If you ask the original Hippies of the late 1960s and early 1970s to name the band that played the largest role in their lives, there will be a range of answers with various explanations. If it’s the band that changed many from being music-agnostic to music-passionate, the answer is probably The Beatles. Regardless of whether there was a respect or personal dislike for The Beatles, music became a topic that entered most conversations. On the other hand, if it’s the band that moved people away from Top 40, cookie-cut hits, the answer is most likely The Doors. “Light My Fire” was the first hit that was much longer than the commercial-friendly length of slightly more than three minutes. The Doors opened the gate for the 17-minute “In a Gadda Da Vida” by Iron Butterfly and for the “underground radio stations” that became alternative radio in the late 1960s.
But if the question is directed to the most influential band in shaping life beyond music, the response is likely to be The Moody Blues. Between 1968 and 1971, The Moody Blues released five albums that triggered many discussions about life. Given the time, many of the conversations were probably among people in altered states. The songs didn’t lead the listener to any conclusions. They merely caused questioning. It wasn’t a level of influence The Moody Blues sought, or even wanted. In fact, their next album (“Seventh Sojourn” in 1972) included a song that proclaimed "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)." That message was not one fans were happy to hear.
"Departure" - Lyrics
Be it sight, sound, the smell, the touch.
There's something,
Inside that we need so much,
The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
The wonder of flowers, to be covered, and then to burst up,
Thru tarmack, to the sun again,
Or to fly to the sun without burning a wing,
To lie in the meadow and hear the grass sing,
To have all these things in our memories hoard,
And to use them,
To help us,
To find...
"Ride My See-Saw"
Ride, ride my see-saw,
Take this place
On this trip
Just for me.
Ride, take a free ride,
Take my place
Have my seat
It's for free.
I worked like a slave for years,
Sweat so hard just to end my fears.
Not to end my life a poor man,
But by now, I know I should have run.
Run, run my last race,
Take my place
Have this number
Of mine.
Run, run like a fire,
Don't you run in
In the lanes
Run for time.
Left school with a first class pass,
Started work but as second class.
School taught one and one is two.
But right now, that answer just ain't true.
Ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah ah
My world is spinning around,
Everything is lost that I found.
People run, come ride with me,
Let's find another place that's free.
Ride, ride my see-saw,
Take this place
On this trip
Just for me.
Ride, take a free ride,
Take my place
Have my seat
It's for free.
Ride, my see-saw.
Ride, ride, ride, my see-saw.
Ride, my see-saw...
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