I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)
Encyclopedia
"I'm Just a Singer" is a hit 1973 single by the English progressive rock
band The Moody Blues
. It was first released in 1972 as the final track on the album Seventh Sojourn
. "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" was later released as a single in 1973, with "For My Lady
" on the B-side. It was the second single released from Seventh Sojourn
, with the first being "Isn't Life Strange
" (also written by Lodge).
"I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" was written by the Moody Blues' bassist John Lodge, who won an ASCAP songwriting award for it. It is one of John Lodge's signature high-energy rock and roll songs, and is one of his best known compositions for the Moody Blues, along with "Ride My See-Saw
."
"I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" was the final single by The Moody Blues to feature the use of the Chamberlin
(which had recently replaced the similar instrument, the Mellotron
). The Chamberlin would later be replaced by a more modern keyboard synthesizer
.
A promotional music-video was filmed for "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)". This video showed The Moody Blues' flautist Ray Thomas
playing a Baritone Saxophone
. However, the saxophone was used just for effect in the video. The saxophone sound actually comes from the Chamberlin.
"I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100
in the U.S., becoming one of their highest-charting hits in that country, but fared less well in their native UK, where it managed #36. It was also the final single released by the Moody Blues prior to their five year hiatus, which was agreed upon so each of the band members could pursue their own solo careers. Their next single would not be until 1978, with "Steppin' in a Slide Zone
."
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band 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....
. It was first released in 1972 as the final track on the album Seventh Sojourn
Seventh Sojourn
Seventh Sojourn, released in 1972, is the eighth album by The Moody Blues.In Seventh Sojourn, The Moody Blues used, besides the Mellotron, a keyboard called the Chamberlin, a device similar to the Mellotron created by the original inventor of the device, Harry Chamberlin...
. "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" was later released as a single in 1973, with "For My Lady
For My Lady
"For My Lady" is a 1973 song by the English progressive rock band The Moody Blues. It was written by the band's flautist Ray Thomas, and was first released on the 1972 album Seventh Sojourn...
" on the B-side. It was the second single released from Seventh Sojourn
Seventh Sojourn
Seventh Sojourn, released in 1972, is the eighth album by The Moody Blues.In Seventh Sojourn, The Moody Blues used, besides the Mellotron, a keyboard called the Chamberlin, a device similar to the Mellotron created by the original inventor of the device, Harry Chamberlin...
, with the first being "Isn't Life Strange
Isn't Life Strange
"Isn't Life Strange" is a 1972 single by the English rock band The Moody Blues. Written by bassist John Lodge, it was the first of two singles released from their 1972 album Seventh Sojourn, with the other being "I'm Just a Singer "...
" (also written by Lodge).
"I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" was written by the Moody Blues' bassist John Lodge, who won an ASCAP songwriting award for it. It is one of John Lodge's signature high-energy rock and roll songs, and is one of his best known compositions for the Moody Blues, along with "Ride My See-Saw
Ride My See-Saw
"Ride My See-Saw" is a hit 1968 single by the English progressive rock band The Moody Blues. It was written by the band's bassist John Lodge, and was first released on the Moody Blues 1968 album In Search of the Lost Chord...
."
"I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" was the final single by The Moody Blues to feature the use of the Chamberlin
Chamberlin
The Chamberlin is an electro-mechanical keyboard instrument that was a precursor to the Mellotron. It was developed and patented by Iowa, Wisconsin inventor Harry Chamberlin from 1949 to 1956, when the first model was introduced. Various models and versions of these Chamberlin music instruments...
(which had recently replaced the similar instrument, the Mellotron
Mellotron
The Mellotron is an electro-mechanical, polyphonic tape replay keyboard originally developed and built in Birmingham, England in the early 1960s. It superseded the Chamberlin Music Master, which was the world's first sample-playback keyboard intended for music...
). The Chamberlin would later be replaced by a more modern keyboard synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
.
A promotional music-video was filmed for "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)". This video showed The Moody Blues' flautist 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:...
playing a Baritone Saxophone
Baritone saxophone
The baritone saxophone, often called "bari sax" , is one of the largest and lowest pitched members of the saxophone family. It was invented by Adolphe Sax. The baritone is distinguished from smaller sizes of saxophone by the extra loop near its mouthpiece...
. However, the saxophone was used just for effect in the video. The saxophone sound actually comes from the Chamberlin.
"I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in the U.S., becoming one of their highest-charting hits in that country, but fared less well in their native UK, where it managed #36. It was also the final single released by the Moody Blues prior to their five year hiatus, which was agreed upon so each of the band members could pursue their own solo careers. Their next single would not be until 1978, with "Steppin' in a Slide Zone
Steppin' In a Slide Zone
"Steppin' in a Slide Zone" is a 1978 single by the English progressive rock band The Moody Blues. It was the first single The Moody Blues had released in five years, after the band's temporary hiatus...
."
Chart positions
| Chart (1972) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 36 |
| Billboard Hot 100 | 12 |
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
- 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...
: vocals, chamberlin - 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