The Official Yes Thread

[emtee]

Rabin era is very enjoyable to me...still. And BG is worth checking out. Some great songs on it.

[Stadler]

I forgot about those outtakes on the box set.  So I guess it would be

Dear Father (which I'd have sworn was an album track, but no)
America
Vevey (Parts 1 and 2)
Montreux's Theme
Money
Abilene
Run with the Fox
Make It Easy
Love Conquers All

I included America, despite being a cover, since it sounds almost nothing like a cover (if I did a Judas Priest countdown, I'd include Diamonds and Rust and The Green Manalishi for the same reasons).  However, I didn't include I'm Down since it's basically the same as the original.

Dear Father was on Yesterdays; that may be where you thought it was on an album.

[Kwyjibo]

If you are including ABWH, there‘s a B-side called Vultures In The City. But it‘s probably not going to end up in anyones top 50.

[DTA]

I’d definitely be interested in a Yes countdown. Also the epic rankings are interesting - lyrics aside, I find That, That Is (what a dumb title though) to be really solid musically with a lot of cool ideas but it’s ranked close to or last on every list. They really should’ve done more in that era as TTI and Mind Drive are both great modern epics like something Neal Morse or Roine Stolt would’ve written.

[Orbert]

I like both "That, That Is" and "Mind Drive" from the Keys sessions.  To me, they're both modern epics worthy of inclusion on lists along with the classics from the 70's.  No, they're not going to beat out "Close to the Edge" but I do put the Keys tunes on sometimes.

That said, I agree with you that the lyrics to "That, That Is" are pretty weak (as opposed to "Mind Drive" which are just incomprehensible).  I think the problem is that Jon was trying to actually convey a message, but his literal lyrics aren't nearly as good as the nonsensical stuff, which at least provides some neat verbal imagery.  And yeah, the title is kinda dumb, too.  I think it would be greatly improved by simply removing the comma.  "That That Is" actually makes more sense.  The song is about things that are.  Simple as that.  The comma makes it all awkward and is grammatically incorrect in the first place.  Between that and the "crack time" lyrics, I can see why people don't love it.

[pg1067]

I compiled a list yesterday:  193 songs (including the ABWH album and including Vultures (which is what it was called on the cassette single of Brother of Mine that I bought)).

Seems like top 50 is the number.  That's enough that some more recent material might sneak in, but it won't be too intimidating for folks that only know the catalog through Union.  I'll probably start the thread sometime this weekend.

[Stadler]

I’d definitely be interested in a Yes countdown. Also the epic rankings are interesting - lyrics aside, I find That, That Is (what a dumb title though) to be really solid musically with a lot of cool ideas but it’s ranked close to or last on every list. They really should’ve done more in that era as TTI and Mind Drive are both great modern epics like something Neal Morse or Roine Stolt would’ve written.

I don't think it was Shirley and Julie on crack time, I think it was JON on crack time. 

Paul, got to tell you, really excited for this.  I'm pumped up for some Yes reminiscing!!!

[Architeuthis]

Hearts, but other than that...

Good call! That's certainly right up there with Changes, but more epic. It Can Happen is also a stellar track..

[ytserush]

So who agrees that Endless Dream is a top tier Yes epic?? 

Absolutely!

[ytserush]

I wouldn't count And You And I as an epic. That one is just one of the most beautiful love songs ever

I'd count it.

[ytserush]

Did we ever do a Yes song countdown?

EDIT:  Just checked, and it looks like the answer is no.  Who'd be interested?

Not qualified. Not a fan of Awaken, Close to The Edge (the song) Tormato and Open Your Eyes. Fell of the wagon after 2003 (before Jon Anderson left)

[ytserush]

Dear Father was on Yesterdays; that may be where you thought it was on an album.

Also a bonus track on the Time And A Word remasters after Yesterdays.

[James Mypetgiress]

Just got a ticket to their warm-up show for the UK/Euro tour - next week in a small town in Cornwall, a couple of hours drive from where I live. I expect it shall be a somewhat ropey affair. But I couldn't pass up the chance to see Yes in a 250 capacity venue. Hopefully it'll still be an enjoyable night!

[pg1067]

Just dropping this link here in case anyone hasn't see the countdown thread.

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=58938.0