Song Origins and Impact: "Nights in White Satin," a love song marking the end of one affair and the start of another, initially had limited success. Released in 1967, its reissue five years later propelled it to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, symbolizing The Moody Blues' shift from R&B to prog-rock.
Evolution of The Moody Blues: Post debut album, the band faced challenges with member departures and financial struggles. Transitioning to a concept album, "Days of Future Passed," the project initially aimed at settling debts with a rock version of Dvorak, eventually transformed into a symphonic prog-rock direction.
Song Creation: Inspired by white satin sheets, the song was born late at night after a gig. Justin Hayward, guitarist/singer, wrote about the nighttime for the concept album. Initially, Decca Records edited it down to 3:06, but a later re-edit to 4:26 in 1972 coincided with a shift in radio preferences, propelling it to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Musical Elements and Legacy: The song's personal nature, accompanied by a big-room studio sound, marked a departure from the band's early work. Incorporating orchestration by The London Festival Orchestra, it became a timeless classic.