Watching and Waiting
Encyclopedia
"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
. While "Watching and Waiting" is not as well known as some other Moody Blues' singles, the background mellotron
sound has a similar sound to "Nights in White Satin
." The single also featured the song "Out and In
" on the B-side.
While the album was a huge success for the Moody Blues, charting at #2 in the UK, the single itself was a flop, and did not even chart. It is also the only Moody Blues A-Side single to feature Ray Thomas
as co-writer.
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....
, and was written by band members 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...
and 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:...
. 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
To Our Children's Children's Children
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...
. While "Watching and Waiting" is not as well known as some other Moody Blues' singles, the background 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 It superseded the Chamberlin Music Master, which was the world's first sample-playback keyboard intended for music...
sound has a similar sound to "Nights in White Satin
Nights 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:...
." The single also featured the song "Out and In
Out 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...
" on the B-side.
While the album was a huge success for the Moody Blues, charting at #2 in the UK, the single itself was a flop, and did not even chart. It is also the only Moody Blues A-Side single to feature 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:...
as co-writer.
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, acoustic guitar - John Lodge: 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...
: mellotron, 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... - 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:...
: flute - 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