20 Favorite Yes Songs
Saw Yes live with my dad this year. One of the best concerts I've been to. They played CTTE, The Yes Album, GFTO, and "Roundabout". Here are my faves: |
| 20 |  | Yes
Fragile
"We Have Heaven" - This short ditty probably makes it to no one's list, but I just love Yes and Gentle Giant counterpoint harmonies so much and this one is a milestone. |
| 19 |  | Yes
90125
"Leave It" - MORE COUNTERPOINT HARMONIES! enough said |
| 18 | | Yes
Fragile
"Long Distance Runaround" - One of the most well-known Yes tunes, this one is nice and catchy. That opening guitar/keyboard line is just brilliant. I just wish it was longer. |
| 17 |  | Yes
The Yes Album
"Starship Trooper" - It's got a cool floating vibe at the beginning, and it just keeps building. The little folky midsection is kinda comical but take it as you wish. |
| 16 |  | Yes
Tales from Topographic Oceans
"Ritual" - One of the two more listenable tracks on Tales, this one is the most upbeat and doesn't stagnate as much as the others |
| 15 |  | Yes
Relayer
"Sound Chaser" - This song is just all over the place. Some of the best instrumental interplay they ever did gets sadly ruined once Jon Anderson comes in with "CHA CHA CHAAAA CHA CHA!" |
| 14 | | Yes
90125
"Owner of a Lonely Heart" - I know this is sell-out Yes, but this song was actually commonly sampled in early rap and, admit it, it's pretty good for pop. |
| 13 | | Yes
The Yes Album
"Yours Is No Disgrace" - This one just has great riffing...end of story. |
| 12 | | Yes
The Yes Album
"Perpetual Change" - This one has this one completely awesome section where riffs just keep piling on eachother and even if it sounds like mush to some it's just a whole lot of fun. This is the first song that shows the band wasn't too worried about going overboard with prog. |
| 11 | | Yes
Tales from Topographic Oceans
"The Revealing Science of God" - This song opens so cool with these chanting vocals and then the rest of the song can admittedly get long winded but it's has some of Yes's best instrumental sections |
| 10 |  | Yes
Going for the One
"Parallels" - Besides "Awaken," the only other really great tune on GFTO. Love that pipe organ throughout. Really rocking and uplifting sound. |
| 9 | | Yes
The Yes Album
"I've Seen All Good People" - great ballady tune that shows Yes certainly has a knack for great hooks. I like how it fades out with the chorus with a modulation of keys. |
| 8 |  | Yes
Close to the Edge
"Siberian Khatru" - gets overshadowed in CTTE but it's got it all. Upbeat 7/8 riffing, harpsichord solo...it's a classic. |
| 7 | | Yes
Fragile
"South Side of the Sky" - This one is almost metal. I'd love to hear a heavy prog band do a cover version. |
| 6 | | Yes
Fragile
"Heart of the Sunrise" - great vocals from Jon Anderson and some great riffing throughout. |
| 5 | | Yes
Relayer
"Gates of Delirium" - Another awesome Yes Epic that ends with the beautiful "Soon" |
| 4 | | Yes
Going for the One
"Awaken" - This song is just so epic. Chris Squire (my bass idol) pulled out a triple-neck bass on this one and confetti flew at the audience...it was all too much to take in. |
| 3 | | Yes
Fragile
"Roundabout" - This was the first prog rock song I heard back as a child and I actually liked it a lot. |
| 2 | | Yes
Close to the Edge
"And You and I" - So beautiful. Jon Davison nailed it. |
| 1 | | Yes
Close to the Edge
"Close to the Edge" - They opened the concert with this. Prog perfection right here. |
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