Yes Songs Ranked
Yes are an English progressive rock band formed in London in 1968 by singer Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Peter Banks, keyboardist Tony Kaye, and drummer Bill Bruford. The band has undergone numerous formations throughout its history; nineteen musicians have been full-time members. Since June 2015, it has consisted of guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White, keyboardist Geoff Downes, singer Jon Davison, and bassist Billy Sherwood. Yes have explored several musical styles over the years, and are most notably regarded as progressive rock pioneers.
Yes began performing original songs and rearranged covers of rock, pop, blues, and jazz songs, as evident on their first two albums. A change of direction in 1970 led to a series of successful progressive rock albums until their disbanding in 1981, their most successful being The Yes Album (1971), Fragile (1971), and Close to the Edge (1972). Yes toured as a major rock act that earned the band a reputation for their elaborate stage sets, light displays, and album covers designed by Roger Dean. The success of “Roundabout”, the single from Fragile, cemented their popularity across the decade and beyond.
Yes is one of the most successful, influential, and longest-lasting progressive rock bands. They have sold 13.5 million RIAA-certified albums in the US. In 1985, they won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance with “Cinema”, and received five Grammy nominations between 1985 and 1992. They were ranked No. 94 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. Yes, have headlined annual progressive rock-themed cruises since 2013 named Cruise to the Edge. Their discography spans 21 studio albums. In April 2017, Yes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which chose specifically to bestow the honor upon current and former members Anderson, Squire, Bruford, Kaye, Howe, Wakeman, White, and Rabin. Here are all of Yes songs ranked.
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20. Going for the One (Going for the One, 1977)
“Leave it to Yes to start with a typical twangy country-blues riff (albeit with a few odd time signatures to keep you on your toes) and then turn it into so much more. This is a high energy tune with the band firing on all cylinders. Should have gotten more radio time over the years than it has.”
19. Changes (90125, 1983)
“An aural masterpiece like no other. “Changes” gives me chills, thrills, goosebumps, and spine-tingling sensations that I have never experienced before. The time signatures, both simple rhythms and shifting tempos, blend incredibly well. It is as if the the 10 greatest musicians got together to make the most electrifying, earth shattering, and addictive song in history. Have I mentioned that I like this song?”
18. Tempus Fugit (Drama, 1980)
“Machine Messiah, and some song about camera. Drama is an album that marks the end of the seventies. Awesome travel music. Feels like a soundtrack to arriving in a new country alone.”
17. Sound Chaser (Relayer, 1974)
“The guitar work on this song is just absolutely phenomenal. I’m usually a sucker for Yes’ 20 minute compositions, but Sound Chaser is definitely Yes’ greatest achievement.”
See more: Yes Albums Ranked
16. Perpetual Change (The Yes Album, 1971)
“Definitely their best. Listen to the studio version off the Yes Album, though. The anthemic keyboard intro, the bluesy countryfied Chet Atkins-like playing courtesy of Steve Howe at certain parts, the awe-inspiring lyrics, the vocal part at the beginning kind of reminds me of a Christmas song and that’s interesting as well, and then it’s a totally bizarre progfest til the end!”
15. To Be Over (Relayer, 1974)
“Probably my favorite Yes track. Steve How’s guitar playing is superb. This song plays in my head for days after each time I listen to it. Genuinely made me cry.
14. Yours is No Disgrace (The Yes Album, 1971)
“The first part of the song is pretty good singing prog rock but I was kind of asking my self I want a little more to this. Give me the goods man. Then on the second half the goods came faster then Pamala Anderson. The guitar solo in the middle was really groovy too.”
13. Awaken (Going for the One, 1977)
“Awaken” is the first song I heard that actually transplanted my brain out of my physical location. I remember that night vividly, as a teenager, lying on my bed, listening to this in the dark, and having the cyclical nature of the harmony (especially the central passage featuring the church organ and harp) spin my head around in way that could only be called lovingly intoxicating. Still gives me goosebumps every time I give it a serious listen. It’s difficult to imagine a song inspiring more awe than this.”
12. I’ve Seen All Good People (The Yes Album, 1971)
“Whenever I hear this song, I always think of Sarah Silverman putting her ass into a microphone – perfectly encapsulating Jon Anderson’s bitter “I’ve seen all good people turn their heads each day so satisfied I’m on my way” sentiment.”
11. South Side of the Sky (Fragile, 1971)
“Easily the best yes song. Yes, better than roundabout, and definitely owner of a lonely heart (I personally think that the song is not that good) but everyone member of yes has their part to it, and the piano is beautiful”
10. Long Distance Runaround (Fragile, 1971)
“Bill Bruford did such a great job on this song. I never get bored listening to this song, just as long as I concentrate on the awesome drum composition. It fits in so well with the music — the guitar and keyboard are so straightforward, but the drums are shifting the foundation left and right all the way through — yet the structure remains perfectly sharp..”
9. The Revealing Science of God (Tales from Topographic Oceans, 1973)
“The instrumentation is this song is astounding, the vocals are soaring AND have a deep meaning behind them, and it’s 22 minutes long. Classic Yes from an album that deserves more credit than it’s received”
8. Siberian Khatru (Close to the Edge, 1972)
“If I had to choose only one YES song in solitary confinement for the rest of my life this would be my choice. Amazing synthesis of rhythm, texture, tone, contrast, aura. SO much music packed into one track!”
7. And You and I (Close to the Edge, 1972)
“A worthy follow up to the masterpiece Close to the Edge, which allows the listener to catch their breath with a piece a bit more folk-like. But this turns into so much more. The middle section features a chord progression which seamlessly transitions into several different keys before the song climaxes with one of Anderson’s greatest vocal performances. One of the most tender and moving moments of the Yes catalog.”
See more: Isaac Hayes Albums Ranked
6. Owner of a Lonely Heart (90125, 1983)
“This song shouldn’t be hated by the ’70s Yes fans. I’m not saying it’s underrated or anything, since many people clearly like it, but I think since it’s short and more radio-friendly, many of the fans of Yes’s older songs dismiss and even hate this song for not being like those, and being too mainstream. This is true to an extent, but it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It isn’t my favorite Yes song, but you can still love it even if it doesn’t seem like an epic masterpiece like other songs. If you legitimately don’t like this song, then that’s fine, since it’s just personal taste and there’s nothing you can do to change that about yourself or anyone else.”
5. Starship Trooper (The Yes Album, 1971)
“Wow, this song is amazing. To me at least, the third part of this song (called “Wurm”) sounds especially unbelievable. It seems kinda simplistic at first but it sounds genius nonetheless, and it builds until it has many different instruments going at the same time, and that guitar solo in the last minute or so is legendary.”
4. The Gates of Delirium (Relayer, 1974)
“This song is not an easy listen, even by prog standards, especially during the middle part of the song. It took me probably 10 times of listening to this to fully appreciate it. But once you can truly appreciate it this song is absolutely mind blowing. The last 5 minutes of this song is probably the most beautiful part of any song yes ever made.”
3. Heart of the Sunrise (Fragile, 1971)
“I have no idea how they wrote this. It’s like the song has ADD. As soon as you get into the groove with one idea, it drifts to something totally different. And yet it works magnificently – the ideas keep coming back in fresh ways and it keeps you amazed for 10+ minutes. Wakeman’s work especially dazzles here. Easily a top tier Yes song by any measure.”
2. Roundabout (Fragile, 1971)
“Easily one of my favorite songs of all time, as well as one of the greatest songs of all time. My face beams every time I hear that little keyboard bit at the chorus: “In and around the lake, mountains come out of the sky and they stand there… Bananananananananana.” You know what I’m talking about. It also takes the spot for greatest keyboard solo of all time. Any Grand Theft Auto V fans who frequent the rock radio station is overjoyed when this song comes on.”
1. Close to the Edge (Close to the Edge, 1972)
“The best song by Yes for me, probably my favorite song of all time. It’s basically a modern symphony in that musical ideas are introduced, then developed and revisited in interesting ways (much like other songs in the Yes catalog). But this one stands out for being so raw and powerful, and all the pieces come together for a most glorious climax and ending to a musical piece I’ve heard. It deserves the #1 spot on this list.”
