Ride My See-Saw
Encyclopedia
"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
. It was the second of two singles from that album, the other being "Voices in the Sky
." "Ride My See-Saw" is one of John Lodge's signature high-energy rock and roll songs, and is sometimes regarded as his most popular composition for the Moody Blues, along with "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)
."
The single was released later in October 1968, with Mike Pinder's "A Simple Game" on the B-side. As "Simple Game" the Four Tops
recording of this song went to #3 in the UK charts in 1972. "A Simple Game" was also sampled by Phi Life Cypher on the track "Free" on the album "Higher Forces".
On the album, the song is preceded by the spoken-word piece "Departure
", and laughter from the end of that track bleeds into the opening of "Ride My See-Saw" itself. This was removed for the single release.
At most of the Moody Blues' concerts, "Ride My See-Saw" is the encore presentation at the end of the shows. When performed live, it is usually opened by a lengthy keyboard and drum duet as the band members make their way back out to the stage for the encore.
"Ride My See-Saw" was also another piece of recording history made by the Moody Blues. It was one of the first rock singles ever to be recorded on 8 track multi-track recording. While 8 track had been used on rock albums before (notably on the Moodies' own Days Of Future Passed
) it was not really considered for a single until the time that "See-Saw" was recorded.
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 written by the band's bassist John Lodge, and was first released on the Moody Blues 1968 album In Search of the Lost Chord
In Search of the Lost Chord
-2006 SACD Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks:In Search of the Lost Chord was remastered into SACD in March 2006 and repackaged into a 2 CD Deluxe Edition.Extra tracks on the Deluxe Edition are:#"Departure" – 0:55...
. It was the second of two singles from that album, the other being "Voices in the Sky
Voices in the Sky
"Voices in the Sky" is a hit 1968 single by the progressive rock band The Moody Blues, and it was written by their lead guitarist Justin Hayward. It was released as a single in June 1968, with "Dr. Livingstone, I Presume" on the B-side...
." "Ride My See-Saw" is one of John Lodge's signature high-energy rock and roll songs, and is sometimes regarded as his most popular composition for the Moody Blues, along with "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)
I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)
"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 " was later released as a single in 1973, with "For My Lady" on the B-side...
."
The single was released later in October 1968, with Mike Pinder's "A Simple Game" on the B-side. As "Simple Game" the Four Tops
Four Tops
The Four Tops are an American vocal quartet, whose repertoire has included doo-wop, jazz, soul music, R&B, disco, adult contemporary, hard rock, and showtunes...
recording of this song went to #3 in the UK charts in 1972. "A Simple Game" was also sampled by Phi Life Cypher on the track "Free" on the album "Higher Forces".
On the album, the song is preceded by the spoken-word piece "Departure
Departure (The Moody Blues song)
"Departure" is a short 1968 song by the progressive rock band The Moody Blues. Written by drummer Graeme Edge, it was released on the album In Search of the Lost Chord. The song itself is only 48 seconds long, making it one of their shortest songs....
", and laughter from the end of that track bleeds into the opening of "Ride My See-Saw" itself. This was removed for the single release.
At most of the Moody Blues' concerts, "Ride My See-Saw" is the encore presentation at the end of the shows. When performed live, it is usually opened by a lengthy keyboard and drum duet as the band members make their way back out to the stage for the encore.
"Ride My See-Saw" was also another piece of recording history made by the Moody Blues. It was one of the first rock singles ever to be recorded on 8 track multi-track recording. While 8 track had been used on rock albums before (notably on the Moodies' own 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...
) it was not really considered for a single until the time that "See-Saw" was recorded.
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...
: electric guitar, vocals - John Lodge: bass guitar, vocals
- 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...
: mellotron, vocals - 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:...
: tambourine, vocals - 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, vocals
Chart positions
| Chart (1968) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
42 |
| 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... |
61 |