For My Lady
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| "For My Lady" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by The Moody Blues | |
| from the album Seventh Sojourn | |
| A-side | "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" |
| Released | 19 January 1973 |
| Recorded | 27th July 1972 |
| Genre | Progressive rock |
| Length | 4:01 |
| Label | Threshold |
| Songwriter | Ray Thomas |
| Producer | Tony Clarke |
"For My Lady" is a song written by Ray Thomas that was released on the Moody Blues 1972 album Seventh Sojourn. It was also released as the B-side to the single "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)".
The lyrics to "For My Lady" are about the singer's desire for true love.[1] The lyrics may have been inspired by Thomas' recent divorce at the time he wrote the song.[1]
Music journalist Geoffrey Freakes described "For My Lady" as an "uncomplicated, uncluttered and blissfully romantic song" that is "supremely elegant."[1] Moody Blues biographer Marc Cushman felt that "the melody and heartfelt vocal performance convey a sadness despite the positive nature of the lyrics.[2] Tampa Tribune critic Ralph Harold described the song as "an elegant love song, almost Elizabethan, although somewhat gimmicky with a cymbal sound of ocean waves and a nautical hamonica and organ background.[3]
At one point Justin Hayward plays a guitar note that had some listeners thinking that the guitar string broke.[4] But according to Hayward that it was not a broken string but merely an emphasized pluck to accompany the lyrics "and slowly bow her head."[4]
Reception
Rolling Stone critic Steve Ditlea described "For My Lady" as a "charming chanty about the search for love on life's sea.[5] Star-Phoenix critic Gary Tannyan called it "the song of the album", saying that "It is a whimsical, bouncy little number that you just can't help humming along to.[6] Camarillo Star critic Dean Hoffman called it one of the album's "brightest moments", saying it is "a delightful love song done in the manner of a sea-chanty."[7]
Cushman felt that "For My Lady" may be Thomas' "most beautiful and enduring song" as well as "the most lovely song Thomas has written, and among his finest vocal deliveries."[2] Classic Rock History critic Brian Kachejian rated "For My Lady" as the Moody Blues' 7th greatest song, saying that "The song’s bouncy flute opening had a very Irish ethnic storybook sound that took me someplace out to sea."[8]
Although not released as a single a-side, "For My Lady" received a lot of airplay on the Pennsylvania radio station WSAN.[2] One of the reasons "For My Lady" was released as the b-side of "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock 'n' Roll Band)" was that it was one of the most frequently played tracks on radio from Seventh Sojourn.[2]
"For My Lady" was included on several Moody Blues compilation albums, including This Is The Moody Blues in 1974 and Time Traveller in 1994.[9][10]