Higher and Higher (The Moody Blues song)
"Higher and Higher" is the opening track of the Moody Blues 1969 album To Our Children's Children's Children, a concept album about space travel.
| "Higher and Higher" | |
|---|---|
| Song by The Moody Blues | |
| from the album To Our Children's Children's Children | |
| Released | 21 November 1969 |
| Recorded | May–September 1969 |
| Length | 4:06 |
| Label | Threshold |
| Songwriter(s) | Graeme Edge |
| Producer(s) | Tony Clarke |
The verses of the song are spoken by Mike Pinder, rather than sung. Sound effects of a rocket launching begin the song and last for the first minute.
"Higher and Higher" was also the Moody Blues' first full length song that was written by the band's drummer Graeme Edge. Edge was usually the writer of short spoken-word interludes that appeared at the beginning and end of previous albums. In the recordings, they were usually recited by Mike Pinder.
The Moody Blues continue to perform "Higher and Higher" live in concert. Graeme Edge now provides the lead spoken verses in concert since Mike Pinder is no longer with the band. Since this requires Edge to take center stage to recite the verse, the drums are performed by their back-up drummer Gordon Marshall. At the end of the verses, Edge then returns to the drum set and concludes the song on the drums.
The album was one of those listened to, on cassette tape, by the crew of Apollo 15 in 1971.[1]
Personnel
- Mike Pinder – Mellotron, EMS VCS 3, vocals
- Justin Hayward – acoustic and electric guitars, backing vocals
- John Lodge – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Ray Thomas – tambourine, backing vocals
- Graeme Edge – drums, percussion
References
- "HSA Space Exploration and Aviation Auction Catalog #6000". Heritage Capital Corporation. 1 February 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2018 – via Google Books.