Tuesday afternoon
I'm just beginning to see
Now I'm on my way
It doesn't matter to me
Chasing the clouds away

Something calls to me
The trees are drawing me near
I've got to find out why
Those gentle voices I hear
Explain it all with a sigh

I'm looking at myself reflections of my mind
It's just the kind of day to leave myself behind
So gently swaying through the fairyland of love
If you'll just come with me you'll see the beauty of
Tuesday afternoon
Tuesday afternoon

Tuesday afternoon
I'm just beginning to see
Now I'm on my way
It doesn't matter to me
Chasing the clouds away

Something calls to me
The trees are drawing me near
I've got to find out why
Those gentle voices I hear
Explain it all with a sigh


Lyrics submitted by kevin

Tuesday Afternoon Lyrics as written by Justin Hayward

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon) song meanings
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30 Comments

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  • +3
    My Interpretation

    Tuesday Afternoon he lay there dying. He is just beginning to understand that the death is coming. He lies there in her arms and thinks about the smoking and the cancer that got him here to this point and then realizes its a good day to leave his body and move on. The leaves of the trees are blowing outside his window and he sighs that the clouds are calling him. He knows it is Ok to go as she told him so in a sigh to. The voices that are whispering to him are setting him free from his body and he is on his way to no more physical issues. He signs as he decides to go...... Sweetdreams, my love.....8/21/12 Tuesday Afternoon Gary left it all behind..

    Jeanne1110on October 23, 2012   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I love this song too. I always thought it was surreal, what with "trees drawing me near" etc. Then I heard it was about Justin Hayward walking his dog named Tuesday and all became clear. I've spent a lot of time walking with canine friends and the trees do seem to draw them near. They have a whole additional language involving scent.

    Forget all the mushrooms/LSD explanations walk a dog and you'll get it.

    CandleFlame2on July 18, 2011   Link
  • +2
    Translation

    Well I have another interpretation of this song. Before I was thinking Gary and his death on Tuesday afternoon. Today it's my Tuesday afternoon.

    It's Tuesday afternoon and I am seeing what is ahead. Oh my way. On my way to sleep. The clouds which I always look to before I leave the house are there. Calling me to go on .

    I arrive at the Drs. and his soft spoken voice says to me that the test were not good and I now see I am on my way . I am hearing the call.

    I begin to think of how my sweet Gary has heard the call and gone just two months ago on Tuesday afternoon. Wow it's the same time he left. 342 pm. The chimes go off and I think of our beautiful love and remember the dream I had this morning about him running in the grass all healthy and grabbing my hand and telling me come run with me. Oh the gentle smile and voice calling me to him.

    It's Tuesday afternoon and I see whats ahead and the tress blowing and the clouds and I guess it really doesn't matter now. It's Tuesday afternoon. Always Tuesday afternoon.

    I guess I finish up and blow away... Hopefully on a Tuesday afternoon.

    JeanneE - Gary's widow and .........Tuesday afternoon......

    Jeanne1110on October 24, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    ah what a song. so underrated.

    poohblueskyon July 03, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Am I the only one who hears "Sesame Street" in the music?

    Thia007on November 30, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song was inspired by Justin Hayward's childhood memories in Lydiard Park in Swindon, England.

    Heikeon December 02, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    such a beautiful song, one of my favorites. i like to listen to this before i go to sleep...brings about a lot of happy memories for me :)

    delialon July 23, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    On the original album the song is listed as "Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)" not sure why though.

    kfe2on January 30, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is just one of those songs thats just puts you in a good mood. I highly suggest anybody pick up the whole album because its just awesome. @kfe2: Mostly likely because this is the single version of the song. The album version is much longer then the single is. I think its the same reason why Nights in White Satin is not The Night: Nights in White Satin

    mweber1488on May 31, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I dont know what's making the melody in the background a keyboard or what but it is so haunting and beautiful it just churns out dream-like feelings.

    Tuesdays in general are underrated most of the big shit in my life that happens to me occurs on Tuesdays for some reason. The song is awesome it reminds me of autumn in particular maybe the change metaphors of the leaves turning color.

    Shep420on July 26, 2006   Link

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