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Top 5 Progressive Rock: Yes – Signature and Popular Songs

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
Composer/arranger, guitarist, and bloggerSaitō Ayumu
I started playing guitar in elementary school, and in junior high and high school I played the horn in the concert band. In college I became engrossed in composing and began using DTM. These days, I provide songs to artists as a composer, run a blog under the name “Sakki,” and post music lesson videos on YouTube. My musical roots are in rock, but I also love dance music!

Among the progressive rock bands that Britain proudly boasts, Yes stands out as one of the so-called “Big Four” or “Top Five” of prog, having achieved global success with their powerful yet symphonic ensemble underpinned by advanced technique, artwork that exudes aesthetic sensibility, mystical lyrics, and beautiful melodies.

Over their long career, the band has undergone many lineup changes and even explored more pop-oriented directions at times, so it may take some persistence for newcomers to trace their illustrious history.

In this article, we introduce a number of Yes’s wonderful and representative classic songs.

We hope this serves as a gateway for you to discover their music!

[Top 5 Prog] Yes — Signature and Popular Songs (1–10)

Tempus FugitYES

Yes – Tempus Fugit (Official Music Video)

Tempus FugitYES

After leaving once in 1974, keyboardist Rick Wakeman rejoined YES in 1976, but in 1979 he left the band again along with vocalist Jon Anderson.

Having lost their core of vocals and keyboards, YES attempted to weather the crisis with a bold move: they essentially brought in the entire electropop duo The Buggles, who were under the same management (The Buggles are known for their hit “Video Killed the Radio Star”).

On “Tempus Fugit,” included on the 1980 album Drama released under this new lineup, they deliver a high-energy sound that rivals their earlier work.

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AwakenYES

Yes – Awaken . Studio Version HD Audio

AwakenYES

Awaken begins with an elegant piano tone reminiscent of classical music.

It appears on their eighth studio album, Going for the One, released in 1977.

This 15-minute epic was created with inspiration drawn from books about the life of the Dutch painter Rembrandt, among other sources.

With its rapidly shifting tempos and melodies, it blends elements of classical music with an energetic rock sound—quintessentially YES.

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Siberian KhatruYES

Siberian Khatru (2003 Remaster)

Siberian KhatruYES

Siberian Khatru, included as the final track on the classic 1972 album Close to the Edge.

It’s also known for being quoted in a guitar solo by John Frusciante, guitarist of the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, showing how greatly YES continues to influence contemporary artists.

While it has the complexity characteristic of prog, it also carries the dynamism of a rock band—an energetic track brimming with power!

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[Top 5 Progressive Rock] Yes: Signature and Popular Songs (11–20)

The Gates of DeliriumYES

The Gates of Delirium by Yes in 1080p HD HQ

The Gates of DeliriumYES

Relayer, the seventh studio album released in 1974, was created around the theme of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace.

Opening the album is The Gates of Delirium.

Spanning over 21 minutes, its intense midsection represents battle, while the tranquil latter part expresses a prayer for peace.

It’s a fan favorite and, despite its length, is sometimes performed live.

Why not immerse yourself in the grand narrative crafted by YES?

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Starship TrooperYES

Starship Trooper: a. Life Seeker, b. Disillusion, c. Würm (2008 Remaster)

Starship TrooperYES

Their third album, The Yes Album, released in 1971.

With this record, YES moved away from the art rock and psychedelic rock sound of their early days and fully evolved into progressive rock.

One track on the album, Starship Trooper, is an expansive piece running just over nine minutes, divided into three parts.

Remarkably, Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, and Chris Squire each composed a different section.

You can really sense their determined effort to boldly take on the then-novel genre of prog.

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Time and a WordYES

Yes – Time and a Word

Time and a WordYES

The title track “Time and a Word,” included on their second album of the same name released in 1970.

It features a rock sound that strongly reflects the influence of popular bands of the time—like the Beatles and Traffic—before YES transitioned into a full-fledged progressive rock band.

It also incorporates elements of art rock, such as the use of orchestral sounds, in an effort to add artistic dimensions to rock.

It’s a song that lets you feel YES’s evolutionary journey, transforming from art rock roots into progressive rock.

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To Be OverYES

To Be Over by Yes in HD

To Be OverYES

After keyboardist Rick Wakeman left due to musical differences, Yes released their seventh studio album, Relayer, in 1974.

The track To Be Over included on the album was inspired by the boathouse on the lake in London’s Hyde Park.

Influenced by new member Patrick Moraz, it features a mix of fusion and jazz elements, resulting in an ethereal and grand piece that is quintessentially Yes.

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