Yours is No Disgrace

Explore the intricate brilliance of Yes's 1971 progressive rock epic, "Yours Is No Disgrace." The opening track from the landmark The Yes Album, this sprawling composition showcases the band's signature complex arrangements, stunning musicianship, and soaring vocal harmonies, defining early prog rock.

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.