Classical Composer Reacts to And You And I (Yes) | The Daily Doug (Episode 240)

#Yes #AndYouAndI #YesReaction #CTTE
In this episode of #TheDailyDoug, I'm reacting to And You And I, a classic song from Yes off their Close to the Edge Album. As love songs go, this one makes you work for the meaning behind it...but, the emotion you feel is strong and palpable. Enjoy!
Reference Video: • And You and I (2003 Re...
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[@ronburns1596]

This song holds a extremely special place in my heart. I was playing along with this song, I'm a keyboard player, when I looked up and saw my mother watching me, with a tear running down her face. She gave me her huge smile, said I love you, then goodnight...she passed away that night. Till this day I still feel the enormous pride in making my mother smile...I'll never forget it.

[@caroles140]

Beautiful experience.

[@fredkrissman6527]

What a lovely story, facilitated by rock's most celestial band.

[@gospeltruthtv]

Man Ron, thank you for sharing this, it makes me both sad and joyful at the same time. Blessings to you my fellow keyboardist & Yes lover!

[@christopherforan768]

Beautiful experience- 🙏thank you for sharing!

[@42BETWO]

🙏🏻

[@lancehaley9417]

I remember rushing out to buy this album the week it came out. Hearing this song for the first time was like magic. At 68 years old, it still gives me goosebumps and brings a tear to my eyes.

[@stephentierney9266]

Damn,you too?

[@alunepps4272]

CTTE. Arguably the best album ever made. Arguably Yes's best 3 tracks. Never seen the like before or after. A masterpiece.

[@barrywhite828]

arguably? lol. you are correct sir

[@lelmaahn5131]

Gates of Delirium is their second best imo

[@yyz4761]

Ain’t no argument here brother

[@TheJimNicholson]

As good as this album is, I'm torn because the first Yes album I ever owned was Yessongs, and I really like the live performances of this album's tracks on that album.

[@deniserb4754]

A real masterpiece! ❤Oh, my! I cry to that. Inspiring, moving, refreshing. Wonderful!

[@FME-NuavatarPublishing]

Everything that Jon Anderson wrote, whether he consciously knew it or not, was deeply spiritual. For some reason all of his lyrics make sense to me! I have been a fan of Yes since 1972. Thank you!

[@EvilSean62]

I`m not a spiritual person on a daily basis , but when i listen to yes it affects me emotionally and spiritually case in point ... wondrous stories ...almost always i have a tear in my eye by the end and topographic oceans is a journey for me in my head

[@barrywhite828]

yes. the words dont have to be gramatically accurate. a proper sentence that means nothing is worthless. an abstract sentence spoken just so, does something that transcends the meaning of the words. im not an eloquent man, but when a song makes ya tear up, man , thats power. thanks jon. i get it. every freakin word.

[@_ID_as_Non_Bidenary]

I'm the same way. When you just read the lyrics they don't make much sense but when I hear them it becomes a spiritual journey. It's simply amazing.

[@Lightmane]

There are few things I enjoy more than watching a Classical Composer react to the magic that is YES

[@joanbounacos8958]

You and me both! ❤️

[@9619660818]

And you and I :)

[@jayrayhoossongsilivedby5444]

So true

[@delby66]

I love listening to Doug's comments about this great era of music. It doesn't matter if it's Yes, Genesis, ELP , or whoever. A Classical Composer can relate to prog rock, especially with the blend of keyboards, guitar, bass and drums. Then you add the fine lyrics and it becomes a symphony of incredible music. I'm 66 now and this was my era of music

[@darkmagus64]

Yes is one of the most creative bands to have blessed my ears.

[@wowiezowie4235]

I've heard Jon Anderson say that this is the song that changed his life. It has certainly changed mine.

[@williamsporing1500]

Besides God, Yes has been one of the biggest influences in my life. I’ve been a musician for over 5 decades, and I absolutely love these guys.

[@raymanna]

And mine.

[@petera9374]

Me too

[@wfly81]

I took a buddy to see Yes about 15 years ago. And at the end of this song, where the main hook is played super slow (1/2 time? 1/4 time?), I look over and his eyes are closed, and he's grinning ear-to-ear. And without opening his eyes (as though he can sense me looking at him), he says, without breaking his grin..."This is the most musically satisfying experience of my life. Thank you for this." And that was my most satisfying experience of turning a friend on to music I love. That last section is too short, but you know what they say in showbiz..."Leave them wanting more." And honestly, it ends too soon to fully satiate us, but it actually ends at the right time. I personally love how this song manages to be massive and epic...and even regal. And yet, it also manages to be small, meek, sweet, and filled with the innocence of young love...all within a short, digestible piece.

[@frankhoulihanfh4972]

Tender and tough! Like love. That, my friend, is a great story! I have spent my life turning people on to Yes. They’re an acquired taste. Not for everyone, sadly. So, I didn’t always succeed. Congratulations on a spectacular success, making a new Yestan!

[@randyferron]

Keyboards are magical

[@lordaleron2912]

I’m still lead to tears at the entire album. And yes, to me and my friends who immersed ourselves in Yes. And as we listened, we agreed that “And You And I” is a love song. As you mentioned, the song never once used the word “love”. It didn’t have to.

[@brianbaznik7794]

so true. tears.

[@blondelebanese9922]

My boyfriend does not begin to understand what music does to me. It has the power to change my mood, my thinking and my life. I fell in love with a song, “And You And I” when my late husband brought the album hime and I st listening…in amazement at what I was hearing. Doug mentioned the ‘tapestry’ of Anderson’s songs. That is it exactly! My husband died five years ago and after that happened, I couldn’t listen to some of my favorite music…Yes, Pink Floyd and Rush bc I couldn’t bear the pain of missing him, of listening to those rich tapestries of sound without heart breaking, the loss was so profound. Once I finally allowed myself to feel anything other than the loss of my beloved, the music started healing me, from my broken heart which I felt shatter the instant he died. We were married for 47 years. Each day brought a new appreciation of the genius of those groups that I loved. Now my heart is open to new love. My ma’am would do anything he could to keep me safe, happy and secure. I wasn’t looking for anyone when we met outside one beautiful day. He has changed me so much or maybe our love is what’s changing me. I can’t think of my husband when Reno holds me in his strong arms. I can only think of Reno. He’ll never fully understand why beautiful music makes me cry….it just does. It fills my heart so fully that I can only barely remember the past. Reno is quite the man for me. I told him the other day that I’d understand if I was too much for him now because my life is ending soon. He looked at me with such tenderness and told me not to worry, that he was with me forever, till I draw my last breath. I never thought I’d live again, certainly not this late in life. But if it’s the last thing I’m able to do, I’ll share the words and music that are everything to me. I think that then he’ll finally understand me. Because clearly I’m impossible to figure out unless he can hear my love in all the lyrics. My only regret now is that I didn’t meet my love until now, when I have so little time left. It shatters me to even think about it. But when I’m too choked up to even speak, I have to let the music speak for me. I guess I’m a lifelong fan of Yes, since the first day I heard “And you and I” in 1971. That music has been so very important to me, I’ll cherish until the day my COPD takes me out of this plane of existence. I’ve had a full and wonderful life and I’ll hang in to those notes can no longer be heard. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@robinvegas4367]

I always had the impression it was the spirit leading the mortal to the next horizon.

[@DM-hh7wl]

Sitting here weeping, so beautiful 🙂👍🌤

[@frankhoulihanfh4972]

@@blondelebanese9922ery beautiful, sad, sweet story. Lost my wife of 32 years a few years ago. But, I got to sing And You And I to her at a Yes concert, as I had promised myself to do when I first began to be familiar with it all those years ago. I got to waltz her spontaneously around the kitchen to Awaken one random afternoon. During her illness I leaned hard on Revealing Science Of God. Any and every version up on this platform. It saved my life, perhaps more than once. Yesmusic, it turns out, also heals. Be well.

[@cobbwebs]

Anderson was very spiritual. If you think it's a love song, think of the context of him singing about the love for the Great Creator and the fact that we are all connected in love.

[@joecrowaz]

Chris Squire... The reason I play Bass. Never forget, he's playing THOSE Bass parts, AND singing THOSE harmony vocals at the same time. ❤️

[@shyshift]

Not in the studio.

[@joecrowaz]

@@shyshift Wow you are smart 😴

[@shyshift]

@@joecrowaz I have been a Yesfan for 50 years and in that time I learned a lot of facts about them. All I do is share what I know to be true with those who are interested. I have no ego behind it whatsoever. The reason I play a Jet-Glo Rickenbacker 4003 is mainly because of my love for Chris Squire.

[@egrbob]

Same for me

[@shyshift]

@@egrbob cool. I never bought a bass amp for some reason. I play it through my solid state Fender M-80 stereo chorus with 2 12’s at a very low volume. I don’t play live gigs just in my house so if I am careful I don’t blow up my speakers. I love my Ric.

[@justincamp5716]

A broad smile and a "wow" is probably the most appropriate response to this song.

[@ileanaospino126]

Yes is another of the Elite Progressive Rock Bands!! extremely virtuous!! Jon Anderson's Voice is the most Beautiful and Angelic of Rock Prog!! ❤️❤️🖤🖤😍😍

[@katrineevarista9730]

50 years ago I eagerly awaited the release of this album! . I was so excited to bring it home! I laid down on the living room floor with a joint and earphones, and when it was over I was in tears. Thank you for bringing back those memories! I've really have enjoyed watching you experience the awesomeness that is Yes. 💜

[@simonperrin7784]

Still cry EVERY time I listen

[@sevenstarsofthedipper1047]

@@simonperrin7784 I was a freshman in college when this album dropped. And You and I was my favorite. I like the First and last sections the best. I have been listening to Yes since 1970.

[@delby66]

I still cry my eyes out listening to this song and I'm 66 now. This is my favourite Yes song.

[@frankhoulihanfh4972]

I was asked on vacation recently what my favorite song was. I actually hesitated for about a second before I said And You And I. Firmly. 😂❤

[@helgaratbone1691]

Yes more Yes Please! Heart of the Sunrise! Starship Trooper!

[@paulehney4581]

Yep, Doug really needs to listen to Starship trooper, it would give him a clearer understanding of Yes. He needs to listen to this entire album in on sitting, with his pipe and a beverage of his choice to see the entire picture.

[@njccbr9910]

Of course two great tracks and i particularly love starship trooper. Heart of the sunrise IS quintessential YES. Desert island material. Doug, if you only do one more Yes song it has to be Heart of the Sunrise. 👍

[@annewoodard6803]

Prog Rock at its finest. So much talent by every musician. ❤️

[@davidbarker77]

I find that if I listen to this with my eyes closed, sometimes I can stop trying to understand the lyrics and just allow them to form pictures in my mind. I know that sounds a bit out there but for me it works. Jon paints word pictures. A great afternoon listen.

[@ElZnorroOriginale]

Andersons painting with words is sonic Impressionism.

[@tonygrinney7115]

Exactly I did the same.You cannot understand from the intellect you have to understand from the visual. When I was in my teens we had one living room my parents would watch on the only TV in the house and I would listen to music on the stereogram (also in the living room) in this atmosphere the only way to listen was headphones on, eyes closed, in this environment the visual images flowed. Afterwards if I tried to describe what I'd seen and felt it was very difficult back in the intellectual mind. It's a visual and feeling experience.

[@alldayadventures5418]

Doug... If the song was called GOD and ME... you may understand it better...

[@pbwbrian53]

You really need to treat all Yes music like that. Jon Anderson himself said that he often chose words for their sounds rather than their meanings.

[@soggytom]

@@alldayadventures5418 Ooooh... I REALLY like that!

[@johnrpizzaguy]

My wife of 40 years have always claimed And you and I describes us since we met in 1980 and ironically her high school friend was and still is Billy Sherwood the current bass player for YES hand picked by Chris Squire. Even stranger we live in Arroyo Grande California were Jon Anderson calls home. It’s really cool to see him at the grocery store on a Saturday morning. He loves to talk.

[@MrWheeler715]

After listening to Yes for almost 40 years, I've learned to just enjoy the lyrics. I'm an English teacher, and I can't begin to interpret Anderson's lyrics!

[@profjohnfrinks]

You need to spend some time in his crystal tent and take some magic pills... this is coming from someone who has done neither 🤣

[@Keith_KC8TCQ]

some are more clear than others IF you know the back story. Part of the song "Our Song" is a tribute to Toledo Ohio and one memorable 1977 concert they played at the Toledo Sports Arena (a indoor hockey arena) where it reached 126 degrees inside

[@marbleman52]

MrWheeler715...I think I am a little older than you; I had this album way, way back in the early 70's when I was enlisted in the U.S. Navy. I was in a permanent land based aviation squadron and lived in the enlisted man's barracks on base. The barracks was more like a college dorm where there were two, three, and four man rooms. Back then, stereo component systems were the big thing and a lot of us had real good systems, and listening to the great bands of the 60's-70's on a real good system was amazing. I had probably not heard this song since those many years ago, but less than 10 seconds into the beginning of the song I knew what the song was. Some things just really stick in your memory.

[@amigodalua]

I'm so relieved to know that, I'm Brazilian and I've been trying for years to translate into Portuguese what's on Jon Anderson's mind : )

[@carolebarker2195]

With the line "And you and I reach over the sun for the river", I interpret that as the sun being the electrical charge in each red blood cell. The river is the human blood energy field. Jon is talking of Christic principles here, it's an allegory. "You" - the crucified Christ, and "I" - the resurrected Christ, as played out in the pathway of the oxygenation (the way, the truth and the life) of human blood. My interpretation. Take it or leave it.

[@garystocker9450]

At my wedding reception I made sure this was the last song played before my bride and I were introduced by the DJ...the song we came out to was the Main Monkey Business by Rush...but I wanted this song to set the tone for the journey my wife and I were embarking...13 years and 2 kids later it still resonates.

[@frankhoulihanfh4972]

❤

[@thewal1ofsleep]

Now you need to hear the final track on Close to the Edge, "Siberian Khatru".

[@jgvn11]

100% agree

[@KhordLizardMage]

Big +1, I've been telling him to do that song for a while. Great bass playing by Chris in that song as always.

[@steveopenshaw1219]

Yes! Best song on the album in my opinion.

[@timn5008]

@@steveopenshaw1219 Yes, Siberian Khatru is pure genius, agreat way to end the record. The use of reverb on "Khatru" especially is beautiful.

[@thewal1ofsleep]

@@steveopenshaw1219 Seriously. That final refrain section with the incredible build up to the conclusion ("outboard, river. bluetail, tailfly...") is just so incredibly moving. As "Close to the Edge" and "And You and I" have been the songs that seem to have resonated most with Doug, he owes it to himself (and us) to react to the final track on the album.

[@daleeasterwood2683]

Chris Squire basically said we don’t understand the songs, we just sing them.

[@tsbiscaro]

If angels exist, they sound like Jon

[@rained5757]

There is something otherworldly about his voice - well, about him.

[@danro2112]

Well, he does write in their language 😺.

[@timn5008]

He STILL sounds good.

[@violinmke]

One hopes. I saw him solo at a summer festival with just his guitar after he was kicked out of his band.

[@GM-MarkOfExcellence]

This was played at our wedding on Brockway Mountain, 1990

[@Luiza-Brasil]

I first heard this album when I was 12. I thought they were angels playing. Later, I realized that this wonder was the result of the insane work and integration of very talented people. But, they had already planted endless valleys, suns and oceans in my imagination.

[@petera9374]

Me too. 8th grade.

[@brianalpert2383]

If you wanted "more", you should have let the album continue to the next song, "Siberian Khatru". The song naturally modulates (or whatever) into that song. It's just a great transition from one song to the next, and I strongly urge you to listen to that as well. As for the lyrics, John Anderson has said that many of the lyrics were written because he liked the sound of the words themselves, not necessarily the meaning. He has said that if can find meaning in the lyrics, then that's good. Thanks for your wonderful insight and for sharing this magnificent song.

[@guidenredhawk]

Yeah I don’t think many vocalists actually pick lyrics that act as another “instrumental” to the entire song and not just for the mental interpretation behind it.

[@stevemd6488]

well said

[@DavidLazarus]

I think Steve Howe was inspired by Jimi Hendrix's Hey Joe when he wrote the intro to Siberian Khatru. The intros to both songs start out similar.

[@stevemd6488]

@@DavidLazarus You could be right but Steve Howe was a Chet Atkins/Les Paul inspired guitarist, and that Siberian Khatru opening lick is a relatively common one. Again not saying you're wrong.

[@DavidLazarus]

@@stevemd6488 - Yes, I know that Chet and Les were Steve's major influences. However, you cannot deny the similarities between the opening riffs of both songs. That said, Jimi did not always open Hey Joe that way. He tended to change things up.

[@mellotronin54]

My favourite band for 45 years . I never get tired of the music it is so uplifting always ends in a positive way.

[@scivalesmusicbooks1977]

Same for me!

[@jeffheck5559]

Played this entire album while driving to visit my older brother just before he past away. He introduced me to many great groups like Yes, etc. It now holds an even more special place in my heart. RIP big Jim...

[@AmberBootheCat]

My favorite Yes song. Whenever I hear that amazing movement in the middle I get chills.

[@philkaye6429]

I love watching classical composers go " Oh my God, what is that? It's beautiful !!" He's blown away !!

[@gthobaben]

I think Jon Anderson is like Charles Baudelaire - he's a symbolist, basically. Sometimes metaphor, sometimes it's just the way the sounds make you feel. It's part of why Yes is my fav prog band and Debussy is my fav classical composer. I feel deep feelings and I sometimes don't even fully understand why.

[@jprph1]

I was just going to get o to say what you said about Jon in regards to how the words sound in context to the music … Jon’s singing is another beautiful instrument to me.

[@mikedavis6884]

I'd never thought of that-"la nature est un temple/ou de vivants piliers/laissent parfois sortir de confuses paroles"-I see a connection-thanks for this!

[@peterbacke1804]

Nice comments! Agree!

[@williamsporing1500]

Lol, that’s funny! My favorite band is Yes and Claude Debussy is my favorite classical composer….. Have you ever checked out the snowflakes are dancing album by Tomita? Give it a listen….from the early days Of synths.

[@gthobaben]

@@williamsporing1500 I have! It’s a curiosity for sure.

[@lysdexic5205]

The way I've always described Yes is "precision ordered chaos". That makes about as much sense as Jon's lyrics, I know. I don't recall if it was an interview or a documentary on Yes but someone said Jon wrote lyrics for the sound the words made not how much sense they made, his voice is his instrument. I have no musical background so I can't explain that any better. To me they are painting in the spiritual world and that is why it invokes such an emotional response.

[@joeychicago6436]

John Anderson's writing is like 'Impressionistic art' by a painter like Monet. You know what the object of the work is, the lines drawn aren't always crystal clear, allowing a little interpretation by the viewer, but the EMOTION evoked is clear for all viewers. Sorta like poetry.

[@michaelkirsch9023]

I’ve been listening to YES for 50 years. I never have tried to interpret the lyrics. I just love the way the words fit and the feeling they convey.

[@shaunacohen7630]

I graduated from high school in 84. The entire time YES was one of my favorite bands. I was able to see them in concert in 84 after the release of Owner of a Lonely Heart became so popular. It was one of the best concerts I've ever been to still.

[@scarlettphoenix7024]

How did you miss this growing up, Doug? I’m so sorry for you. This music enriched my life beyond imagining. I hate to think of a world without it.

[@frankhoulihanfh4972]

❤

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

Even Anderson said we (and he) can't understand his lyrics. He writes in ideas and concepts rather than meanings, and sometimes just because he likes the sounds of the words. But the gorgeous musicianship and arrangement are not to be ignored.

[@JustMe-vk4fn]

My friends and I were just out of high school and getting our first jobs when we first heard this song. We would dim the lights, put our feet up and quietly listen to each side of these albums from beginning to end. :D I always kinda *wanted more* myself.

[@tredog884]

When Doug gets the little dimple in his forehead, he's digging the tune

[@ydoesgooglesuck1960]

I love the way Yes challenges your assumptions...so perfectly...

[@davideaston6944]

I interpret "All complete in the sight of seeds of life with you" as making love. What an album...

[@betsysommer7142]

All seas exist in the valleys of the earth, and we cling to the edge of the mountains sticking out of them

[@_Mutineer]

The bass sound that you are wondering about at 4:40 is Chris Squire's Rickenbaker fed through a Leslie organ amp. I have used one many times in the past, except with a guitar instead of a bass, but unfortunately only when I worked with a keyboard player that had a Hammond - I was too poor to afford my own. There are many examples of guitar through Leslie, but this is the only time that I have heard it used with a bass, and the chunky attack of the Rickenbaker gives it a wonderful texture..

[@johnduffy8532]

One thing I really liked when they played this live was the harmonica Squire would play over the acoustic part in the Preacher/Teacher section.

[@wowiezowie4235]

Now just "Siberian Khatru" and CTTE will be complete!

[@garystocker9450]

I think he did CTTE already...

[@pbwbrian53]

@@garystocker9450 I think Wowie Zowie meant the album CTTE would be complete as Doug has already done the piece CTTE.

[@wardka]

SK is great but pales in comparison to the other two to me. It feels more like a Fragile song. Not that I would ever want to be without it or Fragile either one!

[@djehuti3]

I love that song - IMO better than And You and I. Steve is great on it.

[@ChromeDestiny]

I like all three tracks equally. Some people also say the Close to the Edge album should have had the song order reversed like how they played it live but I like how they did it with the epic first.

[@richardpietroski9263]

I want more. One of the few bands that play 10-15-20 minutes songs and you come out I WANT MORE!

[@frankhoulihanfh4972]

❤

[@digitig]

"Rick really knows how do pay in the cracks to complement the other players." Not for nothing was he known as "one-take Wakeman" when he was doing session work.

[@BenjWarrant]

Actually, they all do that. In my view, what distinguishes all great music from the good music is texture. The richer the texture, the better the music.

[@aidanrelfmusic]

Indeed. There's a great story about his old mate Bowie calling him up to add the classic sounding piano to 'Absolute Beginners'. Apparently they went down to the pub first to reminisce and Wakeman went into the studio afterwards and knocked it off in one.

[@Aknorian]

One day, he should listen to Wakeman's contribution in Black Sabbath's "Sabbra Cadabra", so he can really understand how true that statement is.

[@mimsnshine]

THE WIZARD WAS MAGIC

[@johncassidy3071]

It's interesting to me how much of Yes is mainly the drums, bass, guitar and vocals. Wakeman really shines in some crucial places (like piano solo in South Side of the Sky), but in a lot of Yes' most famous passages you can strain to hear keyboards sometimes.

[@RogueReplicant]

If a classical composer is left wondering what manner of magic might this be, imagine a 14 year-old in 1980 listening to this masterpiece from the previous decade. At that time, rock fans revered the music from the 60's & 70's as "real rock". This was my first glimpse of prog rock and I was instantly obsessed with the genre though I didn't stop banging to all manner of heavy and hard rock ha ha. This song is a timeless masterpiece, I am grateful to have lived in this epoch just to have listened to it 🙏

[@gurneyhalleck1127]

This one really flows into Siberian Khatru. So much so that as soon as it ends the starting guitar riff starts playing in my head.

[@palantir135]

Probably their best song ever. I’m a big fan of them for more than 45 years. Don’t forget the Anderson, Brufort, Wakeman and Howe album.

[@stevemd6488]

agree, my favorite Yes song. I used to sing the final verse to my daughter while she fell asleep.

[@chadbennett7873]

Try "Brother of Mine" from the ABWH album - what a great piece and is only missing Squire from the line up of And You And I. Sort of a lost masterpiece since it didn't bear the Yes moniker.

[@peterbacke1804]

Album Magnification is also wonderful!

[@marceljanssens5935]

Agreed. Their best song. And they know it.

[@osoabd]

Sometime away I read that Rick Wakeman thought that this was THE perfect Yes' song. I almost agree.

[@PsychedelicMynd71]

I’m really not into reaction videos, but I will say it is a pleasure watching a classical composer reacting to a great band

[@michaelschey1084]

"oh, that's lovely" at about 6:06 of this. Yes. You just hit one of THE BEST moments ever in progressive rock. That instrumental section there may be one of the greatest parts of music I have ever heard. How they ever came up with this amazing part of music always makes me think they are descendants of gods.

[@jmorra]

That part always kills me.

[@raymondwelborne4998]

It's really fun at the 6:34 point on the Keys to Ascension album, where Chris goes to his Taurus pedal, with all that instrument's fundamentals. On a proper system, it adds a whole nother dimension!

[@ileanaospino126]

That's how it is!! YES It is a Band conceived in another Galaxy!!

[@peterdebaets4590]

Wakeman: I've got a great dreamy part for the middle of that song that will blow your mind. Howe: Hand me that pedal steel guitar.

[@brucewig22]

It is my favorite passage of music ever written.

[@deanmccartney5021]

I have been to 24 Yes concerts in my days. My favorite group.

[@paulpearce4320]

There are several Yes songs that are to me perfect expressions of life and love. This is one of them!

[@soopahsoopah]

Fun fact: At the height of Yes' popularity back in the day you could find adverts in the back of music magazines offering to explain Jon Anderson's lyrics.

[@jawoody9745]

It's so freaking rich! The breakdown from 6:09 (in this video) through to 8:08 has always given me shivers. It was the one section I would crank to #10 when I was a little kid.

[@tperran]

What a cool image: a little kid , listening to this song sitting on the carpet and the jumping up to crank it up when it gets to 6:09! You must have had a cool childhood!

[@barrywhite828]

force kids to listen to this a ayoung age.

[@dms5154]

There's so much great music in our lives, but YES, to me, ... well I was trying to learn to play bass guitar and then I heard Chris! That SOUND, the completely inventive, up front way he played....I worked my butt off at 17 and bought my Rickenbacker and tried (haha!) to learn to play his songs for so long. YES songs, to me, are so emotional, my chest swells with emotion and my head gets foggy....and that's what I love so much! They are and were great and different musicians and, as an amateur, I so admire those skills but the combined musicianship, harmonies, lyrics (even if I don't completely understand them all) and complete emotion elicited is a package I don't get from other bands even though I also love others and their music too. My Rickenbacker will be cremated with me....I can never let that go, it means too much to me. So sad to see 2 members gone now and also sad there developed a now permanent split amongst them....life I guess! The combination of listening to these wonderful songs along with your reactions and analysis Doug, is heaven. THANK YOU!

[@robertakerman3570]

@ sunrise, (it appears that) You can reach over. Under the ocean-there are valleys.

[@puppyhead6706]

when the mellotron kicks in it always gives me chills

[@pacervault3350]

Best Band Ever. Musically mesmerizing.

[@scivalesmusicbooks1977]

Masterpiece by a spectacular band, with the greatest keyboardist ever.

[@jpirard]

The 'keyboard' solo was Steve on chorused guitar

[@arti2909]

Thank you Doug! It is always a pleasure to hear and dissect a bit of Yes with you:)

[@ZalMoxis]

On their 35th anniversary tour me and my missus were brought to tears when the mellotron bit first comes in

[@StarSong936]

And You and I is a love song. In one of their live shows, John Anderson says he is singing it to his wife.

[@pwethman1]

It helps to keep in mind that Jon’s lyrics almost always have a spiritual slant to them. Also he has said that he uses words as an instrument, meaning the sound of the words is as important as the words themselves.

[@11thEarlOfBlah]

Yeah, he called them "tone poems"...

[@pwethman1]

@@11thEarlOfBlah I’ve heard that term used to describe Radiohead as well. Very true!

[@adriangoodrich4306]

Indeed! He has said that sometimes the words themselves were not important - it was their sound and cadence that mattered.

[@donnyraybob]

So glad you did these Yes pieces. Somehow, given the complexity of the music and inaccessibility of some of the lyrics, even age, I thought I was one of just a small group of Yes fans who find their phenomenal compositions endearing and timeless.

[@stpnwlf9]

Whereas Fragile really emphasized Chris Squire's magnificent bass throughout, Close to the Edge shows off Steve Howe in so many ways; acoustic, electric, and steel -- this is one of his greatest performances.

[@robbieclark7828]

It’s funny to compare the mid/late 70’s Yes albums to Fragile, because it’s like the ultimate Chris Squire album, whereas Steve Howe kind of comes to dominate everything thereafter (just like he did upon arrival with the Yes Album). You think of a song like Heart of the Sunrise, where the guitar is really the least consequential instrument in the whole piece, and that probably never happened again.

[@simonthoben189]

I think Steve Howe especially comes to the forefront on albums like Tales from Topographic Oenas or Relayer

[@tonymilone5458]

You are right. The song is a love letter, but it's a love letter to God. The text can be taken in many ways of course, but I honestly believe this is Jon showing his appreciation for God and his creations. It's a spiritual song.

[@tomhenninger4153]

And You And I is one of the most beautiful songs I have heard. As a longtime fan of YES' 1970's albums, my opinion about the lyric is this: Jon uses the words to paint the lyric, much like an impressionist painter, Jon splashes images and leaves it for us to interpret, as you said. But they always seem to be somehow love and spirit conjuring. The emotion that I have always gotten is to raise my hands high in the air and look up as in to let the positive vibes grow within me. Love...

[@deltaveedesignconsulting7697]

The only balad that tops it is the bittersweet Turn of the Century on Going for the One.

[@tomhenninger4153]

@@deltaveedesignconsulting7697 agreed! TOTC is absolutely beautiful… probably my second fav

[@caroles140]

This is not by any means the best version. The version in their heading concert at the Montreux jazz festival is superb. It' s on You Tube

[@frankhoulihanfh4972]

When at their best, there was nothing like this song live. Nothing:

[@gilgaleano107]

Great interpretation of the song. I’ve been listening to YES for 50 years now. I have always struggled to express what their lyrics mean, or the emotion that their music brings to me. On this video you have finally been able to eloquently articulate what I haven’t been able to all these decades. Their use of metaphor, along with the power of their musicianship does require an emotional investment….it sucks you in, it envelops you, it penetrates your being. It does become a deeply personal experience that will be different for each individual, and will bring different meaning to each person. That’s why it’s so difficult to convey the experience of their pieces to others. It’s why it’s so difficult to explain the meaning of their lyrics to others. We feel we must explain the thought of their words intellectually. You can’t. Their music is an emotional entity, different to each person, rather than intellectual thought that can be explained. Great analysis sir! You hit the nail on the head, and helped me understand what has been an enigma to me for so long. Love your videos, especially your YES reactions. Keep doing more!!’

[@MatheusManzano]

The "keyboard solo" that Doug mentioned at the first orchestral part is actually a Lap Steel solo by Steve Howe.

[@steveblomerth]

I saw them play this tune in 1973 and you are right that it was a steel guitar, that Steve Howe lays on a stand. I believe he puts the signal through a Leslie rotating speaker.

[@shyshift]

The Leslie guitar parts that aren’t pedal steel (not lap steel) is Steve playing his Gibson ES-345 Stereo.

[@Keith_KC8TCQ]

most likely played through a volume pedal, backing off on volume to eliminate the "pick" sound then raising it again after picking, much like the late EVH did with the volume knob when playing Cathedral to eliminate the hammer on/pull off sounds

[@shyshift]

@@Keith_KC8TCQ it’s also a leslie even Doug thought it was an organ. Let’s not rule out Eddie Offord fading up and down at the mixing board so all Steve had to do was just play.

[@teuvokanerva9868]

@@shyshift I don’t think it was done that way. Steve Howe also played it live on his pedal steel with a volume pedal - a classic technique.

[@jonathanwhite5640]

When your tripping with your love, it makes sense.

[@johnclauss5501]

I remember very distinctly the first time I heard this song. My sister had given me the album with a stack of records when she married, and this was a double. I had already loved Fragile, and so I wanted to listen to this. I put it on, and with my headphones settled into my bed. Eyes closed, just absorbing and feeling the music. It blew me away. I had never heard anything so beautiful in my life. I listened to it repeatedly and it still hits all these years later. I was probably 12 when that happened. I was so lucky to have Yes for all these years. I got to see them and did a meet and greet and I thanked Steve Howe for giving me such beautiful music. He looked at me and nodded, but he really couldn't say anymore. He already have. I got to meet Rick Wakeman some time later, and said the same to him. He slapped me on the back (literally) and said "Don't go getting all sappy now boy." and had a great laugh.

[@5argetech56]

Doug, if you listen very carefully. 02:20 at the very beginning of the song, you hear Eddie Offord in the control room saying, "You got it now". Then you hear Steve Howe say, "Okay"... Wonderful!

[@nuimaleko7]

When I was in my teens I used to come home from school, put my cheap little speakers on the floor and lie down on my back with my head between them, close my eyes and let this song take me to new worlds. It usually wound up traveling through space and exploring new planets. I never really payed a lot of attention to the lyrics, just Jon's voice. It was tripping without drugs.

[@wardka]

Well put. I always went to a Yes concert completely straight. Didn't need any kind of enhancement.

[@singerofsongs468]

I love this description. Every time I’m describing Jon Anderson’s vocal quality, the only word I can ever reach for is “otherworldly.” Indeed, this song feels like Jon Anderson himself is taking me by the hand and leading me on a grand adventure, pausing only to admire the beautiful scenery created by his bandmates.

[@slugdaluga]

I always used headphones.

[@08keesha]

How crazy! I used to do the exact same thing! When I read your comment, it instantly took me back to same time. The only difference is I used to lean the speakers tilted into each other and then put my head at base of triangle. Haha. When the parents were home or complaining, I put on my Koss Pro4A headphones. wonderful times!!

[@nuimaleko7]

I don\t think my little record player even had a head phones jack.

[@patmerrick6377]

There will never be another equal ! Miss those days !!

[@rcristi957]

This is my favorite song from yes followed by close to the edge. Glad you enjoyed it

[@Strydr8105]

Jon is a master at designing lyrics that fit the motion of the song. That's what makes him a genius at the spoken word.

[@fernandobueno6231]

From an album with just 3 songs you made 2 of them. Let´s finish it!!! Siberian Kathru!!!

[@glennryan3101]

My personal belief is that Jon's lyrics are esoteric in nature

[@KevinRCarr]

Thank you. For more than four decades my answer to the question; "if you could only have one album to play for the rest of your life, what would it be?" has been the same. Yes, Close to the Edge. I've really enjoyed watching and listening to you, someone who knows music from the inside, validate my long time layman's opinions of these compositions/recordings.

[@RockCircus2112]

I've been a YES fan for over 45yrs. It's thrilling to watch various people from all walks of life on KZbin experience YES songs for the very first time. This guy Doug has added interest because of his professional expertise in music. His Cycle of 5ths detection/explanation in "Awaken" by YES was mind-blowing. Extremely enjoyable. Thank you Doug! - Jack James

[@michaelinnj7439]

During one of the concerts I saw with various iterations of Yes, Anderson introduced this song simply by saying "This is a song from another time."

[@mxkguitar]

When you lived at the time of release of this masterpiece of music, you cannot help to react with joy as you watch someone hear it for the first time so many years later and just be awed by it. The look of joy on your face as each new part catches you off guard in a good way is priceless! Thanks!

[@one42chrisp]

The first time I heard this song, all those years ago, i wanted more too!!!

[@rongreen1103]

Chris Squire in all his magnificence ❤....The band at its grandest❤RIP brother ❤

[@AnOldGreyDog]

I always used to think that Jon used a word more for its sound than its meaning and that's why I couldn't make head nor tail of the lyrics. There's something relentlessly up-beat about this song; it's unremittingly happy. In some ways that's unusual in this genre and I think that's probably why I like it so much. That little melody that Rick plays at the start of The Preacher, The Teacher always brings a smile to my face.

[@markjacobsen8335]

Jon has stated as much a few times. He chooses the word for how it sounds over what it means. Kind of makes it like hieroglyphics.

[@Kae6502]

Yes! Ricks Minimoog at that point has always reminded me of a tin whistle and still evokes feelings of a sea shanty for some reason. I smile as well! :)

[@barrystanton6693]

I’ve been listening to this song for nearly 50 years and I gave up trying to understand the lyrics about a week later. But I absolutely love it.

[@richardthresh3587]

I once made the mistake of asking JA about the meaning of his lyrics at a post gig meet 'n' greet ... he was only too glad to take a few minutes to explain what he was singing. As a result, I had even less idea what he was on about than before I asked him! Lovely bloke , but exists on an entirely different planet from the rest of us 'normal' folk.

[@AlfW]

It's funny that his initials are JA, the German translation of YES.

[@richardthresh3587]

@@AlfW ... natürlich!

[@kurthaug5848]

Likewise, many years ago at a meet 'n' greet, Jon virtually ignored my fanboydom and when he learned my wife was (at that time) the mother of our five children, he turned to her and said, "My dear, you know we don't choose our children, they choose us"... and then he floated away.

[@dennisapgar1251]

Interesting..

[@susandavidson3344]

@@dennisapgar1251 Read Hesse's Siddhartha you'll get it. Promise.

[@budmaynard5952]

Not a keyboard solo (buried in the mix): it was Steve playing electric guitar through a Leslie organ cabinet. The first time he used it you said "is that bass in the background?" You can hear it at various other points in the song. Steve uses quite a few guitars on this including a pedal steel guitar which is normally used in old style country music. You can hear him doing long upward and downward slides on it in several places, including the end of the song.

[@chiokjarse]

The harmonics at the beginning was Steve Howe tuning his guitar and he didn't plan for that to be included.

[@anoriolkoyt]

7:16 Jon singing here made me cry the first time I heard this song. I remember because my sister ran up to my mom and told her, she came rushing down to see me. I was like 15 at the time, in the 90s...

[@alexdasliebe5391]

Lost my buddy Kris, he got me into Yes, was a music nerd, talented guitarist. Your enjoying and dissecting this makes me fondly remember him. When he’d play guitar solos while we jammed, I’d yell “Alman brothers! Jimmy page!” and he’d change his solo accordingly. Miss you buddy.

[@robertm7071]

A lovely, intelligent and educational review. It does justice to the music.

[@steveblomerth]

The solo was a pedal steel guitar, not a keyboard at 7:14. I could not understand what instrument it was until I saw them play live in 1973. This really was their hey-day.

[@stofffpv3128]

yes i saw them during this period..man words cant describe how great they were live..blew my socks off many a time

[@frankhoulihanfh4972]

Yep. Amazingly. Somehow better live than in the studio. When I first began listening I was convinced they couldn’t do this material live. Wrong. Then, I found Yessongs. I have never been more happily wrong.

[@ernestlyons1720]

Great band. So much talent.

[@Arrow2theACL]

It's the Han Solo of love songs..... I know!!

[@joefincham9759]

Was in a young talented band in the late 70's and we'd hit the road in a Plymouth Fury towing our gear in a trailer and would always listen to YES, and this album in particular, along with all the rest of our faves like Steely Dan , Beatles etc. on yes...wait for it...8-Track Tapes!! We would sing along staying on parts to hear the blend of our voices and aspired to reach the grandeur and creativity of their work. I am renewed in my faith in mankind when a studied, knowledgeable, and critical listening music dude like Doug can feel and marvel at this music as deeply as I have. Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman, Chris Squire, and Bill Bruford were unique talents and visionaries creating a world of brilliant hybrid music that will never be repeated or topped.