why is roundabout not that popular among yesfans?

[Hernan1987]

I find roundabout one of the best classic rock songs of all times among with "stairway to heaven" and "child in time". I find it a "perfect" song ... not very proggy but perfect. Everyone who doesn't listen to yes loves this song and I find it strange that a song like "south side of the sky" beats it in yesfans polls.

_The classic acoustic guitar intro
_the fast bass riff
_The bass right before the chorus.
_the great vocal harmonies
_the catchy chorus with the organ/guitar riff
_The majestic and unusual percussion with the loud bass and hammond organ riffs in the middle of the song.
_The rocking Hammond organ solo
_Steve Howe's short solos

[Timmo]

We've all heard it so much, that we take it for granted.

Roundabout is an awesome song!

Listen to what Chris is doing on the bass...man oh man!

[umgekehrt]

Some purists probably consider it to be too "poppy" compared to CTTE or HOTS. Of course it's not true but they think any song that does good in the charts is not worthy.

[nightliner]

I used to like Roundabout quite a bit, but I've heard it TOO many times.

It also usually means the end of a Yes concert. That is not a good thing.

[wolfhound]

Hernan1987, I totally agree. Also on your thoughts about the Symphonic dvd.
I guess there've been moments when I could pass on hearing Roundabout.
Sometimes, the group have given a lackluster performance of it, but that's to be expected.
I'm one of those folks who never tire of hearing the Dead play St. Steven.
The songs work cuz they're excellent.

[Sheerah]

Roundabout ROCKS!
Always has.
Always will!

[custom55]

It's like Stairway to Heaven...EXCELLENT song but the radio stations played it to death.

[JL]

I don't know about it being "not proggy". The bass line is unreal. In the context of pre-CTTE progressive rock, it's a pretty major achievement. I love it.


The thing is, it's on the same album as South Side and HOTS, and I love them more.

I love hearing Yes on the radio, I just wish they'd pick another song. Great songs can fall victim to overexposure the same as bad ones, they just remain great. Roundabout is a case in point.

[gunsfornuns]

I suppose this my be heresy, but Roundabout is a masterpiece. Stairway to Heaven is a drag. Some bands just had to write a long song, and some bands wrote long songs because the songs were supposed to be long.

But that's just me.

[Andy56]

Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden does a radio show in the U.K. and he once said that Roundabout was the only Yes track that he liked, because it was more mainstream rock and "a half decent tune" or some other such nonsense.

It's funny how you can go off people.

Despite his damning with faint praise, I still love Roundabout, it was the first Yes song I heard and I think the Yessongs version is still the best recording around.

[JaneEyre]

I love "Roundabout," especially the bass. It's one of my favorites.

[brotherofmine]

I DO like roundabout but when you have heard a million billion times it does wear a bit thin ...especially the hundred million times it's been used as the encore. Do I exaggerate? Well..maybe a bit. :D

[Sheerah]

No Tony.
You NEVER exaggerate ;)

[Koko]

I suppose this my be heresy, but Roundabout is a masterpiece. Stairway to Heaven is a drag. Some bands just had to write a long song, and some bands wrote long songs because the songs were supposed to be long.

But that's just me.

Makes Total Sense to Me

[Vic Anderson]

i love roundabout its just when you hear it a billion times it wers a little bit thin

up somebody else said the same thing...

[tardistraveler]

Yeah, I don't think it's that Yesfans think it's a bad song, it's just that we've heard it LOTS of times in concert, since it's usually their encore song (or one of them), and as hard-core fans, we'd like to hear other things too!

I LOVE Roundabout!

A funny story - this year - 4/28/04 in Atlanta, Yes played Roundabout as part of the acoustic set, rather than the encore. As the show ended, a guy in front of us said, "Hey, they didn't play Roundabout!" LOL

Guess the acoustic version just didn't have the same impact . . .

[cinderella]

I love Roundabout. It was playing when I had my first kiss. *sigh*<img src="http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/inlove.gif">

[InverYes]

It is a great song but overplayed - and the performing of it can vary tremendously. On some weeds I've heard it can still sound amazing, on others it can sound like the band are just going through the motions.

[Chefstarship]

I love Roundabout. It was playing when I had my first kiss. *sigh*<img src="http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/inlove.gif">
I swear on my first copy of Fragile,it was my first kiss and make-out song too.

[rememberer]

I still never get tired of hearing Roundabout... I do kinda wish they'd tucked in a little more of the vocal harmonies at the end into the acoustic version, it's really haunting how the original version leaves the building, but even then I don't seem to get tired of hearing it...

SSOTS is awesome song in its own right, and... well, it's kind of the "prodigal song," I guess, I would probably vote for it over Roundabout just because I'm so very glad to see it back on the setlists... Doesn't seem like that long ago there was a fan question at Jon's site about if they were ever going to play it again...

[cinderella]

I swear on my first copy of Fragile,it was my first kiss and make-out song too.

Really? Wow that Roundabout must have been some pretty powerful stuff back then huh!!

[yesyadda]

I'll listen to Roundabout from the Fragile album now and then. It's a great song and I still enjoy the studio version, but it's kind of like hearing 'Freebird' for the umpteenth time. As for playing it during a show- forget it. At this stage, it comes off as a worn-out one hit wonder from days gone by. However, I have always noticed that the crowd 'seems' to enjoy it!

[1yesfan]

I know I am TIRED of hearing it. They really need to put it up for a tour or two.

[Earl Grey]

I liked Roundabout delegated to the acoustic section, as they did last tour.

Here's the thing: I LOVE Roundabout.

But: Reiterating what most have said here, it's the one song we've probably heard more than Siberian Khatru.
Which I also love, and don't grow as weary of: Khatru has more room for change, during the outro... Always a good place for Howe to plumb new musical territory.

Roundabout, on the other hand, doesn't have any room within the song for expository jamming. So it always sounds similar live.

I loved the bluesy acoustic-take on Roundabout from this last tour.

Here's an idea. What if YES played a similar blues-grooved Roundabout live, but as an electric version of the song?

It would be a way of keeping this all time popular song in the set-list, while allowing for musical evolution at the same time.

Just an idea, I love the song, am a bit weary of hearing it live, but there must be a way to make us ALL happy...

I'd love to hear Howe and Co trade impromptu blues licks back and forth at the end, with the edge of added electricity!

Earlie-G:yesbird:

[smatt]

Love it, not my favorite, but love it nevertheless!

:band:

[Orbert]

"Roundabout" was the song that I first remember hearing on the radio and knowing it was Yes. I bought Fragile with money saved up from my paper route because I had to hear what an album by these guys would sound like, and I was not disappointed. To this day, I still remember the joy of ripping off the shrinkwrap in the car on the way home, opening the gatefold, and finding the little picture book inside. Way cool! Mom, of course, was driving, as I was only 12.

"Roundabout" is Yessish enough to be Yes, but straightforward enough rock to get on the air in the early 70's. Good thing, too!

I would find later that "All Good People" sounded very familiar, and obviously it came first, but I didn't know it was Yes at the time. "Roundabout" started it for me, and it's still a favorite.

And get this: It's my favorite song on the album (yes, over SSotS and HotS) and I never turn it off when it comes on the radio. I don't listen to the radio that much, so it's not overplayed for me. It's still a favorite.

[cinderella]

I went grocery shopping this evening. Roundabout was playing in the store.

Pretty good music to shop to. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Cinderella528/N99/FrogsToadBigGrin.gif

[Chefstarship]

Roundabout started it for me as it did for so many of us.What I dislike about the presentation is the way it is usually featured as an encore hand clapper.I wish they would feature it earlier in the show and play it for all that it`s worth.They however have played it so many times.I only wish to hear it live again.

[Dragonlady]

I still love Roundabout.
Live and recorded, I liked the acoustic version too.

[VanDerGraaf]

I think they should OPEN with the full length "plugged in" version of Roundabout!
That'd turn heads, and be a cool way to deal with the slightly problematic situation of a "best loved" song that's perhaps seen a bit too much action...

[Earl Grey]

I went grocery shopping this evening. Roundabout was playing in the store.

Pretty good music to shop to. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Cinderella528/N99/FrogsToadBigGrin.gif

Hey Cindy!

It's a bitter cup of coffee when we start hearing OUR music delegated to the grocery store, yipes. :D

Somehow, it made me feel young when I still heard my parent's stuff played by The 101 Strings over the loudspeakers!

uRlIe:ele:

[Earl Grey]

I think they should OPEN with the full length "plugged in" version of Roundabout!
That'd turn heads, and be a cool way to deal with the slightly problematic situation of a "best loved" song that's perhaps seen a bit too much action...

Excellent idea VanDerGraaf!

I heard YES play Siberian Khatru in the middle of a set, the only time they ever did that. Hawaii, 2003. And the song took on a whole different perspective. Priceless.

I think that if YES put Roundabout anywhere else in the set but at the end, it would suddenly sound fresh again.

Good point there!
uRl:yesbird:

[Amy]

It's a bitter cup of coffee when we start hearing OUR music delegated to the grocery store, yipes. :D

uRlIe:ele:
Yes it is!.....and commercials!
So true.

[tardistraveler]

I'll listen to Roundabout from the Fragile album now and then. It's a great song and I still enjoy the studio version, but it's kind of like hearing 'Freebird' for the umpteenth time. As for playing it during a show- forget it. At this stage, it comes off as a worn-out one hit wonder from days gone by. However, I have always noticed that the crowd 'seems' to enjoy it!


Well, somehow, to me anyway, it just doesn't seem quite right when they don't encore with Roundabout!

I remember Atlanta, 2002, when the did YIND as an encore, and I was actually disappointed! Then they followed with Roundabout, and I felt like all was right with the world! LOL

Although, I DO like the idea of opening with it - that would put a new perspective on things!

[Orbert]

Roundabout would be a terrific opening song! Heck it opens the album it's on, and it was the "opener" for so many of us, why not?

Jethro Tull used to open their shows with a strong number from the latest album, then bang! right into Aqualung, easily their most recognized tune. Grab the audience, fire them up, and get that song out of the way, all at once. There's no reason why Roundabout has to be "saved" until later. Encores used to be an extra something you got. Nowadays, it's expected. Plus, if Yes leave the stage without playing it, you know darned well they're going to come back out and "surprise" us with it. Bleah. I think the less predictability in a live show, the better.

[cinderella]

Hey Cindy!

It's a bitter cup of coffee when we start hearing OUR music delegated to the grocery store, yipes. :D

Somehow, it made me feel young when I still heard my parent's stuff played by The 101 Strings over the loudspeakers!

uRlIe:ele:

Hee hee!! Yipes is right! I've also heard Stairway To Heaven in the store.
That cracked me up!http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Cinderella528/N99/xmaslol.gif

[Jackaranda]

Well, somehow, to me anyway, it just doesn't seem quite right when they don't encore with Roundabout!



I agree. I haven't seen Yes in a few years, but I can't imagine a Yes concert without Roundabout closing it.

I think it's a great song, and we're all just a bit worn on it. But I love it.

One great thing is to have so many different versions of it. I guess I have at least a dozen. The best, for me anyway, is the Tormato tour version. I've never heard them just absolutely kick a** like they do on that version of Roundabout.

[tardistraveler]

I knew I was getting old when I heard "House of the Rising Sun" as Muzak in a restaurant! :lmao:

[Ezer Coneza]

I think Roundabout is so npopular as it is so up b eat and has a simple rythm that you can just like stand up and jump around clapping to.

it isn't the best yes piece in technical terms, but it gets everyone in the mood for Yes

[SonicDeath10]

i think because it's somewhat of a "pop" song, or at least it was popular. i can't get that nagging bass riff out of my head, and the ending is amazing, in terms of construction. the song isn't as complex as other Yes songs, but it's damn catchy.

[Earl Grey]

Roundabout is the strangest popular song I've ever heard in my life.

It outdoes 'Dead Skunk In The Middle Of The Road'.

Cosmic Consciousness and the Top 40.

Oil and H... Two oxygen molocules thank you.

Roundabout is sheer genius.

:ele:

[Paul D]

Roundabout is the strangest popular song I've ever heard in my life.

That's the best way to put it. It doesn't fit the popular mold, even in its abbreviated version.

[jfuruno]

As a bass player, I just get depressed when I here it. I am always hearing some little fill Chris does, and am left standing there going, "what the hell was that?"

[Faceintheplace]

I agree with what some of the others said, to me it means the end of a Yes show. And I've heard the studio version SO many times.

But everynow and then I've just got to rock out to a live version. Yes have done some cool variations on it over the years. My favorites are; the extended jam ending on late 70s versions where Steve goes really crazy, the 90s versions with Chris slipping in bass riffs from Sly and the Family Stone songs (I'm surprised more people don't bring that up, on the SLO version he's playing part of 'I Wanna Take You Higher'), and the different intro on the Symphonic tour version. My all time favorite would have to be the live version on Classic Yes.

[Scaramouche]

Rick Wakeman once called Owner of a Lonely Heart, 'The Roundabout of the 1980's'

We all know what a worldwide sensation 'Owner' was in the 80's and coming from a man in the know like Rick so obviously is, his compariaon leads us to beleive that Roundabout did a simular job in the 70's.

Maybe on not so grander a scale but none this less this song was a definite hit.

It is this song, along with others of the album like 'LDR', 'SSOTS' and 'HOTS', which paved the way for the more extended pieces that were to come later on 'CTTE' and 'TFTO'

If it wasn't for Fragile and this song in particular, I don't think YES would have reached the status they did and as a result the next and best four YES albums may not have been made.

In retrospect every YES fan should doff their cap when Roundabout is played.

Love and Perpetual Changes.

Scaramouche xx

[1097]

I will use Rush an an analogy. While we appreciate "The Spirit of the Radio" and "Tom Sawyer," we dig deeper into our souls when we listen to Cygnus X-1, 2112, and the like. It is in these complex and grand compositions where we truly appreciate the musicanship of these bands...

Just my $ .02

Alan K

[TempusRoundabout]

Roundabout was the song that first got me into Yes. It always will hold a special place. Well, Roundabout is a catchy song, the kind that can get stuck into your head if you don't listen to it over and over again.

[Hill St.]

"Roundabout" was my introduction to Yes.From there I went backwards then forwards with the band.Yes,the song is overplayed and I don't need to hear it when I see them.But,I've never grown tired of this song.It is the benchmark for many fans.

[sunburstbasser]

I love the song! Its just not my favorite. Its gets way overplayed compared to everything else Yes does, too. I mean, "Owner of a Lonely Heart" was the #1 but I've heard "Roundabout" 100,000,000 times more than OoaLH on the radio.

So I turned the radio off!:D

[DaveJB]

I enjoy hearing Roundabout, as does most everyone else here. I enjoy seeing it live, I was hoping to hear the updated version this last tour. It was in the part of the set they dropped when DT was added.

With that said, it still rocks hard, even after all these playings. Sometimes though, you'd like hearing something else from the back catalogue.

[Skyward]

As a result of being overplayed and relied upon far too heavily as an anchor at concerts, the musical appeal of this number has long since started to wear off. The appreciation of the musicianship involved, however, has not and likely never will!