Yes - Roundabout | REACTION

[@dennisr.4918DennyDesigns]

This song is perfect in every way.

[@maxbrazil3712]

"Fragile" is a start-to-finish rock album masterpiece.

[@stevensmith8454]

Pretty close ,Max.

[@rk41gator]

Just incredible musicians, top to bottom.

[@michlkwitz]

I've always thought of Yes as a band where everyone is playing lead, at the same time. And somehow it works.

[@carlgibbons5777]

Much like Rush. Except Rush does it with fewer members.

[@markjacobsen8335]

That's about right.

[@peterkassner3552]

only band where that has ever worked... too many virtuosos together, it can end up sounding like a competition... but through brilliant writing and arrangement, Yes pulled it off like nobody else

[@carlgibbons5777]

@@peterkassner3552 Rush's odd time transitions are unmatched.

[@timwhitnell7145]

Just like Rush

[@shoker8696]

The problem is that no one performs this kind of music now, maybe not everyone will agree, but modern music is shit compared to the music of the 20th century. For me personally, this is good music, and John Anderson's voice is beautiful!

[@talshayar4279]

Mate, check out 'The Day That The World Breaks Down' by Ayreon. Modern prog at it's finest.

[@firebird7479]

I live in New Jersey, where roundabouts, AKA traffic circles, are a way of life.

[@disneyworlddelights]

You are not lying

[@donnernoneya26]

I sang along to the entire song! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE YES!!!

[@thatguysme]

Yes, more Yes! Chris Squire was THE best bass player and it's exemplified in all their music.

[@CAdams6398]

I wouldn't dream of doubting Chris Squire's ability, but the jazz cats could match him stride for stride. It would be more accurate to describe him as the best rock bassist!

[@thatguysme]

@@CAdams6398 You are entirely right. I stand humbly corrected. 👍

[@78yestor93]

@Christian Adams the point is Chris pioneered a new way of playing the bass in a pioneering new genre of music of the late 60s early 70s.

[@CAdams6398]

I don't doubt that for a second, but the implication was best ever. Is he really the greatest man to pick up a bass guitar?

[@78yestor93]

My point is that it is futile to compare jazz with prog rock it's like apples and bananas totally different. Also, these genres come from different times, different backgrounds and different musical worlds!!

[@Beamshipcaptain]

I danced to this song in Summer Camp in 1972 when I was 11. So wonderful.

[@54sks]

The late Chris Squire was the only member of Yes to play on every album. His base playing is incredible.

[@Someone-kg8qf]

I really admire Squire, he is such a solid bassist. I will admit I am entranced by Jon's voice but we without Mr Squire the music would be missing a very important component. Rock bottom, holds the entire composition together. It is essential, along with the drums. Otherwise it is lacking.

[@Someone-kg8qf]

Despite the many amazing drummers and bassists they are still not appreciated. It's why I switched over to bass, but It has not hurt my guitar playing.

[@joelliebler5690]

The song that launched progressive rock into popularity.

[@stevensmith8454]

Err, one of them .

[@lesblatnyak5947]

True dat the shortened version played on am radio and was a dance favourite

[@EJSmith-dk3yg]

Yeaaaa ... NO ! Here are some that predate Yes and one contemporary; The Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, Supertramp, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer ! Think about that !

[@stevensmith8454]

@@EJSmith-dk3yg , Take a chill pill pal,he's entitled to his opinion

[@jonathanlocke6404]

It's in valid contention, for sure. If we're going to pick just one song, I might say King Crimson's "21st Century Schizoid Man"...

[@JJ8KK]

The thing about YES' Masterpieces, like Roundabout, is that they cram so much complexity into them, you can only fully appreciate them with *_repeated listenings._* That's when you pick out how each of the members blend in their contributions _so perfectly._

[@Someone-kg8qf]

Found this album in my early teens. I love Yes.

[@chriswiedeman2956]

"Oh my God, The Bass!" Chris Squire was a beast.

[@danacasey8543]

I'm a grandma that rocked out to Yes! I've seen them 4 times in concert and each time they were awesome! My dad loved Yes too, and got Rick Wakeman's album "The Six Wives of Henry The 8th" for me for Christmas in 1975. I loved it, but he listened to it more than I did!

[@StarGeezerTim]

This song practically invented "headphone rock" and had an incalculable impact on the sale of strobe lights back in the day! Proud to say I was part of it all! Great to see yet another generation discover and enjoy this treasure!

[@gpg9516]

Their skill as musicians was unequalled.

[@moonrich3492]

Would be true if Emerson, Lake & Palmer had never played music.

[@markoliver630]

5 virtuosos in 1 band. Amazing

[@michaellockhart554]

Chris Squire, 'nuff said, there will never ever be a bass player to compare to Chris

[@Gary19702]

Except his main influence.....John Entwistle.

[@switchflow5405]

Yes "I've Seen All Good People" a must.... that is all.

[@paulwicht6294]

The amazing bass is Chris Squire, the band leader.

[@deweyg1555]

Geddy said he was honored to stand in for his biggest influence. Yes was a group with unusually gifted instrumentalists having remarkable breadth skills. Howe, Wakeman, Squire, Bruford, White and of course Anderson...were likely the most talented and amazingly creative musicians...possibly ever. The Mozart's of the 20th century..

[@MrSmartAlec]

1971 senior year of hs starts. Seems like almost every morning someone with a portable cassette player had this song blasting by the lockers before class. What a musical golden age.

[@ekmyaki]

incredible bass line

[@CuzKatieSaysSo]

Ahhh, THX that always sounded fantastic in the theatre! 🌹Rest in Peace, Chris Squire🌹 You were the Best

[@cindysimpson1046]

There was never, ever a weekend where we didn't play this song turned up to the max in my 1973 Mercury Cougar XR7 with all of us singing our lungs out! Such a classic! We were like the teenagers in "That 70's Show". Wild and free times! Best memories ever.

[@chrisblower8868]

Imagine hearing this as a 15 year old in 1971....that was me.

[@JamesBrady-rl7pz]

I'm right there with you.

[@nathanwahl9224]

Same. Second album I ever bought with my own money.

[@timwhitnell7145]

The song is 52 years old and I still get chills hearing it. From the best year in rock music: 1971. A masterpiece. Chris Squires' bass playing is mind blowing and Steve Howe's lead guitar is great but it is keyboard master Rick Wakeman's Hammond 3C organ work that is the most memorable for me. The arrangement of this song defies description. Prog rock at its absolute best. One of the handful of pop/rock songs that could be declared the best ever IMO. Next up with Yes for you should be their other early '70s popular prog epics such as: the upbeat and happy I've Seen All Good People, Long Distance Runaround, Starship Trooper and Close to the Edge. They changed their sound drastically for the hugely popular - with others not necessarily hardcore Yes fans - 1982 LP 90125. Owner of a Lonely Heart was the big radio hit but the entire album is fire especially Hold On, Changes, It Can Happen and Leave It. Jon Anderson's voice sounds so good throughout 90125.Guys, please continue to be 'progressive' in your musical reaction pursuits. I love it.

[@FreeMTrider]

Yes-Roundabout was way before my time when it was released in '71, so I had no idea how to like it or not. I first learned about Yes until they reformed in '83 with the release of the single Owner of a Lonely Heart. And also Asia. It was many years later until I was able to understand how badass Yes was. Yes can be found in a bunch of bands......their influence on progressive rock is everywhere.

[@pamnicklas5536]

I saw Yes twice in the 80's....both times they put on a stellar performance!

[@toddstevens13]

Yes asked Geddy Lee to stand in to do this at their HOF concert portion.

[@Werewindle]

It's great watching young people discover real music!

[@gaznathemoon1128]

Remember when Ryan said that part of "Spirit of Radio" was his get up and go music?..Roundabout was the song for me when I was 13 yrs old flying home on my bicycle from my friends house to mine from across town for supper on a semi-cool early summer night. Wind in my hair, not a care in the world, and this song pumping thru my veins.

[@hklinker]

I would blow dry my hair to this song every morning before school. Welcome to the late 70s 😉.

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Nice gentlemen. Been dancing to Roundabout for 52yrs

[@cdfdesantis699]

The fuzz bass is absolutely off the CHARTS in this masterpiece by this incredible band. Thanks for your reaction.

[@maryyoung2549]

If you like this type of music, check out Emerson Lake and Palmer, one of the earliest prog rock bands. Trilogy is a great starting point.

[@brucemarshall9521]

Old fire that's never burned out.

[@thesidsss]

Songs by Yes just keep hitting more as you listen again and again. The live shows I saw back in the 70’s were an amazing experience!

[@direnova6284]

There is so much to hear with Yes that of all my favourite bands they have remained the most fresh, after 50 years I still hear new things.

[@tubesterini]

What a PHENOMENAL MUSICAL MASTERPIECE! So glad you decided to play and react to it. And YES--it's on FIRE! 🔥 from first note to the last. THANKS GUYS!!!

[@GGLee315]

Guys, you need to listen to this 10 times before you decide what’s your favorite part and this and that and the other because it’s a lot of song. And all the parts will grow on you. Still turns my headlights on after 50 years!!

[@yeshayahuhomberger2079]

Yes to Yes. Thx for the nice analysis and reaction. 💪👍

[@noteverton]

The opening note is a single note on the piano played backwards.

[@barriehull7076]

Did the British invent roundabouts? The era of modern roundabouts began in the United Kingdom in 1956 with the construction of the first "yield-at-entry" roundabouts. In 1966, a nationwide yield-at-entry rule launched the modern roundabout revolution. Australia and most other British-influenced countries soon built modern roundabouts. The Magic Roundabout in Swindon, England, is a ring junction constructed in 1972 consisting of five mini-roundabouts arranged in a circle. ... Magic Roundabout (Swindon)

[@kirkstevens8499]

The intro fade in is a chord on the keyboard played backwards to get that effect. A popular 70’s trick..

[@go234ko96ts5]

A great Yes song by a super group of the 70's and even the 80's. Their style changed somewhat in the 80's but they still sounded good. A favorite song of mine from the group during the 70's were " Your Move". Don't forget guys, a group that didn't get the recognition they deserved was Captain Beyond. Their album came out in 1972 and the songs to me that were good rock and roll were, " Thousand Days of Yesterdays, " Dancing Madly Backwards" and Raging River of Fear" and I Can't Feel Nothing". You won't be disappointed.

[@GaryColemanNC]

There's my beautiful boys... Brilliant, too!

[@Jax4umalta]

Just found you guys watched a few videos. The three of you are awesome together. I love this channel one of my new favorites. I was born in 66 so this music has a lot of memories for me. There’s a lot of great music out there. Can’t wait for you guys to explore and see your reactions.

[@x0539p]

Lead singer is Jon Anderson and he has a song called “Friends Of Mr Cairo” and it’s a wonderful masterpiece leading you in various directions. You all would enjoy this immensely. Love your reactions.

[@glennawhiteman742]

Rush bassist Geddy lee played bass for Yes at their rock and roll hall of fame induction .He stood in for Yes bassist Chris Squire after his death. They played this song. Geddy looked to be having a great time.

[@ScottDeBerg]

Yes is a very cool rabbit hole to go down. “Heart of the Sunrise” also from the album Fragile. Their masterpiece, however, is “Close to the Edge”, the song and the album. Great reaction - thanks for the return to Yes.

[@sgt.blkdog3840]

That bass is filthy

[@brucemarshall9521]

Perfect description. The fat strings are burning.

[@joebarrera9741]

This is COOL YES Is always awesome to listen

[@mariaportengen2959]

I already was in love with this record, when it came out in the early seventies. A real Masterpiece. Greetings from the Netherlands. 🎶🎶❤️

[@toddwebb6216]

You truly understand the GRANGER of YES...Greetings from America, Maria.

[@shawnmurdock8059]

The THX is a crescendo. the ramp up on the song is a piano chord played backwards. Yes is amazing

[@Phillphine]

Before thx (I think) you could hear that at the beginning of another song, "way out" by Steve Arrington. Truthfully I've never thought of that and I'm not sure which might have came first, but it does start that way.

[@johnnelson3869]

The first note fade-up is actually a recording of a piano note. It's recorded on tape, then cut out and attached in reverse to the master recording tape (back-masking). No digital captures and manipulations in 1971. Just great musicians, engineers and producers.

[@mikeroche9986]

I’m sure two out of three of you will know this song. So glad you’re finally getting to it! Another suggestion for the future is “Heart Of the Sunrise” from the same album. It’s amazing!

[@johnparker3111]

Don't forget South Side of the Sky

[@tommythompson9565]

Came in mid-song. Get ready for an avalanche ... 2 of y'all weren't blown away. I can almost guarantee that your affection for this song will grow upon multiple listens.

[@tjtampa214]

Or else the affection is dead. This is a great song... if you can feel it. Butcha gotta feel.

[@micheleparker3780]

Exactly.

[@thesuperdak7224]

This song just makes everybody happy.

[@jenniferfoster1692]

Owner of a Lonely Heart is another great one from them.

[@rickandgen]

That THX sound was actually inspired by the closing of A Day In The Life by the Beatles

[@glyngasson8450]

That fade in was produced by hitting a piano note and letting it die away and then reversing the tape.

[@rayeckert242]

This one lives in your soul. Gut-wrenchingly outstanding. Haven’t caught my breath since I first heard this one.

[@markrobertdevison1227]

Jon Anderson, the man with the angelic voice is how he was referred to back in the day. Roundabout is a masterpiece. Nothing can be taken out of it or added, it's perfect as is.

[@nancymjohnson]

YES IS TOTALLY AWE-MAZING!! Been a fan since 70. I was 12. And they still amaze me with this music…and thru the decades. Chris Squire on bass. There was no one that could touch him. Bill Bruford on drums, they made an unstoppable rhythm section. I ❤️ them all. Listen daily!! Love you guys too! ☮️❤️

[@joelliebler5690]

Me too while listening to my brother’s albums and then finally purchasing Tormato in 1978. Finally seeing them live at MSG in 1979 with my other brother!Best concert to date!

[@nancymjohnson]

The Tourmato tour in Dallas, Jon held my hand for a whole song. They had to quit rotating the stage. Almost lost my boyfriend that night. Would have been worth it! Lol

[@grelch]

Btw, don't let people tell you that Yes came before Rush. Technically both bands formed in 1968 although the classic line up of Rush that endured for the next few decades gelled in the early '70s. But officially, both bands started concurrently.

[@annewoodard6803]

MAKE SURE YOU LISTEN TO THE 2008 REMASTERED VERSION. THE RADIO VERSION IS… the radio version. 😁

[@reneelyons6836]

YES and Genesis!!!! Musical Masters. We are sooooooo lucky.

[@carlgibbons5777]

Rush probably more talented than both of those:)

[@reneelyons6836]

@@carlgibbons5777Watch the video of Geddy playing with Yes. Yes is clearly a musical influence on Rush. That's almost like saying , which came first the chicken or the egg? We know Yes came first.

[@carlgibbons5777]

@@reneelyons6836 Yes. Peace! All three bands are legendary:)

[@atdeacon]

Its a masterclass of rock and roll

[@mowerdan8133]

Epic tune. Believe or not, there was a shorter AM radio version of this tune heard from many a transistor radio back then! So yes, even my grandparents were hearing this in the early '70s

[@micheleparker3780]

Of course we were - we were just graduating from high school!!! (That would be me..😁)

[@daveman_50]

The bass tone is iconic. Chris Squire played an old Rickenbacker bass with a straight neck and low action, played with a pick, to get that rattly "clank" -- you'd never think that setup could be so funky, but it is!

[@cynthiawhite9830]

Very much looking forward to this!

[@toddboyle1716]

That THX sound effect came from the opening to a 1985 Asia song called "Countdown to Zero".

[@fantasyguru26]

There are so many intricate elements to this song but the bass is what ties it all together for me.

[@steveblomerth]

Yes record company did a radio edit for a shorter length and did leave out the middle section....You can probably still find that version.

[@astroteech]

I was first introduced to this as a sophomore in high school when it first came out. There is no progressive rock equal to YES, accept the "Moody Blues". "Twenty-four before my love you'll see I'll before there with you".

[@castlew4162]

Next for Yes I'll suggest: "I've Seen All Good People/Your Move", "Starship Trooper", and "Long Distance Runaround". It's been almost a year since I made a comments for you guys to do more "Classic Rock" bands. You did a few, but still are lacking exposure. Emerson, Lake, and Palmer: "From The Beginning", "Karn Evil 9"(killer live version), "Lucky Man" Foreigner: "Cold As Ice", "Long Long Way From Home", "Urgent", "Juke Box Hero" Bad Company: "Bad Company", "Feel Like Makin' Love" America: "Ventura Highway", "Sister Golden Hair", "Horse With No Name" Steve Miller Band: "Fly Like An Eagle", "Jet Airliner" More Styx than just "Renegade": "Prelude 12/Suite: Madame Blue", "Fooling Yourself", "Come Sail Away"(Album version), "CASTLE WALLS" , "Man In The Wilderness", "Queen Of Spades", "Blue Collar Man". Boston: "A Man I'll Never Be"

[@lindazee]

YES are pioneers of the progressive rock style. Their musicianship is of the highest caliber. The mystical melodies and lyrics are grounded by a fierce rhythm section of the strongest bass and drums. The harmonies, time signatures, rhapsodic storytelling, and tight performances will forever embed them at the top of the music landscape as classic. Their era of "modern classical" music is what musicians and music lovers will continue to play and rediscover for many years to come. I seriously doubt that much of the music from this latest era will last at all.

[@barrycohen311]

That opening chord is a C major chord on piano played backwards. So that the fade out starts first, and the initial attack comes at the end.

[@Blondewitch2681]

Love you 3. So much fun to watch.

[@joelliebler5690]

This was the song that launched the popularity of Progressive rock genre.This is the Mt. Rushmore of this type of music.Chris Squire is considered one of the best bass players ever on Earth!

[@jeffreylyons5785]

Chris was the most unique bass and great backing vocalist

[@anthonyblakely399]

Glad you guys like it! This is the first masterpiece and really intro to prog music....by the band YES. For your next reaction you must hear their second masterpiece, "Close To The Edge," which will make you forget about Roundabout!!! This song "Roundabout" and "Close To The Edge," were performed in the concert I went to last year in October and it was so AMAZING that it made you not want to hear the studio version!!!! It was just incredible that tears fell from eyes!!!! Yes are sooooooooooooooo Great in concert!!!!

[@patrigilligan2112]

I've always loved the THX sound!!

[@dano4518]

The opening sound at the beginning of the song was a reverse guitar strum. Brilliant sound.

[@BarnDoorProductions]

It's a reversed E minor chord on piano. The second one is a C major chord.

[@markwhitely4021]

My 3 Bros from Georgia U.S.A. Saw YES in 1975, Vancouver B.C. Pacific Coliseum. Alan White was the best drummer other than Bonham, of all the rock bands I saw live. And I saw them all.

[@sandrabanghart2000]

One of my favorites from -Yes -. Another good one that was more popular in the day was "Owner of a Lonely Heart". Awesome!!!!! Here's a band to check for a reaction, if you haven't done it already is "Blackfoot". Fox Chase. A bit of Southern Rock like Lynard Skynyrd. And really good guitars.

[@TheGreatGig73]

The Beatles of Prog Rock

[@jaquestraw1]

Some of the finest music ever created

[@HBFTimmahh]

BTO Bachman Turner Overdrive released Not Fragile in 1974. Not sure if it was meant to be a reply to this album from Yes, but it in itself is an ass kicking album, just as this one is from Yes.

[@genestippell1833]

From that lineup there wasn't anyone better than Squire on bass with Bruford on drums. The precision was second to none. Plus both were very creative in the use of their instruments. As you listen to yes look for the tone changes Squire uses in different parts of the song. He used an array of foot pedals and his Rickenbacker bass was "stereo". 2 pickups that could be used independently and run through separate amps.

[@GunsmithSid]

More than a decade before the Dolby ‘Deep Note’

[@robinlowe2329]

Rick Wakeman's "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and "The Six Wives of Henry 8th" are excellent albums.

[@scottstewart5784]

Jack Black handed a CD to the keyboarding student in "School of Rock." It was this record, and he directed him to study the keyboard playing on this song.

[@PK1971PK]

That slow fade in at the beginning is a recording of a chord being struck played backwards. I think Rick Beato talks about it in his review of this song--I believe he said it was a technique used a good bit in the seventies. As someone else posted on here, this song being played on the radio was my introduction to Yes, and was a big part of me becoming a fan of prog rock. Got the Fragile album (on eight track) and played the hell out of it. I've been a Yes fan ever since, love most all of their music, but I never get tired of listening to this song--none of their stuff is better than this to me. Funny, I agree with Ty on the middle part of the song--overall not my favorite section. However , it may be my favorite performance of Bill Bruford on the drums--he is just wailing it.

[@joelliebler5690]

Bill is a unique legend with that independent jazzy flair!

[@disneyworlddelights]

Love Rick Dude is a master

[@randybaker6042]

One of the most influential recordings. We're talking 1972 and reaching 13 on the Billboard charts. Roundabout debuted at 88 Feb. 12th. By the 26th it was a power play at #48. Broke into the top 40 at #39 on March 4th. Donny Osmond's Puppy Love was #38. March 11th is was at #32, sandwiched between Melanie and Sonny and Cher. March 18th found it at #28 sandwiched between James Brown and JJ Cale. March 25th it was up to #20. April 1st. #17, sandwiched between Sonny and Cher and The Osmonds. April 8th up to 14. April 15th it peaked at #13. Here are the songs that were above it.... 1 THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE -•- Roberta Flack (Atlantic)-7 (1 week at #1) (1) 2 A HORSE WITH NO NAME -•- America 3 I GOTCHA -•- Joe Tex 4 ROCKIN’ ROBIN -•- Michael Jackson 5 HEART OF GOLD -•- Neil Young 6 IN THE RAIN -•- The Dramatics 7 PUPPY LOVE -•- Donny Osmonds 8 BETCHA BY GOLLY, WOW -•- The Stylistics 9 DAY DREAMING -•- Aretha Franklin 10 A COWBOY’S WORK IS NEVER DONE -•- Sonny and Cher 11 MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION -- Paul Simon 12 10 THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT -- Robert John All those songs and Roundabout being played on hit radio. Roundabout had a major influence on mainstream music. What people need to understand is the kids back then were listening to multi-genres everyday. Those songs and artists were being played back to back on radio stations and those stations were the only venue for new music. Roundabout was a hit song being played right after Rocking Robin. Mainstream, pop music listeners from that era were pretty damn diverse and sophisticated.

[@angelagreen778]

I always wanted the THX sound bite played at my funeral! Lol. Eulogy would follow...

[@LyndaHill]

Totally exquisite. I saw them live three times in the 70's. Each time I went down the front and stood right in front of them. I was in heaven.

[@juliehill9247]

Thx use to make my daughter cry

[@geoffn54]

The UK is full of roundabouts guys.

[@mistymorning436]

Boldness with a capital B. Did you know it's a love song? Most unforgettable love song ever! ♥