Tuesday Afternoon
Encyclopedia
"Tuesday Afternoon" is a 1968 single by English symphonic rock
band The Moody Blues
, and presented in its original album form on their 1967 album Days of Future Passed
in two parts.
1967 album Days of Future Passed
, a concept album chronicling a typical day. On the album, it was part one of "The Afternoon" track titled "Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)".
Justin Hayward
wrote the song originally intending to name it "Tuesday Afternoon". At the insistence of producer Tony Clarke, it was named "Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)" for its release on Days of Future Passed. However, when it was released as a single a year later, its name was changed back to "Tuesday Afternoon", and it has been more commonly known by this name ever since. Some of the Moody Blues compilation and live albums list the song as "Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon)" to reflect both titles.
"Tuesday Afternoon" was released as a single in 1968, and was the second single from Days of Future Passed (the first being "Nights in White Satin
"). It was backed with another Days track, "Another Morning
". The single version of "Tuesday Afternoon" was oddly edited down to 2:16, ending before the repeat of the opening riff and "Tuesday afternoon" verse.
According to an interview with Justin Hayward
, he wrote "Tuesday Afternoon" while sitting in the middle of a field near his home in England on a beautiful spring afternoon. He claims that he had his acoustic guitar in hand and the song just came to him. The song features Justin Hayward on lead vocals and acoustic guitar. The backing melody comes from the mellotron
, which was played by Mike Pinder
. There is also a short flute solo at the end played by Ray Thomas
.
On Days of Future Passed
, the London Festival Orchestra
performs the final orchestral rendition of the chorus. This orchestral link between parts one and two of the song was recorded separately from the Moodys' portions. The link was arranged by Peter Knight
, who arranged orchestral sections for the entire album. However, for the single release and subsequent releases on compilation albums, this orchestral finale was not included, and the song simply faded out during Ray Thomas's flute solo. The Moody Blues 1994 compilation album, Time Traveller
, marked the first time the orchestral link was included on a compilation. Its release on 1998's Anthology
also included the first-portion orchestral finale.
In concert, "Tuesday Afternoon" is usually ended with a short reprise of the opening acoustic guitar riff after the flute solo. Although, when the Moody Blues perform backed by a live orchestra, the original orchestral link ends the song.
", which is uncredited on the original album. Composed by John Lodge, the song hinges on the end of a work day and returning home.
Most classic rock
stations play the complete eight-minute track which contains both parts of the song.
Symphonic rock
Symphonic rock is a sub-genre of progressive rock. Since early in progressive rock's history, the term has been used sometimes to distinguish more classically influenced progressive rock from the more psychedelic and experimental forms of progressive rock....
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 presented in its original album form on their 1967 album 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...
in two parts.
Part one
The first part, the one most familiar to listeners, called "Tuesday Afternoon", was originally released on The Moody BluesThe 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....
1967 album 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...
, a concept album chronicling a typical day. On the album, it was part one of "The Afternoon" track titled "Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)".
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...
wrote the song originally intending to name it "Tuesday Afternoon". At the insistence of producer Tony Clarke, it was named "Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)" for its release on Days of Future Passed. However, when it was released as a single a year later, its name was changed back to "Tuesday Afternoon", and it has been more commonly known by this name ever since. Some of the Moody Blues compilation and live albums list the song as "Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon)" to reflect both titles.
"Tuesday Afternoon" was released as a single in 1968, and was the second single from Days of Future Passed (the first being "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:...
"). It was backed with another Days track, "Another Morning
Another Morning (The Moody Blues song)
"Another Morning" is a 1967 song by the symphonic rock band The Moody Blues. It was written by the band's flautist Ray Thomas, and was first released on the 1967 album Days of Future Passed...
". The single version of "Tuesday Afternoon" was oddly edited down to 2:16, ending before the repeat of the opening riff and "Tuesday afternoon" verse.
According to an interview with 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...
, he wrote "Tuesday Afternoon" while sitting in the middle of a field near his home in England on a beautiful spring afternoon. He claims that he had his acoustic guitar in hand and the song just came to him. The song features Justin Hayward on lead vocals and acoustic guitar. The backing melody comes from the 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...
, which was played by 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...
. There is also a short flute solo at the end played by 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:...
.
On 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...
, the London Festival Orchestra
London Festival Orchestra
The London Festival Orchestra was established in the 1950s as the 'house orchestra' for Decca Records. In 1980 it was incorporated as an independent performing orchestra under Ross Pople....
performs the final orchestral rendition of the chorus. This orchestral link between parts one and two of the song was recorded separately from the Moodys' portions. The link was arranged by Peter Knight
Peter Knight (composer)
Peter Knight was an English musical arranger, conductor and composer.-Career:Knight was born in Exmouth, Devon, England. He worked with Independent Television light entertainment stars from 'Spot The Tune' with Jackie Rae and Marion Ryan to the comedy series 'Home to Roost' ...
, who arranged orchestral sections for the entire album. However, for the single release and subsequent releases on compilation albums, this orchestral finale was not included, and the song simply faded out during Ray Thomas's flute solo. The Moody Blues 1994 compilation album, Time Traveller
Time Traveller (album)
Time Traveller is a five-disc compilation album by The Moody Blues. It includes songs from Days of Future Passed through Keys of the Kingdom, as well as previously unreleased or rare tracks, several songs from the Justin Hayward/John Lodge album Blue Jays, and a solo track by Hayward...
, marked the first time the orchestral link was included on a compilation. Its release on 1998's Anthology
Anthology (The Moody Blues album)
Anthology is a compilation album by the progressive rock band The Moody Blues. It was released on 20 October 1998 and nearly spans the band's entire career from 1965 to 1991.-Disc One:# "Go Now" - 3:10...
also included the first-portion orchestral finale.
In concert, "Tuesday Afternoon" is usually ended with a short reprise of the opening acoustic guitar riff after the flute solo. Although, when the Moody Blues perform backed by a live orchestra, the original orchestral link ends the song.
Part two
The second half of the album version is a track entitled "(Evening) Time to Get Away(Evening) Time to Get Away
" Time to Get Away" is an unlisted song from The Moody Blues 1967 album Days of Future Passed, a concept album with each song representing a part of the day...
", which is uncredited on the original album. Composed by John Lodge, the song hinges on the end of a work day and returning home.
Most classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
stations play the complete eight-minute track which contains both parts of the song.
Use in advertising
- In 2009, "Tuesday Afternoon" was included in a commercial for Visa's Check Card. The commercial depicted a man taking his daughter to an aquarium on a Tuesday afternoon, and is narrated by actor Morgan FreemanMorgan FreemanMorgan Freeman is an American actor, film director, aviator and narrator. He is noted for his reserved demeanor and authoritative speaking voice. Freeman has received Academy Award nominations for his performances in Street Smart, Driving Miss Daisy, The Shawshank Redemption and Invictus and won...
.
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...
: lead vocal, acoustic guitar - John Lodge: backing vocal, 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...
: 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... - 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 - Peter KnightPeter Knight (composer)Peter Knight was an English musical arranger, conductor and composer.-Career:Knight was born in Exmouth, Devon, England. He worked with Independent Television light entertainment stars from 'Spot The Tune' with Jackie Rae and Marion Ryan to the comedy series 'Home to Roost' ...
and the London Festival OrchestraLondon Festival OrchestraThe London Festival Orchestra was established in the 1950s as the 'house orchestra' for Decca Records. In 1980 it was incorporated as an independent performing orchestra under Ross Pople....
: orchestral arrangements
Chart positions
| Chart (1968) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| 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... |
24 |
Cover versions
- New-age piano player David LanzDavid LanzDavid Lanz is a Grammy-nominated New Age pianist. His most popular album, Cristofori's Dream, topped the New Age charts in 1988, which was No. 1 on Billboard's first adult alternative/New Age chart for 27 weeks and eventually sold platinum. Natural States peaked at No...
recorded an instrumental version of "Tuesday Afternoon" for his album Songs from an English Garden. - Jazz singer Bobbi Wilsyn performs "Tuesday Afternoon" on her album It's About Time.
- Northern Soul band The SenateThe Senate (band)The Senate were a White Soul cover band active in Europe in the mid-late 1960s. This group included the late drummer Robbie McIntosh, who would later be a member of The Average White Band, and Alex Ligertwood who went on to a successful career that included vocal work for Santana...
covered "Tuesday Afternoon" on their L.P. Piper Club Dance - Progrock singer/keyboardist Neal MorseNeal MorseNeal Morse is an American multi-instrumentalist and progressive rock composer based in Nashville, Tennessee.-Background:...
covered "Tuesday Afternoon" on his album "Cover To Cover" - Dutch 60's/70's band Etcetera Music Band covered "Tuesday Afternoon" and released it as a digital single in 2010.
- The Doughboys (NJ garage rockers) covered "Tuesday Afternoon" on their 2010 album "Act Your Rage"; their version was chosen to be "Coolest Song In The World" on Little Steven Van Zandt's Underground Garage show on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio.