Isn't Life Strange

"Isn't Life Strange" is a 1972 single by the English progressive rock band The Moody Blues, which was based on Pachelbel's Canon In D. Written by bassist John Lodge, it was the first of two singles released from their 1972 album Seventh Sojourn, with the other being "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" (also written by Lodge). "Isn't Life Strange" is one of the Moody Blues' longer songs, lasting for over six minutes.

"Isn't Life Strange" opens with a slow duet of the flute (played by Ray Thomas) and a pump organ, otherwise known as a harmonium (played by Mike Pinder), with John Lodge and Justin Hayward providing vocals. The song's chorus features the band's traditional line-up, and vocals provided by Hayward, Lodge, Pinder, and Thomas.

When the Moody Blues perform "Isn't Life Strange" live, John Lodge uses a double neck guitar with a standard 6-string on one neck, and a 4-string bass on the other. He uses this since he generally plays the 6-string guitar during the verses, and the bass during the chorus since Justin Hayward takes over electric guitar during the chorus. Also, whenever the Moody Blues perform live backed by a full orchestra, the orchestra's brass section performs a solo of the chorus twice throughout the song, once in the middle, and once at the end.

The original version of "Isn't Life Strange" is extended by two minutes and includes a slow instrumental duet of Ray Thomas' flute and Mike Pinder's Chamberlin which was deleted, possibly due to time restraints. For the re-issue of "Seventh Sojourn" this version has been restored and added as a bonus track.

"Isn't Life Strange" is one of the Moody Blues' most popular songs, and has been included in virtually all of their compilation and live albums. In addition, the song was re-recorded (along with "Question") in the studio with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1988, for the Greatest Hits album.

Chart positions

Year	Chart	Position
1972	UK Singles Chart	13
1972	Billboard Hot 100	29

Personnel

John Lodge – bass guitar, possible acoustic guitar, vocals
Justin Hayward – electric guitar, vocals
Mike Pinder – Chamberlin, harmonium, backing vocals
Ray Thomas – flute, backing vocals
Graeme Edge – drums, percussion

References

↑ Greatest Hits / Legend of a Band liner notes, 1989, 1990

The Moody Blues

Graeme Edge Justin Hayward John Lodge Ray Thomas Mike Pinder Denny Laine Clint Warwick Rodney Clark Patrick Moraz

Studio albums	The Magnificent Moodies Days of Future Passed In Search of the Lost Chord On the Threshold of a Dream To Our Children's Children's Children A Question of Balance Every Good Boy Deserves Favour Seventh Sojourn Octave Long Distance Voyager The Present The Other Side of Life Sur la Mer Keys of the Kingdom Strange Times December

Live albums	Caught Live + 5 A Night at Red Rocks with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra Hall of Fame Lovely to See You: Live Live at the BBC: 1967-1970 Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970

Compilations	This Is The Moody Blues Voices in The Sky: The Best of The Moody Blues Prelude Greatest Hits Time Traveller The Best of The Moody Blues Anthology Gold An Introduction to The Moody Blues

Singles	"Go Now" "I Don't Want to Go On Without You" "Nights in White Satin" "Tuesday Afternoon" "Voices in the Sky" "Ride My See-Saw" "Never Comes the Day" "Watching and Waiting" "Question" "The Story in Your Eyes" "Isn't Life Strange" "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" "Steppin' in a Slide Zone" "Driftwood" "Gemini Dream" "The Voice" "Talking Out of Turn" "Blue World" "Sitting at the Wheel" "Your Wildest Dreams" "The Other Side of Life" "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" "No More Lies" "Say It with Love" "Bless the Wings (That Bring You Back)" "English Sunset"

Related articles	Band members Discography Justin Hayward and Friends Sing the Moody Blues Classic Hits Moody Bluegrass

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