Introduction
Justin Hayward, born David Justin Hayward on October 14, 1946, in Swindon, England, has been the lead guitarist and vocalist for The Moody Blues since 1966, joining the band at the dawn of their signature symphonic rock era .
Over the period from 1967 to 1974, Hayward emerged as the group’s most prolific songwriter, penning hits such as “Nights in White Satin,” “Tuesday Afternoon,” and “The Voice,” and writing 20 of the band’s 27 post-1967 singles.
His songwriting is characterized by emotive melodies, rich orchestration, and lyrical introspection, qualities that have cemented his status as a rock legend and earned him induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 .
In this 49-minute conversation, published in late May 2025 on Rick Beato’s YouTube channel, Beato and Hayward dissect the making of the Moody Blues’ classics and Hayward’s melodic philosophy.
Hayward explains that his breakthrough song, “Fly Me High,” signaled a departure from the band’s R&B roots toward original compositions, setting the stage for the orchestral concept of Days of Future Passed in 1967 .
He recounts collaborating with producer Tony Clarke and the London Festival Orchestra, noting how the interplay between rock band and classical ensemble created the “haunting” textures that define tracks like “Nights in White Satin”.
When asked about melody writing, Hayward emphasizes starting with an emotional spark—“I always ask myself, ‘What feeling am I chasing?’”—and building chord progressions that mirror that emotional journey.
Beato, whose channel boasts over 5 million subscribers as of May 2025, uses his deep music-theory expertise to probe Hayward on arranging techniques, revealing how subtle shifts in instrumentation and minor-key harmonies amplify the songs’ emotional weight.
The Moody Blues have sold over 70 million records worldwide and pioneered the fusion of rock with classical elements, influencing bands like Genesis, Queen, and Electric Light Orchestra.
Hayward’s work continues to resonate: “Nights in White Satin” alone reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972 and remains a staple of classic-rock radio.
His approach—melding heartfelt lyrics with sweeping orchestration—has inspired generations of songwriters to explore the emotional potential of melodic storytelling