Breathe deep the gathering gloom
Watch lights fade from every room
Bedsitter people look back and lament
Another day’s useless energy spent
The Moody Blues were formed in Birmingham, England, in 1964, emerging from the fertile Midlands beat scene that had already produced The Spencer Davis Group and other rhythm-and-blues-inflected acts. Originally conceived as a harmony-driven R&B band, the group took its name from the Duke Ellington composition “Mood Indigo,” reflecting both their jazz awareness and their desire for a slightly more sophisticated image than many contemporaries.
So what is the average length of a song these days? The average length of a popular song, according to the most recent Billboard Hot 100, is about 3 minutes and 30 seconds. Hit songs are about 3 minutes long because of two major factors: the historic popularity of the 45 rpm record and the monetization methods applied by radio stations and record producers throughout the 20th century. Here I’ll discuss some of my all-time favorite lengthy tunes.
Soon, oh soon the light,
Pass within and soothe this endless night
And wait here for you, Our reason to be here.
Relayer was the first Yes album I owned. I took it to high school and we enjoyed it there in Mr. Thomas’ Social Studies office where I was an aide. I’m not 100% sure but I believe the album art attracted me to the purchase. It is artwork by Roger Dean who drew many Yes covers and the “Yes” logo itself. I have inducted Yes into my Music Hall of Fame.
We are Yes
My first inductee of 2022 is the English progressive rock band Yes. They are known for their extended compositions and virtuoso musicianship. They are certainly one of the founding members of the progressive rock genre.
