I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)

"I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" is a 1973 hit single by the English progressive rock band the Moody Blues, written by the band's bassist, John Lodge. It was first released in 1972 as the final track on the album Seventh Sojourn and was later released as a single in 1973, with "For My Lady" as its B-side. It was the second single released from Seventh Sojourn, with the first being "Isn't Life Strange", which was also written by Lodge.

"I'm Just a Singer
(In a Rock and Roll Band)"
Single by The Moody Blues
from the album Seventh Sojourn
B-side"For My Lady"
Released19 January 1973
Recorded3 August 1972
GenreProgressive rock
Length4:18
LabelThreshold
Songwriter(s)John Lodge
Producer(s)Tony Clarke
The Moody Blues singles chronology
"Isn't Life Strange"
(1972)		 "I'm Just a Singer
(In a Rock and Roll Band)"
(1973)		 "Steppin' in a Slide Zone"
(1978)
Official video
"I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" on YouTube

The song reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, becoming one of their highest-charting hits in that country, but fared less well in their native UK, where it managed number 36. It was also the final single released by the Moody Blues prior to their five-year hiatus, which was agreed upon so each of the band members could pursue their own solo careers. Their next single would not be until 1978, with "Steppin' in a Slide Zone".

Billboard regarded the song as a change of pace for the Moody Blues, stating that it had a more "upbeat rock sound" than their typical songs.[1] Cash Box predicted that it was "likely to turn gold," saying that "all indications are that it will head straight for the very top" of the charts.[2] Record World called it an "uptempo rocker" that will give the group "a lock on the top of the charts."[3]

Classic Rock critic Malcolm Dome rated it as the Moody Blues' 6th greatest song.[4] AllMusic critic Lindsay Planer said that "Even though this is an uptempo rocker, Lodge delves headlong into an introspective space equal to that of another significant side, 'Isn't Life Strange.'"[5]

The song was the last of the band's singles to feature the Mellotron. A promotional music-video was filmed for "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)". This video showed the band's flautist Ray Thomas playing a baritone saxophone; however, according to keyboardist Mike Pinder, the saxophone was used just for effect in the video and the saxophone sound was produced by the Chamberlin.[6] The basic tracks for the song were recorded in Pinder's garage, producing a raw sound.[5]

The song remained in the Moody Blues' live concerts throughout their career.[5] Live performances of the song during the band's final years featured a live saxophone played by keyboardist Julie Ragins, along with Norda Mullen on flute.[7]

"For My Lady"

The B-side of the single was "For My Lady", which was composed by Ray Thomas. 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]

Personnel

Chart history

Derivative works
  • "I'm Just a Singer in a Holiday Inn", a Bob Rivers parody of this tune, appears on his 1997 album The Best of Twisted Tunes, Vol. 2.

References
  1. "Radio Action & Pick Singles" (PDF). Billboard. January 27, 1973. p. 125. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
  2. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. January 20, 1973. p. 22. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
  3. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. January 27, 1973. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  4. Dome, Malcolm (August 8, 2016). "The top 10 best Moody Blues songs". Classic Rock. Louder Sound. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  5. Planer, Lindsay. "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)". Allmusic. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
  6. Pinder, as stated on his website
  7. The Moody Blues perform "I'm Just A Singer" at the 2018 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 17, 2022 – via YouTube.
  8. Kachejian, Brian (June 2022). "Top 10 Moody Blues songs". Classic Rock History. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  9. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992: 23 years of hit singles & albums from the top 100 charts. St Ives, N.S.W, Australia: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  10. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1973-03-24. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  11. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1973" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  12. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  13. Cash Box Top 100 Singles, March 17, 1973
  14. Canada, Library and Archives (July 13, 2017). "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada.
  15. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1973" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  16. Whitburn, Joel (1999). Pop Annual. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN 0-89820-142-X.
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