A Deep Listen To: "America" by YES (Reaction)

[@DanPemberton]

I believe this was Steve Howe's tribute to Amerian music styles - orchestral, then eclectic, then Chet Atkins then southern rock - what a player, what a band!

[@louise_rose]

Yes, definitely a solo/jam with American swagger, brilliantly nodding to some US playing styles, and painting the journey in a cinematic way. During the final part of that solo, at 10:26-11:44, you can completely see and hear the thousands of cars on the highway, honking, bustling, fenders bumping, motors revving...

[@lindazee]

Yes brings an excitement and anticipation to this classic singer-songwriter epic. It evokes a youthful enthusiasm that I can remember when I was a younger me traveling across the U.S. America is in my top favorites of YES, cover or not! I have seen it performed live, but not nearly enough! 💚

[@bukeksiansu2112]

Every little thing YES does YES does magic.

[@stevenorthwick2480]

One of the greatest cover versions ever!

[@firebreathingleviathan3280]

If you listen carefully, around the 4:44 mark of your video, Chris adds in a hat tip to West Side Story's America with his bass line.. To see a live version of this and the amazing Howe's soloing is mesmerizing. I had seen them preform this song twice and it is one of my favs. Keep it going, another great YES reaction.

[@bazeye]

I love your enthusiasm and appreciation of this band, especially the bass playing of Chris Squire. I would strongly recommend listening to The Revealing Science of God, the first track from Tales From Topographic Oceans, IMO, it's the peak of their music.

[@npc8348]

This is my favorite Yes cover song, and like the GFR ver. of "Locomotion", I consider it to be a cover song that surpasses the original. Of course, the original is great too. I think these two "America" are a great counterpart. The reason is that the "America" of Simon and Garfunkel ver. is a white-derived sound such as country songs and folk songs, while the "America" of Yes is constructed with a black-derived sound such as rock and roll and blues.

[@frankhoulihanfh4972]

This is very nice work. I really enjoy your reactions, especially to Yes music, as near and dear to my heart as any music, anywhere. Thx so much!

[@gpg9516]

A single edit was released just before Close to the Edge was released; the b-side was a single edit of Total Mass Retain.

[@mikeeckel2807]

I've seen YES live 5 times. I don't know which song YES played from their very early years got a larger surprised reaction from the audience..."Time and a Word" or "America." Both got long standing ovations.

[@geniousatqw]

Your Music Mirrors Your Mind Great reactions dude! You should hear it on a 6.1 surround sound system It's like having headphones on without having headphones on. The bass actually stands out and flows in waves throughout the body, not just between your ears. Quite a sonic rollercoaster. Keep on bud. Like watching my music life being flashed before my eyes.

[@philipmason9537]

No other band could/ would have done this interpretation of this classic song; slightly too long perhaps but full of amazing musicianship and invention.

[@TheAmazingSpaghetti]

The live version is even better, at least certain parts of it, Steve has such a cool riff on the live version he didnt do on the studio one. When Squire and Anderson first met, one of the things they talked about was Simon and Garfunkel.

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Brilliant live version on Keys To Ascension.

[@harleyw]

Great reaction! This is a banger for sure, for sure. (Plus the bonus Sleepy singing mini-cover of Simon and Garfunkel in his intro to this vid!😂)

[@nunyabinniss201]

If your head isn't boppin' to this one, take your soul in for a rebuild. Thumpage maximus.

[@robertjantzen6545]

Just incredible

[@ursgeiser6570]

Thanks, great information! I researched it too. Musically brilliant; if it weren't for the chorus, I wouldn't recognize the S&G song, an ode to USA. You said it right 👍: they jammed, just very creatively!!! Other US single hits: Your Move #40 and Roundabout #13 before, Close To the Edge part 2 #42 after.

[@TheProgCorner]

Amazing cover.

[@fredscott5644]

This is how Yes cut their teeth after they formed. They covered popular songs of the day and did Yes things to those songs.

[@martinellis7156]

I like your reactions man - good to see you discover "Yes" early in your life, they have been a constant companion to this now old man, who bought "The Age of Atlantic" sampler when it first came out.

[@GTO4now]

YES! 😊

[@mikeeckel2807]

"America" was always touted as being the first YES song that Rick Wakeman recorded as a member. Bill Bruford played some of the keyboards on the recording...not sure if it was on the organ or the mellotron.

[@anthonyblakely399]

The song was a tribute to Simon & Garfunkel and 🌎 music: Blues and Rock n Roll. Very Epic!!!

[@johng.8517]

There is a live version on The Keys to Ascension album which is really good. That album also has a long song called "That, That Is" which isn't reacted to much and I think it's really good. It's a double album with mostly live songs. I like the live version that's there of "The Revealing Science of God" a lot more than the studio version too.

[@thumbob]

Paul Simon should be proud

[@KaisasDad]

Great review. Gotta recommend Arriving UFO from 1978. Similar style featuring more Rick Wakeman.

[@fernandotor3266]

Beatiful. Atlantic record requested that to yes.. to celebrate sth...not sure what

[@dominickferrari8368]

One of my favorites from Yes. Don't get me wrong I like the original, but I prefer this one :)

[@rogeebundy6002]

I see you from yes yes would be a great listen

[@anthonyblakely399]

Yes did not perform this song in the 6 concerts I have seen them.

[@relayer27]

What has happened to Sleepy Lagoon, missing his content

[@Jack-D-Ripper]

If you are going to cover a song, why ape the original? You must bring your own style and interpretation to it. And boy, Yes went to town on this and it’s AMAZING (I love the 10 minute version).

[@anthonyblakely399]

Th

[@Richard_Ashton]

If you are going to do a cover, don't do a copy. That way you have lots of debate as to which is the best version. Of course, they're both the best.