Released as a single in early 1972 from the album Fragile (issued late '71/early '72), "Roundabout" brought progressive rock to a wider audience. Showcasing Steve Howe's stunning guitar work, Chris Squire's propulsive bass, Rick Wakeman's keyboards, and Bill Bruford's drumming, it perfectly blended musical complexity with rock accessibility.

This 1972 progressive rock masterpiece takes listeners on a dynamic journey through intricate instrumental passages and soaring vocal melodies led by Jon Anderson. "Roundabout," with its signature bassline and unforgettable structure, stands as arguably Yes's most famous song and a cornerstone of the entire prog rock genre.

SONG MEANING: The song's abstract lyrics were inspired by a van journey Jon Anderson and Steve Howe took through Scotland, encountering numerous roundabouts amidst impressive scenery. The words paint impressionistic pictures ("In and around the lake / Mountains come out of the sky") reflecting the dreamlike quality of the landscape and the repetitive motion of travel, rather than telling a specific story.

A highlight of the legendary 1972 album Close to the Edge, "Siberian Khatru" exemplifies Yes's unique progressive rock sound. It features stunning interplay between Steve Howe's intricate guitar work, Rick Wakeman's keyboards, Chris Squire's melodic bass, and Bill Bruford's dynamic drumming, creating a rich sonic tapestry.

Often used as a powerful concert opener, this 1972 progressive rock classic blends complex musical passages with undeniable rock energy. Led by Jon Anderson's soaring vocals delivering abstract lyrics, "Siberian Khatru" remains a fan favorite, demonstrating the peak creative power of Yes during this era.

SONG MEANING: According to lyricist Jon Anderson, the words in "Siberian Khatru" were chosen primarily for their phonetic sound and how they complemented the music, rather than to convey a specific narrative or literal meaning. The title itself is abstract; "Khatru" purportedly means "as you wish" in a Yemeni dialect. The meaning lies more in the feeling evoked by the combination of sound and abstract vocals.

Appearing on the 1974 album Relayer, "To Be Over" provides a melodic counterpoint to the album's more intense moments. This progressive rock gem highlights Steve Howe's versatile guitar playing, including beautiful steel guitar passages, interwoven with Patrick Moraz's keyboards and Jon Anderson's evocative vocals.

With its flowing structure and themes seemingly hinting at resolution and peace after struggle, "To Be Over" is a masterfully crafted progressive rock composition. This 1974 track demonstrates Yes's ability to blend complex musical ideas with emotional depth, creating a richly textured and enduring piece of music.

SONG MEANING: The lyrics suggest reaching a state of peace, acceptance, and understanding after a period of turmoil or searching ("To be over, we will see... / We need passion we need desire"). It speaks of moving beyond conflict and doubt towards harmony and resolution ("Don't doubt the beauty, we're fated to be"), possibly reflecting the overarching themes of war and peace explored on the Relayer album.

Featured on the groundbreaking 1971 release The Yes Album, "Starship Trooper" unfolds across three distinct sections: "Life Seeker," "Disillusion," and the iconic instrumental "Würm." This progressive rock masterpiece highlights the synergy between Jon Anderson's vocals, Steve Howe's guitar explorations, Chris Squire's driving bass, and the band's complex rhythms.

From melodic verses exploring abstract themes to the powerful, extended jam built on Steve Howe's legendary "Würm" riff, "Starship Trooper" is a landmark 1971 progressive rock achievement. Its dynamic structure and instrumental prowess solidified Yes's reputation as innovators within the burgeoning genre, remaining a beloved classic.

SONG MEANING: The lyrics, particularly in the "Life Seeker" section written by Jon Anderson, are characteristically abstract and poetic, evoking themes of searching, spiritual journeys, and perhaps using space travel ("Starship trooper going by") as a metaphor for transcendence or moving towards a higher understanding. The overall piece suggests exploration and striving beyond the mundane.

Featured on the 1980 album Drama, "Machine Messiah" immediately announced the potent sound of the Yes lineup featuring Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes alongside stalwarts Steve Howe, Chris Squire, and Alan White. Its ten-minute length encompasses dynamic shifts, from heavy, almost metallic riffs to more atmospheric progressive rock passages.

This ambitious 1980 progressive rock track explores complex musical ideas, with intricate interplay between guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards. "Machine Messiah," with its powerful sections and challenging structure, stands as a testament to Yes's enduring creativity and ability to evolve within the progressive rock genre.

SONG MEANING: The song explores themes concerning humanity's growing dependence on technology and the potential consequences. The title "Machine Messiah" and lyrics referencing signals and watchers suggest a future where machines become dominant or are looked to for salvation, potentially leading to dehumanization or a loss of individual control, reflecting anxieties about technological advancement.

Released on the complex 1974 album Relayer, "The Gates of Delirium" is a monumental progressive rock journey inspired by Tolstoy's War and Peace. Featuring extended instrumental passages, intricate time signatures, and dynamic shifts, the track highlights the incredible musicianship of Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Patrick Moraz, and Alan White.

This ambitious 1974 composition moves through distinct sections, including a famously chaotic instrumental "battle" sequence followed by the serene, hopeful closing theme known as "Soon." "The Gates of Delirium" remains a landmark achievement in progressive rock, demonstrating Yes's unparalleled ability to create vast, intricate sonic landscapes.

SONG MEANING: Inspired by Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace, this epic track musically portrays the senselessness and chaos of war. Its long, complex instrumental sections depict the build-up, fury, and aftermath of a battle, culminating in the peaceful "Soon" section, which expresses a profound yearning for peace, hope, and understanding following the conflict.

Appearing on the 1980 album Drama, "Into the Lens" represented a different era for Yes, with Trevor Horn on vocals and Geoff Downes on keyboards joining Steve Howe, Chris Squire, and Alan White. Despite the lineup change, the track retained progressive rock complexity, blending intricate instrumentation with new wave synthesizer textures.

This 1980 progressive rock piece (parts later reworked by Horn/Downes as "I Am a Camera") features dynamic interplay between guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards. "Into the Lens" stands as a key example of Yes navigating personnel changes while continuing to produce ambitious and complex rock music.

SONG MEANING: The song explores themes of observation, perspective, and possibly emotional detachment, using the metaphor of photography ("I am a camera," "Into the lens"). It suggests viewing life or memories through a detached lens, capturing moments ("Watch me clinging to the screen") rather than fully experiencing them, or analyzing events with a cool, observational distance.

Released as the title track of their landmark 1972 album, "Close to the Edge" is widely regarded as one of progressive rock's defining moments. Inspired by Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha, the nearly 19-minute piece showcases the extraordinary talents of Yes, featuring complex interplay, dynamic shifts, and soaring melodies.

This ambitious 1972 progressive rock composition unfolds through distinct movements, musically depicting a spiritual journey from chaos to enlightenment. With its groundbreaking structure, intricate instrumental passages, and thematic depth, "Close to the Edge" remains a towering achievement in the history of rock music.

SONG MEANING: Inspired by Hermann Hesse's novel Siddhartha, the song lyrically and musically charts a spiritual journey towards enlightenment. It moves through phases representing inner turmoil, searching, struggle, and eventual awakening, portraying the process of achieving a higher state of consciousness and finding inner peace after navigating life's complexities – getting "close to the edge" of understanding.

Featured on the pivotal 1971 release The Yes Album, which introduced guitarist Steve Howe, "Yours Is No Disgrace" immediately established the band's ambitious musical direction. Its near 10-minute length features dynamic shifts, intricate instrumental interplay, and conceptual depth characteristic of classic progressive rock.

This 1971 progressive rock masterpiece builds through multiple sections, highlighting Steve Howe's innovative guitar work and the band's collective virtuosity. "Yours Is No Disgrace," with its powerful instrumentation and thought-provoking lyrics, remains a cornerstone of Yes's catalog and the entire prog rock genre.

SONG MEANING: The song is often interpreted as a commentary on the generation impacted by the Vietnam War. Lyrics like "Yesterday a morning came, a smile upon your face / Caesar's palace, morning glory, silly human race" contrast youthful experiences with the backdrop of global conflict, suggesting that the confusion or actions of young people ("Yours is no disgrace") are understandable given the troubled world created by previous generations.