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Introduction
“Nights In White Satin” isn’t just a song—it’s an emotional journey that pulls at your heartstrings from the very first note. Written by Justin Hayward and released by The Moody Blues in 1967, this hauntingly beautiful ballad has left an indelible mark on music history. It’s not just the melody that captivates, but the raw, unfiltered emotion woven into every line, making it a timeless masterpiece that transcends generations.
Imagine a young Justin Hayward, only 19 at the time, pouring his heart out into the lyrics after receiving a gift of white satin sheets. That’s where it all began. With a simple but deeply evocative phrase, “Nights in white satin, never reaching the end”, he encapsulates a sense of longing and melancholy that feels achingly familiar. The lyrics speak of love—both its beauty and its pain—drawing you into a world of unfulfilled dreams and bittersweet memories.
Musically, the song is a marvel. The orchestral arrangement, coupled with the band’s progressive rock style, creates a soundscape that’s ethereal and almost dreamlike. The iconic use of a full orchestra, combined with Mike Pinder’s mellotron—a keyboard that mimics the sound of strings—adds layers of depth to the track. It’s no wonder that “Nights In White Satin” has often been described as a “symphony for the soul.” And then there’s Hayward’s voice—tender, yearning, and dripping with emotion. When he sings, it’s as if he’s speaking directly to you, sharing his deepest sorrows and passions.
But the song is more than just a love letter. Its closing poem, “Late Lament,” read by drummer Graeme Edge, takes the piece to another level. With lines like “Breathe deep the gathering gloom, watch lights fade from every room,” the poem delves into themes of disillusionment, mortality, and the passage of time. This contrast between the lush romanticism of the song and the stark reality of the spoken word creates a tension that’s both haunting and hypnotic.
When you listen to “Nights In White Satin,” you’re not just hearing a song—you’re experiencing a work of art that speaks to the universal human experience. Whether you’ve felt the ache of unreturned love or the pain of longing for something just out of reach, this song finds a way to resonate deeply. Even decades after its release, it continues to be a favorite for lovers and dreamers alike.
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Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Nights in white satin, never reaching the end
Letters I’ve written, never meaning to send
Beauty I’d always missed with these eyes before
Just what the truth is I can’t say anymore
[Chorus]
‘Cause I love you
Yes, I love you
Oh, how I love you-oh
[Verse 2]
Gazing at people, some hand in hand
Just what I’m going through they can’t understand
Some try to tell me thoughts they cannot defend
Just what you want to be you will be in the end
[Chorus]
And I love you
Yes, I love you
Oh, how I love you
Oh, how I love you
[Flute Solo]
[Verse 3]
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
[Chorus]
‘Cause I love you
Yes, I love you
Oh, how I love you
Oh, how I love you-oh
‘Cause I love you
Yes, I love you
Oh, how I love you
Oh, how I love you-oh
[Late Lament: Graeme Edge]
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 and yellow, white
But we decide which is right
And which is an illusion