“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
“Slings and Arrows” by The Moody Blues feels like an anthem for anyone who’s ever been knocked down by life, only to stand up and face it all again. It’s one of those songs that speaks directly to the soul, addressing the struggles and inevitable challenges we encounter on our journey. With the familiar depth of The Moody Blues’ signature sound, the song blends melancholy and hope in a way that leaves listeners feeling both reflective and empowered.
When you listen to “Slings and Arrows,” it’s hard not to feel like the band is right there beside you, empathizing with the weight of the world. The title itself is drawn from Shakespeare’s famous phrase “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” from Hamlet, suggesting that life’s obstacles are as inevitable as they are painful. But where the song truly shines is in its message of perseverance—no matter how many arrows life throws your way, you find the strength to keep moving forward.
Musically, the song encapsulates the essence of The Moody Blues’ later work. It’s introspective, driven by lush instrumentation and poignant lyrics that leave you in a reflective mood. The somber undertones of the track mirror the struggles it discusses, but there’s an underlying sense of resilience that permeates the melody. It’s like being caught in a storm and finding a moment of stillness in the chaos.
What really makes “Slings and Arrows” stand out is how universal its message is. We all have moments when life feels overwhelming, when it seems like we’re dodging one arrow after another. But The Moody Blues remind us that it’s part of the journey—that even through hardship, there’s strength to be found. You can almost hear them encouraging you to push through, to rise above the challenges that threaten to weigh you down.
The lyrics themselves are simple yet powerful. They don’t sugarcoat life’s difficulties, but they also don’t dwell in despair. Instead, they offer a balance between acknowledging the pain and urging you to persevere. The line “we take the blows, and carry on” captures that perfectly—it’s about enduring, even when things feel impossible.
At its core, “Slings and Arrows” is about survival—about standing tall in the face of adversity and coming out stronger on the other side. It’s a song for the fighters, for the dreamers who refuse to give up, no matter what life throws their way.
For fans of The Moody Blues, this track fits right into their legacy of philosophical and deeply emotional songs. It’s introspective and thoughtful, yet it resonates in a deeply personal way. It’s the kind of song that you can listen to in your quiet moments, when you need a reminder that you’re not alone in facing life’s struggles.
Video
Lyrics
Slings and arrows, slings and arrows
Slings and arrows, slings and arrows
No chance for a second chance
When the arrows start to fly
No way is there an easy way
To say goodbye
No dream is ever lost
If you never cease to try
Never thought you could walk away
From my side
I just can’t hide from
Slings and arrows, slings and arrows
Slings and arrows, slings and arrows
Life is ever changing
Nothing stays the same
Nothing in this whole wide world
Can turn us back again
‘Cause where we’re standing now
Is the point of no return
Looking back on a world
That’s got to learn
You just can’t hide from
Slings and arrows, slings and arrows
Slings and arrows, slings and arrows
Love is the shield
When you’re fighting
With your back to the wall
And if you turn around and walk away
You’re never gonna lose
‘Cause Love conquers all
No chance for a second chance
When the arrows start to fly
No way is there an easy way
To say goodbye
No dream is ever lost
If you never cease to try
Never thought you would walk away
From my side
I just can’t hide from
Slings and arrows, slings and arrows
Slings and arrows, slings and arrows