The Moody Blues: Question Lyrics

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'Question' Lyrics

"Question" is a 1970 single by the English progressive rock band The Moody Blues. It was written by guitarist Justin Hayward, who provides lead vocals. "Question" was first released as a single in April 1970, and was later featured as the lead track on the 1970 album 'A Question of Balance'.

Originally, the song itself was also to have been named "A Question of Balance," but was shortened to "Question."

The lyrics of the chorus, which are...

..."Why do we never get an answer, when we're knocking at the door?
With a thousand million questions about hate and death and war!"
...

...represented the feelings and attitude toward the Vietnam War.

The single also features the song "Candle of Life" on its B-side, which was from the Moody Blues previous album 'To Our Children's Children's Children'.

Moody Blues Band

"Question" was recorded in one take!

Justin Hayward: acoustic guitar, vocals
John Lodge: bass guitar
Mike Pinder: mellotron
Ray Thomas: tambourine
Graeme Edge: drums, percussion

At the time, "Question" was a simple recording for the Moody Blues. Their previous album, To Our Children's Children's Children, featured songs which included many different sounds provided by overdubbing and double-tracking. Unfortunately, this made most of the songs on the album unable to be performed live. For this reason, "Question" was recorded in one take, and did not need any overdubbing or double-tracking, making it easy for the Moody Blues to perform live.

"Question"

written by Justin Hayward

Why do we never get an answer
When we're knocking at the door
With a thousand million questions
About hate and death and war?
'Cos when we stop and look around us,
There is nothing that we need,
In a world of persecution
That is burning in its greed.

Why do we never get an answer
When we're knocking at the door
Because the truth is hard to swallow
That's what the war of love is for

It's not the way that you say it
When you do those things to me
It's more the way that you mean it
When you tell me what will be

And when you stop and think about it
You won't believe it's true
That all the love you've been giving
Has all been meant for you.

I'm looking for someone to change my life,
I'm looking for a miracle in my life
And if you could see what it's done to me,
To lose the love I knew
Could safely lead me through.

Between the silence of the mountains,
And the crashing of the sea,
There lies a land I once lived in,
And she's waiting there for me,
But in the grey of the morning,
My mind becomes confused,
Between the dead and the sleeping,
And the road that I must choose.

I'm looking for someone to change my life,
I'm looking for a miracle in my life
And if you could see what it's done to me,
To lose the love I knew,
Could safely lead me to
The land that I once knew,
To learn as we grow old
The secrets of our soul.

It's not the way that you say it
When you do those things to me
It's more the way you really mean it
When you tell me what will be

Why do we never get an answer
When we're knocking at the door
With a thousand million questions
About hate and death and war?
'Cos when we stop and look around us,
There is nothing that we need,
In a world of persecution
That is burning in its greed.

Moddy Blues Albums

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Question of Balance Album

A Question of Balance is a 1970 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. In order to be able to play as many new songs as possible from their new album live, the group decided (temporarily) to abandon their method of heavy overdubbing for A Question of Balance.

For the first time, The Moody Blues used political strife as a basis for songwriting with the UK number two hit in May 1970, "Question", which dealt with the controversy resulting from the ongoing Vietnam War.

Released in 1970, the album reached #1 in the UK and #3 in the U.S. However, the group would abandon the stripped-down sounds of A Question of Balance for the lusher sounds of their next two albums, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour and Seventh Sojourn.

In March 2006 the album was remastered into SACD format and repackaged with six extra tracks.

Side one
  1. "Question" (Justin Hayward) - 5:40
  2. "How Is It (We Are Here)" (Mike Pinder) - 2:48
  3. "And The Tide Rushes In" (Ray Thomas) - 2:57
  4. "Don't You Feel Small" (Graeme Edge) - 2:40
  5. "Tortoise And The Hare" (John Lodge) - 3:23

Side two
  1. "It's Up To You" (Hayward) - 3:11
  2. "Minstrel's Song" (Lodge) - 4:27
  3. "Dawning Is The Day" (Hayward) - 4:22
  4. "Melancholy Man" (Michaƫl Pinder) - 5:49
  5. "The Balance" (Edge/Thomas) - 3:33

Bonus tracks

on the SACD version:
  1. Mike's Number One (Previously Unreleased)
  2. Question (Alternate Version)
  3. Minstrel's Song (Original Mix)
  4. It's Up To You (Original Mix)
  5. Don't You Feel Small (Original Mix)
  6. Dawning Is The Day (Full Original Mix)

Live at The Royal Albert Hall in 2000


Live At The Royal Albert Hall 2000

I noticed in the reviews the differences noted between this and the Red Rocks concert.

So, I tried this one and it is excellent. All the old Moodies cuts are here, especially:
  • I'm Just A Singer
  • Nights in White Satin
  • Legened of A Mind
  • Question
  • Ride My See-Saw

This is a fabulous collection.

Live at The Albert Hall

Moody Blues - Question - Royal Albert Hall
by neo1az | video info

988 ratings | 349,318 views
curated content from YouTube

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More Great Moody Blues Albums

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Moody Blues on iTunes

Track Artist Album  
The Other Side of Life The Moody Blues
Nights in White Satin (Including "Late Lament") The Moody Blues & London Festival Orchestra Anthology: the Moody Blues
Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon) [Full Version] The Moody Blues & London Festival Orchestra Anthology: the Moody Blues
Your Wildest Dreams The Moody Blues The Best of the Moody Blues
Ride My See-Saw The Moody Blues The Best of the Moody Blues
The Story in Your Eyes The Moody Blues The Best of the Moody Blues
Go Now! The Moody Blues Anthology: the Moody Blues
I Know You're Out There Somewhere The Moody Blues
I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band) The Moody Blues
No More Lies The Moody Blues
Running Out of Love The Moody Blues
Go Now (Original Single Version) The Moody Blues 100 Hits Of The '60s, '70s and '80s
I Know You're Out There Somewhere The Moody Blues The Best of the Moody Blues
The Voice (Full Version) The Moody Blues & New World Philharmonic The Best of the Moody Blues
Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon) [Edit Single] The Moody Blues The Best of the Moody Blues
I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock 'n Roll Band) The Moody Blues The Best of the Moody Blues
Legend of a Mind The Moody Blues In Search of the Lost Chord (Remastered)
Question (Full Version) The Moody Blues The Best of the Moody Blues

From a Moody Blues Fan, Hi!

Let me know if and how 'Question' made you think

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  • Reply
    MJSchrader Mar 7, 2011 @ 4:47 pm | delete
    Moody Blues are wonderful! It seems whenever I need to reflect on life, pause or change something I am drawn to their songs and albums. Thank you so much for posting this lens about them.
  • Reply
    Bluesssman Nov 17, 2010 @ 8:29 pm | delete
    I love the Moody Blues! Some of their songs are ones I learned when I was first teaching myself to play guitar. Thanks for a great lens.
  • Reply
    Randy Senn Sep 5, 2010 @ 8:52 am | delete
    i can only hope that more and more young people these days will open their minds and listen to the words of all the Moody Blues Songs. I am 57 now and I began listing to these guys in 1967
  • Reply
    worldbuilder Aug 7, 2009 @ 11:50 pm | delete
    Without a question this is my favorite Moody Blues track. I sat for half of forever replaying the single to take down the lyrics, they remain in my writer's notebook that I turn to for my own inspiration. The tempo and mood changes still fascinate me. Great lens. 5*
  • Reply
    AlienAlien117 Mar 27, 2009 @ 7:54 am | delete
    I can only echo every comment I read here,the band is by far responsible for more great music than any other group I'm aware of.Once you listen to the words, the music and learn the words you will have a song in your head for any occasion Love is an amazing power and this music is all about love .You may feel the World is in a "Slide Zone" but keep on keeping on........like the band we are all long distance voyageurs..........travelling Eternity road........thank God for the song we can sing.........when you have the greatest of the keys to the kingdom.........you can always count on a friend to walk with you to the next bend.The River of endless Love has a source it's called Heaven, if the Moody Blues are the only band I find there I'll be happy to stay there forever.Those of you who understand my rave if I don't meet you here I'm sure I'll meet you there.....Thanks for creating this lens Justin and John did an album "The Blue Jays" if you have never heard it you should........Go Now?
  • Reply
    BarbaraEyre Feb 8, 2009 @ 7:59 pm | delete
    The Moody Blues have been my favorite band since I was 7 years old (28 yrs now). All their songs are magical in their own right. Question has been not only a fan favorite as their concerts, but also one of my favorites. There's just something about the song - so simple in lyrics and melody - yet so deep in its message. I can never stop thanking the Moody Blues for all they have written and performed.
  • Reply
    Karen S. Jan 18, 2009 @ 6:24 pm | delete
    How true those words ring today. In this time of uncertainty they still carry weight. The Moodies put it like no one else could or has since.
  • Reply
    eccles1 Nov 19, 2008 @ 2:40 pm | delete
    I don't listen to music as much as I used to not even the oldies or classics
    but these guy have a message in their words the best is 'Question' ..'Cos when we stop and look around us,There is nothing that we need, In a world of persecution That is burning in its greed... great message
    Thank You
  • Reply
    TLC33 Sep 8, 2008 @ 11:46 am | delete
    I love the Moody Blues, their nusic has so much meaning and memories for me. My favorite album is 'On the threshold of a dream'. This is a lovely lens, 5 stars and favorite!
  • Reply
    CleanerLife Aug 19, 2008 @ 1:56 am | delete
    The song is just incredible, great topic for a Lens!

    Question has always been one of my favorite songs. The 12 string guitar has such a beautiful sound, and Justin's voice has such emotion. It's hard to imagine anyone else singing this song.
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Moody Blues

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The Moody Blues write great lyrics, hope you enjoy 'Question'. U2 With or Without You | Louis Armstrong | Coldplay | Phil Coulter more »

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Moody Blues - Gold 

Moody Blues - Gold

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Regarded as one of the most innovative and successful rock bands in music history, The Moody Blues are musical leaders who can claim to have a following of mass proportions worldwide spanning the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's.