Melancholy Man

"Melancholy Man" was one of the last songs to be recorded for A Question of Balance, on June 3 and 4, 1970. Producer Tony Clarke and engineer Derek Varnals used echo effects to make the song sound brittle and stark. At the first run-through of the song Varnals felt it sounded like a French film and felt this echo effect would help make the song sound like a black and white French film. Moody Blues drummer Graeme Edge said of the song that ==Lyrics and music==

Midder critic Will Fenton described the lyrics as "a reflection on the struggles of life, with a focus on the need for inner peace and hope in the face of adversity." Music journalist Mark Murley said of the lyrics that "the song's lyrical imagery is just mysterious and indefinite enough to invite speculation over its meaning. In 1996 Pinder said of the lyrics that: Pinder sings the lead vocal and according to music journalist Geoffrey Freakes he sounds more vulnerable than on any previous song. The rest of the band provides backing vocals and, according to Freakes, "the counterpoint harmonies towards the end are sublime." Pinder plays both acoustic guitar and Moog synthesizer, Justin Hayward also plays acoustic guitar and adds a lead guitar break, John Lodge plays bass guitar and Graeme Edge plays drums. Pinder's and Hayward's acoustic guitars were each overdubbed twice. ==Reception==

"Melancholy Man" was particularly popular in France, where it was released as a single and reached #1. Minneapolis Star critic Charles Quimby said the song "typifies both the reach and the limits of the band." Quimby called the song "almost pastoral, a multi-colored dance of slow falling leaves at hurricane volume. And somehow very, very melancholy." In the UK, New Musical Express critic Richard Green said: Fenton rated "Melancholy Man" as the Moody Blues' 13th greatest song, calling it "a gentle, mid-tempo ballad, featuring a prominent organ and a melodic electric guitar solo" and a "melancholic and soulful song." ==Live performances==

The Moody Blues retained "Melancholy Man" in their live concert set list through 1974. A live version from the Isle of Wight in 1970 was included on the live album Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970. Freakes found this version to be "especially powerful with raw emotion." ==References==