Question

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s your hippie DJs from THE ZOO spinning some cosmic vibes to lift your spirits! We’re grooving to “Question” by The Moody Blues from their 1970 album A Question of Balance. This track’s a psychedelic masterpiece, blending Justin Hayward’s soaring vocals with that iconic galloping rhythm. Fun fact: Hayward wrote it as a protest against the Vietnam War, inspired by the turmoil of the late ’60s, as he shared in a Songfacts interview. He originally meant it for a solo project, but the band turned it into a seven-minute epic, hitting No. 2 in the UK and No. 21 in the US. Fans on The Moody Blues’ X account love its call for peace, with lyrics like “Why don’t we try to live in love?” One Zoo Freak in the Moody Blues Fans Facebook group posted about seeing them play it live in ’71, saying the crowd was spellbound as the Mellotron swelled. Talk about a tune that hits you right in the soul!

More far-out trivia about “Question” — it’s actually two songs stitched together, with a fast-paced anthem wrapping around a slower, reflective middle, as Hayward explained to Louder. The band recorded it in a rush to meet a deadline, giving it that raw, urgent energy. The Moody Blues Fan Club site notes how its opening “aah” chant was a nod to their live audiences, who’d sing along at shows. A 1986 re-recording for The Other Side of Life tour got some flak from purists, but fans on X still dig the original’s vibe, with one sharing a story about blasting it during a 1970 road trip to a peace rally. The song’s also got a cool legacy, appearing in covers by bands like Styx, and its 2018 live version at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction had the crowd on its feet, as seen on Rock Hall clips. If you’ve got a “Question” memory, Zoo Freaks, give us a shout!

So, how did The Moody Blues get their start? Picture Birmingham, England, in 1964, with the British Invasion in full swing. Graeme Edge (drums), Denny Laine (vocals/guitar), Mike Pinder (keyboards), Ray Thomas (flute/harmonica), and Clint Warwick (bass) formed the band, naming it after a local brewery, M&B, hoping for sponsorship that never came, as per AllMusic. They started as an R&B act, scoring a No. 1 UK hit with “Go Now” in ’64. By ’67, Laine and Warwick split, and in came Justin Hayward and John Lodge, shifting the band toward a progressive, orchestral sound. Their 1967 album Days of Future Passed, with hits like “Nights in White Satin,” pioneered symphonic rock, blending classical elements via Pinder’s Mellotron. Signed to Decca’s Deram label, they toured relentlessly, building a cult following in the US and UK. Over decades, they’ve sold over 70 million albums, earning their 2018 Rock Hall induction, and their cosmic lyrics still resonate with dreamers everywhere.

Wanna stay in the Moody Blues orbit? Check out their official website for tour news, merch, and updates on their legacy. They’re on Facebook and Instagram, sharing vintage photos and clips from their epic live shows. Follow their X account for fan chatter and throwbacks, like memories of their ’70s Isle of Wight festival gigs. For more community love, join the Moody Blues Fans Facebook group or visit the Moody Blues Fan Club site, where fans swap rare vinyl finds and stories from their orchestral tours. Keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, Zoo Freaks, and let’s keep the psychedelic dream alive!