“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
Ever stumbled across a song that feels like it was written just for you? That’s exactly what Ray Thomas captured in “I’m Your Man,” a hidden gem from The Moody Blues’ 1978 comeback album Octave. Released after a six-year hiatus when each band member had explored solo projects, this track showcases Ray’s distinctive vocal style and the band’s evolving sound during a pivotal moment in their history.
What makes this song special is how it balances vulnerability with conviction. Ray’s heartfelt delivery feels like a friend making a sincere promise—he’s not just singing about commitment, he’s embodying it. The orchestral arrangements (conducted by Dr. Terry James) add emotional depth without overwhelming the core message, while Ray’s signature flute work reminds us why he was such an essential part of the Moody Blues’ sound.
Octave marked a transitional period for the band, being their first album recorded in America and the last to feature founding keyboardist Mike Pinder. The recording sessions at Record Plant in Los Angeles and Indigo Ranch in Malibu were famously challenging—plagued by natural disasters, personal struggles, and Pinder’s eventual departure. Yet somehow, through all this turbulence, “I’m Your Man” emerged as a testament to emotional honesty.
When I listen to this track now, I’m struck by how it captures that universal feeling of wanting to be someone’s rock—that person they can count on when everything else feels uncertain. It’s not the band’s most famous song, but it’s one that speaks directly to the heart in a way that feels timeless and genuine.
Video
Lyrics
Here I go again
Finding it so hard to explain
The way I feel
When I hold you near
Still it hurts when you cry
Maybe you think love has passed you by
Don’t you know I need you so
But I guess you need to know
I’m just a man, that’s all I am
I’m just a man that’s yours
I’m yours, you know I’m yours
Life keeps changing key
I’ll look to you, please, look back at me
See I’m changing every day
Reaching out for happy days
But I’m just a man, that’s all I am
I’m just a man, I’m yours
I’m yours, simply yours
Life keeps changing key
I’ll look to you, please, turn and look at me
You’ll see I’m changing every day
In my search for happy days
But then, I’m just a man, that’s all I am
I’m just a man, I’m yours
That’s yours, simply yours
See me as I am, for I’m just a man
I’m just a man, but I’m yours
Oh, I’m yours, I’m simply yours