“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
The Moody Blues’ track Tortoise and the Hare is a hidden gem nestled within their 1970 album A Question of Balance. If you haven’t stumbled upon this one yet, it’s a classic that perfectly embodies that introspective and dreamy style the band is known for. It’s the kind of song that, when you hear it, pulls you into a world where the past and future seem to melt away, leaving you caught in the moment with nothing but the music and its message.
This track isn’t just a straightforward retelling of Aesop’s fable, though. It goes deeper, playing with the themes of speed versus steadiness, and how those ideas play out in our own lives. At its core, it’s a meditation on pace—on those moments when we’re rushing ahead, trying to get somewhere fast, and those when we slow down and let things come to us. It’s like the band is giving you a gentle reminder through melody and lyrics: sometimes, being deliberate and patient can be just as valuable as being quick and ambitious.
One of the first things you notice about Tortoise and the Hare is its musical energy. There’s this urgency in the rhythm that contrasts with the more mellow sections, like a musical representation of the tension between speed and patience. It almost feels like you’re in a race yourself, the tempo urging you to move forward while the lyrics ask you to pause and think. The way the drums drive the song gives it that sense of motion—like the hare darting off at the start—while the more relaxed, melodic passages evoke the tortoise’s slow but steady approach. And isn’t that balance just so fitting for A Question of Balance?
John Lodge, who wrote the song, brings a vocal performance that is both intense and introspective. His voice carries this underlying sense of urgency, but also a sort of knowing—like he’s singing not just from the perspective of the hare or the tortoise, but from someone who’s seen how the race ends. There’s wisdom in those lyrics, a bit like sitting down with an old friend who’s learned a thing or two and is now sharing them with you over a cup of tea.
What makes Tortoise and the Hare special is how it doesn’t feel the need to spoon-feed its message. It lets the listener find their own meaning, whether it’s a commentary on the frantic pace of modern life or a more personal reflection on the journeys we all take. It’s the kind of song that meets you where you are, whether you’re feeling rushed or reflective, and it gently nudges you to think about the pace you’re moving through life.
It’s not just about nostalgia for a different era of rock music, either. The track’s themes are still so relevant today. With everyone constantly hustling and pushing forward, it’s easy to feel like you have to be the hare all the time—always on the go, never slowing down. But there’s something powerful in taking the tortoise’s approach too, in savoring the journey rather than sprinting toward the destination. And maybe that’s why this song still resonates, decades after its release. It’s a reminder that no matter where you are in the race, there’s value in both the dash and the slow, steady climb.
Video
Lyrics
You know he’s moving fast,
Be he’s still going slow,
He’s ahead in the race,
And there is not far to go,
And your load is so heavy
And your legs want to rest.
It’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right.
You think he’s way up in front
But he’s so far behind.
He’s asleep in the grass,
And he’s run out of time.
While your load was so heavy
You never wanted to stop.
It’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right.
Your friend is heavy
But he was ready
And never stopped for a while
And while you were sleeping
He went on keeping the final line in his mind.
It’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right.
It’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right.
Your friend is heavy
But he was ready
And never stopped for a while
And while you were sleeping
He went on keeping the final line in his mind.
It’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right.
It’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right.
It’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right.
It’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right.
It’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right.