Go Now

From Wikipedia:

“Go Now” is a song composed by Larry Banks and Milton Bennett and first recorded by Bessie Banks, released as a single in January 1964. The best-known version was recorded by the Moody Blues and released the same year. […]

The Moody Blues version

“Go Now!” (adding an exclamation mark) was made popular internationally later in 1964 when the Moody Blues, an English beat group from Birmingham, recorded it, with Denny Laine on guitar and lead vocals. When Laine first heard Bessie Banks’s version, he immediately told the rest of the band that they needed to record the song.

The Moody Blues version – Promotion and chart success

At the time the single was released, it was being promoted on television with one of the first purpose-made promotional films in the pop era, produced and directed by their co-manager Alex Wharton (the father of DJ Sonny Wharton). The song reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart in late January 1965. In the US, “Go Now!” did not enter the Billboard Hot 100 until mid-February 1965; it peaked at No. 10 and No. 2 in Canada. Billboard described the song as having a “rare beat” and “interesting gospel-like piano support.” The next chart successes for The Moody Blues were “Nights in White Satin” and “Tuesday Afternoon” in 1968.

In a 2018 interview with author Robert Rodriguez on the podcast “Something About the Beatles”, White Album engineer Chris Thomas recalled that George Harrison asked him to add a piano part to the Beatles song “Long Long Long” in the style of the Moody Blues’ version of “Go Now”.

Ultimate Classic Rock critic Nick DeRiso rated it as the Moody Blues’ greatest song, saying that “Laine’s scorching take on this old Bessie Banks track is as emotionally gripping as it is career-makingly important.” Classic Rock critic Malcolm Dome rated it as the Moody Blues’ 10th greatest song, saying that it’s “catchy yet also calmly intricate.”

The Moody Blues version – Later performances and popular culture

The Moody Blues had little success with singles after “Go Now!” in the mid-1960s, which led to Laine’s departure from the band, later being replaced by Justin Hayward. Bassist Clint Warwick had already departed the band by this time. Rodney Clark had replaced him for a while before they recruited John Lodge. With the new lineup, the Moody Blues continued to perform “Go Now!” for a short time, until they began writing their own material. Hayward sang the song during his first year with the band, and Ray Thomas attempted to sing it a couple of times.

Laine continued to perform the song in concert during his years in Wings. On June 21–23, 1976, at The Forum in Inglewood, California, Laine performed “Go Now!” with the rest of the group, accompanying himself on piano; Paul McCartney was on bass and vocals, Linda McCartney on vocals, Jimmy McCulloch on lead guitar, and Joe English on drums. This version of “Go Now” appears on the Wings Over America live album. […]

Lyrics

Variations

• A "One Hand Clapping" version • From "One Hand Clapping"
• B "One Hand Clapping" version. 2024 Dolby Atmos mix • From "One Hand Clapping (Dolby Atmos)"
• L1 Live version • Los Angeles • The Forum • USA • Jun 23, 1976 • From "Wings Over America"
• L1.2013 Live version • Los Angeles • The Forum • USA • Jun 23, 1976 • From "Wings Over America - Archive Collection"

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

Videos

Live performances

“Go Now” has been played in 58 concerts.

Latest concerts where “Go Now” has been played

Going further