Introduction
“Candle of Life” began as a deep-cut album track in 1969 and later surfaced as the B‑side of the hit single “Question.” Written and sung by bassist John Lodge, its meditative melody and hopeful lyrics have resonated with fans for over five decades. In 2016, Lodge brought the song back to life on his solo “10,000 Light Years Tour,” and the resulting Birmingham performance captures both the song’s gentle power and the enduring bond between artist and audience.
“Candle of Life” was penned by John Lodge and recorded on July 16, 1969 at Decca Studios in West Hampstead, London, during sessions for the Moody Blues’ space‑themed concept album To Our Children’s Children’s Children. Released on November 21, 1969, the album explored themes of exploration and human connection; “Candle of Life” stood out as a tender reflection on love’s enduring flame. A few months later, it appeared as the B‑side to “Question,” helping it reach listeners who might otherwise have missed its quiet beauty.
On the studio cut, Lodge’s warm bass lines and shared vocals with Justin Hayward glide over Mike Pinder’s Mellotron and piano figures, while Graeme Edge’s subtle percussion grounds the arrangement in gentle momentum. The production by Tony Clarke emphasizes space and clarity, allowing each emotional turn in the melody to shine.
Nearly five decades later, Lodge resurrected “Candle of Life” for his first solo world tour. The Live from Birmingham DVD/CD captures his hometown show from 2016, where the song earned new warmth from a hushed, attentive crowd. Presented in a stripped‑back arrangement—just Lodge’s voice, bass, and piano—the performance highlights the song’s core message: that even in dark times, love can burn slowly but surely.
There’s a rare intimacy in hearing Lodge perform his own composition decades later. You sense every lyric is charged with personal history: the same words that spoke of hope in 1969 now carry the weight of fifty years of life lived. That convergence of past and present gives the live version an almost sacred glow