Our Favorite Yes Song Ever ? | College Students' FIRST TIME REACTION!

[@Jerlwayne]

In all honesty I can’t think about this album as separate songs. This is the greatest prog album of all time.

[@lreadlResurrected]

Well, some King Crimson and Pink Floyd fans might disagree about the GOAT, but that's not to take away from its status--still one of the best.

[@gregorykrug8034]

@@lreadlResurrected If Dark Side of the Moon is considered as prog, I agree. I think of Close to the Edge as the greatest TRUE prog album ever.

[@devinerevelations7273]

This may be Yes' greatest album and is definitely up there in my book but greatest of all time is up for debate. Don't get me wrong, Yes is my ALL TIME FAVORITE band.

[@flickurseanbean_1]

For me personally there are better albums but this album is still fantastic

[@dionisioiacobelli6689]

Geddy Lee said Thick As A Brick is the best progressive rock album ever .

[@harriotteworthington3147]

It is such a shame A&A won’t ever have the live Yes experience we did. They understand it. Not all of my adolescent peers appreciated how musically huge Yes really was.

[@elink2k1]

I went for the Bugs Bunny Cartoons ;-)

[@jackpearson1110]

My very first concert. I was a little scared when Rick Wakman took over. It was so loud, I thought the building might crumble.

[@tincupco]

One of my favorites and I love that I got to see them live a long time Go.

[@dbadbt]

Yessongs is there for the listening. I prefer many of the live performances of their songs over the studio albums, Siberian Khatru in particular is a banger with the Firebird Suite leading into it.

[@OzarkTroutBum]

What was amazing was how they could actually tour these songs and recreate them live. I got to see them and was never disapointed. Also saw Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe at the opening of their tour in Memphis and was blown away at how tight they remained even after the hiatus. .

[@cherinoelke]

This is a "YES" tier song. A tier all to its own.

[@jamesgeckle489]

You are correct!

[@MissAstorDancer]

Oh, hell yes, I like that idea! I can think of only a handful of bands that I would say that about! Some high bars would be set to make appropriate comparisons! YES Tier BEATLES Tier STEELY DAN Tier PINK FLOYD Tier LED ZEPPELIN Tier Incomplete, but personal list there, obviously! 😉

[@mocha4paws]

well played

[@David-iv6je]

I A&A jumped to "Close tot eh Edge" too early. They clearly didn't get it, especially Alex. You have to train for that shit.

[@l4junkyard182]

I think the natural progression from here is to hit "And You And I", to finish out one of the best albums ever.

[@chrismartin6370]

Yes!

[@David-iv6je]

The guitar parts for "And You and I" are surprisingly deep. Isolated guitar: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5rNh5hppr-ajtE&ab_channel=FranciscoDiaz

[@sabercastpodcast457]

Like you mentioned, this, for me, IS the quintessential Yes song. Everything that is magical and ethereal about the band packed into a grounded, heavy, driving progressive jazz fusion track that is short enough for most people to digest. Just unreal listening. You’ve got to hit “And You And I” next to wrap up this landmark album.

[@Fuphyter]

And You And I is one of my favorite songs, ever. And at 65 I've heard a LOT of songs. 😁

[@leeroth5604]

For sure... "And You And I" is is MUST LISTEN!!

[@manualboyca]

Agreed with "And You And I" as their next song to wrap up what is possibly the best prog album of the 70s. Also...I wonder if there's a good live version of And You & I they could watch - I always loved the live versions of that song more than the original, because the live versions are more dramatic.

[@glenndespres5317]

Best comment for my money.

[@jimmierendorf7129]

I was on the radio for 3 years in my college days (on our college station) in the mid-70's. Played "And You and I" more than a few times! Probably my favorite Yes song. A definite must for A and A!!

[@justineapril7922]

The parent album, 'Close to the Edge' is THE quintessential prog rock album. This is the record that brought me into Yes back in 1974. As others have stated, the entire album is meant to be listened to in its entirety. For years, "Siberian Khatru" was the song Yes would open their concerts with (after the prerecorded "Firebird Suite"). I saw Yes in 1976, 80, 84, 2009, 13, 14, 16 and 19, which means I have seen all 4 lead singers of Yes sing this song!

[@brianparkman8183]

First time I saw them was '72 at the GA Tech Alexander Memorial Coliseum. Then a couple of years later with Patrick Moraz at the Omni in Atlanta. Never saw them again after that.

[@unstrung65]

Saw them in '73 with the 'Close To The Edge' tour and they opened , as you mentioned with the 'Firebird Suite' then a moment of keyboards and then bam - lights up and into that incredible riff that starts 'Siberian Khatru' --- I'm 15 rows back and in the center . As I recall they never really took their foot off the gas in the level of quality . Intensely complex music right from the start ! ---- played loud and un-distorted . Best concert I ever attended .

[@lloydbraun6026]

@@unstrung65 Just saw that Yes is touring in the northeast right now. It’s the 50 year anniversary tour for Close to the Edge.

[@calguy3838]

I just can't think of any version of Yes that does not have Jon Anderson as lead singer as being the real Yes. It would be like the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger.

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Relayer tour was my first blessing of Yes and saw 35 more shows until Squire's passing

[@markjacobsen8335]

This is the song that has opened more YES concerts than any other. It's a real treat to see them play live as Steve Howe goes nuts in his guitar solo for the outtro. Now you just need to hit the mega beautiful "And You And I" which completes this album.

[@lloydbraun6026]

Most of the 22 Yes concerts I’ve seen since 1973 lead off with Siberian Khatru. They would start the concert with a recording of Firebird Suite then this song would just fly open when they were all set up. The stage would be dark until the first chords of the intro. Perfect song to open. This is also one album you have to listen to in one sitting. The pedal steel guitar work is amazing. Reading the liner notes was always a treat since they list ALL the instruments they played on each track

[@Meandmymirror]

Did u record it? Wow!

[@elemar8209]

Any old black and white popeye cartoons before the start of any of those shows?

[@harriotteworthington3147]

Shared memories!

[@lloydbraun6026]

@@Meandmymirror Back then you went for the concert experience. Thankfully no smart phones. However, like the Grateful Dead, who I never got into, there are pirated recordings of almost every Yes show. First time I saw them was 1973 at Madison Square Garden in NYC. My very first concert ever.

[@Meandmymirror]

@@lloydbraun6026 amazing! I guess no matter what it’s not the same as being there

[@jeffschielka7845]

Close To The Edge is a complete masterpiece album!

[@chriso6719]

🤘🤘

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@chriso6719 😎

[@TigerMtnKing]

Not just a masterpiece Jeff but the greatest album ever made!🤩I already know you agree with me.🤩

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@TigerMtnKing 😎

[@lesblatnyak5947]

214👑🙏🍁

[@smolderingjay3360]

South Side of the Sky is a must, must, mussst! Great groove and you can get your La Las out. Thumping Chris Squire!

[@Young_Jim]

This track rounds off an amazing album by the band, it’s been one of my favourite albums for the last 50 years or so. Thanks for giving it a listen.

[@stevemd6488]

Best Yes album, IMHO

[@elemar8209]

This album was the beginning of my YES journey. 40 years and still love it.

[@nancy9478]

One of those songs you dont want to end. Brings back how 17 felt, the summer of 76. Perfection.

[@Robert-gn7de]

One of the greatest YES songs to experience live. The ending live does not fade out, it ends abruptly but beautifully so!

[@buckdraper303]

And that's the beauty of Yes: All the complicated and intricate musicianship you could ask for in a very listenable song.

[@giuseppemaggio5894]

I still remember the first time I had been told about this album. I was just getting into Yes (and prog in general), and the fact that the album only contained 3 songs sounded so wrong to me. But then I finally bought the record, listened to it's entirety and at the end I thought "Ok, THESE 3 songs are definetely more than enough for an album". Close to the edge is in my all time top 5 and the other 2 songs are just so marvellous

[@jamesgeckle489]

As a student I worked as a film projectionist at The Hoff Theater on the College Park Campus of the University of Maryland, from 1982-86. Behind the scenes we would receive 35mm prints of current movies in several heavy metal cans, about 20 minutes to a can. We had to splice the film pieces together with strips of tape and preview them to ourselves to make sure they were in sequence and right side up. Often we played the radio over the theater sound system, usually DC101 FM. Back then CDs were trickling out. You couldn't buy your favorite album on CD UNTIL it was released. I subscribed to foreign catalogs, paper things oozing through snail mail, from which you could order new CDs from Japan or Germany, if albums weren't yet available on CD in America. My first CD copy of Tull's 'A Passion Play," is a German import containing one track, no breaks. I still think that's cool. ;) Anyway, DC101 would play whole CDs to celebrate a release, so I cranked the album 'Close to the Edge' on the Hoff Theatre sound system while splicing together some 80s movie back in the day! Those be crazy times, bros.

[@sandyboudreaux-barber9586]

I’ve loved YES since first introduced to them in 1972. The voices, harmonies compliment the instruments.

[@beerbratscheese1230]

I've always loved Tempus Fugit. I don't think it ever charted high. It splashed the airwaves and then pretty much disappeared, but I still seem to get it stuck in my head every once in a while.

[@patrickmcevoy5080]

That album, Drama, was underrated, at the time at least, because fans were upset that Anderson and Wakeman weren't on it. But I think it's one of their very best.

[@David-iv6je]

@@patrickmcevoy5080 I second this. Drama is a good album and terribly underappreciated. And yeah, probably because what you said: former Buggles weren't doing it for Yes fans. And yet I thought it worked really well. I like it a lot more than I do 90125. 90125 should have been fro the band Cinema, which I think is the name Trevor Rabin wanted to give the band. They named it Yes for commercial times.

[@David-iv6je]

Yeah, they should listen to Tempus Fugit as a 1980 version of Roundabout, which is clearly what they were shooting for.

[@billburchell8597]

For years this was their concert opener, with a big ending. At their peak, there was nobody close to their talent and intensity. They were mind blowing.

[@dustylane2898]

Chris Squire was such a outstanding bassist and his background vocals were such a huge portion of their success.

[@youandwhosearmy6339]

Worth noting that although he was the bass player, his vocals are in the mid-range. The lower vocals are from Steve Howe. An amazing vocal band in their day.

[@David-iv6je]

@@youandwhosearmy6339 Actually, I think Squire sang above Anderson. But yes Howe was the lower harmony.

[@jeffreylyons5785]

He was brilliant live We will never see anyone like him again

[@davelafferty5728]

I find it amazing that this album is 50 years old and is still more progressive than most music progressive music you hear today. I just saw them a couple weeks ago on the opening show of the US tour. And as big a Yes fan as I am, I was so conflicted. It's not the Yes I grew up with, in fact I view them almost as a cover band, but they had some great moments, where it felt like I was back in time, and this song was one of those moments.

[@MissAstorDancer]

Ditto on the passing of time, right? And the fact that this song is a CLASSIC song, that will live on hopefully forever, in some form...............unless things get so bad in the world, that they find ways to even deprive us of that!! As for going to see the current line-up, no thanks, for several reasons, the most important being that I know it would be a huge let-down for me. I prefer to just depend on the recirded music, and some live concert vids, etc........and my memories of seeing them live (ASHBW line-up) in both 1977 and on their last "classic" tour in 1979. So, yeah. I hear ya! **sigh**🥹

[@ruepunch]

Keswick Theater, North Philadelphia? I went both nights. True, not the same yes, but Steve Howe is still in the band, and still amazing to see & hear.

[@lloydbraun6026]

Just saw that Yes is touring in the northeast right now. It’s the 50 year anniversary tour for Close to the Edge.

[@smilerpink]

CTTE is a prog album classic. Most “best prog albums” lists include it. The other song-“And You and I” is the next Yes song you should hit. Many fans’ favorite Yes song. I saw them live several times in the late ‘70’s. Siberian Khatru opened most of those shows. Threw down the gauntlet to the audience. Strap in, dudes, here it comes.

[@chuckmeyers1153]

"And You and I" is definitely mine and I listened to it twice earlier today - back to back. Another YES song that is sadly overlooked is Changes from 90125. Few songs are as on target as that one for me.

[@Roset03]

Man, it's very rare that I get to catch a song for the first time with you guys but I'm glad to have heard this one first time here! I've never really delved too deeply into Yes, but man, what an awesome song! I need to become more acquainted with their repertoire. Thanks for bringing this one to my attention.

[@stpnwlf9]

As usual, every member of the band shows off great musicianship, but this song makes the most of Steve Howe's guitar, for sure. Also, Chris Squires' backing vocals are so fundamentally important to this song. It gets overlooked because his bass work is so fantastic, but his backing vocals are amazingly good. Interestingly, you mentioned it being the best Yes song to introduce someone to --- Yes used to open shows with this song fairly often.

[@smilerpink]

“Yes used to open shows with this song.” They were my favorite band during their peak (late ‘70’s). Saw them live several times. Traditional show opener.

[@rickpaul4216]

There's no way you can listen to essential prog like this and "get it" on your first listen. These songs can be listened to for years and new things can be discovered. Chris Squire was such a friggn' beast.

[@lindazee]

Wow, how missed is Chris!🥺😥. His vocals were equally as good too. That's what I noticed was significantly missing from the remaining band, after his passing, especially since Jon Anderson wasn't in the group either. Their voices together were magic.

[@bretdodger9869]

A beast, so under rated, and such an influence on so many other bassists that followed him!

[@wuckle]

Chris Squire really shines on this

[@blarochellegmail]

Seen them do this live so many times. Love Wakeman's harpsichord solo. The entire album is amazing and perhaps Yes' best lineup ever. Makes me happy to see you guys enjoy Yes. They have been the soundtrack of my life.

[@joelliebler5690]

Me too!

[@joelliebler5690]

Pink Floyd could not hold a candle to YES at their peak in the 1970’s.

[@ralphus555]

Greatest Prog album of all time... A true masterpiece from beginning to end.

[@johnhughes3214]

Great reaction. Love your appreciation of Yes, the complexity and majesty of their music and their technical proficiency. Chris Squire's bass is really phenomenal. Instantly recognizable. For an extra dose of his incredible bass work, check out his solo album "Fish out of Water."

[@tommyblackwell3760]

Agree about "Fish Out of Water", and would go so far as to recommend A&A react to "Lucky 7".

[@tommathews3964]

Squire's bass work really opened my eyes to the bass as a completely different instrument! So much music to that point had very basic bass lines as a rudimentary rhythm instrument. Not Chirs! He blew it up for me, along with Jack Casidy and Berry Oakley. Phenomenal player he was! "Heart of The Sunrise" is a bass master class all rolled into one!

[@dago87able]

@@tommyblackwell3760 Isn’t Fish Out of Water kind of an underrated prog masterpiece?

[@frankpentangeli7945]

On their live album Yessongs, they start the show with an excerpt of a recording of Stravinsky's Firebird Suite, which crescendos directly into Siberian Khatru. It's pure magic!!!

[@joeday4293]

Ooh, if only you'd done the live version from "Yessongs." Find that one on your own time. The ostinato at the end of this tune with the vocal/Mellotron "stabs" over the guitar hook is just perfection.

[@brianparkman8183]

Not only that, on the rundowns they do on the verse after not doing it the first few times, White actually stops his drums while they do that run down to emphasize it. Great stuff.

[@DandyLion662a]

I made a similar comment. The Yessongs version is far superior, especially with that closing section.

[@cazgerald9471]

Studio should be the first listen

[@kevin_g1164]

The Yessongs version of most their songs are much better than the studio version. They extended, adapted and modified most their songs. Take side 1: "Siberian Khatru" and "Heart of the Sunrise" and side 6 with "Yours is no Disgrace" and "Starship Trooper" and what a perfect album.

[@rollomaughfling380]

@@cazgerald9471 Hard agree.

[@randymeinholdt4401]

This album MUST be listened to in its entirety to really appreciate Close To The Edge. This is one album than can not have songs individualized.

[@toddfrank3344]

Rick Wakeman told a great background story about the harpsichord solo in the middle of the song last time I saw him (it's kinda long but it's interesting). When Rick was at the Royal College of Music, he was studying piano, and you weren't allowed to use the practice rooms with instruments other than what you were studying. But, Rick being Rick, he wanted to learn the harpsichord anyway, so he'd sneak into the room when no one else was using it. He was practicing on it when he saw an older gentleman at the door, who asked Rick what he's doing in there, and if he was supposed to be there (Rick assumed the man was a professor there). Rick told him he was practicing the harpsichord, even though he was studying piano. The man asked him why he chose that particular harpsichord to practice on. Rick said because it's a Goff harpsichord, and Goff is the best. The man handed Rick his card and told him not to practice on the harpsichord at the college..to come to his house instead. It was Thomas Goff himself. Fast forward to when Yes was recording Siberian Khatru. They decided that a harpsichord was what was needed for the solo in the middle. Rick called Thomas Goff to ask him if he could borrow one of his. Goff said OK, but that he would have to be there. Eddy Offord, the engineer, started putting mics up in the harpsichord (like you would mic a piano). Goff stopped him. He asked Offord what he was doing, then told him that he couldn't mic a harpsichord that way, because they pluck the strings, and the sound of the plucking picks up on the mics. Overheads only. So that's what they did and the rest is history.

[@georgeditzel3504]

Sound chaser is one of my faves. You’ve never heard time changes like these.

[@kennethbenson2931]

One of my favorites - the Yessongs live version is next level.

[@dkaz09]

I saw them last Thursday in Jacksonville FL. They are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Close To The Edge. They played this album start to finish an the band sounded awesome!! Steve Howe especially, was really on his game!!!!

[@danmerkan3787]

I was there too. Great show. A little surprised by how many seats were left unsold. Folks missed out.

[@bradsense7431]

Thanks, I have not heard this song in so long. I saw Yes three or four times in the seventies. Including in the round and an outdoor venue that also had Lynyrd Skynrd and Peter Frampton on the bill.

[@jcroston3266]

One of my top 5 Yes songs, along with Heart of the Sunrise, Gates of Delirium, Starship Trooper, and Roundabout. It’s a true banger, the musicianship is off the charts!

[@richarthur3069]

Going For The One, has always been a favorite.😊

[@dhfenske]

Going for the One (the song) is a real banger! Andy and Alex, please react to it.

[@daveman_50]

I saw Yes several times in the mid-70's. The craziest part was watching Chris Squire sing these freaking crazy high harmony vocals -- while playing insane bass lines. Unbelievable. So good.

[@palantir135]

Know and love this song for about 47 years. It’s a great great song but ‘And you and I’ is my favorite YES song.

[@goforthpatrick]

The most pastoral Yes song. I like it a lot.

[@joeday4293]

And the live "Yessongs" version is even better.

[@davosaurusrex6771]

Best one off the album for sure! Not sure I'd call it my favorite but it is way up there

[@palantir135]

@@joeday4293 or the Live at Montreux version

[@jimcarlson6157]

I'm coming quickly to terms with that thought

[@bitslammer]

Quintessential Yes. It covers a lot of ground, but is still strung together enough with fine threads to keep it feeling like one song. Back when you could record 9 minute songs you could actually roll through different movements.

[@joelgreen]

How do you not rate this a complete “S” tier? It’s better than 99% of everything you play. The musicians are above and beyond as well as concept and execution.

[@foureyes264]

Yep, the A+ surprised me as well. The way they were raving about it, I thought it'd be S tier for sure. It certainly is in my book.

[@Mime59100]

@@foureyes264 they are still adjusting their ears to prog

[@David-iv6je]

The skeptical view is they are running a business and juggling different constituencies. They also never rate anything that badly, or if they do they will split their vote.

[@NVprods]

This is the CLOSE TO THE EDGE album, gentlemen. "And You and I" is next for you.. Wait until you hear that. This album is truly a masterpiece.

[@GratefulZen]

According to Jon Anderson: "‘Khatru’ means ‘as you wish’ in Yemeni. When we were working on it, I kept singing the word over and over again, even though I had no idea what it meant. I asked somebody to look it up for me, and when they told me the meaning, it worked for the song. "

[@charlesstuart8009]

Hmmm.. I read somewhere that he said he just made up the word..

[@batfang5583]

You should check out the live version from the Yessongs album. It doesn't fade but has an actual ending.

[@MissAstorDancer]

And what an ending!!!🔥

[@paullacroix527]

Superstar musicians, superstar singer. So much great music. Try 'Awaken' It's vintage Yes. Has a spectacular church organ middle part that is beautiful. Also I think Alex needs some sleep. Great stuff boys..

[@davidfisher8821]

My favorite Yes song, a great show opener for many tours. I always described Yes as musical mathematicians

[@awen777]

We were blessed to have so many fine Bards in our time in the 60's, 70's. King Crimson, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Pink Floyd, and many more my foggy mind cannot bring to surface at the moment!

[@lindazee]

I would add Moody Blues to the Bards list.

[@awen777]

@@lindazee Cruising with the 8 track tape player going! Knights in White Satin!

[@hap1810]

And finally, as one of my favorite bands ever, I love that you guys are really digging Yes! I've been listening to them since the '70s and I'm 52 years old now and still listen to them! I really enjoy your videos. I hope you keep enjoying music.

[@IllyaLeonovMorganFreepony]

I have listened to this song hundreds of times over the last 50 years and I still find gems in it.

[@teresakoslosky3053]

They were Fire live!! They sound just like this in concert! A tight tight band!!🔥🔥🔥

[@angelomichael4156]

The whole album is great. One of the all time classics

[@davidburkett4005]

Great song!! Try " Awaken" next, Jon Anderson's favorite Yes song.

[@MissAstorDancer]

You mean "Awaken"?

[@lindazee]

My favorite also. Glad to know Jon Anderson and I have something in common!

[@tb6791]

Speaking of what someone was going for... and nailing it! try "Going for the One" by Yes

[@doobiedave9686]

I saw Yes at the old Tampa Stadium (the Sombrero) with J. Geils and Charlie Daniels back in '76 and Chris Squires bass was thumpin' just like it is on this track. 🤘✌️

[@joeday4293]

That is one odd lineup, LOL. But one I'd buy a ticket for in a hot second.

[@doobiedave9686]

@@joeday4293 back in the '70's, a lot of the outdoor/stadium concerts had odd lineups, but there were always several bands that played and the concerts were 6-8 hour events. Festival seating was still around where you could also bring blankets and small coolers to the shows. I miss those days. 🤘✌️

[@calguy3838]

I am adding my vote for "And You and I" for your next dive into "Yes".

[@thewal1ofsleep]

Finally! I knew this one would hit you guys hard.

[@IanHillan]

This was their show opener for many years, and therefore the very first song I ever heard live at a rock concert. I love this song but it's not in my top 5 Yes songs. If you want your mind completely blown, listen to Relayer, especially Gates of Delirium. I have said this before but I'm gonna suggest it again. Awaken. You *have* to listen to Awaken. It's sublime.

[@michaelyount3176]

There was a time when the totality of my musical experience was simply enjoying the passage of time in between Yes album releases.

[@thomasdutton3150]

Awaken and Turn Of The Century from Going For The One album.... Masterpieces

[@smylesg]

Can't believe how far I had to scroll down before finding "Turn of the Century." These people are missing out.

[@atlantapinstripes5362]

Steve Howe is like a surgeon. Cleanly in and out with confident precision. A real artist….

[@naturerules3371]

YOURS IS NO DISGRACE should be next if it hasn’t been done! A true masterpiece on ALL levels! 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@TacomaPaul]

I told Chris Squire a knock-knock joke. (at the Moore Theater) Chris Squire told him... "it's You !" He laughed, Chris said, "Let's have many drinks." ;-)

[@marcgus25]

The next step is doing the Relayer Album! All 3 songs will blow you away!

[@lindazee]

Relayer is my favorite album of theirs, but it took me several decades to arrive at that. Relayer is just way beyond the level of regular progressive, let alone rock, in my opinion.

[@todvball]

All I can say is I've never heard this YES song!! GLAD I did!! Gr8 tune!!!

[@danmerkan3787]

I just saw Yes in Jacksonville last week. They played Close to the Edge in its entirety. I thought it was a great show.

[@mbalash3755]

You’ve tackled two of the three songs on Close to the Edge! Now try the third… “And You and I” it’s freaking amazing!!! Please!!!

[@adrianstevens2146]

I was fortunate enough to see Yes in concert 3 times, the last being 1983 right before they released 90125 (great concert, great album). But the first time, thanks to a wise older brother, was in 1974, got to see them perform amazing stuff from from The Yes Album, Fragile, and Close to the Edge, it blew my 16 year-old mind away. I wore out "Close to the Edge" after that (well, and the other two)! So my friend and I decided to repaint her skis, with the green-to-yellow fade, and the "Close to the Edge" calligraphy on the tips. Those skis were almost immediately stolen while we were inside for a break, and she was heartbroken. But searching the ski racks, we found them a couple days later and took them back! Serendipity! Another story, if I might: a guy in college was trying to impress me with his new speakers, and he chose "And You and I" to do so...well, he had good speakers, but that just made me love the song even more. "Bub-a-bub-a-bub-a-bump-ching!" LOL! Thanks for this review, A & A, you brought back some great memories, and I'm gonna listen to the whole album again. Like many others here, I'd like to see your review of "And You and I" next.

[@joelliebler5690]

One of their best which during YES’s height of popularity, they started their concerts with this song Tha I happen to see them play at Madison Square Garden in ‘79 just before the breakup of their classic group with White, Anderson, Howe , Squire and Wakeman. From their legendary progressive rock album that all rock bands try to reach evermore.

[@izzywong7027]

Deepest bows to you two for this one. Yes ranks in the top 5 or so of my all-time favorite groups. And they put on the BEST live concerts back in the day. This entire album is nothing short of a masterpiece. Thanks!

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

If you haven't hit it yet "And You & I" should be on your Yes list next. Also, if the more chaotic sound of Yes gets you into the groove, some more King Crimson should be there too.

[@brianjacob9084]

Otherworldly these guys were, best set of guys ever put together.

[@MissAstorDancer]

💗💓❣❤‍🔥🧡💙💛💚💜❤🌠🌌🌟🌈⚡🔥🎆☮❣ Excellent in every way, and a great uplifting surprise from you guys today! An absolutely GREAT reaction, and super fun to watch and hear your thoughts about it! This is probably my favorite Yes song, from my favorite Yes album! And, of course, there's its distinction of being considered the best prog album of all time by 99.999999% of prog fans! I promise you that, if you listen to it a second, and maybe a third time, you will grow to love it even more!! Thanks, Guys!

[@alienlifeform7490]

It's messing with Sacred Geometry, which is what we're made of and so eloquently and spiritually expressed by this song. Higher Math indeed! Thanks, guys.

[@derekjhpeterson3882]

Should do the entire Yessongs album on Patreon.

[@Peter7966]

Yes: the most technically skilled and talented rock band. Some complex bands just sound complex. Yes makes music.

[@alrivers2297]

The closest one to Roundabout I'd say is Long Distance Runaround/The Fish. For more very fat bass

[@thefoss5387]

I would recommend a listening of their 1973 triple album release from 1972 live performances, Yessongs. Their manager, at the time, said that the band wanted to release a live album, to counter the perception that they were a "studio only" band. Hearing these live performances was amazing, and was my introduction to the band, after only having heard radio edits of Roundabout.

[@k_salter]

I love this entire album. But I always wondered why they just used a fadeout for the end of this song, when it seems there are so many spectacular sounds and riffs to use for a banger ending. Enjoyed your reaction. Check out "And You and I." I think you'd really like that one, too. Thanks for this!

[@MissAstorDancer]

How did you feel about the way they ended it on Yessongs?

[@ed.z.]

Radio stations avoided ending and they spoke over the fade anyway. Radio play meant record sales. So, a record was…….

[@k_salter]

@@ed.z. But this was not a radio hit.

[@ednicholson7839]

Jazz and classical music were all around us back then. So, this is intricate for rock music but not for music in general in the early 70s. And crossover between genres and traditions were starting to happen more by the 1960s. I'm guessing most members of Yes had some level of classical or jazz in their music background -- definitely Rick Wakeman did. I haven't heard this song since the 80s. Thanks for digging it up.

[@gmanvidz]

Next - the Relayer album which also has but 3 songs, Gates of Delirium, Sound Chaser and To Be Over. Continue your prog musical odyssey here, you won't be disappointed at all. This is the result of highly talented musicians being allowed to perform at their height and put it on vinyl, damn the record executives. Doubt we'll ever see anything like this again.

[@tommathews3964]

McIntosh amp, Technics turntable, Klipsch speakers, lysergic ingestion, great view of The Gulf, house to myself, and roughly 10 straight hours of this album, Fragile and The Yes Album. That was my introduction in late 72. I know it WELL! Still listen often! 😳😆

[@surlechapeau]

A&A, you'll love their "Leave It"!!

[@Doggeslife]

The 4/5 time of the song makes it especially unique. This song opened every YES concert I saw.

[@tomlindgren9547]

My fist concert was YES at the Hollywood bowl in 75' and it was the Relayer tour, and they played this song to a virginal 15-year-old fan. never the same after that....

[@lindazee]

Wow, what a way to be introduced to YES! Relayer is easily one of the most avant-garde albums ever made, not to mention seeing them live. Their music is so complex yet relatable but at 15, you got it! I was 16 the first time I heard YES, in 1972, and was also blown away. Weren't we lucky teens?

[@richardhooser5096]

My first exposure to Yes was in 1972 during their Close to the Edge Tour. Mind blown then and ever since. Genius!

[@varsitycamplife]

See this one live from 1972, Yessongs. Wait, A+?! You guys fangirled soooo hard for 10 minutes and you give it an A+?! I don’t even understand how this isn’t S-tier in your minds. Wow.

[@reality1958]

Ahhhh…all those wonderful time signatures

[@teresakoslosky3053]

Yes is golden no matter what song!!! They r fire!🔥🔥🔥

[@mjwaldrep]

I've always skipped this song and that was clearly my mistake. Really great one, thanks for reacting to it!

[@mikethemotormouth]

I'd forgotten how fantastic Chris Squire's bass is in this! Can't wait til you get to Big Generator, Rhythm of Love and South Side of the Sky(the album version from Fragile or the acoustic, either one is great)

[@Eloso3135]

My first concert ever….1975…..Yes! What a show!

[@chrislegner4816]

The closer of a truly groundbreaking album. A pinnacle achievement of progressive rock.

[@stevegirardmedia2255]

Yeah, this was one of the best bands on the planet, and will always be. Yes music is meant to take you other places… and in my 50 years of listening to them , it’s never the same ride. I lite up (well, these days I pop an edible), put on an album, and where my mind gets to go is essentially a gift. At the end, I wind up loving myself and the world a lot more than when I left! Music as magic… or travel agent!

[@lindazee]

I love how you said they help you love yourself and the world more. Beautifully said! I feel exactly the same way about their music. That's most especially what differentiates them, in addition to their musical mastery, concepts, arrangements, storyline, and incomparable musicianship.

[@jupiterlegrand4817]

Almost every Yes show I ever saw opened with this (two exceptions opened w/Going For The One). Greatest prog band of all time. Oh for a time machine...

[@Neilsmu]

Yep. This one’s an absolute banger. That off best guitar riff and vocals at the end 😳Oh my !!!

[@shanehughes740]

It amazes me that bands like Yes with such complicated song structure, timing, and intricacy can even remember their parts for one song, much less an entire catalog. Having seen them perform these songs live and watching them play with joy and freedom while staying true to the complexities of the songs was mind-blowing. Great job guys!

[@scottallan6770]

And that's how they OPENED every show for a while. You knew you were in for quite the ride!!!

[@nicholaschristiani253]

Going to have to make a trip to the record store. Thought I had this in my collection.

[@ernestosangiacomo2634]

Yes is such a spine tingling experience. All these years and I'm still amazed.