The Moody Blues Sing “Tuesday Afternoon” And It Will Carry You Away

Typical Afternoon

Written by lead singer Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues, “Tuesday Afternoon” utilizes the mellotron instrument and soft, signature vocals in a subtly haunting way that you cannot get out of your head. Apparently Justin was smoking an African cigarette one Tuesday afternoon in a random field and just started writing out the lyrics in his mind.

Interesting Fact: The Moody Blues Mellotron wizard was Mike Pinder, who was a founding member of the band. He used to work for a company called Streetly Electronics, which made the instrument. He was one of the few musicians who could keep the unwieldy device operational, and these guys became the first high-profile bands to use it in live performances.

From 1967 album Days of Future Passed, this is known as one of the greatest songs from the band due to its various combination of melodies and tempos that really sets it apart from a standard soft rock song. As the bands second single, after “Nights In White Satin,” “Tuesday Afternoon” hit #98 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968.

Performing their hit at The Tavern in Paris, France in 1970, here are The Moody Blues with unforgettable classic, “Tuesday Afternoon.” Enjoy!

+ Tuesday Afternoon 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