Tuesday Afternoon by The Moody Blues
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Published 2011-10-20
The first part, the one most familiar to listeners, called "Tuesday Afternoon", was originally
released on The Moody Blues 1967 album Days of Future Passed, a concept album chronicling a typical
day. On the album, it was part one of "The Afternoon" track titled "Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)".
Justin Hayward wrote the song originally intending to name it "Tuesday Afternoon". At the
insistence of producer Tony Clarke, it was named "Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)" for its release on
Days of Future Passed. However, when it was released as a single a year later, its name was changed
back to "Tuesday Afternoon", and it has been more commonly known by this name ever since. Some of
the Moody Blues compilation and live albums list the song as "Tuesday Afternoon (Forever
Afternoon)" to reflect both titles.
"Tuesday Afternoon" was released as a single in 1968, and was the second single from Days of Future
Passed (the first being "Nights in White Satin"). It was backed with another Days track, "Another
Morning". The single version of "Tuesday Afternoon" was oddly edited down to 2:16, ending before
the repeat of the opening riff and "Tuesday afternoon" verse.
According to an interview with Justin Hayward, he wrote "Tuesday Afternoon" while sitting in the
middle of a field near his home in England on a beautiful spring afternoon. He claims that he had
his acoustic guitar in hand and the song just came to him. The song features Justin Hayward on lead
vocals and acoustic guitar. The backing melody comes from the mellotron, which was played by Mike
Pinder. There is also a short flute solo at the end played by Ray Thomas.
On Days of Future Passed, the London Festival Orchestra performs the final orchestral rendition of
the chorus. This orchestral link between parts one and two of the song was recorded separately from
the Moodys' portions. The link was arranged by Peter Knight, who arranged orchestral sections for
the entire album. However, for the single release and subsequent releases on compilation albums,
this orchestral finale was not included, and the song simply faded out during Ray Thomas's flute
solo. The Moody Blues 1994 compilation album, Time Traveller, marked the first time the orchestral
link was included on a compilation. Its release on 1998's Anthology also included the first-portion
orchestral finale.
In concert, "Tuesday Afternoon" is usually ended with a short reprise of the opening acoustic
guitar riff after the flute solo. Although, when the Moody Blues perform backed by a live
orchestra, the original orchestral link ends the song.
Lyrics:
Tuesday afternoon,
I'm just beginning to see, now I'm on my way
It doesn't matter to me, chasing the clouds away.
Something, calls to me,
The trees are drawing me near, I've got to find out why?
Those gentle voices I hear, explain it all with a sigh.
I'm looking at myself reflections of my mind,
It's just the kind of day to leave myself behind.
So gently swaying through the fairyland of love,
If you'll just come with me you'll see the beauty of
Tuesday afternoon, Tuesday afternoon.
Tuesday, afternoon,
I'm just beginning to see, now I'm on my way.
It doesn't matter to me, chasing the clouds away.
Something, calls to me,
The trees are drawing me near, I've got to find out why?
Those gentle voices I hear, explain it all with a sigh.
All Comments (21)
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I first heard the Moody Blues in the 60's and it blew me away. The music from my generation is incredible. It still boggles my mind. I am grateful to be a member of this generation. I am now 72 and still love it.
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Hard to believe this music is 50 years old. So glad I got to live in the 60’s and 70’s, music will never be the same. The last decade that made sense.
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I don’t believe anyone knew at the time just how impactful this group was at the moment. There was so much unbelievable music we took a lot for granted.
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The Moody Blues are amazing. I’m 41 and my mother passed away in 2010 due to being hit by a car while crossing the street. She was my everything. As well as my father. We built an amazing relationship after my mother passed away. He died of a heart attack and stroke this June. The moody blues were a huge part of my childhood. I miss my parents tremendously and I cry listening to the moody blues but it brings me back to all our road trips and our ski trips at Stratton Mountain in Vermont. The music brings me back to that amazing time in my life as a child. I miss you Mom and Dad. You both were the most amazing parents and my best friends!! I love and miss you so much that it’s hard to breathe.
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At age 66yrs I can say that my Era had the best music. This song is incredibly inspiring.
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We’ll never see another time like the 60’s & 70’s so much music being introduced it was truly an amazing time.
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I'm listening to this on a Thursday because I like it too much to wait until Tuesday.
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I'm a 50 year old black man & this song is a metaphoric masterpiece.
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These guys were musical geniuses for their time. Incredible music that is timeless.
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This song and "Nights in white satin" are beautiful timeless masterpieces. Love them.
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The best music back then wasn't about hate and meaningless topics. It was about love and expanding your mind and inner being.
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Justin Hayward writes some of the deepest music that I have ever heard. His creations are in a class of their own and can't be duplicated.
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ONE of the Best groups In our time. And they finally made the Music Hall of Fame .They were way over due .!!!!!!
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In 1968 I was in the Phillipines waiting to board my ship that was inbound from Vietnam. I was starting my first deployment there. What a great song then and now. I was 18 then and am in my early 70s now. What a time.
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,Folks, We need to share this Music from our Generation with Grandchildren. So they can appreciate Music.
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The music of today Will never measure up to the music of that era
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This is a masterpiece. People will be listening to this song centuries from now.
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No one makes beautiful music like this anymore, very talented musicians indeed.
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My parents loved The Moody Blues - listening to them makes me feel like they are still around in spirit ❤️🤗
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I feel sorry for the Kids today. They don't have the opportunity to enjoy music. We (Old folks) Lived by the music. Youtube lets us continue to enjoy....
