Starship Trooper - Yes (REACTION) First Time Hearing It

[@martinellis7156]

"Yours is no Disgrace" is the first track on this album and IMHO one of the great opening tracks of any record. "Siberian Khatru" is another tour-de-force from "Close to the Edge", although that whole album is considered the pinnacle of what we now call "Prog rock". After 50+ years it is wonderful that this band is being hailed by a new generation of music lovers like yourself. Make room.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Interesting titles! I had a request for Awaken (live) that is coming later today. Have a great weekend!

[@NondescriptMammal]

For an experience, you definitely want to check out Yours Is No Disgrace from this same album

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Ladies and gentlemen, YES, the greatest show on earth. Jon said he would choose words for their percussive quality, and he thought of the voice as an instrument ✨️🙏✨️

[@jeffschielka7845]

👍😎36

[@mattleppard1970]

Wow. Small world! 😂😂😂😂

[@mattleppard1970]

I believe Jon was channeling a higher source. He did say that the start of CTTE was how your future self (seasoned witch) could rescue you now. There is some meaning there. For me ❤️

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@mattleppard1970 👍😎

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@mattleppard1970 Hey Matt!👍😎

[@DSchz-cx8im]

Yes music is a Journey best heard on headphones with eyes closed. Their music is timeless.

[@lazarus550]

The greatest band that has graced this planet.With the unique, inimitable and greatest voice in music of Jon Anderson.

[@jeffschielka7845]

YES❣️❣️❣️The greatest band on this or any other planet❗️❗️❗️🪐🪐🪐🛸🛸🛸⭐️⭐️⭐️👍😎

[@lesblatnyak5947]

✨️214✨️ 👑

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@lesblatnyak5947 36 👍😎

[@mattleppard1970]

And again! ❤

[@YESFan1971]

YES......best band, ever. Period.

[@lesblatnyak5947]

There will come a time when the divine will emerge from their music, and it happens every time l listen still 53 years later. 🎶🙏🎶

[@erickvermeulen9734]

Geddy Lee of Rush is very influenced by the work of Chris Squire, and Geddy joined the band to play Roundabout as bass player at their induction at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, as sadly a year earlier Chris Squire had passed away.

[@JasonTurner-uk9rk]

Saeed should check out Rush 👍

[@SaeedReacts.]

Definitely want to check out Rush too at some point

[@wendellwiggins3776]

Always RUSH has to come up LOL. Sorry but they can't hold a candle to70's YES. A lot of bassist admired Chris

[@HendersonDavid-m8r]

Imagine, if you will...1971, you're 16 y.o. You take what money you've received from Christmas, birthday, allowance, babysitting/newspaper delivery...whatever. Walk to the music store, purchase YES Fragile for $15.00 USD. Get home and listen with great anticipation...and some trepidation it won't live up to expectations. Get to the end. Take the headphones off and sit in disbelief. There is NO comparison to any band at the time...or since, in my view. Five ultra-talented musicians, at a unique time in music history, will (it seems) never be recreated. You have so much more to hear from YES, that will blow you away. The remasters are great! Try them for even better separation of the instrumentation. P.S... They do it live too! So, you should watch the live versions after hearing the studio. Thanks! Sorry for being so "long-winded".

[@SaeedReacts.]

No apologies needed! I am happy you shared this. I could see it happen in front of my eyes. I have a similar experience with the artists i love. It was CD'S for me, but you still had to leave the house to purchase music. Its a different feel. Beautiful story. Thank you!

[@gpg9516]

Spot on.

[@garysexton8840]

Ps I love Yes and have seen them several times and they they were awesome live!

[@SaeedReacts.]

That is awesome you saw them many times!

[@loveloochay]

YES .... YES ............ YES YES YES YES ..... YESSSSSSSSSSS !! lol Nice one Saeed , love this 🎼🎩🎼

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for watching! Have a great day.

[@clay-tw5gc]

Progressive rock is mentally challenging. The lyrics can sometimes seem unfathomable along with the rhythm and cord changes. Furthermore, some songs such as "Close to the Edge", "And You and I" and "Yours is no Disgrace" by Yes have movements. Progressive rock is definitely a mix between rock, classical and poetry. I find it fascinating. The song "And You and I" is a relationship song. It's lyrics are worth pondering. "Yours is no Disgrace" is an antiwar song also with ponderable lyrics.

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Never found it challenging. Listening to Mozart at 4 sure helped 😊

[@clay-tw5gc]

@@lesblatnyak5947 My experience was backwards from yours. I grew up on progressive rock and graduated to classical music in my adult years. I started with Beethoven's nine symphonies, then baroque. From there, I have no clue on how many composers I have listened to from Vivaldi to Debussy and now modern composers. I guess I wrote my original comment from my young teenager's perspective. At that age, I had no classical background at the time. Therefore, progressive rock was a bit of a challenge.

[@bobling8093]

Bought this album in 72 and I'm still listening to it at the age of 72. Kids these days have no idea that listening to music like this on a good quality stereo system can be such an experience. Earbuds can't reproduce the depth of sound required.

[@patrickwilder6492]

In ‘71, only FM stations would play full album cuts. AM played most 3 min pop songs, which most kids were limited to... that’s when buying albums as opposed to 45’s took off, as well as top end HiFi equipment. If you had a friend whose parents could afford a top of the line stereo, that became your favorite place to hang out. ❤❤

[@mpemberton7760]

@patrickwilder6492 That transition from AM to FM radio was like magic. That's when we got to explore album deep cuts and hear great music that wasn't Top 40 commercial releases. FM introduced us to another world, where we could hear tracks from LPs that we'd never heard before on AM radio.

[@michaelyork4554]

I first listened to all of Fragile, The Yes Album, and Close To The Edge, on my older brothers high end quad stereo system in '73 when I was 11, and it was many years before I ever listened on headphones so I never realized the panning effects until I did. The first time I listened on headphones I thought something was wrong, and I has lost one side, but quickly realized that it was intentional. However, if you want the FULL bass experience, it is quite a treat to hear this on a quad system cranked up and EQ'd just right. You are just scratching the surface so far. 😁

[@SaeedReacts.]

Wish i had such a system 😄. Looking forward to the next song. Thanks for sharing that story!

[@johnthegreek5836]

Welcome to the YES journey; this album and Close to the Edge are fantastic albums, I saw Yes in concert in 1976, one of the best bands from the 70’s

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks! Awesome you saw them live!

[@Samana009]

That is one of the most perfect prog songs ever,,, for eternity....

[@harleyw]

Great to listen along with you on this YES track. If you want another fantastic choice, I recommend South Side of the Sky.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thank for joining me. Will add your recommendation to my list.

[@eddiecriglington400]

This Album, ‘The Yes Album’, was my first introduction to ‘YES’. In 1971, aged 15. I was blown away. I immediately went out and bought the first two Albums, previous to this. I was on my way! Wait until you hear the rest of the Album and all the other great Albums that come after it. Magical. 🎶❤️🎶

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for sharing that 🙏🏽❤️

[@jameswattles7341]

It's great to watch a new YES fan because you will find what ever song of YES you listen to by them you will find just amazing and even after 50 years I still find their music amazing. Man dude you're in for a ride if you keep reacting to YES. Tanks for the reaction.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for watching. Will explore more.

[@stanleymerritt4722]

Thanks for the reaction to YES. Looking forward to a reaction to one of the longer and more intricate pieces. But it's all great.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for watching. Will probably get to one of those at some point.

[@LizOBrienRochford-gs2kj]

I join the previous voices in my absolute belief that YES is/was the best band of the 20th century on through to the 21st . There will never be another like them. Rest in peace Chris Squire- the best bassist of all time. Rest in peace Alan White- the drummer who came in to save the day for YES when their previous drummer left. They made music when so many were making money.

[@ewetoobblowzdogg8410]

A bandmate once said that John wrote lyrics that changed a world, even while he was living on another planet.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thats beautiful!

[@Yesquire0]

English band members seem to have had a better education than we get here in American high schools. Prog band lyrics evidence that. Starship Trooper has distinct subsections woven together into one song. They even have their own sub-titles, which are. "Life Seeker", "Disillusion" and "Würm". That last sub-part, Wurm, almost certainly is a reference to Ouroboros, a symbol showing a serpent or a dragon eating its own tale, which is typically seen as a symbol of the eternal cycle of birth, death, and re-birth. The circular, repeated melody symboized that life cycle, and the sub-section is appropriately named. The studio version near the end features guitartist Steve Howe (voted World's Greatest/Most Versitile Guitarist five years running by the readers of Guitar Player magazine) dueling with himself. When master keyboardist Rick Wakeman joined Yes after this album, live performances of Starship Trooper featured greatly extenended version of Wurm, with Howe dueling with Wakeman and his stacks of a dozen different keyboards. Some of those live performances are legendary, such as the famous "Wembley Wurm" in 1978, Yes just announced a summer tour with Deep Purple. Yes is not the same bunch of artists you just enjoyed, but Steve Howe is still their lead guitarist, and he's worth the price of admission all by himself. The setlist will likely be full of their best tunes from the '70's. They lost their compositional magic around 1995 and subsequent CDs carry the Yes signature sound but really don't move you in any way. Part of the problem is the schism between the lead singer you just heard, Jon Anderson, and other members of the band. Anderson got forced out and has been on his own now for many years, pursuing solo projects.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for sharing this! Appreciate it. Learning a lot.

[@Pcrimson1]

Yes is a complicated band with several phases. Many claim "Close to the Edge" as their peak. However, you should jump ahead a little. Try "Awaken" off the Going for the One album. Shear beauty and perfection. I've seen people get very emotional, in a good way, when they hear it for the first time...serious, go for it!

[@SaeedReacts.]

Someone requested Awaken (live) the other day. That reaction is recorded and should be uploaded tomorrow.

[@markjohnson4217]

Check out 'Yours is no Disgrace', the opening track from this album, it was a new benchmark for guitar virtuosity, epic arrangements, and one of tbeir greatest vocal pieces. And then after this album, they REALLY went deep into Prog and raised the bar with each release. 'Fragile', then 'Close to the Edge,' 'Tales from Topographic Oceans', 'Relayer', and 'Going for the One'. That was their peak period. Essentially, that entire decade!!

[@nancymjohnson]

❤️YES❤️ Best band EVER!! The lyrics are not that difficult for some. I get it. Just don’t try too hard, and it comes to you.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Looking forward to the next one. Thanks for the advice!

[@kentmains7763]

One of my favorite songs.

[@mattleppard1970]

*Tingles* again. After 30 years and total familiarity ❤ Never fails😊

[@MycontentisgoldJerryGold]

In Yes, Chris Squire's bass line is always a song within the song. A song by RUSH with a similar feel to the last part of "Starship Troopers" is "Jacob's Ladder".

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks! I might check that one out. Ive seen a movie with that title .

[@MycontentisgoldJerryGold]

@@SaeedReacts. They sort of use the same concept of a Jacob's Ladder, but the song isn't related to the movie.

[@davexvs]

YES were a very big influence on RUSH and TOOL Geddy Lee of rush even stepped in as bass player as Chris Squires had passed away at YES's induction to the rock and roll hall of fame a very big rabbit hole to traverse ENJOY we heard them first hand so keep the thrill alive for us oldies life long fans {:-) PAV UK

[@jimmyfortrue3741]

Probably my favorite song to watch new listeners to react to. I'm always checking up on who hears it new.

[@fredwds5178]

Jon Anderson, Yes’s lead singer just turned 80 a few days ago. He recently released a new album with the Band Geeks and his voice is still incredible. Highly recommend you give a listen to his most recent work. Try Once upon a Dream or Counties and Countries. You’ll be amazed.

[@telumears]

This song is best listened to on their "live" performance videos. Thanks!

[@StarCitizenSpeakeasy]

you can't go wrong with classic YES!

[@avantprog6902]

Fun to share your discovery of Yes, just finished watching Awaken as well. Think you'll be fascinated with classic Genesis also

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for being here. Will add that one to my list.

[@nuimaleko7]

Jon Anderson ,vocals, harp and percussion and Rick Waksman keyboards have had very good careers outside of Yes. Anderson's Olias of Sunhillow is my favorite of their outside projects

[@EccentricAuntWanda1]

This band has so much stuff - but good to start in this time period before they go absolutely crazy - from Fragile consider - South Side of the Sky or Heart of the Sunrise for another good song from this band.

[@kathyedleman633]

Favorite song by Yes.❤❤

[@GTO4now]

YES! 😊

[@johnholden1220]

So pleased you are enjoying YES. What a remarkable band of musicians! They made wonderful music and somehow managed to raise it to another level when playing live. For example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2THhZmjpcRpqpI

[@HendersonDavid-m8r]

Gives me chills and tears every time! Thanks for link.

[@johnholden1220]

I have been a fan for many years. I actually got to work with a couple of the band which was a thrill!

[@ToolFool987]

You've discovered Yes! Awesome. They were my favorite band in the 70's. Before I discovered Tool 30 years later. I've seen them five times, I think. There are many connections between the two. I'm sure Yes influenced Tool to some extent. Mostly through one of Danny's favorite bands, King Crimson. The drummer for Yes, Bill Bruford, went on to play for King Crimson. Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer also played with King Crimson. Yes's guitarist Steve Howe is one of the best of all time, as is their keyboardist Rick Wakeman. They have a lot of live videos out there where you can watch them play. Another great song you could check out by them would be Ritual from the Tales From Topographic Oceans album. I think you'll like their music. Thanks a lot and don't forget, SPIRAL OUT !!! Haha 😮

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for sharing this info! Thought i could hear some of that. Guess my ear is not that bad! Or i got lucky 😅

[@bookhouseboy280]

"There were two bands that I consider my most important influences: Led Zeppelin and Yes. While Zeppelin contained the heaviness and power that every testosterone-driven adolescent craves, Yes provided everything else I need on an artistic level to fuel my fire (creativity, beauty, and a striving to be unique). I always sensed a higher level of communication between the members of Yes than I did in their contemporaries ... Alan and Bill are probably the biggest influences I can claim for my rock drumming career" - Danny Carey

[@ronaldmorgan7632]

Yes has some stuff that will absolutely blow your mind. It will make you wonder, "How the eff could someone come up with that?" I'm old enough to have experienced them when they released this crazy stuff. Think of it as every genre, including classical music, all mixed together in a meat grinder, then producing something better than the sum of its parts on the other end.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Love when that question pops into my mind while listening to music or reading books.

[@ronaldmorgan7632]

@@SaeedReacts. Like Tolkien. Maybe he stumbled onto a patch of mushrooms.

[@Mac_04]

YES is one of my favorite bands of all time, especially album "Classic Yes". I suggest you sit yourself down, close your eyes and listen to this whole album. You're going to trip! I started listening to YES during my early college years in the 80s (yes, I'm old). Goes to show how even for a "younger" crowd then, it still managed to impress me. Glad to see their music still evokes a lot of appreciation from the younger generation. They don't make music like these anymore. Great reaction!

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for sharing this! Appreciate it. Listening in one go with eyes closed would be the ideal experience. Maybe even how i would do it in day to day life. On the channel it might be different considering fair use policy. Looking forward to the next song. Thanks for watching. Have a great day.

[@PJsUTubeVids]

RUSH, YES. My 2 favs!

[@SaeedReacts.]

Have a Rush reaction recorded, so it should be coming to the channel this week

[@mattleppard1970]

You’re spot on. The lyrics always mean something. Whether intentional or not, I truly believe that they are among the most profound ever written. Sure, words as sounds and odd vocabulary, but they bear very close scrutiny, inspection, and unravelling ❤ Subscribed. Close to the Edge and Gates of Delirium and Awaken await 🎉

[@SaeedReacts.]

Definitely needs multiple listens and even discussions with other fans. Thats what i love about music like this. We can all share our insights and interpretations. Thanks for watching and subscribing.

[@mattleppard1970]

@@SaeedReacts. Well, if you sign up to Yes, you get the most astonishingly good songs, words and stories. We fans always celebrate a newcomer. I mean, you have Close to the Edge ahead. Many/most agree that it’s the most important and profound piece of art in human history. You’ll see. And we will watch as you experience it. Welcome aboard ❤️

[@davidmckenzie420]

Love this album. That guitar "back and forth" at the end is reminiscent of the end of the Beatles' Abbey Road medley. And don't dwell on the lyrics. Jon later admitted that he was going for the sound of the words rather than any deep meanings.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Yes! You can almost hear the words. Love that.

[@NondescriptMammal]

Amazing stuff from Steve Howe, who didn't get much recognition among the average music fan compared to the so called rock guitar gods of the time, but he was easily among the elite

[@ryanr5319]

Ty for reaction sir! The most worthy of rabbit holes. 😊 after Zeppelin. Lol

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks! Definitely want to listen to Zeppelin too at some point.

[@nuimaleko7]

Since you seem to like Prog Rock, I would recommend The Moody Blues and Renaissance

[@SaeedReacts.]

Will add it to my list. Thanks!

[@tobytanzer]

Read the book before this came out. (Yes I am that old). I was disappointed when I heard this song for the first time because I was expecting something related to the Heinlein book. I was a Yes fan via Roundabout since 1971 and found this album afterwards. Now, of course this song is among their best for me. I was blessed to see Wurm at least 12 times played by the GOAT Chris Squire. You're almost ready for Awaken, Close to the Edge, Gates of Delirium, And You and I, Wonderous Stories, Turn of the Century. In fact all of Yes form 1970-1979. I hope it transports you like it still does me.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for sharing this! I had a request for Awaken (live) and is now on the channel

[@ezed3902]

Jon Anderson vocalist lyricist said is not so much what the words mean, but how they sound.

[@suyogyakarki5417]

If you want to furher progress into 70s progressive rock, the other essential bands like genesis, king crimson, gentle giant, van der graaf generator. I recpmmend doing Genesis's Firth of Fifth, Van der Graaf's Man-erg and King Crimson's Starless as they are one of the most essential prog songs of all time

[@bookhouseboy280]

For sure but missing is one of the most essential of all, Emerson, Lake & Palmer. I'd recommend their Tarkus.

[@garysexton8840]

I suggest strongly that you check out one of the best and unique prog bands from the 70’s-Jethro Tull. Their music is eclectic involving many different styles of music- folk, jazz, hard rock, etc. They were the first band to feature the flute as a rock instrument played by Ian Anderson. Check out their second album Stand Up and then listen to each successive album and see that no two albums are alike. They are amazing. I will be checking your channel to see your reactions

[@SaeedReacts.]

I know them by name, but not familiar with their music. Must check them out at some point.

[@Angel268201]

Seen about 6-7 times. First time at MSG in Fall 1980. Awesome music. Don’t pay attention to the lyrics. Anderson used lyrics as sound. No one can copy this band.

[@Angel268201]

Also: look up Rick Wakeman ( original keyboardist) for YES. He did both: Journey to the Center of the Earth, and “Peter and the Wolf”. Incredible music set to two favorite classic stories.

[@TheAmazingSpaghetti]

Tool was influenced by Yes, their drummer got into drums mainly because of yes's original drummer Bill Bruford. Many bands are influenced by them, most notably Rush. This song and Yours Is No Disgrace off the same album are best live because of the amazing extended jams.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for letting me know. I am certainly far from an expert, but with my recent Tool journey i thought i could hear some of those influences.

[@het53]

You should listen to the Alan Parsons Project. You would enjoy it. Try "Pipeline" from their Ammonia Avenue album.

[@scottwilson7835]

Great song, definitely a musical journey. Yes and The Who inspired so many players, including Rush. Suggesting "Fountain of Lamneth" by Rush. They're Canadian royalty and globally loved.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Definitely want to check out some Rush at some point. I am in so many rabbit holes right now, i might hold off for a while to keep it manageable 😅

[@colinmusgrove8080]

im 66 love prog rock, check out a band called camel. album snow goose.

[@NondescriptMammal]

Yeah I agree about no need to analyze lyrics too much, sometimes lyrics are like poetry, they mean whatever you personally interpret them to mean

[@SaeedReacts.]

Definitely understand that point. I love to do it. Its one of the joys for me doing these reactions.

[@ewetoobblowzdogg8410]

If you are going to start with any Rush at all, you simply must begin with side 1 of their album 2112. It is more than music. It is a journey in time to the year 2112 and what the world could become if we are not careful

[@SaeedReacts.]

I believe i started with Tom Sawyer and the second one was 2112. There is a playlist with Rush Reactions on the channel. Its been an amazing journey so far.

[@aprilstewart5929]

You have much to learn, young Jedi.

[@jimmyfortrue3741]

Good stuff.

[@markjohnson4217]

If you are interested in Tool's mentors, thst would be King Crimson. They were among the first pioneers of progressive rock but much darker and more aggressive than YES or Genesis. KC brought orchestration into their music but witb a very dissonant, angular sound. Tool were taking lessons from King Crimson for sure.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for letting me know about King Crimson. Will add them to my list.

[@howardgott4946]

Jon Anderson wanted to save the planet…whilst living on a different one.

[@colinmusgrove8080]

the producer is eddie offerd. got that wrong i tthink im pissed.but chech him out

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for the info!

[@davecleggett9371]

Science fiction suggestion for you to read - Arthur C Clarke - 2001, a Space Odyssey. Another great track from Yes eh?

[@SaeedReacts.]

Read that one. And saw the movie as well. Classic!

[@erikmeulenbeld7428]

Eddie Offord !!!

[@cpmf2112]

The lack of overall cohesion in the lyrics are what always kept Yes from being better than Rush to me. I understand that Jon Anderson picked words that sounded right to him but I prefer Neil's story method.

[@thebeanpot-]

They invented progressive rock. Those change-ups.

[@wendellwiggins3776]

FORGET Tool & Rush. Listen to more YES, KING CRIMSON, GENESIS or GENTLE GIANT for PURE ProgRock

[@trendydelquendy]

It's quite hard to watch a reaction to this! All I can think about is that bonkers conclusion. Moog Taurus bass pedals doing seriously subsonic melodic stuff.

[@dougwill8850]

You may want to add Pink Floyd to your reactions list. I know Tool was influenced by them.

[@SaeedReacts.]

I definitely have Pink Floyd on my list, but i know that will be another major rabbit hole 😅. So i held off for now, till i get a grip on my schedule 😄.

[@blitztim6416]

I don’t understand the appeal of Hip Hop. Plus many times what people do like about it is that the song samples an old rock song. Then they think the Hip Hop artist is brilliant. Doesn’t make sense. The best part is something they didn’t create!

[@SaeedReacts.]

Its a great artform. Its been there for me in the darkest of times. There are many different sides to hiphop. And yes, they use samples, but thats not the best part. But its not for everyone. And that is the same for many music genres, its not for everyone. I do try to keep an open mind when i explore genres that are new and unfamiliar to me. Its an incredible journey and it added many new insights to my life.

[@blitztim6416]

@@SaeedReacts. Give me an example.

[@anthonyhedberg6471]

Not sure if you'll see this comment (it HAS been 5 months), but your reaction compelled me to subscribe to the channel. I ❤ seeing peoples reactions when they first hear Yes. Peace! ✌😎

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thank you so much for subscribing! Incredible song! Have a great weekend!

[@anthonyhedberg6471]

@@SaeedReacts. Thanks Saeed. I look forward to hearing more from you. You have a great weekend as well. 😉👍

[@BarrySanchez]

Don’t listen to that crap that Jon only wrote for sounds of the words, the words mean exactly what he’s singing about, Catch The Very Light, The Light of The Devine, GOD!!! Tools is definitely one of them.

[@SaeedReacts.]

I dont know much of the band and Jon, but i think if he wrote it, it must have had a reason. Thanks for this comment! Appreciate that.