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The Moody Blues — Nights in White Satin
Album: Days of Future Passed
Avg rating:
8.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3368









Released: 1967
Length: 7:15
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Nights in white satin, never reaching the end,
Letters I've written, never meaning to send.
Beauty I'd always missed with these eyes before.
Just what the truth is, I can't say anymore.

'Cos I love you, yes I love you, oh how I love you.

Gazing at people, some hand in hand,
Just what I'm going through they can't understand.
Some try to tell me, thoughts they cannot defend,
Just what you want to be, you will be in the end.

And I love you, yes I love you,
Oh how I love you, oh how I love you.

Nights in white satin, never reaching the end,
Letters I've written, never meaning to send.
Beauty I've always missed, with these eyes before.
Just what the truth is, I can't say anymore.

'Cos I love you, yes I love you,
Oh how I love you, oh how I love you.
'Cos I love you, yes I love you,
Oh how I love you, oh how I love you.

Breath deep
The gathering gloom
Watch lights fade
From every room
Bedsitter people
Look back and lament
Another day's useless
Energy spent

Impassioned lovers
Wrestle as one
Lonely man cries for love
And has none
New mother picks up
And suckles her son
Senior citizens
Wish they were young

Cold hearted orb
That rules the night
Removes the colours
From our sight
Red is gray and
Yellow white
But we decide
Which is right
And
Which is an Illusion
Comments (307)add comment
 Tamster wrote:
I miss you and your insights and chatting with you.  I hope that the music you love is all you hear.



Posted 3 months ago by Tamster    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:

{#Lol}  (Where is the "knee-slapping banana" icon?)  The song is "NIGHTS (as in the opposite of DAYS) in White Satin."  Anyway, totally off-topic - white satin in the sun takes on a rainbow of colors, like beta-tape. If nothing else, it would confuse the hell out of the opponent ("Wait a minute - you're wearing MY colors!  Now you're not!  Now you are!")

I still love the Moody Blues, and I still turn up their songs when I hear them. I am an old fogey with absolutely no musical knowledge. Lock me in a room and slide my meals under the door.



Posted 3 months ago by Tamster    [ Reply ]
 Trickcyclist wrote:

I remember sitting in a pub and first hearing this in 1972, when somebody picked it from the Juke Box play list . It blew me away..




Cool!!  
Posted 7 months ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
I remember sitting in a pub and first hearing this in 1972, when somebody picked it from the Juke Box play list . It blew me away..
Posted 10 months ago by Trickcyclist    [ Reply ]
 Theotis wrote:

When I was young pup and heard the line "senior citizens wish they were young", it was the first time I had ever considered older people may not enjoy being old.

Now that I am older, while I may desire to physically feel like I was younger, I don't really have a wish to be young again.  I enjoy wisdom.



I had to  look up the phrase "bedsitter People" to fully get the loneliness that the lyric relayed. 
Posted 10 months ago by Rickhgale    [ Reply ]
A neighbor listened to this album, and ONLY this album, every
weekend evening.  Just cannot anymore.
Posted 10 months ago by KPC1    [ Reply ]
Takes me back to student days in the 70's when this was so often the last track to be played at dances/ discos - and the last chance to summon up the courage to ask the girl of your dreams for a slow and smoochy dance
Posted 1 year ago by Monflyer    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:

Sounds like Richard Harris narrating.  

LOL. The Irishman with a Brummie accent?  Actually it's Graeme Edge.

Posted 1 year ago by trevc    [ Reply ]
bumped it up to nine due to peer pressure.
Posted 1 year ago by neotrogg    [ Reply ]
 grundyster wrote:

It's a great song but, I've just heard it too many times. This can, unfortunately, happen when you get into your late 50s. I imagine it sounds incredible, as it did to me, when it's new to you.



....73 and still find it incredible....
Posted 1 year ago by dynaskiballface    [ Reply ]
 joejennings wrote:



You Lucky Duck!  I wish I was there too!


....they played Calgary around 84....awesome....
Posted 1 year ago by dynaskiballface    [ Reply ]
 Roku wrote:

perfect - outstanding -  always - saw them live in Victoria,BC. - perfect




You Lucky Duck!  I wish I was there too!
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Had this at a nine. WTH was I thinking, This is a masterpiece. TEN for sure.
Posted 1 year ago by MayBaby    [ Reply ]
perfect - outstanding -  always - saw them live in Victoria,BC. - perfect
Posted 1 year ago by Roku    [ Reply ]
 Riccardo_Cabeza wrote:

oh look. more dismal 60's crap.




you accidently posted this along moody blues' "nights in white satin". which song did you mean to comment on?
Posted 1 year ago by danny_t    [ Reply ]
 mexstef wrote:

still remembers me to a fantastic time and a great peace of music arrangement 



Peace or piece - we decide which is right and which is an illusion
Posted 1 year ago by jrwoytek    [ Reply ]
still remembers me to a fantastic time and a great peace of music arrangement 
Posted 1 year ago by mexstef    [ Reply ]
Still moves me as much as it did when it came out. Playing with them our tour in the early 90s was a huge buzz....
Posted 1 year ago by Fiddlefye    [ Reply ]
It's a great song but, I've just heard it too many times. This can, unfortunately, happen when you get into your late 50s. I imagine it sounds incredible, as it did to me, when it's new to you.
Posted 1 year ago by grundyster    [ Reply ]
a little spare time, enjoying morning coffee while listening to RP. The first '9' I've ever given..
Posted 1 year ago by Btravelen    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:

When I was 19, I connected this song to the deep love I felt for my first real (intimate) girlfriend,
and for the last 41 years, hearing Nights in White Satin always evokes her face—and that love—in my mind and heart.

She never knew any of this.

Sigh.


Then-girlfriend knew all about my love:  I started several conversations about how the two of us -- 16 years old -- could run away, get married, and live happily ever after.

She was much more grounded than I, thankfully, and ended each conversation simply: "I am not marrying you."
Posted 1 year ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 adiemus13 wrote:

I love that RP always plays the full version, that cinematic ending gets me every time




I Agree!!   Thanx RP!     
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Makes me moody and blue
Posted 2 years ago by saamusic    [ Reply ]


Denny Laine (born  29 October 1944) is an English musician, singer, and songwriter, known as a founder of two major rock bands - The Moody Blues  in 1964 (to 1966), and Wings in 1971 ( to 1981).




Posted 2 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:

Sounds like Richard Harris narrating.  



It's Graeme Edge.
Posted 2 years ago by trevc    [ Reply ]
 Theotis wrote:

When I was young pup and heard the line "senior citizens wish they were young", it was the first time I had ever considered older people may not enjoy being old.

Now that I am older, while I may desire to physically feel like I was younger, I don't really have a wish to be young again.  I enjoy wisdom.



Yeah, but imagine having that wisdom as a young pup of 21....
Posted 2 years ago by RazzCat    [ Reply ]
We will miss you Ray and Graeme, but your awesome music and many historic concert experiences will live on.  Fan for ever Rockin Tom
Posted 2 years ago by Rockintom    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:



"Pop" ?  Really?

I was there, and it wasn't "pop".



I agree! Me too, I was there! ...but NYC AM radio station WMCA 570 AM DID play it on limited rotation at the time (short version). WNEW FM 102.7 NYC used to play the long version, especially Allison Steele, the late night DJ!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
I always heard it as "another day's useless envy is spent", which fits the regretful tone of the song better than "useless energy".
Posted 2 years ago by obispo    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Richard Harris narrating.  
Posted 2 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 Paddy_Hannan wrote:

One of the greatest pop records ever made. A triumph.




"Pop" ?  Really?

I was there, and it wasn't "pop".
Posted 2 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
One of the greatest pop records ever made. A triumph.
Posted 2 years ago by Paddy_Hannan    [ Reply ]
I love this!.. Wow, it's like an anthem.. Such a great album.. 
Love your comments Bill, gives me a good chuckle everytime! 
Posted 2 years ago by ally5678    [ Reply ]
PLEASE PLAY MORE TUNES FROM THIS ALBUM!!!   THANK YOU!!!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
The most impressive part of this song to me is trying to write a verse that sounds like Shakespeare, and pulling it off brilliantly. 
Posted 2 years ago by pfreet    [ Reply ]
I love that RP always plays the full version, that cinematic ending gets me every time
Posted 2 years ago by adiemus13    [ Reply ]
GODLIKE!!!  ICONIC!!!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Cinematic grandeur, hallucinogenic clarity, sensuous philosophy.
Posted 2 years ago by easmann    [ Reply ]
 fishercat wrote:

Seriously, I think this song kept them out of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for years. Prog rock at its progiest


You say that as if there's something wrong with Prog rock, whereas for me the best of Prog is the summit of the art of rock music.  Not all of it, of course.  I do have some taste 
Posted 2 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
 fishercat wrote:

I like to listen to Tuesday Afternoon followed by Ruby Tuesday, of course I listen to Monday Monday first. 



Ruby Tuesday Afternoon is a good name for a musical.  kinda like Hello Dolly Llama.
Posted 2 years ago by Wisconsinrob    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

oh look. crap post.


'Riccardo Cabeza', eh?  i see what you did there.
Posted 2 years ago by Wisconsinrob    [ Reply ]
 fishercat wrote:

Seriously, I think this song kept them out of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for years. Prog rock at its progiest


The so-called "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" is a complete joke.  I try to ignore it, as best I can.  

(But this song is the Moody Blues -- it adds to the catalog; it does not diminish it.)

Posted 2 years ago by QuantumShaman    [ Reply ]
This song came on a lot when I was a kid in the back seat of long car journeys. TIL it is Nights in White Satin, not Knights in White Satin which was my child brain always thought it was
Posted 2 years ago by Samantho    [ Reply ]
Since the last post was so dismal, I thought I would freshen up the blog. This song is so awesome!!! For those that got have this as the soundtrack of their childhood on AM radio, it was really blissful when it came on
Posted 2 years ago by molson    [ Reply ]
Posted 2 years ago by NWNative    [ Reply ]
A lot of kissing was done slow dancing to this back in the early 70's
-good times at the Marco Forster Jr High school dances 
Posted 3 years ago by Rosstamon    [ Reply ]
Another song that takes me to a specific place and time in my life. This song would occasionally come on the classic rock station that was always playing in the locomotive shop where I once worked. Wasn't a fan of the song back then, and only slightly nostalgic for it today. "Paint It Black" was our favorite, given that painting things black was a common task in a locomotive shop. Not much in the way of white satin within our soot and grease covered confines...
Posted 3 years ago by forthbrdge    [ Reply ]
Seriously, I think this song kept them out of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for years. Prog rock at its progiest
Posted 3 years ago by fishercat    [ Reply ]
I like to listen to Tuesday Afternoon followed by Ruby Tuesday, of course I listen to Monday Monday first. 
Posted 3 years ago by fishercat    [ Reply ]
Quality.
Posted 3 years ago by jtcedinburgh    [ Reply ]
I wore out the vinyl by age 15.
 
Like to play Conquistador and Lucky Man in the same mix.
Posted 3 years ago by Greenman    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:

When I was 19, I connected this song to the deep love I felt for my first real (intimate) girlfriend,
and for the last 41 years, hearing Nights in White Satin always evokes her face—and that love—in my mind and heart.

She never knew any of this.

Sigh.


The definition of "unrequited".
Posted 3 years ago by bruceandjenna    [ Reply ]
Sad to hear of the death of Graeme Edge. RIP
Posted 3 years ago by tumbledad    [ Reply ]
Posted 3 years ago by (former member)    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this in awhile. It's good to hear this melody. A gem.
Posted 3 years ago by dianed    [ Reply ]
When I was young pup and heard the line "senior citizens wish they were young", it was the first time I had ever considered older people may not enjoy being old.

Now that I am older, while I may desire to physically feel like I was younger, I don't really have a wish to be young again.  I enjoy wisdom.
Posted 3 years ago by Theotis    [ Reply ]
I love that orchestra at the beginning and the end
Posted 3 years ago by smartn1    [ Reply ]
Breath deep
The gathering gloom
Watch lights fade
From every room
Bedwetting people
Look back and lament

my inner 11 yr old at work...
Posted 3 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
 Edweirdo wrote:

Absolutely.  Though this is an orchestra.

It's both.

From the Wikipedia entry:

The London Festival Orchestra provided the orchestral accompaniment for the introduction, the final rendition of the chorus, and the "final lament" section, all of which were in the original album version. The "orchestral" sounds in the main body of the song were actually produced by Mike Pinder's Mellotron keyboard device,[7] which would come to define the "Moody (Blues)'s signature sound".[8]

The song is written in the key of E minor[9] and features the Neapolitan chord (F).





Posted 3 years ago by dmiklitz    [ Reply ]
In 1979 I saw the Moody Blues on my wedding night! I still have the album and even with my vast collection it still makes the rotation. Truly groundbreaking. 

The wife? Not so much.
Posted 3 years ago by Slickamoe    [ Reply ]
Omg cheesy back in the day. Now cheesy in a fun sing along way
Posted 3 years ago by milleymeister    [ Reply ]
 KCayenne wrote:
OH BROTHER! This song is SO over-wrought with cheese. It always reminds me of a Renaissance movie soundtrack. MORE GONG!!!!

   I know exactly what you're saying, and yet I still love it. 
(Overwrought is kinda their thing, but in a good way.)
Posted 3 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
I'm a died-in-the-wool progrock head ... but I've never really embraced the Moody Blues.  Nevertheless, this song rates the Most Excellent score from me. 
Posted 3 years ago by secretsauce    [ Reply ]
 grantura wrote:
Love the Mellotron.
 
Absolutely.  Though this is an orchestra.
Posted 4 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
The Moodies on the Simpsons
Posted 5 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
This song is magic! Thanks Bill for the "forever" playlist! and keeping it multi dimensional!
Posted 6 years ago by tiare    [ Reply ]
Consign this song to oblivion
Posted 6 years ago by Far    [ Reply ]
One needs to listen to this album very closely to hear how they fused the band and a live orchestra songs together.  They alternate from one to another and the engineer did an amazing job.  All using analog tape.  If you have a really good turntable & system you can hear the very light tape hiss.  Analog at it's best.  -John
Posted 7 years ago by jsd52756    [ Reply ]
 Riccardo_Cabeza wrote:
oh look. more dismal 60's crap.

 
Yes, I agree.  These types of songs make you think and reflect way too much.  Hoping Bill plays something from the Archie's soon!
Posted 7 years ago by marklaw    [ Reply ]
 Riccardo_Cabeza wrote:
oh look. more dismal 60's crap.

 
oh look. crap post.
Posted 7 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
This song truly brought me to tears when I first heard it (and still does) for this melancholy man.
Posted 7 years ago by dflee    [ Reply ]
Love the Mellotron.
Posted 7 years ago by grantura    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite songs until Bronx Tale kind of ruined it for me. That song has no business in a scene where people are being beat up!
Posted 7 years ago by inbagt    [ Reply ]
oh look. more dismal 60's crap.
Posted 7 years ago by Riccardo_Cabeza    [ Reply ]
The ultimate LSD album of the mid '60's
Posted 7 years ago by dragon1952    [ Reply ]

Godlike! This one holds a special place for me for 2 reasons, neither of which I'll explain here, and both of which allow me to listen to this overplayed (?) track happily anytime I hear it.

Long Live RP!

(8.2 rating? wow, that seems a bit low)


Posted 7 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Shame on you Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame.
Posted 7 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
 dwlangham wrote:
This is truly godlike and the furtherest thing from pretentious crap.

Sorry. I had to try to write that with a straight face. 
 
There are some things beyond the ken of mortal man.
Posted 7 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
 lethias wrote:
Reading the comments it seems that many people just overplayed this song. I listen it few times a year and still as good as the day I heard it first time. Truly magnificent .{#Cheers}

 
Absolutely.  Still get goosebumps when I hear the opening notes.
Posted 7 years ago by senorcerveza    [ Reply ]
Reading the comments it seems that many people just overplayed this song. I listen it few times a year and still as good as the day I heard it first time. Truly magnificent .{#Cheers}
Posted 7 years ago by lethias    [ Reply ]
Truly awesome in its own way, and amusing to remember, but I don't really need to hear it anymore. So many new and excellent things to encounter instead...
Posted 7 years ago by smdjansen    [ Reply ]
genius
Posted 7 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
So BORING complete waste of time ....... Sorry!
Posted 8 years ago by Twan    [ Reply ]
zzzzzz....
Posted 8 years ago by IndyDoug    [ Reply ]
I had the original mint Deramic Sound System LP until my mother gave it away to a charity shop while I was away at university. Words were had.
Posted 8 years ago by ElCamoteLoco    [ Reply ]
BWWOOOONNNNNNNNGG !!!  {#Cheesygrin}
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
OK.  I want Steven Wilson to produce and mix this......   probably from scratch.   Silly me.  

But it is still iconic, path-breaking and just a terrific song all by itself.  Heard this for the first time in the late 60s; played the album to death while working and exploring the Canadian Rocky mountains in the mid-1970s. 
Posted 8 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
 alcal74 wrote:
This song = Terrible B-movie soundtrack.

 
Get a life...
Posted 8 years ago by Bert7    [ Reply ]
 alcal74 wrote:
This song = Terrible B-movie soundtrack.

 
You say that like it's something bad ...
Posted 8 years ago by colt4x5    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
It IS a bit precious, as many songs were in that era, but — these guys were different, and we all just knew it was an Immortal Classic!

 
"Precious"?!?  Condescend much? 

Ugh, keep working on that re-boot.

Posted 8 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
This is truly godlike and the furtherest thing from pretentious crap.

Sorry. I had to try to write that with a straight face. 
 
Posted 8 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
Probably the best song I've ever heard{#Kiss}
Posted 8 years ago by Prius    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:
Great song.  Merry Xmas Rpeeps.  I am still here and have not yet gone completely off the rails.  Thanks for all the kind words of support!  ;-)
 
Thanks for the wishes — even if I am a few months late.

So are you voting in all the primaries?  

Up here in Canuckistan, we're all rootin' for Trump!  Trump for president!  

That way when he does become POTUS, your brightest and best come streaming north.   
Posted 8 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
More gongs please!
Posted 8 years ago by Timbo080    [ Reply ]
This song = Terrible B-movie soundtrack.
Posted 8 years ago by alcal74    [ Reply ]
I'd forgotten how much I disliked this portentous bit of claptrap.
Posted 8 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
Great song.  Merry Xmas Rpeeps.  I am still here and have not yet gone completely off the rails.  Thanks for all the kind words of support!  ;-)
Posted 9 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 25demayo wrote:
79% of those that have voted rate this song anywhere between Excellent and Godlike

 Play it again Bill



 
The godlike category was invented for this song I believe. 
Posted 9 years ago by motobecane    [ Reply ]
Why not 11?
Posted 9 years ago by raga    [ Reply ]
 junebaby65 wrote:
Isn't that a Mellotron in the background?  That was part of the late 60's sound for many bands. 

 
It seems like they used that mellotron on just about every song they recorded - and it was rarely "in the background".  Fortunately, they showed a little more restraint with it in this recording.
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Gets better every time I hear it and I loved it from the start.
Posted 9 years ago by GeorgeMWoods    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:
Giorgio Moroder - Knights in White Satin (Full Album ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk_A2MSmpIY
 


 

Awwwwwwwwwwwww yeah!  Thanks!
Posted 9 years ago by holymadness    [ Reply ]
 swtobias508 wrote:
Loved this as a kid, listening to it on a transistor radio late at night, it was magical. 30+ years later I pray for it end.  Now It seems so very pretentious and over the top. Absolutely hate it.....
 
Hardly pretentious I'd say it's wonderful as is the whole album
Posted 9 years ago by Fiji5555    [ Reply ]
Loved this as a kid, listening to it on a transistor radio late at night, it was magical. 30+ years later I pray for it end.  Now It seems so very pretentious and over the top. Absolutely hate it.....
Posted 9 years ago by swtobias508    [ Reply ]
Giorgio Moroder - Knights in White Satin (Full Album ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk_A2MSmpIY
 

Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 bb_matt wrote:

Exactly what I thought. Make it stop already! :)

  79% of those that have voted rate this song anywhere between Excellent and Godlike

 Play it again Bill


Posted 9 years ago by 25demayo    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:

Cheers to that z!

always loved that deep voiced recital at the end  ( and of course  " BWONNNNNNNG!!!"   the gong ; )

 
Songs that begin and/or end with gongs are cool. See Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and James Brown's "My Thang" for further examples.
Posted 9 years ago by linden    [ Reply ]
Knights in white satin - where's me half coconuts?
Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
One of the greatest ever!
Posted 9 years ago by Timbo080    [ Reply ]
 ScottN wrote:
hasn't aged well...boring.

 
Exactly what I thought. Make it stop already! :)
Posted 10 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]
Isn't that a Mellotron in the background?  That was part of the late 60's sound for many bands. 
Posted 10 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
hasn't aged well...boring.
Posted 10 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
Still love it. Just wish it had some re-mastered love… 
Posted 10 years ago by robertomiller    [ Reply ]
Heard it again today and downgraded to 1. Holy crap this is self-indulgent garbage.
Posted 10 years ago by alcal74    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
Overblown drama...lends itself to very pretentious content. In this case with the Moody Blues...it works. I like the production and over use of strings and the stately, dramatic "breathe deep" reading...It's all part of a time gone completely from mainstream music. Never such a concept or vision is created today in this sterile, "buy one song from the artist not the album on iTunes", formulaic music society. Long story short...yes it's a bit campy and over the top...but I'll take it.

 
Cheers to that z!

always loved that deep voiced recital at the end  ( and of course  " BWONNNNNNNG!!!"   the gong ; )
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Guess we ALL know this song... I would like to hear some less known tunes, e.g. In My World from their 1981 album "Long Distance Voyager"!
Posted 10 years ago by cellito    [ Reply ]
a classic!
Posted 10 years ago by Dinges,_the_Dude    [ Reply ]
Outstanding 
Posted 10 years ago by FrankDebbieCote    [ Reply ]
Amen to that. Long overdue! They probably won't get around to it until the last band member dies.
 
buddy wrote:
When in the hell is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame gonna get their head out of their ass and induct these guys?  I mean....ABBA??

 


Posted 10 years ago by ericrice0    [ Reply ]
OH BROTHER! This song is SO over-wrought with cheese. It always reminds me of a Renaissance movie soundtrack. MORE GONG!!!!
Posted 10 years ago by KCayenne    [ Reply ]