Ray Thomas (born 29 December 1941, Stourport-on-Severn, England) is an English musician, best known as the flautist and as a singer and composer in the rock band, The Moody Blues.
In the 1960s, Thomas joined the Birmingham Youth Choir. He began singing with various Birmingham blues and soul groups, including the Saints and Sinners as well as the Ramblers. Taking up the harmonica, he then started a band with bass guitarist and future Moody Blues bandmate John Lodge. The two performed together in El Riot and the Rebels. After a couple of years, keyboardist and friend Mike Pinder, another future Moody, joined as well. Thomas and Pinder (sans Lodge) were later in a band called Krew Cats. El Riot and the Rebels had once opened for The Beatles in Tenbury Wells; the Krew Cats formed in 1963 and played in Hamburg and other places in Northern Germany, possibly at some of the same venues which the Beatles had played although this is unconfirmed.
Thomas and Pinder then recruited guitarist Denny Laine along with drummer Graeme Edge and bassist Clint Warwick to form a new, blues-based band. The name of the band, chosen by Pinder, was "The Moody Blues", chosen from initials which were part of a hoped-for sponsorship from the M&B Brewery (which failed to materialise) and also as a subtle reference to Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo."
(Ray Thomas and Nicky James)
The world's like a big carousel
turning in space with the whole human race hanging on
but the sounds that are played on that penny arcade
turn me on
Then I need a little romance
if you play me that song
then you'll get me to dance
I can dance
sing me a slow song and maybe then I'll take a chance
For there's something in the air
and it's turning spinning
seems like I float everywhere
For there's something in the air
and it's turning spinning
seems like I float everywhere
Oh I need some loving tonight
someone to hold me and make me feel alright tonight
and I can't explain why the whole human race
wants to fight
For the world is a beautiful place
so small but it's all that we have to stand on
you and I
so won't you join me on my carousel in the sky
For there's something in the air
and it's turning spinning
seems like I float everywhere
------------------------------------------------------------
Pre>well I've always been a dreamer
And I sometimes play the fool
But when the lights go down
And I hear the crowd then I'm cool
Then I sing my song of freedom
And I sing my songs of love
But there's nothing changed
'cause I'm still the same as I was
You gotta keep on keep on searching
You gotta keep on searching
And I believe I've found the way
Along the road along the road of freedom
You gotta keep on trying to belong
Come sing the song be strong
I sometimes think that the world's gonna pass me by
In my mind I ask myself the reason why
And before I know the answer's come and gone
And before I know the music's turned me on
You gotta keep on keep on searching
You gotta keep on searching
And I believe I've found the way
Along the road along the road of freedom
You gotta keep on trying to belong
Come sing the song be strong
Well I sometimes stop and wonder
Just what we are doing now
Life has got to change
Maybe we can arrange it somehow
But then I've always been a dreamer
And I sometimes play the fool
But when the lights go down
And I hear the crowd then I'm cool
You gotta keep on keep on searching
You gotta keep on searching
And I believe I've found the way
Along the road along the road of freedom
You gotta keep on trying to belong
Come sing the song be strong
We gotta keep on searching
We gotta find a way (gotta find a way)
Along the road of freedom (along the road of freedom)
We'll be there someday (we'll be there someday)
We gotta keep on searching (we gotta keep on searching)
We gonna find a way (gonna find a way)
Along the road of freedom (along the road of freedom)
(Ray Thomas and Nicky James)
This is just my love song
And I sing it just for you,
To tell you of my feelings
With harmonies so strong
Although my words aren't new,
I found out what true love's about
You came into my life,
You make me feel alright...feel alright
You make me feel alright
You make me feel alright...feel alright
You make me feel alright
I feel alright.
A woman's intuition
Helps you see things very clear,
So feel my jubilation
You are my inspiration
So wipe away your tears,
I found out what true love's about
You came into my life,
You make me feel alright...feel alright
You make me feel alright
You make me feel alright...feel alright
You make me feel alright
I feel alright.
And if I was to say, you are my everything,
Could you believe it, would you believe you're my life.
I found out what true love's about
You came into my life,
You make me feel alright...feel alright
You make me feel alright
You make me feel alright...feel alright
You make me feel alright
I feel alright.
I know the situation
I know exactly how you feel,
I'll try to bring you laughter
Love for ever after,
And I'll show you that it's real,
You came in and the whole thing started
Love came into my life
You make me feel alright...feel alright
You make me feel alright
You make me feel alright...feel alright
You make me feel alright
I'm alright...feel alright
You make me feel alright...feel alright, alright
feel alright, alright, feel alright
------------------------------------------------------------
High above my head, there's a silver lining
In the sky, I tell you no lie.
I know that we can make it
I know that we're gonna make it
That's what I said
Cause we've got a silver lining above our heads.
High above the storm clouds
There's a new horizon, feast your eyes
Come on and feast your eyes
The beauty will astound you
The love there will surround you, open your eyes
The Lord put the silver lining into our skies
I want you to see things clearly
I hope you can feel the truth,
I know there's a hope for all mankind
Living under one roof.
I want you to see things clearly
I hope you can feel the truth,
I know there's a hope for all mankind
Living under one roof.
I look around in wonder
While the world is living under
A broken dream, or that's how it seems
But we weren't sent to change it
To change or rearrange it
Still we can dream,
And dreams were meant for living
Pre>the lights go down the band prepares
The scene is set we're here to sell our wares
And we know that truth is an ever guiding light
So we sing our songs each and every night
Do you know can you feel it do you understand
What it's like to be living in a rock 'n roll band
Up and down the land on a one night stand
Well I've sworn that I'd been in this place before
Yes I wrote my name on the dressing room wall
It was another band on a one night stand
And it's all for the music
Love is in the band
And freedom we command
On a one night stand
(one night stand)
(one night stand)
And it's all for the music
Love is in the band
Freedom (freedom) we command
On a one night stand
The lights go down the band prepares
The scene is set we're here to sell our wares
And we know that truth is an ever guiding light
So we sing our songs each and every night
Do you know can you feel it do you understand
What it's like to be living in a rock 'n roll band
Up and down the land on a one night stand
Well I've sworn that I'd been in this place before
Yes I wrote my name on the dressing room wall
It was another band on a one night stand
(up and down the land on a one night stand)
(up and down the land on a one night stand)
Yes it's all for the music (up and down the land on a one night stand)
Love is in the band (up and down the land on a one night stand)
(up and down the land on a one night
Stand)
It's all for the music (up and down the land on a one night stand)
Love is in the band (up and down the land on a one night stand)
(up and down the land on a one night
Stand)
Yes it's all for the music (up and down the land on a one night stand)
A long time ago when we met you were lonely
I helped you forget life was solely only a wish to survive
And blood flows much thicker than wine
Friends who give up their time to be near you
Sing you a song just to cheer you
You will be rich in the end
Brother now you've got a friend
Life hurries by in the wink of an eye
Almost without meaning
Days speeding past like the wind hard to grasp
No wonder you're bleeding
Friendship is needed today
Or tomorrow is empty and we need each other please stay
For your only hope is together
We'll live in much calmer weather
And we'll make a beautiful blend
Brother now you've got a friend
Friends who give up their time to be near you
Sing you their songs just to cheer you
You will be rich in the end
Let's play our song again,
Make me remember when
We both chased our rainbows through the rain,
Our lives belong within this song
That's something we cannot change,
So whatever you do and wherever you go
The memories will always remain
Play it again, Oh play it again, for me
It maybe for the last time,
Please play it again, just for me,
It maybe for the last time.
Love's a simple melody,
Two souls in harmony,
Never seem to cast a shadow in the sun,
Our days were filled with laughter
While our nights were filled with love,
Sweet river flow make my head feel high
When I hear that haunting refrain
Play it again, Oh play it again, for me
It maybe for the last time,
Please play it again, for me,
For the last time.
If happiness lies between you tears and my sighs
Angry words won't ring true
Remember times we once knew
We lay in the sun
Joined together as one in love
When the song's over, we'll just say good-bye,
There'll be no-one left singing, no-one to cry,
I'll just be a solo man.
Let's play our song again,
Make me remember when
We both chased our rainbows through the rain,
Our lives belong within this song
And that's something we cannot change,
So whatever you do and where you go
The memory will always remain,
Play it again, Oh play it again, just for me
It maybe for the last time,
Please play it again, just for me,
I like lazing in the midday sun
Doing nothing is having fun, I said
Oh Lord, I love lazing in your midday sun
And I like doing my thing all night
With my baby that suits me right, I said
Come on baby do your thing all night with me.
And I like swimming in the deep blue sea,
I like swimming but it don't like me, I said
Come on baby let me take you to the deep blue sea
Cause I'm gonna let my hair hang down
I'm gonna let my skin turn brown, I said
Come on baby let your hair hang down with me.
Wake me up if you're going down
And I'll put things right
You might get weary sometimes
I give you my word you're gonna sleep tonight
I said oh come closer in my arms
Cause I'm gonna sing you
My rock-a-bye baby blues.
Oh I'm gonna sing you
My rock-a-bye baby blues.
Try me out if you're still in doubt
Because it's up to you
If I should fail you sometimes
It's not because I wanted to make you blue
Oh dear no, come closer in my arms
Cause I'm gonna sing you
My rock-a-bye baby blues
Oh I'm gonna sing you
A simple man had the strangest dream
he stood in a garden of flowers
that overlooked the sea
and there sailing by
were his truth and his lies going home
While all around the sweetest sounds
filled the air with love
they made his senses pound
he saw with open mind
his life turn with the tide to go home
Memories of youth had passed before
he and he alone could count the score
for he was free he was free
this was his last dream
Such melodies are made to sing
the mellow sounds within a thousand violins
caught upon the breeze
they play in harmony sweet harmony
At last he knew his act was through
with no applause and no encores
though the house was full
so bring the curtain down
lay him in the ground
for he's gone home
Memories of youth had passed before
he and he alone could count the score
now he is free he is free
My soul is willing to travel
I've got a song that's waiting to be sung
I've got a dream that needs to be answered
And my heart needs to belong
My hope is we can learn together
My dream is we can all belong
And my reason for loving doesn't matter
My hunger for life carries on
But we need love we need love we need love
My love song's a sad song
I sing it to say I'm sorry
Then maybe just maybe
You'll learn to love again my baby
So much time is spent in forgiving
So much time is lost in a lie
And the truth is sometimes never answered
I'm left to sit and wonder why
But we need love we need love we need love
Yes, we need love (love) we need love we need love
We need love
You can't buy a dream
Then expect your schemes
To appear brand new
Like the way you do
It's not hard to find
Deep inside your mind
Which road will take you home
Now you know that rain
Never falls in vain
For the seed must grow
It's glory shows in the summer sun
While our world is young
They reach to touch the sky
I wish we could fly
I wish we could fly
How I wish we could fly
I wish we could fly
I wish we could fly
How I wish we could fly
Then we'd see far more clearly
Maybe then we'd know
The best way we should go
Man just has to grow and grow and grow
All the air we breathe
And the warmth we need
It's given to us free
Like you loving me
Throughout our days
In so many ways
Helps me reach to touch my sky
But I can't explain
Self inflicted pain
When there's room for all
To play life's game
And as we know
Our love must grow
Or we'll never touch the sky
I wish we could fly
I wish we could fly
How I wish we could fly
I wish we could fly
I wish we could fly
If you find you can't sleep at night
And you pace up and down in your room
And your mind is just full up with words
You'll be writing your own song soon
So let the music just turn you around
When you can't seem to utter a sound
But don't worry my friend that's alright
You'll be doing the same tonight
For we've got the music for your soul
We've got the rhythm to the roll
We hope the melody lingers in your mind
We've got the freedom of our youth
We've got the chance to speak the truth
So put you hopes your wishes and dreams
In a song
In your song
In your song
In your song
Laughter heartaches tears and sorrow
Joy of living peace and trust for the heart
Time is space with all things borrowed
Live your life and learn to love that's a start
In your song
In your song
In your song
If you find you can't sleep at night
And you pace up and down in your room
And your mind is just full up with words
You'll be writing your own song soon
So let the music just turn you around
When you can't seem to utter a sound
But don't worry my friend that's alright
You'll be doing the same tonight
For we've got the music for your soul
We've got the rhythm to the roll
We hope the melody lingers in your mind
We've got the freedom of our youth
We've got the chance to speak the truth
So put you hopes your wishes and dreams
Somewhere the sun is always shining,
Somewhere the breeze blows in another brand new day,
So let us gather up our tears
We'll save them for a rainy day.
Come on let's fill our world with laughter,
Let's put the sunshine into everybody's heart,
Then peace will last for ever after
Oh what a lovely start.
It gives you hope for a brand new day,
Have faith in love it will show the way,
Happiness, who could ask for anything more,
So realise there's no need to hide,
Show yourself to the world outside,
Don't you know that the world is an open door,
Don't you know that love's the key to open any door.
It gives you hope for a brand new day,
Have faith in love it will show the way,
Happiness, who could ask for anything more,
So realise there's no need to hide,
Show yourself to the world outside,
Don't you know that the world is an open door,
Don't you know that love's the key to open any door.
The earth is good, why do we abuse it,
Our land, our seas, our skies, let's try our wings and fly
Across green meadows hand in hand,
Let's be the brotherhood of man,
Come on, let's fill our world with laughter,
Let's put the sunshine into everybody's heart,
Then peace will last for ever after,
On and on they journey southward
To the land of warmer summers
On the way they shed their feathers
For the poet's hand to write love letters
Flying high in straight formation
Seeking out their destination
Over seas and windswept forest
Frost and snow they're soon forgotten
Trees are bare snowflakes are falling
You can hear their leaders calling
Follow me fly strong my brother
Be strong of heart and help each other home
And here I am I'm just a man
And there you are among the stars flying high
Searching for a new tomorrow
I wish I could follow
Nearer still to new horizons
Chill winds blow so far behind them
Endless days and sleepless nights
A borrowed gift navigates their flight
Still and pure this morning air
So tired now but almost there
The mysteries of nature's calling
(Ray Thomas and Nicky James)
I waited so long, for you to come along,
Hoping and praying, my love would bear a son,
Now I see that love, it shines within your eyes.
We're gonna take our journey, Adam and I.
We'll ignore all borders, for our spirit must stay free,
Free as the wind that blows, there's so much for you to see,
We'll ride on a moonbeam, and never pass one by,
We're gonna take our journey, Adam and I.
When we reach the land of the setting sun,
You'll be overjoyed, you'll see the sights,
So reach and take your father's hand
And may the Lord have mercy on our flight,
Adam and I, Adam and I, Adam and I, and I.
The river of life flows swiftly, into the sea of time,
Our lives were made for living, my joy is in your smile,
We'll talk to the heron, and he can teach us how to fly,
We're gonna take our journey, Adam and I.
Our Lord is in his heaven, He watches us below,
His seed was made for sowing, and we reap what we sow,
But he's a man of love, divine he's on high,
We're gonna take our journey, Adam and I.
Adam and I, Adam and I, Adam and I,
My son and I.
--------------------------------------------------------
Hey, hey mama life is a lonely time,
For a man who drinks his whiskey by the jar,
Now I do believe the life I lead
Won't get me very far
I was once told the streets were paved in gold,
Now I know them for what they are.
Hey, hey mama life has a sweeter sound,
For a man who lives his life for his dream,
Yet he must be aware there are those who care
And those who would bring him down,
Separate trust from your cut and thrust,
The truth can still be found.
For the crossroads of your life
Will lead you almost anywhere,
You'll see tomorrow,
Your castles in the air
They were never really there.
Take the pride from a man
You're left without a meaning,
Take the wings from a bird, how can it fly,
Give him hope, give him trust and a little understanding,
Give him back his pride, you'll be satisfied.
Hey, hey mama life is a lonely time,
For a man who drinks his whiskey by the jar,
Now I do believe the life I lead
It won't get me very far
I was once told the streets, they were paved in gold,
Within your eyes so many good hellos and sad good-byes
your future shines the past reclines
yet still you seek to find
a place to run you can't hide yourself behind the sun
your wings will burn you'll never learn
that life must carry on
For you could be the dancing breeze
that moves the trees to shed their leaves around you
or you could be the light in me
that shows the way my life could be around you
When you feel low you try so hard but still you let it show
such foolish pride you're hurt inside
I know so why pretend
when love goes wrong you're left to sing a very empty song
your love was blind but that's no crime
true love is hard to find
But you could be the dancing breeze
that moves the trees to shed their leaves around you
or you could be the light in me
that shows the way my life could be around you
[Instrumental]
This is just my love song
And I sing it just for you,
To tell you of my feelings
With harmonies so strong
Although my words aren't new,
I found out what true love's about
You came into my life,
You make me feel alright... feel alright
You make me feel alright
You make me feel alright... feel alright
You make me feel alright,
I feel alright.
A woman's intuition
Helps you see things very clear,
So feel my jubilation
You are my inspiration
So wipe away your tears,
I found out what true love's about
You came into my life,
You make me feel alright... feel alright
You make me feel alright
You make me feel alright... feel alright
You make me feel alright,
I feel alright.
And if I was to say, you are my everything,
Could you believe it, would you believe you're my life.
I found out what true love's about
You came into my life,
You make me feel alright... feel alright
You make me feel alright
You make me feel alright... feel alright
You make me feel alright,
I feel alright.
I know the situation
I know exactly how you feel,
I'll try to bring you laughter
Love for ever after,
And I'll show you that it's real,
You came in and the whole thing started
Love came into my life
You make me feel alright... feel alright
You make me feel alright
You make me feel alright... feel alright
You make me feel alright,
I'm alright.
You make me feel alright... feel alright, alright
(Petey arguing with cop:)
"All inmates are asked
To stay inside the cell"
Hey dog, you think
I could make my phone call?
Hey look, what you need
To do is sit down
I just wanna
Make my phone call
Just sit down
Hey, I get a phone call
For this motherf***er
F*** you
Hey f*** you too ya b*stard
I just want
My f***ing phone call
"Sgt. Ellis: Please come
To the front gate"
I got his as*
Didn't I?
Told him my plan
Didn't I?
Thought I was playin' wit' him
Now he as* out and
Payin' sh*t that nigga stank
Didn't he?
Smelled like some
Old spoiled meat
Didn't he?
When they found him
Took 'bout a
Motherf***in' week
Didn't it?
Down in a
Motherf***in' creek
Didn't they?
Mr. Roberts found his as* out
Fishin' Sunday evenin'
Didn't he?
Gift-wrapped in a sheet
Didn't he?
Roberts got out of there
So fast, they didn't
Ever find his boat
Did they?
I'd like to flip the hood night
Didn't I?
Disrespectful-as* nigga like
To ran up on my slab
Didn't he?
Y'all
Didn't even know
I had that thing
Did ya?
Y'all just seen mad niggas
Haulin'-as* across the field
Didn't ya?
(Hey, hey, hey)
That sh*t pulled
A lot of cards
Didn't he?
Especially that bald-head
Tight t-shirt wearin' as* Cindi
Didn't he? (punk)
That nigga ran in up his girl
Didn't he?
(Yo what happened)
Took her home and
Ran the train on a trick
Didn't I?
You are now rockin' wit'
One of the most real
Motherf***ers in the rap game
97-Petey Pablo or
Petey Too Small as
We call him down in Greenville
With this new sh*t
"Didn't I", ya
Boy that boy has done
A lot of things
Petey-tell something
Else you did
Thought I was playin'
Didn't ya?
I did everything I said
Didn't I?
I got out of prison and
Got a major record deal
Didn't I?
You didn't believe me
Did ya?
Ya'know I know you
Didn't you probably decided
That I'd be right back
On the street
Didn't ya?
I guess I showed you
Didn't I?
Got in the race
And then I won it
Didn't I?
I didn't even rub it
In your face, did I?
I could've got real sh*tty
But I didn't
Did I?
Or got all fly but I didn't
Did I? (nope)
Man, I just kept it all real
Didn't I? (ya)
Brought it right back
To the homefront
Just like I said
Didn't I?
They kept skippin' Carolina
Didn't they?
Yo (cough cough)
Excuse me
Can I have your attention
Didn't I?
I f***ed 'em up
The way I did it
Didn't I?
Came to the city spittin' nothing
But that greasy-grimey-gritty
Didn't I?
I changed
A lot of things here
Didn't I?
Came from the
Back to the front and
I had them kissing
A nigga as*
Didn't I?
You real crazy
Boy you a trip
You a real trip
But hey, but hey
The boy kept it real
He did, oh you
Thought it was over
Hey Petey
Get real fly on they as*
And talk about some sh*t
Some real sh*t
Come on
You coulda had me
Couldn't ya?
All that time
Couldn't ya?
Faggot
Mad little penny-pinchin' as*
That little cash wouldn't hurt you
Would it?
Well it shouldn't
Should it?
You wouldn't be broke and
Not tell us would you?
(Haha)
C'mon, don't laugh
It could happen
Couldn't it? (yeah)
It wouldn't be so bad
Would it?
If I wasn't right there
On your as* would it?
Such little sh*t
Shouldn't affect you should it?
Glitter my as*
I'm a star cat
(Now Petey you shouldn't
Even be like that)
Motherf***er (motherf***er)
Didn't they tell you man?
All your dumbness is
Gonna come back
On your monkey as*
You gonna be mad
At this verse here
Ain't ya man?
I wrote a song about it
Would you like to hear it
Here it comes
(Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha)
Hey let me tell
Y'all something
I wanna tell y'all that
This mother f***a here
Don't give a f***
For real, he is pimp
Straight up and
Motherf***in' down
Y'all got to hear this sh*t
Petey Pablo
Tha boy be out 19-2000
Killin' sh*t yo
Aiyyo we outta here
We'll let this
Motherf***in' beat ride
We're gonna let
Y'all motherf***ers sit there
And enjoy the rest of
This motherf***in' song
Aight, that was just
A fly as* intro
To this whole thang
The world's like a big carousel
turning in space with the whole human race hanging on
but the sounds that are played on that penny arcade
turn me on
Then I need a little romance
if you play me that song
then you'll get me to dance
I can dance
sing me a slow song and maybe then I'll take a chance
For there's something in the air
and it's turning spinning
seems like I float everywhere
For there's something in the air
and it's turning spinning
seems like I float everywhereOh I need some loving tonight
someone to hold me and make me feel alright tonight
and I can't explain why the whole human race
wants to fight
For the world is a beautiful place
so small but it's all that we have to stand on
you and I
so won't you join me on my carousel in the sky
For there's something in the air
and it's turning spinning
seems like I float everywhere