Not really. Until Steven Wilson got a hold of it, the studio version of HOTS PALED in comparison to subsequent live performances of it, which not only held more chances taken with the material that it needed, but were sonically superior to what Eddy Offord put together. This was always meant for the stage. And a band's studio performances can't all be zingers.
Chris Squire usually used a pick. He held it very close to the end, so that when he picked, it was immediately followed by his thumb picking the string. His base was wired stereo and he used separate amps adjusted differently. He was a unique bassist.
Alan White was no slouch ..Just different- Bruford a technician-White a rock drummer with his own amazing flair. As a life long fan- I enjoy them both.There should never be "better than" comments. That's for prog snob twats.
Certainly most innovative, with unmatched precision and musicianship... classical composition meets rock. Many Yes songs are not just songs, but musical adventures of the Alice in Wonderland variety. If Mozart has been born in 1950, this is the kind of rock he would have made in the 70s.
The drummer, Bill Bruford, was a jazzer at heart. He wanted to be in a jazz band, but wound up in Yes because it was a working gig. He did some jazz stuff on the side. This song was composed after the band listened to a lot of Brubeck and Stravinsky.
Moi qui est francophone et malgré que je ne capte que quelques mots et tournure de phrase, ses paroles me font du bien. C’est vous dire comment l’art peut être puissant. Le style lyrique de Yes, pour moi c’est comme une peinture abstraite. Parfois, des gens reste devant cette peinture en analysant chaque coup de pinceau, et d’autres arrive devant et son subjugué devant l’énergie qu’elle dégage
I think this song is just about as complex a piece of music as you can imagine. The level of musicianship is off the charts and so original that I can not imagine it appealing to a lot of people. So to be a YES fan is something very special.
As far as the music, yes it is meticulously worked out by the band, conceptualized and conducted by Jon. These pieces took months in the studio to perfect and they were all in their mid twenty's, with early 70's gear and recording equipment. It's astonishing what they accomplished, truly.
The lyrics are symbolic and talk about the contrast of the hectic life in the city and the soothing of love. Jon was inspired after walking around in the city and feeling frightened by the chaos of traffic and people running around. Soon after he was soothed by the sunrise. Hence the frantic parts dwelling with the smoothness of Jon's voice and piano licks.
NOW WE TALKIN'! Gettin' into the THICK of it! LOOK YES are the greatest and one of the ONLY bands in (what I reluctantly call) the "Rock" genre that I've listened to and have listened to endlessly throughout their classic peak 70's era for 53 years because what they did was so imaginative, clever, rich, emotional, exhilarating, uplifting, dense, unpredictable and intricately baffling! YESSSS! "LOVE comes to you & you follow. Dream on, on to the heart of the Sunrise" is all you need to understand about Jon's lyrics here! With his voice still well intact, Jon the singer at 79 is Touring with a YES cover band that performs this music extremely well and I will be seeing them in SoCal Friday! WE are so blessed because in the 70's there was NOTHING more mind-blowing and transcendent than a elaborate Stage & EFX Live YES experience. Let's hear either, Starship Trooper, Yours is no Disgrace or Perpetual Change NEXT!!!!
Saw Jon Anderson's band in Rochester NY in June and the setlist included all of the best and then some. Was blown away by how well he can still sing. Iconic voice, killer band. ENJOY!!!
I’ve seen them live 7 times over the decades and I’ve never seen any sheet music on stage. They are really just that good. Absolutely phenomenal live band! POWERFUL LIVE! Surprisingly so! YES at High Volume, right in front of you is an Experience!
I have several songs that make up the soundscape of my life. HOTS is at top of that list. Yes was formed by musicians that were all prodigies. Man I have to give you props for actually being able to play, so many reactors aren't musicians. Keep doing what you do.
The drummer bill bruford was in king crimson as well for several.albums. crimson is another rabbit hole. But a solo track called Beelzebub is a great one by Bruford
This song bluew my mind back when I was 16. Fell in love with YES right away. It was a Rickenbacker, Geddy Lee admired Chris Squire! Rush and Yes, my favorite grups for the last 35 years man! I recommend you to listen to the Prelude fro Rush Hemispheres! Pure trip and magic man! It is just a lot of fun to watch your reactions, God bless you brother!!! Amén!
Jon is saying that Gods realm exceeds what we can comprehend as humans. As we live our lives and search Gods Greatness out, we see that what humans do, and create falls short of His Glory. "I feel lost in the city". As glorious as cities are they are cold, and impersonal. "Love comes to you, and you follow, lose one on to the Heart of the Sunrise". We must lose our lives of flesh to gain our lives of spirit, but we must go through the flesh, to gain understanding of what God has to suffer to bring us all into being. As a child we can never know what our parents felt, until we grow up and become parents ourselves, and have to go through the heartache, and pain, and then we understand, "On to the Heart of the Sunrise". Yes is magnificent.
GATES OF DELIRIUM !!! The last portion of that song will BRING TEARS TO YOUR EYES out of its sheer BEAUTY. It’s like receiving communion in church…. SOUL GRIPPING in the language of GOD!!! A church boy should love it. Absolute chaos followed by absolute heavenly bliss. YOU HAVE TO do it next bro !!!!! What a journey !!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Good thinking! @churchboy, The Gates of Delerium is about war, and is somewhat based on the book War and Peace. The lyrics will be understandable enough for you, I predict. Give them a read through to get a feel for the subject matter first before listening to the song. It should make you feel better about the somewhat cryptic lyrics. They do have some intelligible meaning and should give you a good idea of how to handle the comprehension of Yes' lyrics typically. Like others have said in comments, the lyrics are usually like an impressionistic painting.
Indeed, Gates of Delirium (GOD) always seemed like their classic peak to me. But I can never pick favorites - Close to the Edge, Ritual, Gates, Awaken - all unique impeccable masterpieces. But I DO think he should hit Close to the Edge next - it's its own masterwork, maybe best in ways, but I still see it as the on-ramp to Tales and Relayer.
@@MSinclairStevens I agree - but maybe because it's the worst song on the album. Uh, I mean the third greatest song on the best album ever recorded... 😄
This is one of Jon's best vocal performances. He starts very soft, and keeps increasing volume, ending very powerfully and emotionally. On the other hand, masterful composition.
Just got fed this by RUclips as it was about some Yes. Thanks for your reaction, so good to see. I'm a late 60s aged English woman whose loved this for a very long time. Still thrills me. Mind you, I love Beethoven too and that's stood the test of an even longer time! Absolutely imperative to play both really loud, BTW. 😁
They played "progessive rock" and it's feeling and chemistry developed through counteless hours of search for the perfect structure and relentless practice and of course, because the 5 of them are all virtuosos ! Also, although their music is just fantastic; you have got to read the lyrics of each of their songs you're listening to.
This song was the collective moment in the early 70s when every rock drummer lifted the needle off the record and said “Hold up… who the hell is Bill Bruford???” … and listened again 1000 times.
Yes lyrics are often a form of poetry. The words strung together are supposed to evoke images in your mind, without trying to convey precise meaning. For example, "Loves come to you, then after, dream on, on to the heart of the sunrise!" In my mind, hearing these words, in combination with the music, I see myself with a great lover achieving mutual climax, and lying in each others arms, see the sun bursting over the horizon in brilliant orange that turns to scalding white. This is the first attempt I ever made to describe what I feel with this music... but see how I get it from phrases like "Love comes to you, then after..." "Dream on, on to the heart of the sunrise!" And now you know why it gives me goosebumps...
I love this! Nice crafting of poignant words! And, yes, that is what Yes music is more about - Jon wrote a lot of words just because they sound good with the music!
No argument from here. ❤ Btw, I was, probably many of us were saying this then, when the music first appeared to our ears. This is the greatest band ever!
Jon's lyrics are like an impressionist painting. Let the words enter your mind, don't parse them, don't interpret them, just go with how you feel. I don't know about you, but I get loneliness in a crowd, traffic, noise, sirens, mayhem existing all around me but I drift through it alone. But you do you.
What a nice guy. You have entered my world of 50 years ago at uni in my wee rented room. At that time I was also listening to Soft Machine and Grateful Deads Dark Star.
Master class in prog drumming. Not to mention the bass. The bassist, Chris Squire, put out a solo album in 1975 called “Fish Out Of Water” that should definitely be on your radar. The bass is front and center on that album. And it has the same drummer on it.
This is probably my all time favorite Yes song. I haven't heard this in over 20 yrs. It's a soundscape that takes you into a place. Like others have said...I prefer reactions to studio versions rather than the live versions...the production value is so much higher. The lyrics on yes songs have always been cryptic...I like it because they leave it up to you and your interpretation. If you just sit back and listen, the song takes you to your own little slice of imagination.
Chris Squire developed a "double strike" method of playing the bass where he hit each note with a pick and his thumb. He keeps the pick very close to the depth of his thumb to accomplish this, giving him a unique sound.
Chris Squire used a Rickenbacker. He actually re-wired it to play in stereo. Rickenbacker, inspired by his innovation, later made a stereo version themselves.
This is why I think you did right in listening to the studio version first, to be able to appreciate the musical experience without distractions. Then you can check out some live versions to be blown away by their ability to recreate, or even improve on, the original!
Glad you did the studio version. I always implore all reactors to ALWAYS do the studio versions before reacting to any live versions. Yeah, Chris Squire is my number two bassist right behind John Entwhistle of The Who. I could see this easily being a King Crimson song. If you want to listen to some great prog rock with excellent musicianship and great lyrics that are more accessible to understand, you need to check out Rush. What three guys can do is absolutely amazing! On par with Yes.
I’ve seen them a bunch of times since the 70’s and they can absolutely pull it off live. But I strongly suggest listening to the studio tracks up until say 1980 because of the fantastic engineering on those albums. No it’s not sheet music. They develop members ideas collectively.
The lyrics are very symbolic and sometimes cryptic within the confines of the song. They are very much loaded with a message. I remember back in the day showing the lyrics to my English teacher, I never saw a teacher get that excited before about words.
first time coming across your channel - loved your reaction! to no fault of their own, I come across too many casual music fans that then stumble upon the Yes's of the world and they're in just no position to grasp it on a first take. great for them jumping in, but without a music background like you, anything even close to comprehension of the complexities of this timing and these chord progressions takes a really skilled ear. glad you could experience this and would love to hear more from you!
From a 22 year old, I'd definitely say studio versions for first time listens. They were amazing live. But at least for me personally, the live recordings don't hold the same magic the studio recordings do. Jon is your man behind the lyrics. He had a major roll in writing their music and themes. To answer your question there is absolutely meaning behind MOST of his lyrics. Some of them literally don't have meaning. They were put into the piece because it sounded good lol. He used his lyrics and voice as an instrument. This song is pretty much about being lost in a city and admiring sunrises. Anderson is a very spiritual man and his lyrics reflect that in an introspective way. Because they make you think, and the answer is usually tied to the meaning of "something more" and just loving everyone.
When you relisten to this amazing piece of music-really zone in on the drumming-Bill Bruford is so crazy good with hidden ,extra,odd timed and surprising fills. As good a drumming display as you can get.
I loved this reaction. This was absolutely genuine and wonderful. It is especially great to see someone with so much talent themselves finally discover what I've loved for absolutely years. YES was my first concert in 1984. I haven't looked back...till now!
The lyrics are, no matter how it's arranged they are beautifully written. And the lyrics, are what you want them to be, it's like looking at abstract art, nobody sees the same thing. It's just pure artistry. Check out Emerson, Lake, Palmer for more artistry.
There is no sheet music, the band composed the songs that Jon brought in as Ideas in the studio as they were recording, they did multiple versions, the band decided what takes they would use sometimes taking 2 minutes of one version and a minute of another version, then Eddie Offord the engineer would paste together the parts on the the master tape. and then the band would learn what they created to play it live. There are multiple videos of Yes creating music in the studio that you can watch. They play everything live by memory.
I remember Jon introducing this song saying that he penned it as a meditation song. Chris liked it, but insisted some Rock-and-roll energy be added. A perfect description of the final product.
I'm really glad you went down this rabbit hole specifically due to RUSH looking up to YES for obvious reasons. I knew you would enjoy the creativity and bass lines! #Roundabout
When Yes added Trevor and released the song owner of the lonely heart..it set the stage for the "Union" album. I saw Yes 3 times. Two early on without Trevor when Alan White was their drummer. Then decades later on their Union Tour...with Bruford and White drumming. Yes is inarguably on of the best Rock bands ever to play on the face of this Earth. And they will stand the test of time.
Jon's voice is another primary instrument. If you stick with it you will eventually get it. As a long time listener I will take up catchy phrases here and there throughout all of their songs. In depth study of the lyrics was left decades ago when studying the inner jacket of the LPs.
With their lyrics, what you hear...is...what they are saying. You are in control of their lyrics. If you looked up the lyrics...you would know their lyrics... but, when you next heard them play, you wouldn't feel the experience had been improved by your research. You would simply stand amazed, like before.
Chris Squire uses an hybrid picking approach. He uses a pick but keeps it very short, which allows him to hit the string with his thumb nail a fraction of a second after the pick hits the string
I think the lyrics are about the contrast between the relentless stress of 9-5 city life, as expressed through that hard driving opening, and then getting away from it all into the country and being energised by the beauty of creation eg a lovely sunrise, which tempers the stress and lets you survive.
They have so much classical influence hidden in their longer songs such as this and Roundabout The slight changes on a thematic sequence was common in older classical music. The guitar intro and outro of Roundabout are definitely Baroque
“Dreamer easy in the chair that really fits you.” The beauty of Jon’s lyrics are in the mystery. The meaning may be different for every listener but the beauty is the universal element. Find your own meaning.
They all pretty much grew out of the psychedelia period of British pop, keyboardist Rick Wakeman was classically trained and began by being an in demand session player, notably for David Bowie and Cat Stevens early recordings amongst others. Bruford is jazz influenced
Incredible review man especially from those of us that have been listening to this incredible insanity for 40+ years... Rush comes close but Early Classic Yes is the real deal and totally underappreciated thx again for your review and listen one of the best songs EVER!
Rick Wakeman the piano/keyboard wizard is very much into heavy music theory and charts as a classical pianist. He first joined tbe band on this album and almost immediately there was a heightened sense of arrangement and composition. Chris Squire on bass studied music and although self taught, Steve Howe seems to have a strong grasp on theory as well. When Steve and Rick are really locked in, it is absolute magic to hear these master craftsmen weave around one another. Bill Bruford also has got drum theory up the wazoo for sure. I suspect Rick talked them all into charting their music out because supposedly this album came together very fast! Hard to believe, unless Rick wrote out the charts! Lol...
Studio versions are the best way to start out listening to Yes! IMHO. Yes music is so INTRICATE. The live recordings usually miss the intricacies and detailed soundscapes.
The musicians in Yes are all super talents and have quite the resumes, but if I remember correctly in the late 60 and early 70s were considered the poineers of progressive rock. They are just awesome.
I heartily recommend listening to this song in Yessongs - their live album. Its so rare that a live album has more depth than the studio, but they managed it on this.
Yessongs is excellent primarily because it sounds so authentic to the the original and adds the small flourishes that in my mind add to the originals. That being said, the production of the studio albums allows the listener to hear all of the individual contributions of each musician more clearly. Yessongs will further help the listener realize that the studio albums were no accident and that the band can play everything live as good, if not better, than the studio versions. Enjoy!
Studio Versions are an absolute MUST for first listens!! Then live performances can come afterwards. (imho)
Thank you! It’s how most of us first heard it. ✌️
Not really. Until Steven Wilson got a hold of it, the studio version of HOTS PALED in comparison to subsequent live performances of it, which not only held more chances taken with the material that it needed, but were sonically superior to what Eddy Offord put together.
This was always meant for the stage. And a band's studio performances can't all be zingers.
I ABSOLUTELY agree!!!!!!!
Chris Squire usually used a pick. He held it very close to the end, so that when he picked, it was immediately followed by his thumb picking the string. His base was wired stereo and he used separate amps adjusted differently. He was a unique bassist.
When Bruford left YES the sound of the band fundamentally changed. Love what he brought to YES for 5 albums.
Agree
My favorite piece of Bruford’s work!
Alan White was no slouch ..Just different- Bruford a technician-White a rock drummer with his own amazing flair. As a life long fan- I enjoy them both.There should never be "better than" comments. That's for prog snob twats.
@@michaelbeerbados3291 I agree. It’s a preference thing. All YES is special. White shines on Drama for sure.
@@pauld669 and on TFTO-RELAYER-GFTO and especially -YESSONGS.
Maybe my favorite Yes song. Thank you for reacting to it! I also appreciate you demonstrating with your bass.
I'll say it again. Best...band...ever.
Keep saying it, Stanley!❤
Agree 100 %
Certainly most innovative, with unmatched precision and musicianship... classical composition meets rock. Many Yes songs are not just songs, but musical adventures of the Alice in Wonderland variety. If Mozart has been born in 1950, this is the kind of rock he would have made in the 70s.
The drummer, Bill Bruford, was a jazzer at heart. He wanted to be in a jazz band, but wound up in Yes because it was a working gig. He did some jazz stuff on the side. This song was composed after the band listened to a lot of Brubeck and Stravinsky.
Chris Squire and that Rickenbacker 4001 Bass is undeniable.
Don't try to understand the lyrics ,they are poetic soundscapes. Think of Jon Anderson as an impressionistic poet, painting pictures with his words.
I look at it as the lyrics are an instrument of themselves
Well said, his words are of visions. Great comment
Jon was only looking to rhyme. Lyrics mean nothing
Moi qui est francophone et malgré que je ne capte que quelques mots et tournure de phrase, ses paroles me font du bien. C’est vous dire comment l’art peut être puissant. Le style lyrique de Yes, pour moi c’est comme une peinture abstraite. Parfois, des gens reste devant cette peinture en analysant chaque coup de pinceau, et d’autres arrive devant et son subjugué devant l’énergie qu’elle dégage
They're bullshit.
This is one of the smartest and most musically aware reactions I've heard. Great job!!
INDEED!!!!!
I think this song is just about as complex a piece of music as you can imagine. The level of musicianship is off the charts and so original that I can not imagine it appealing to a lot of people. So to be a YES fan is something very special.
Great song. Keep the YES music coming. Lots more. Might be time for "Close to the Edge". Studio version only.
Here here, "Close to the Edge" studio version. Gotta be studio first.
As far as the music, yes it is meticulously worked out by the band, conceptualized and conducted by Jon. These pieces took months in the studio to perfect and they were all in their mid twenty's, with early 70's gear and recording equipment. It's astonishing what they accomplished, truly.
Damned near miraculous. At this point in time they were the greatest on the planet.
And better live. Astonishing is right, isn’t it.
It’s so cool you pick up your bass and demonstrate. I’m telling you the YES DRAMA album will kick your ass!
Especially the groove at the end of Tempus Fugit!
This is Genius Level Music. Not for everyone.
Oh INDEED!!!!!!!!
Yesss
The lyrics are symbolic and talk about the contrast of the hectic life in the city and the soothing of love. Jon was inspired after walking around in the city and feeling frightened by the chaos of traffic and people running around. Soon after he was soothed by the sunrise. Hence the frantic parts dwelling with the smoothness of Jon's voice and piano licks.
Bill Bruford was simply amazing.
You should hear Close To The Edge. I think it’s their best work.
yup
He is not even close to being ready for close to the edge 😂
Here we go! God's music 💚
HOTS and Roundabout are 2 of my favorite songs ever. Good on you for listening to this masterpiece.
Churchboy, Love how you are getting into YES!
I ❤ it! YES is amazing! 😊 So much talent!
May I recommend YES-South Side of the Sky!
Thkx.
Drummer Bill Bruford and guitarist Steve Howe have strong jazz leanings. You can hear it throughout their music.
Best bass player in the f... world . Rip Mr Chris Squire.
NOW WE TALKIN'! Gettin' into the THICK of it! LOOK YES are the greatest and one of the ONLY bands in (what I reluctantly call) the "Rock" genre that I've listened to and have listened to endlessly throughout their classic peak 70's era for 53 years because what they did was so imaginative, clever, rich, emotional, exhilarating, uplifting, dense, unpredictable and intricately baffling! YESSSS! "LOVE comes to you & you follow. Dream on, on to the heart of the Sunrise" is all you need to understand about Jon's lyrics here! With his voice still well intact, Jon the singer at 79 is Touring with a YES cover band that performs this music extremely well and I will be seeing them in SoCal Friday! WE are so blessed because in the 70's there was NOTHING more mind-blowing and transcendent than a elaborate Stage & EFX Live YES experience. Let's hear either, Starship Trooper, Yours is no Disgrace or Perpetual Change NEXT!!!!
Saw Jon Anderson's band in Rochester NY in June and the setlist included all of the best and then some. Was blown away by how well he can still sing. Iconic voice, killer band. ENJOY!!!
I’ve seen them live 7 times over the decades and I’ve never seen any sheet music on stage. They are really just that good. Absolutely phenomenal live band! POWERFUL LIVE! Surprisingly so! YES at High Volume, right in front of you is an Experience!
I have several songs that make up the soundscape of my life. HOTS is at top of that list. Yes was formed by musicians that were all prodigies. Man I have to give you props for actually being able to play, so many reactors aren't musicians. Keep doing what you do.
The drummer bill bruford was in king crimson as well for several.albums. crimson is another rabbit hole. But a solo track called Beelzebub is a great one by Bruford
This song bluew my mind back when I was 16. Fell in love with YES right away. It was a Rickenbacker, Geddy Lee admired Chris Squire! Rush and Yes, my favorite grups for the last 35 years man! I recommend you to listen to the Prelude fro Rush Hemispheres! Pure trip and magic man! It is just a lot of fun to watch your reactions, God bless you brother!!! Amén!
Jon is saying that Gods realm exceeds what we can comprehend as humans. As we live our lives and search Gods Greatness out, we see that what humans do, and create falls short
of His Glory. "I feel lost in the city". As glorious as cities are they are cold, and impersonal. "Love comes to you, and you follow, lose one on to the Heart of the Sunrise". We must lose our
lives of flesh to gain our lives of spirit, but we must go through the flesh, to gain understanding of what God has to suffer to bring us all into being. As a child we can never know what our
parents felt, until we grow up and become parents ourselves, and have to go through the heartache, and pain, and then we understand, "On to the Heart of the Sunrise". Yes is magnificent.
@@michaelyork4554 Jon doesn’t think of god in the fantasyland way I believe you’re referring to.
GATES OF DELIRIUM !!! The last portion of that song will BRING TEARS TO YOUR EYES out of its sheer BEAUTY. It’s like receiving communion in church…. SOUL GRIPPING in the language of GOD!!! A church boy should love it. Absolute chaos followed by absolute heavenly bliss. YOU HAVE TO do it next bro !!!!! What a journey !!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Well said
Good thinking! @churchboy, The Gates of Delerium is about war, and is somewhat based on the book War and Peace. The lyrics will be understandable enough for you, I predict. Give them a read through to get a feel for the subject matter first before listening to the song. It should make you feel better about the somewhat cryptic lyrics. They do have some intelligible meaning and should give you a good idea of how to handle the comprehension of Yes' lyrics typically. Like others have said in comments, the lyrics are usually like an impressionistic painting.
Indeed, Gates of Delirium (GOD) always seemed like their classic peak to me. But I can never pick favorites - Close to the Edge, Ritual, Gates, Awaken - all unique impeccable masterpieces. But I DO think he should hit Close to the Edge next - it's its own masterwork, maybe best in ways, but I still see it as the on-ramp to Tales and Relayer.
Sound Chaser is really underrated.
@@MSinclairStevens I agree - but maybe because it's the worst song on the album. Uh, I mean the third greatest song on the best album ever recorded... 😄
This is one of Jon's best vocal performances. He starts very soft, and keeps increasing volume, ending very powerfully and emotionally. On the other hand, masterful composition.
What you said.❤
Just got fed this by RUclips as it was about some Yes. Thanks for your reaction, so good to see. I'm a late 60s aged English woman whose loved this for a very long time. Still thrills me. Mind you, I love Beethoven too and that's stood the test of an even longer time! Absolutely imperative to play both really loud, BTW. 😁
Keep in mind this was released in November, 1971. UNREAL!
They played "progessive rock" and it's feeling and chemistry developed through counteless hours of search for the perfect structure and relentless practice and of course, because the 5 of them are all virtuosos ! Also, although their music is just fantastic; you have got to read the lyrics of each of their songs you're listening to.
No sheet music just unreal classical talent
That is ALL feel! Hours and hours of rehearsal to where the changes become muscle memory.
This song was the collective moment in the early 70s when every rock drummer lifted the needle off the record and said “Hold up… who the hell is Bill Bruford???” … and listened again 1000 times.
Yes… Inspirational and reflective…. Pure musical bliss…
Yes lyrics are often a form of poetry. The words strung together are supposed to evoke images in your mind, without trying to convey precise meaning. For example, "Loves come to you, then after, dream on, on to the heart of the sunrise!" In my mind, hearing these words, in combination with the music, I see myself with a great lover achieving mutual climax, and lying in each others arms, see the sun bursting over the horizon in brilliant orange that turns to scalding white. This is the first attempt I ever made to describe what I feel with this music... but see how I get it from phrases like "Love comes to you, then after..." "Dream on, on to the heart of the sunrise!" And now you know why it gives me goosebumps...
This is ‘YES’. All their Songs are Musical Masterpieces.
Very often 20 minutes long, the whole side of an Album.
Enjoy the ride. 🎶❤️🎶
Don't be a lyric chaser. Be a 'Sound Chaser'!
I love this! Nice crafting of poignant words! And, yes, that is what Yes music is more about - Jon wrote a lot of words just because they sound good with the music!
😄
Best band, ever. Period.
No argument from here. ❤
Btw, I was, probably many of us were saying this then, when the music first appeared to our ears. This is the greatest band ever!
As soon as I seen the Bass stink face , I said to myself, yep he gets it 100 %. RIP Chris Squire.
Jon's lyrics are like an impressionist painting. Let the words enter your mind, don't parse them, don't interpret them, just go with how you feel. I don't know about you, but I get loneliness in a crowd, traffic, noise, sirens, mayhem existing all around me but I drift through it alone. But you do you.
I LOVE Jon's lyrics... it's poetry, I find some new angle every time.
Yup. Like abstract art, the "viewer" interprets and sees many aspects, often simultaneously. ♥️
I grew up listening to Yes in the 70's and have seen them multiple times The two best drummers were Alan Whiite and Bill Bruford.
What a nice guy. You have entered my world of 50 years ago at uni in my wee rented room. At that time I was also listening to Soft Machine and Grateful Deads Dark Star.
"dreamer easy in the chair that really fits you"
Master class in prog drumming. Not to mention the bass. The bassist, Chris Squire, put out a solo album in 1975 called “Fish Out Of Water” that should definitely be on your radar. The bass is front and center on that album. And it has the same drummer on it.
This is probably my all time favorite Yes song. I haven't heard this in over 20 yrs. It's a soundscape that takes you into a place. Like others have said...I prefer reactions to studio versions rather than the live versions...the production value is so much higher. The lyrics on yes songs have always been cryptic...I like it because they leave it up to you and your interpretation. If you just sit back and listen, the song takes you to your own little slice of imagination.
Chris Squire developed a "double strike" method of playing the bass where he hit each note with a pick and his thumb. He keeps the pick very close to the depth of his thumb to accomplish this, giving him a unique sound.
Chris Squire used a Rickenbacker. He actually re-wired it to play in stereo. Rickenbacker, inspired by his innovation, later made a stereo version themselves.
I so love your reaction, it reminds me of my reaction to hearing this for the first time!
This is why I think you did right in listening to the studio version first, to be able to appreciate the musical experience without distractions. Then you can check out some live versions to be blown away by their ability to recreate, or even improve on, the original!
Glad you did the studio version. I always implore all reactors to ALWAYS do the studio versions before reacting to any live versions. Yeah, Chris Squire is my number two bassist right behind John Entwhistle of The Who. I could see this easily being a King Crimson song. If you want to listen to some great prog rock with excellent musicianship and great lyrics that are more accessible to understand, you need to check out Rush. What three guys can do is absolutely amazing! On par with Yes.
YES, studio version, always first.
They got you, and you got them. Tears to my eyes. Tears me to Yes.
They agreed on little, argued about everything, called Jon a Little Napoleon and this stuff came out.
I don't care what anybody says, live is the way to go, you won't miss anything!! Greatest live band ever, better than the studio stuff!!
I’ve seen them a bunch of times since the 70’s and they can absolutely pull it off live. But I strongly suggest listening to the studio tracks up until say 1980 because of the fantastic engineering on those albums. No it’s not sheet music. They develop members ideas collectively.
The lyrics are very symbolic and sometimes cryptic within the confines of the song. They are very much loaded with a message. I remember back in the day showing the lyrics to my English teacher, I never saw a teacher get that excited before about words.
And this was done on 8 track tape, and hand edited (knife and scotch tape). No ProTools. Magic.
RIP Chris Squire
Nice review, thank you!
first time coming across your channel - loved your reaction! to no fault of their own, I come across too many casual music fans that then stumble upon the Yes's of the world and they're in just no position to grasp it on a first take. great for them jumping in, but without a music background like you, anything even close to comprehension of the complexities of this timing and these chord progressions takes a really skilled ear. glad you could experience this and would love to hear more from you!
love that a bass player is focusing on the BRUFORD DRUMS!!!
From a 22 year old, I'd definitely say studio versions for first time listens. They were amazing live. But at least for me personally, the live recordings don't hold the same magic the studio recordings do. Jon is your man behind the lyrics. He had a major roll in writing their music and themes. To answer your question there is absolutely meaning behind MOST of his lyrics. Some of them literally don't have meaning. They were put into the piece because it sounded good lol. He used his lyrics and voice as an instrument. This song is pretty much about being lost in a city and admiring sunrises. Anderson is a very spiritual man and his lyrics reflect that in an introspective way. Because they make you think, and the answer is usually tied to the meaning of "something more" and just loving everyone.
You are picking such great music to react to. Lets get Church Boy to 10k subs!
When you relisten to this amazing piece of music-really zone in on the drumming-Bill Bruford is so crazy good with hidden ,extra,odd timed and surprising fills. As good a drumming display as you can get.
I loved this reaction. This was absolutely genuine and wonderful. It is especially great to see someone with so much talent themselves finally discover what I've loved for absolutely years. YES was my first concert in 1984. I haven't looked back...till now!
The lyrics are, no matter how it's arranged they are beautifully written. And the lyrics, are what you want them to be, it's like looking at abstract art, nobody sees the same thing. It's just pure artistry. Check out Emerson, Lake, Palmer for more artistry.
One thing you can say about Yes: They were never boring.
I believe music is a gift from God. It is often misused for evil purposes. But where that's not the case, it allows us a small glimpse of heaven.
Well said
🎶🙏🎶
There is no sheet music, the band composed the songs that Jon brought in as Ideas in the studio as they were recording, they did multiple versions, the band decided what takes they would use sometimes taking 2 minutes of one version and a minute of another version, then Eddie Offord the engineer would paste together the parts on the the master tape. and then the band would learn what they created to play it live. There are multiple videos of Yes creating music in the studio that you can watch. They play everything live by memory.
I remember Jon introducing this song saying that he penned it as a meditation song. Chris liked it, but insisted some Rock-and-roll energy be added. A perfect description of the final product.
I'm really glad you went down this rabbit hole specifically due to RUSH looking up to YES for obvious reasons. I knew you would enjoy the creativity and bass lines! #Roundabout
When you figure out the lyrics, let the rest of us know! 😆 Jon is cosmic. That’s the simplest way to describe what he does.
When Yes added Trevor and released the song owner of the lonely heart..it set the stage for the "Union" album. I saw Yes 3 times. Two early on without Trevor when Alan White was their drummer. Then decades later on their Union Tour...with Bruford and White drumming. Yes is inarguably on of the best Rock bands ever to play on the face of this Earth. And they will stand the test of time.
Jon's voice is another primary instrument. If you stick with it you will eventually get it. As a long time listener I will take up catchy phrases here and there throughout all of their songs. In depth study of the lyrics was left decades ago when studying the inner jacket of the LPs.
bill buford on drums great drummer later on alan white also a great drummer from england !
YES! 😊
With their lyrics, what you hear...is...what they are saying. You are in control of their lyrics.
If you looked up the lyrics...you would know their lyrics...
but, when you next heard them play, you wouldn't feel the experience
had been improved by your research. You would simply stand amazed, like before.
Chris Squire uses an hybrid picking approach. He uses a pick but keeps it very short, which allows him to hit the string with his thumb nail a fraction of a second after the pick hits the string
I think the lyrics are about the contrast between the relentless stress of 9-5 city life, as expressed through that hard driving opening, and then getting away from it all into the country and being energised by the beauty of creation eg a lovely sunrise, which tempers the stress and lets you survive.
They have so much classical influence hidden in their longer songs such as this and Roundabout
The slight changes on a thematic sequence was common in older classical music.
The guitar intro and outro of Roundabout are definitely Baroque
No sheet music.
Yes plays all these songs by heart for concert! It’s incredible when they’re know for their long songs!!!
“Dreamer easy in the chair that really fits you.” The beauty of Jon’s lyrics are in the mystery. The meaning may be different for every listener but the beauty is the universal element. Find your own meaning.
They all pretty much grew out of the psychedelia period of British pop, keyboardist Rick Wakeman was classically trained and began by being an in demand session player, notably for David Bowie and Cat Stevens early recordings amongst others. Bruford is jazz influenced
Incredible review man especially from those of us that have been listening to this incredible insanity for 40+ years... Rush comes close but Early Classic Yes is the real deal and totally underappreciated thx again for your review and listen one of the best songs EVER!
Bill Bruford genius
He uses a unique picking style. Heavy thumb to soften the edge.
its the dreaminess that I love in this song
YES!
Love a Yes reaction from a musician! “Regular” people don’t usually get it!😂 ✌️❤️
YES!
You have 2 albums where, many believe, Yes had their dream lineup: Fragile and Close to the Edge.
Rick Wakeman the piano/keyboard wizard is very much into heavy music theory and charts as a classical pianist. He first joined tbe band on this album and almost immediately there was a heightened sense of arrangement and composition. Chris Squire on bass studied music and although self taught, Steve Howe seems to have a strong grasp on theory as well. When Steve and Rick are really locked in, it is absolute magic to hear these master craftsmen weave around one another. Bill Bruford also has got drum theory up the wazoo for sure. I suspect Rick talked them all into charting their music out because supposedly this album came together very fast! Hard to believe, unless Rick wrote out the charts! Lol...
You are right ..ii was like jazz band in terms of creation...complexity😮
Studio versions are the best way to start out listening to Yes! IMHO. Yes music is so INTRICATE. The live recordings usually miss the intricacies and detailed soundscapes.
You have to see them live...theree that good. 😅
The musicians in Yes are all super talents and have quite the resumes, but if I remember correctly in the late 60 and early 70s were considered the poineers of progressive rock. They are just awesome.
Jon is a complete songwriter; he can play instruments
Wow, love your reactions and your musical knowledge. You really bring a musician's perspective that I really appreciate, great work! ❤
I heartily recommend listening to this song in Yessongs - their live album. Its so rare that a live album has more depth than the studio, but they managed it on this.
Yessongs is excellent primarily because it sounds so authentic to the the original and adds the small flourishes that in my mind add to the originals. That being said, the production of the studio albums allows the listener to hear all of the individual contributions of each musician more clearly. Yessongs will further help the listener realize that the studio albums were no accident and that the band can play everything live as good, if not better, than the studio versions. Enjoy!