The Story In Your Eyes The Moody Blues

The Story In Your Eyes Album: Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (1971)
by The Moody Blues

"The Story in Your Eyes" is a 1971 hit single by the English band The Moody Blues. Written by the band's guitarist Justin Hayward, it was first released as a single with "My Song" on the B-side, and then on the 1971 album Every Good Boy Deserves Favour shortly after.

This song was a bonus track to the album, yet it turned out to be by far its most successful song. Its music and lyrics are among the intense songs from this group. The song seems to be about a man worrying about both his marriage/relationship and the world around him.

The name of the album, "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour," is taken from a mnemonic device used to aid in learning to read music. It corresponds to the notes on the lines in the treble clef, from bottom to top: E, G, B, D, F. There is also a stage play by Tom Stoppard of the same name, which was first performed in 1977.

"The Story in Your Eyes" was the Moody Blues' last single to feature the Mellotron as it would be supplanted by the Chamberlin, a similar instrument, in time for their next album, Seventh Sojourn. The SACD release of the album Every Good Boy Deserves Favour contains a version of "The Story in Your Eyes" that has the Mellotron in a more dominant role.

Allmusic critic Lindsay Planer described it as "one of the Moody Blues’ edgier pieces" with "decidedly probing observational lyrics." Cashbox described it as a "scorching rocker" that is "certain to make quite an impact in underground and pop markets." Record World said it was a "top-notch" song "in [the band's] big production rock and roll tradition."

Classic Rock History critic Brian Kachejian rated it as the Moody Blues' 2nd greatest song, saying that "The song’s classic opening guitar lick is easily one of the most recognizable in classic rock history" and praising the vocal performances, the lead guitar playing and the Mellotron playing. Ultimate Classic Rock critic Nick DeRiso rated it as the Moody Blues' 3rd greatest song.

Justin Hayward – double-tracked vocals, acoustic and electric guitar
John Lodge – bass guitar, backing vocals
Mike Pinder – Mellotron, piano, backing vocals
Ray Thomas – tambourine, backing vocals
Graeme Edge – drums, percussion

Writer: Justin Hayward

I've been thinking about our fortune
And I've decided that we're really not to blame
For the love that's deep inside us now, is still the same
And the sound we make together
Is the music to the story in your eyes
It's been shining down upon you now, I realize

Listen to the tide slowly turning
Wash all our heartaches away
We are part of the fire that is burning
And from the ashes we can build another day
But I'm frightened for your children
And the life that we are living is in vain
And the sunshine we've been waiting for
Will turn to rain

Listen to the tide slowly turning
Wash all our heartaches away
We are part of the fire that is burning
And from the ashes we can build another day
But I'm frightened for your children
And the life that we are living is in vain
And the sunshine we've been waiting for
Will turn to rain

When the final line is over
And it's certain that the curtain's gonna fall
I can hide inside your sweet, sweet love
Forever more