Isn't Life Strange

"Isn't Life Strange" is a 1972 single by the English progressive rock band the Moody Blues 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"
Single by The Moody Blues
from the album Seventh Sojourn
B-side	"After You Came"
Released	21 April 1972 21 November 1989 (Greatest Hits version)
Recorded	14 February 1972 1988 (Greatest Hits version)
Genre	Progressive rock[1]
Length	6:10 (Album/main version) 4:25 (Promo version) 5:32 (Compilation edited version) 6:41 (Greatest Hits version) 8:10 (2007 SACD/2008 remastered versions)
Label	Threshold
Songwriter(s)	John Lodge
Producer(s)	Tony Clarke (Original version) Anne Dudley, Justin Hayward John Lodge (Greatest Hits version)[2]
The Moody Blues singles chronology
"The Story in Your Eyes" (1971) "Isn't Life Strange" (1972) "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" (1973)
Official audio"Isn't Life Strange" on YouTube

Music and lyrics

"Isn't Life Strange" is one of the Moody Blues' longer songs, lasting for over six minutes. Its melody was based on Pachelbel's Canon In D.^[3] The song begins with instrumentation on flute and harmonium, a combination that Classic Rock critic Malcolm Dome described as "haunting".^[3] Dome described the lyrics as being about "how life seems a habit of throwing up surprises."^[3]

Reception

Cash Box described it as "symphonic rock extraordinaire", and also said that it had a "strangely intriguing, euphoric production that stands out in any crowd."^[4] Record World said that "lush orchestration and Bee Gees-like harmonies are the notable features" of the song, which also has a "pretty melody and production."^[5] Writing for Rock Cellar magazine, Frank Mastropolo rated the song as number 1 in a list of "Top 11 Question Songs".^[6] Dome rated it as the Moody Blues' 4th greatest song.^[3] PopMatters critic Sean Murphy rated "Isn't Life Strange" as the 67th best progressive rock song of all time.^[1]

Long version

The 2007 SACD expanded edition and 2008 remaster of Seventh Sojourn both include an 8:10 version of the song as a bonus track. This is the original version of the song that the shorter album version was edited down from. The longer version has an instrumental midsection featuring flute and keyboards, as well as a brief piano lead-in and a longer fadeout.

Personnel

Original version

• 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

Chart positions

Chart performance for "Isn't Life Strange"

Chart (1972)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[7]	39
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[8]	9
UK Singles (OCC)[9]	13
US Billboard Hot 100[10]	29

References

1. Murphy, Sean (March 28, 2017). "The 100 Best Classic Progressive Rock Songs: Part 2, 80-61". PopMatters. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
2. Greatest Hits / Legend of a Band liner notes, 1989, 1990
3. Dome, Malcolm (August 8, 2016). "The top 10 best Moody Blues songs". Classic Rock. Louder Sound. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
4. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. April 22, 1972. p. 18. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
5. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. April 22, 1972. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
6. Mastropolo, Frank (January 14, 2019). "Top 11 Question Songs". Rock Cellar Magazine. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
7. 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.
8. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7649." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
9. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
10. "The Moody Blues Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 February 2023.