Legend of a Mind

The Moody Blues

About Legend of a Mind

"Legend of a Mind" is a song by the British progressive rock band the Moody Blues, and was written by the band's flautist Ray Thomas, who provides the lead vocals. "Legend of a Mind" was recorded in January 1968 and was first released on the Moody Blues' album In Search of the Lost Chord. It was the first song recorded for the album. The original promotional black-and-white film for the song was filmed on location at Groot-Bijgaarden Castle near Brussels in Belgium. The song's lyrics are about 1960s LSD icon Timothy Leary. Leary was an advocate for the use of LSD, enjoying its spiritual benefits, with one of his catchphrases being "Turn on, tune in, drop out." The song is perhaps best known for its opening lines: "Timothy Leary's dead / No, n-n-no he's outside looking in", which allude to Leary's use of eastern mysticism (most notably the Tibetan Book of the Dead) to frame the psychedelic experience. The song's lyrics describe both Leary and the effects of LSD, such as: as well as: 


Year:
2007
4:34
109 

Lyrics currently unavailable…


The Moody Blues

The Moody Blues are an English rock band. Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their 1967 album Days of Future Passed. more »

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10 facts about this song

Album Release
"Legend of a Mind" is a song by British progressive rock band The Moody Blues that was first released on their 1968 album, "In Search of the Lost Chord."
Composer
The song was written and composed by the band's flutist Ray Thomas.
Tim Leary Tribute
The lyrics of the song are a tribute to Timothy Leary, a psychologist and advocate for psychedelic drugs. The song's opening line: "Timothy Leary's dead...," misleads, as Leary was alive at the time of the song's release. Rather, it refers metaphorically to his "departure" from the academic world and "rebirth" as a countercultural figure.
Song Duration
It is one of the band’s longest songs, lasting nearly seven minutes.
Musical Structure
The song is noted for its distinct sections, including a baroque flute solo performed by Ray Thomas, and a psychedelic "trip" sequence.
Not a Single
Unlike other songs from the "In Search of the Lost Chord" album, "Legend of a Mind" was not released as a single.
Live Performance
Even though it wasn't a commercial single, "Legend of a Mind" was a favorite in live concert performances due to its intriguing and distinct structure.
Visual Spectacle
The psychedelic section of the performance was often accompanied by a visual spectacle, including an intense light show to enhance the trip-like feel of the song.
Studio Techniques
The song exemplifies the band's experimental studio techniques at the time, including its use of the Mellotron, an early keyboard instrument that used tapes to generate a variety of sounds.
Legacy
Despite its lack of single status, "Legend of a Mind" is often regarded by fans and critics as one of The Moody Blues' masterpieces, and it remains a highlight of their live performances years after its initial release.

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