Dear Diary (song)
Encyclopedia
"Dear Diary" is a 1969 song by the progressive rock band The Moody Blues
. Written by the band's flautist Ray Thomas
, "Dear Diary" was first released on the 1969 album On the Threshold of a Dream
.
The lyrics of "Dear Diary" draw inspiration from the Eastern concept of Maya (illusion)
, and basically describe a man's alienation from the illusions of normal society. He sees people "rushing around so senselessly" and posits that "if they weren't so blind, then surely they'd see, there's a much better way for them to be." In the bridge of the song, the narrator states:
"They don't know what they're playing,
They've no way of knowing what the game is,
Still they carry on, doing what they can."
The song itself has a slow, ethereal sound to it, and Ray Thomas's lead vocal track is run through a Leslie speaker
for an eerie effect. In a moment of humor typical of Thomas's writing, the song ends with the narrator having heard a news report of the testing of an H bomb. The narrator is glad that the bomb wasn't exploded by anyone he knew.
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....
. Written by the band's 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:...
, "Dear Diary" was first released on the 1969 album 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....
.
The lyrics of "Dear Diary" draw inspiration from the Eastern concept of Maya (illusion)
Maya (illusion)
Maya , in Indian religions, has multiple meanings, usually quoted as "illusion", centered on the fact that we do not experience the environment itself but rather a projection of it, created by us. Maya is the principal deity that manifests, perpetuates and governs the illusion and dream of duality...
, and basically describe a man's alienation from the illusions of normal society. He sees people "rushing around so senselessly" and posits that "if they weren't so blind, then surely they'd see, there's a much better way for them to be." In the bridge of the song, the narrator states:
"They don't know what they're playing,
They've no way of knowing what the game is,
Still they carry on, doing what they can."
The song itself has a slow, ethereal sound to it, and Ray Thomas's lead vocal track is run through a Leslie speaker
Leslie speaker
The Leslie speaker is a specially constructed amplifier/loudspeaker used to create special audio effects using the Doppler effect. Named after its inventor, Donald Leslie, it is particularly associated with the Hammond organ but is used with a variety of instruments as well as vocals. The...
for an eerie effect. In a moment of humor typical of Thomas's writing, the song ends with the narrator having heard a news report of the testing of an H bomb. The narrator is glad that the bomb wasn't exploded by anyone he knew.
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...
: acoustic guitar, backing vocals - John Lodge: bass guitar, backing 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 - 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, 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