English Sunset
Encyclopedia
"English Sunset" is the first and only single released by The Moody Blues
from their 1999 album Strange Times, making it their first single in nearly 8 years. Their previous single had been 1991's "Bless the Wings (That Bring You Back)
" from Keys of the Kingdom
. "English Sunset" should not be confused with the Moody Blues' 1967 song "The Sunset
" from Days of Future Passed
.
"English Sunset" is a very fast paced rock and roll song, which sets it apart from the other songs on Strange Times, which are primarily slow airy rock songs. It is arguably the fastest paced song they have ever recorded. It is primarily driven by bass guitar and string arrangements provided by an electric keyboard. It also includes a repetitive electric guitar riff throughout the song.
The lead vocals are provided by the song's writer, Justin Hayward
. John Lodge shouts the line "England!" twice in the song. Also, towards the end of the song, Ray Thomas
provides the line "More tea vicar?", a phrase used by the English to acknowledge someone has flatulated
. Live performances of the song often receive laughter from the audience after Thomas's line, who then makes a gesture of drinking tea with his hand.
"English Sunset" is also the Moody Blues final single to feature founding member Ray Thomas
prior to his retirement. He would be replaced by session flautist Norda Mullen for their concerts.
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....
from their 1999 album Strange Times, making it their first single in nearly 8 years. Their previous single had been 1991's "Bless the Wings (That Bring You Back)
Bless the Wings (That Bring You Back)
"Bless the Wings " is the second single from The Moody Blues 1991 album Keys of the Kingdom. Written by Justin Hayward, it was released as a single in June 1991, with "Once is Enough" on the B-side. While successful among Moody Blues fans, "Bless the Wings" did not chart at the time of its...
" from Keys of the Kingdom
Keys of the Kingdom
Keys of the Kingdom is the fifteenth album released by the rock band The Moody Blues in 1991. Although some of the tracks recall the songwriting on Sur La Mer, the failure of Keys of the Kingdom to produce any major hit singles would mark the beginning of the Moodies' decline in popularity with...
. "English Sunset" should not be confused with the Moody Blues' 1967 song "The Sunset
The Sunset (The Moody Blues song)
"The Sunset" is a song from The Moody Blues 1967 album Days of Future Passed. It is the second of three songs on the album representing the evening, along with " Time to Get Away" , and "Twilight Time." Written by keyboardist Mike Pinder, "The Sunset" is a very low-key song describing the scene...
" from 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...
.
"English Sunset" is a very fast paced rock and roll song, which sets it apart from the other songs on Strange Times, which are primarily slow airy rock songs. It is arguably the fastest paced song they have ever recorded. It is primarily driven by bass guitar and string arrangements provided by an electric keyboard. It also includes a repetitive electric guitar riff throughout the song.
The lead vocals are provided by the song's writer, Justin Hayward
Justin Hayward
Justin Hayward is an English musician, best known as singer, songwriter and guitarist in the rock band The Moody Blues.Hayward was born in Dean Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, England...
. John Lodge shouts the line "England!" twice in the song. Also, towards the end of the song, Ray Thomas
Ray Thomas
Ray Thomas is an English musician, best known as the flautist and as a singer and composer in the rock band, The Moody Blues.-Career:...
provides the line "More tea vicar?", a phrase used by the English to acknowledge someone has flatulated
Flatulence
Flatulence is the expulsion through the rectum of a mixture of gases that are byproducts of the digestion process of mammals and other animals. The medical term for the mixture of gases is flatus, informally known as a fart, or simply gas...
. Live performances of the song often receive laughter from the audience after Thomas's line, who then makes a gesture of drinking tea with his hand.
"English Sunset" is also the Moody Blues final single to feature founding member Ray Thomas
Ray Thomas
Ray Thomas is an English musician, best known as the flautist and as a singer and composer in the rock band, The Moody Blues.-Career:...
prior to his retirement. He would be replaced by session flautist Norda Mullen for their concerts.
Personnel
- Justin HaywardJustin HaywardJustin Hayward is an English musician, best known as singer, songwriter and guitarist in the rock band The Moody Blues.Hayward was born in Dean Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, England...
: vocals, electric guitar - John Lodge: vocals, bass guitar
- Ray ThomasRay ThomasRay Thomas is an English musician, best known as the flautist and as a singer and composer in the rock band, The Moody Blues.-Career:...
: vocals, tambourine - Graeme EdgeGraeme EdgeGraeme 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:...
: drums, percussion