The song is a romantic ballad that describes the narrator's longing for a lost love. The title "Nights in White Satin" refers to the fabric of the sheets on which the narrator lies awake at night, consumed by his emotions and memories.
The song's haunting melody and orchestral arrangement, along with Hayward's emotive vocals, have made it a classic of the psychedelic rock era. The spoken-word poetry section in the middle of the song, known as "Late Lament," has also become famous in its own right.
While the song's lyrics are open to interpretation, they are generally regarded as a poignant expression of lost love and the search for meaning in a confusing and often cruel world. The song's use of vivid imagery and metaphors, along with its powerful emotional impact, have made it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with listeners today.
Overall, "Nights in White Satin" is a song that captures the universal experience of love and loss, and the enduring power of music to express the most profound human emotions.