“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
“The Balance” by The Moody Blues is one of those tracks that feels more like an experience than just a song. It’s the final track of A Question of Balance (1970), and it leaves you with this reflective, almost meditative state. The band wasn’t just experimenting with sound; they were exploring deeper human truths, and this song is like a spiritual journey wrapped in gentle melodies and soothing vocals.
One thing that makes “The Balance” stand out is how it weaves a message of unity and inner peace into every note. It’s about the idea of finding balance within ourselves and the world around us. The song blends spoken word and music, which isn’t something you hear every day. This storytelling approach grabs your attention right away and makes you feel like you’re being let in on a profound secret about life itself.
The vocals, along with the sweeping orchestration, guide you through this serene narrative. As the song progresses, it builds up this sense of enlightenment, urging listeners to look within for answers. There’s something incredibly soothing about its composition, as if each instrument is intentionally placed to evoke a sense of calm. The spoken word elements feel almost philosophical, adding another layer of depth that resonates long after the song ends.
What’s compelling about “The Balance” is how its message still holds up. Decades after its release, the song’s central theme—finding harmony within yourself and the world—is something we’re still grappling with today. The Moody Blues managed to capture that timeless struggle and put it into a song that feels universal, yet deeply personal at the same time.
Listening to “The Balance” is like sitting down with an old friend who reminds you to take a breath, slow down, and reflect on what really matters. It’s a gentle nudge toward self-awareness and understanding, delivered in a way that feels almost comforting. That’s what makes this song so special—it doesn’t just entertain; it makes you think and feel on a deeper level.
Video
Lyrics
After he had journeyed
And his feet were sore, he was tired
He came upon an orange grove
And he rested
And he lay in the cool
And while he rested, he took to himself an orange and tasted it
And it was good
And he felt the Earth to his spine and he asked
And he saw the tree above him
And the stars
And the veins in the leaf
And the light
And the balance
And he saw magnificent perfection
Whereon he thought of himself in balance
And he knew he was
Just open your eyes and realize the way it’s always been
Just open your mind and you will find the way it’s always been
Just open your heart and that’s a start
And he thought of those he angered
For he was not a violent man
And he thought of those he hurt
For he was not a cruel man
And he thought of those he frightened
For he was not an evil man
And he understood, he understood himself
Upon this he saw that when he was of anger or knew hurt or felt fear
It was because he was not understanding
And he learned compassion
And with his eye of compassion
He saw his enemies like unto himself
And he learned love
Then he was answered
Just open your eyes and realize the way it’s always been
Just open your mind and you will find the way it’s always been
Just open your heart and that’s a start
Do you, do you, do you, do you realize?
Just open your eyes and realize the way it’s always been
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Just open your mind and you will find the way it’s always been
Just open your heart
Just open your heart and that’s a start