a click track and then bringing that tape to the band to give them the tempo and feel of the song. This is the method he used on many songs throughout the decade.

Comments: 6

Davina Butler Hill from Columbus GeorgiaFor those who have eyes SEE
for those who have ears or LISTEN
Gigi from St. Louis, MoI think we all know that we have this tiny voice inside of us that tells us right from wrong(the golden rule) but we must listen to it. It will guide us in our live. some may call it intuition or the good vs. evil in all of us. usually our inner feelings are usually right. it is when we choose to ignore the truth is when all fails. tell me one more time oh can you feel it tonight love that line.
Amar from Mumbai, IndiaHey Bobby,
Justin Hayward did perform Forever Autumn on War of the worlds for Jeff Wayne - but this song was definitely not in. While the late Sir Richard Burton narrated the story, Justin did contribute here and there on some of the other tracks
Michael from Eugene, Or, OrThis is an amazing song. Whether consciously or not Justin expresses very strong spiritual and metaphysical concepts."Golden rule"-"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."Your heart"(that which is True)..(Bound)by dreams" (The illusions of the World).The Spirit "is calling you back"..To face the Music"-(The Truth)..it's calling you as you continue to move away from It (Truth).."Make a promise, take a vow (Commit)-Trust these feelings and Understand "The Voice Within",(The small, still voice)How else can I say it so you will understand?.."With your arms around the Future and your back up against the Past"...you continue to Fall (move away from the Truth) as a result of your Consciousness embracing the Future or stuck in the Past- Not anchoring yourself in the Present,where the Presence resides.And ending with the pain and frustration of trying to wake someone up..but hopeful.
Paul from Kennewick, WaI remember this well when it came out during my high school senior year on Long Distance Voyageur. It's both uplifting and calming at the same time. Their stuff doesn't get any better than this, and it describes my present life nearly exactly. At the time of release I was living in my native Canada, but moving to the United States to make things happen is precisely the kind of stuff they're teaching us about.
Bobby from Grand Rapids, MiThis song also appeared on an album called "War of the Worlds.

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