The Day Begins
Encyclopedia
"The Day Begins" is the opening track from The Moody Blues
1967 album Days of Future Passed
. The song (as well as the entire album) was one of the first in a new symphonic sound from The Moody Blues
. Prior to this, The Moody Blues
primarily performed American style Rhythm & Blues songs, especially with their 1964 hit single "Go Now
", which also appeared on their 1965 debut album The Magnificent Moodies
.
Days of Future Passed
is a concept album ultimately telling the story of an everyman's day from Dawn to Night, with "The Day Begins" opening the album. Rather than representing a time of the day, "The Day Begins" acts more as an overture the album, and features excerpts from "Dawn is a Feeling
", "Another Morning
", "Forever Afternoon
" (better known as "Tuesday Afternoon"), and "Nights in White Satin
."
"The Day Begins" was arranged by Peter Knight
and performed by the London Festival Orchestra
. The original LP of Days of Future Passed credited "The Day Begins" to Redwave/Knight ("Redwave" being a name used to represent the members of the Moody Blues themselves).
About four minutes into the song, "The Day Begins" features a poem which is known as "Morning Glory." Written by the Moody Blues' drummer Graeme Edge
, "Morning Glory" ultimately begins the everyman's day concept of the album. On the album, "Morning Glory" was recited by the Moody Blues' keyboardist Mike Pinder
. The opening lines from "Morning Glory" are repeated at the end of "Late Lament", the poem at the end of "Nights in White Satin
", which ends the Days of Future Passed, effectively opening and ending the album with the same phrase:
Cold hearted orb that rules the night,
removes the colours from our sight.
Red is grey, and yellow, white,
but we decide which is right,
and which is an illusion.
Beginning with this line, "Morning Glory" primarily describes the morning before the sunrise. After this line, the poems continues to describe the early morning. The final line ultimately then describes the sunrise, beginning the day:
Brave Helios
, wake up your steeds.
Bring the warmth the countryside needs.
From here, the album continues to the next part of the day, dawn, with "Dawn is a Feeling
."
From 1992 through the early 2000s, the Moody Blues toured with shows backed by live orchestras. During these orchestra-backed performances, the show would begin with the orchestra performing an overture featuring excerpts from many of the Moody Blues' songs. The overture acts in the same manner as "The Day Begins", which is an overture to the songs of Days of Future Passed. Towards the end of the overture, the latter half of "The Day Begins" is played, making use of its excerpts from "Tuesday Afternoon
" and "Nights in White Satin
." Recordings of the overture from the orchestra-backed performances can be found on the Moody Blues live albums: A Night at Red Rocks with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and Hall of Fame
.
The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues are an English rock band. Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their 1967 album Days of Future Passed....
1967 album Days of Future Passed
Days of Future Passed
Days of Future Passed is the second album and first concept album by The Moody Blues, released in 1967. It was also their first album to feature Justin Hayward and John Lodge, who would play a very strong role in directing the band's sound in the decades to come...
. The song (as well as the entire album) was one of the first in a new symphonic sound from The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues are an English rock band. Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their 1967 album Days of Future Passed....
. Prior to this, The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues are an English rock band. Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their 1967 album Days of Future Passed....
primarily performed American style Rhythm & Blues songs, especially with their 1964 hit single "Go Now
Go Now (song)
"Go Now" is a 1964 song composed by Larry Banks and Milton Bennett. It was first recorded by Bessie Banks, and most successfully by The Moody Blues.-Bessie Banks:The song was first recorded by Larry Banks' former wife, Bessie Banks...
", which also appeared on their 1965 debut album The Magnificent Moodies
The Magnificent Moodies
The Magnificent Moodies is the 1965 debut album by The Moody Blues first released in the UK and the first and only album featuring their R&B lineup of guitarist Denny Laine, bassist Clint Warwick, keyboardist Mike Pinder, flute player–percussionist Ray Thomas, and drummer Graeme Edge...
.
Days of Future Passed
Days of Future Passed
Days of Future Passed is the second album and first concept album by The Moody Blues, released in 1967. It was also their first album to feature Justin Hayward and John Lodge, who would play a very strong role in directing the band's sound in the decades to come...
is a concept album ultimately telling the story of an everyman's day from Dawn to Night, with "The Day Begins" opening the album. Rather than representing a time of the day, "The Day Begins" acts more as an overture the album, and features excerpts from "Dawn is a Feeling
Dawn is a Feeling
"Dawn is a Feeling" is the second song from The Moody Blues 1967 album Days of Future Passed. Days of Future Passed is a concept album with each song representing a part of the day, with "Dawn is a Feeling" representing Dawn....
", "Another Morning
Another Morning (The Moody Blues song)
"Another Morning" is a 1967 song by the symphonic rock band The Moody Blues. It was written by the band's flautist Ray Thomas, and was first released on the 1967 album Days of Future Passed...
", "Forever Afternoon
Tuesday Afternoon
"Tuesday Afternoon" is a 1968 single by English symphonic rock band The Moody Blues, and presented in its original album form on their 1967 album Days of Future Passed in two parts.-Part one:The first part, the one most familiar to listeners, called "Tuesday Afternoon", was...
" (better known as "Tuesday Afternoon"), and "Nights in White Satin
Nights in White Satin
"Nights in White Satin" is a 1967 single by The Moody Blues, written by Justin Hayward and first featured on the album Days of Future Passed.It is in the key of E minor Aeolian.-Single releases:...
."
"The Day Begins" was arranged by Peter Knight
Peter Knight (composer)
Peter Knight was an English musical arranger, conductor and composer.-Career:Knight was born in Exmouth, Devon, England. He worked with Independent Television light entertainment stars from 'Spot The Tune' with Jackie Rae and Marion Ryan to the comedy series 'Home to Roost' ...
and performed by the London Festival Orchestra
London Festival Orchestra
The London Festival Orchestra was established in the 1950s as the 'house orchestra' for Decca Records. In 1980 it was incorporated as an independent performing orchestra under Ross Pople....
. The original LP of Days of Future Passed credited "The Day Begins" to Redwave/Knight ("Redwave" being a name used to represent the members of the Moody Blues themselves).
About four minutes into the song, "The Day Begins" features a poem which is known as "Morning Glory." Written by the Moody Blues' drummer Graeme Edge
Graeme Edge
Graeme Charles Edge is best known as the drummer and a songwriter for the Moody Blues, but has also led his own outfit, the Graeme Edge Band.-Biography:...
, "Morning Glory" ultimately begins the everyman's day concept of the album. On the album, "Morning Glory" was recited by the Moody Blues' keyboardist Mike Pinder
Mike Pinder
Michael Thomas "Mike" Pinder is an English rock musician, and is a founding member or the British rock group, the Moody Blues. He left the group following the recording of the band's album, Octave, in 1978...
. The opening lines from "Morning Glory" are repeated at the end of "Late Lament", the poem at the end of "Nights in White Satin
Nights in White Satin
"Nights in White Satin" is a 1967 single by The Moody Blues, written by Justin Hayward and first featured on the album Days of Future Passed.It is in the key of E minor Aeolian.-Single releases:...
", which ends the Days of Future Passed, effectively opening and ending the album with the same phrase:
Cold hearted orb that rules the night,
removes the colours from our sight.
Red is grey, and yellow, white,
but we decide which is right,
and which is an illusion.
Beginning with this line, "Morning Glory" primarily describes the morning before the sunrise. After this line, the poems continues to describe the early morning. The final line ultimately then describes the sunrise, beginning the day:
Brave Helios
Helios
Helios was the personification of the Sun in Greek mythology. Homer often calls him simply Titan or Hyperion, while Hesiod and the Homeric Hymn separate him as a son of the Titans Hyperion and Theia or Euryphaessa and brother of the goddesses Selene, the moon, and Eos, the dawn...
, wake up your steeds.
Bring the warmth the countryside needs.
From here, the album continues to the next part of the day, dawn, with "Dawn is a Feeling
Dawn is a Feeling
"Dawn is a Feeling" is the second song from The Moody Blues 1967 album Days of Future Passed. Days of Future Passed is a concept album with each song representing a part of the day, with "Dawn is a Feeling" representing Dawn....
."
From 1992 through the early 2000s, the Moody Blues toured with shows backed by live orchestras. During these orchestra-backed performances, the show would begin with the orchestra performing an overture featuring excerpts from many of the Moody Blues' songs. The overture acts in the same manner as "The Day Begins", which is an overture to the songs of Days of Future Passed. Towards the end of the overture, the latter half of "The Day Begins" is played, making use of its excerpts from "Tuesday Afternoon
Tuesday Afternoon
"Tuesday Afternoon" is a 1968 single by English symphonic rock band The Moody Blues, and presented in its original album form on their 1967 album Days of Future Passed in two parts.-Part one:The first part, the one most familiar to listeners, called "Tuesday Afternoon", was...
" and "Nights in White Satin
Nights in White Satin
"Nights in White Satin" is a 1967 single by The Moody Blues, written by Justin Hayward and first featured on the album Days of Future Passed.It is in the key of E minor Aeolian.-Single releases:...
." Recordings of the overture from the orchestra-backed performances can be found on the Moody Blues live albums: A Night at Red Rocks with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame (The Moody Blues album)
Hall of Fame is a live album by the progressive rock band The Moody Blues. It was recorded at a concert performed at the Royal Albert Hall, which included backing by a live orchestra. The album was released on 8 August 2000...
.
Personnel
- Peter KnightPeter KnightPeter Knight is a folk musician, member of the electric folk group Steeleye Span.Peter Knight was born in London on 27 May 1947. As a child he learned the violin and mandolin before going to the Royal Academy of Music from 1960 to 1964. The recordings of the Irish fiddler Michael Coleman inspired...
and the London Festival OrchestraLondon Festival OrchestraThe London Festival Orchestra was established in the 1950s as the 'house orchestra' for Decca Records. In 1980 it was incorporated as an independent performing orchestra under Ross Pople....
: orchestra arrangements - Mike PinderMike PinderMichael Thomas "Mike" Pinder is an English rock musician, and is a founding member or the British rock group, the Moody Blues. He left the group following the recording of the band's album, Octave, in 1978...
: narration