To Our Children's Children's Children
Encyclopedia
To Our Children's Children's Children is the fifth album by The Moody Blues
, first issued in late 1969. It was the first album released on the group's newly formed Threshold Records
label, which was named after the band's previous album from the same year, On the Threshold of a Dream
.
It was inspired by the 1969 moon landing
, and the songs centre around the twin themes of space travel
and children, with minor-key tonalities and a distinct psychedelic
influence.
It is the fourth of what are popularly considered the group's "core seven" albums from 1967-72, and as such represents the peak of their career to some. While the extracted single
, "Watching and Waiting
", did not do well in that market, To Our Children's Children's Children was critically well-received and sold well, reaching #2 in the United Kingdom and #14 in the United States. The band found most of the songs impossible to perform live, due to extremely lush orchestrations and a great deal of overdubbing. For this reason their following album, A Question of Balance
, was more stripped down and basic in instrumentation. This change only lasted for one album and the next, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
, saw a return to their earlier orchestral sound.
In March 2006 the album was remastered into SACD
format and repackaged as a 2CD Deluxe Edition.
In 2008 a remaster for single standard audio CD was issued with the five bonus tracks.
The song "Out and In" originally was credited to both Mike Pinder
and John Lodge, their only collaboration noted as such; but on the 1997 CD rerelease, Lodge's co-writing credit was omitted.
in March 2006 and repackaged into a 2 CD Deluxe Edition.
Extra tracks on the Deluxe Edition are:
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....
, first issued in late 1969. It was the first album released on the group's newly formed Threshold Records
Threshold Records
Threshold Records was a record label created by The Moody Blues, after their 1969 album On the Threshold of a Dream.It was a UK subsidiary of Decca Records and a U.S. subsidiary of London Records...
label, which was named after the band's previous album from the same year, On the Threshold of a Dream
On the Threshold of a Dream
On the Threshold of a Dream is the fourth album by The Moody Blues, released on the Deram label in 1969. It was their last album to be released by the band before they formed their own record label, Threshold, to be distributed by Decca Records....
.
It was inspired by the 1969 moon landing
Moon landing
A moon landing is the arrival of a spacecraft on the surface of the Moon. This includes both manned and unmanned missions. The first human-made object to reach the surface of the Moon was the Soviet Union's Luna 2 mission on 13 September 1959. The United States's Apollo 11 was the first manned...
, and the songs centre around the twin themes of space travel
Spaceflight
Spaceflight is the act of travelling into or through outer space. Spaceflight can occur with spacecraft which may, or may not, have humans on board. Examples of human spaceflight include the Russian Soyuz program, the U.S. Space shuttle program, as well as the ongoing International Space Station...
and children, with minor-key tonalities and a distinct psychedelic
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
influence.
It is the fourth of what are popularly considered the group's "core seven" albums from 1967-72, and as such represents the peak of their career to some. While the extracted single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "Watching and Waiting
Watching and Waiting
"Watching and Waiting" is a 1969 single by the progressive rock band The Moody Blues, and was written by band members Justin Hayward and Ray Thomas. It was first released as a single in October 1969, and was later released in November 1969 on the album To Our Children's Children's Children...
", did not do well in that market, To Our Children's Children's Children was critically well-received and sold well, reaching #2 in the United Kingdom and #14 in the United States. The band found most of the songs impossible to perform live, due to extremely lush orchestrations and a great deal of overdubbing. For this reason their following album, A Question of Balance
A Question of Balance
A Question of Balance, released in 1970, is the sixth album by The Moody Blues. The album was an attempt by the group to strip down their well-known lush, psychedelic sound in order to be able to better perform the songs in concert...
, was more stripped down and basic in instrumentation. This change only lasted for one album and the next, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (album)
Every Good Boy Deserves Favour is the seventh album by the Moody Blues, released in 1971. The album was the last to feature only the Mellotron, as it would be assisted by the Chamberlin on the Moody Blues' next studio album, 1972's Seventh Sojourn.This album featured the only track to be written...
, saw a return to their earlier orchestral sound.
In March 2006 the album was remastered into SACD
Super Audio CD
Super Audio CD is a high-resolution, read-only optical disc for audio storage. Sony and Philips Electronics jointly developed the technology, and publicized it in 1999. It is designated as the Scarlet Book standard. Sony and Philips previously collaborated to define the Compact Disc standard...
format and repackaged as a 2CD Deluxe Edition.
In 2008 a remaster for single standard audio CD was issued with the five bonus tracks.
The song "Out and In" originally was credited to both Mike Pinder
Mike Pinder
Michael 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...
and John Lodge, their only collaboration noted as such; but on the 1997 CD rerelease, Lodge's co-writing credit was omitted.
Side One
- "Higher and HigherHigher and Higher (The Moody Blues song)"Higher and Higher" is the opening track of The Moody Blues 1969 album To Our Children's Children's Children, a concept album about space travel....
" (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:...
) - 4:07 - "Eyes of a Child IEyes of a Child (song)"Eyes of a Child" is a 1969 song by the progressive rock band The Moody Blues. Written and sung by the band's bassist John Lodge, "Eyes of a Child" is a two-part song, and both parts were recorded and released in 1969 on the Moody Blues Album To Our Children's Children's Children, a concept album...
" (John Lodge) - 3:24 - "FloatingFloating (The Moody Blues song)"Floating" is a song on The Moody Blues' November 1969 album To Our Children's Children's Children, a concept album about space travel dedicated to NASA and the Apollo 11 astronauts. Written by band flautist Ray Thomas, "Floating" is a jaunty, semi-children's song about a future in which advances...
" (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:...
) - 2:59 - "Eyes of a Child IIEyes of a Child (song)"Eyes of a Child" is a 1969 song by the progressive rock band The Moody Blues. Written and sung by the band's bassist John Lodge, "Eyes of a Child" is a two-part song, and both parts were recorded and released in 1969 on the Moody Blues Album To Our Children's Children's Children, a concept album...
" (Lodge) - 1:24 - "I Never Thought I'd Live to be a HundredI Never Thought I'd Live to be a Hundred"I'd Never Thought I'd Live to be a Hundred" is a 1969 song by the progressive rock band The Moody Blues, from their album To Our Children's Children's Children....
" (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...
) - 1:06 - "BeyondBeyond (song)"Beyond" is a three-minute long instrumental song by the band The Moody Blues from their 1969 album To Our Children's Children's Children, a concept album about space travel. "Beyond" was written by the Moody Blues' drummer Graeme Edge. It was the Moody Blues' second fully instrumental song on...
" (Edge) - 2:59 - "Out and InOut and In"Out and In" is a 1969 song by the progressive rock band The Moody Blues, from their album To Our Children's Children's Children, a concept album about space travel...
" (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...
, Lodge) - 3:50
Side Two
- "Gypsy (Of a Strange and Distant Time)Gypsy (Of a Strange and Distant Time)"Gypsy " is a 1969 song by the progressive rock band The Moody Blues, from their album To Our Children's Children's Children, a concept album about space travel...
" (Hayward) - 3:33 - "Eternity Road" (Thomas) - 4:19
- "Candle of LifeCandle of Life"Candle of Life" is a 1969 song by the progressive rock band The Moody Blues, from their album To Our Children's Children's Children, a concept album about space travel...
" (Lodge) - 4:15 - "Sun is Still ShiningSun is Still Shining"Sun is Still Shining" is a song by the band The Moody Blues from their 1969 album To Our Children's Children's Children, a concept album about space travel...
" (Pinder) - 3:40 - "I Never Thought I'd Live to be a MillionI Never Thought I'd Live to be a Hundred"I'd Never Thought I'd Live to be a Hundred" is a 1969 song by the progressive rock band The Moody Blues, from their album To Our Children's Children's Children....
(Hayward) - 0:34 - "Watching and WaitingWatching and Waiting"Watching and Waiting" is a 1969 single by the progressive rock band The Moody Blues, and was written by band members Justin Hayward and Ray Thomas. It was first released as a single in October 1969, and was later released in November 1969 on the album To Our Children's Children's Children...
" (Hayward, Thomas) - 4:16
2006 SACD Deluxe Edition Tracks
To Our Children's Children's Children was remastered into SACDSuper Audio CD
Super Audio CD is a high-resolution, read-only optical disc for audio storage. Sony and Philips Electronics jointly developed the technology, and publicized it in 1999. It is designated as the Scarlet Book standard. Sony and Philips previously collaborated to define the Compact Disc standard...
in March 2006 and repackaged into a 2 CD Deluxe Edition.
Extra tracks on the Deluxe Edition are:
- "Gypsy" (Alternate Version) (Hayward) - 4:17
- "Candle of Life" (Alternate Version) (Lodge) - 4:59
- "Sun Is Still Shining" (Extended Version) (Pinder) - 4:07
- "Gypsy" (BBC radio concert 17 December 1969) (Hayward) - 3:21
- "Sunset" (BBC radio concert 17 December 1969) (Pinder) 3:54
- "Never Comes the Day" (BBC radio concert 17 December 1969) (Hayward) - 4:42
- "Are You Sitting Comfortably" (BBC radio concert 17 December 1969) (Hayward, Thomas) - 2:54
- "The Dream" (BBC radio concert 17 December 1969) (Edge) 0:58
- "Have You Heard Pt. 1/The Voyage/Have You Heard Pt. 2" (BBC radio concert 17 December 1969) (Pinder) - 5:50
- "Nights in White SatinNights in White Satin"Nights in White Satin" is a 1967 single by The Moody Blues, written by Justin Hayward and first featured on the album Days of Future Passed.It is in the key of E minor Aeolian.-Single releases:...
" (BBC radio concert 17 December 1969) (Hayward) - 3:12 - "Legend of a MindLegend of a Mind"Legend of a Mind" is a song by the British progressive rock band The Moody Blues, and was written by the band's flautist Ray Thomas, who provides the lead vocals. "Legend of a Mind" was recorded in January 1968 and was first released on the Moody Blues' album In Search of the Lost Chord...
" (BBC radio concert 17 December 1969) (Thomas) - 4:37
2008 Single Standard CD Remaster Tracks
- "Gypsy" (Alternate Version) (Hayward) - 4:16
- "Candle of Life" (Alternate Version) (Lodge) - 4:55
- "Sun Is Still Shining" (Extended Version) (Pinder) - 4:03
- "Have You Heard Pt. 1/The Voyage/Have You Heard Pt. 2" (BBC radio concert 17 December 1969) (Pinder) - 5:36
- "Legend of a MindLegend of a Mind"Legend of a Mind" is a song by the British progressive rock band The Moody Blues, and was written by the band's flautist Ray Thomas, who provides the lead vocals. "Legend of a Mind" was recorded in January 1968 and was first released on the Moody Blues' album In Search of the Lost Chord...
" (BBC radio concert 17 December 1969) (Thomas) - 4:33
Chart positions
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
2 |
| 1970 | Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
14 |
Personnel
- Justin Hayward – vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, electric guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
, sitarSitarThe 'Tablaman' is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages... - John Lodge – vocals, bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, harpHarpThe harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings... - Ray Thomas – vocals, fluteFluteThe flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, tambourineTambourineThe tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all.... - Graeme Edge – drumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration... - Mike Pinder – vocals, MellotronMellotronThe 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...
, PianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...