Most Beautiful Yes Love Song

[Q]

What's the most beautiful Yes love song?

In general, Yes doesn't do love songs per se, but there have been exceptions. They are noted in the poll. Some seem to be a reach ("Roundabout" is included because, music aside, the lyrics are blatantly a love letter written by Jon while on the road), and if something is missing from the list, I apologize - just fire off a post below to correct the omission

Q

[mrgone3]

I vote for Onward,because it is the most beautiful love song.I love And You And I,but I never thought of it as a love song.I thought it was a song of enlightenment.Turn of the Century is beautiful.Probably one of the most beautiful songs written or recorded by the boys.But I thought it was more of a story than love song.Roundabout is the rock song!I know some don't consider ABWH as YES,but I'll throw these in.The Meeting.Rick's best piano solo.Quartet is also nice.Let's Pretend is also nice.YES doesn't do too many love songs.JOE

[Balrog]

I, too voted for "Onward". It's a relatively simple song (especially by Yes' standards), but its beautiful and seems to be heart-felt!

[Jackaranda]

I Am Waiting.

[Neverthirst]

I'm with Jack. No contest. Not even close.

I Am Waiting

[Joedude]

I rather enjoy Final Eyes.

I know not too many people here are thrilled with OYE, but I like Love Shine as much. A little more straight forward that what Yes usually does.

[Jallan]

I also like OYE, its currently one of three Im playing over and over. But I like Wonderlove best of all.

[Yes Oz]

I would have voted for "The Meeting" (IMO the ABWH period is more Yes than Drama). But in the songs that are listed in the poll I voted for "Turn of the Century".

But must admit that ALL the tracks listed are brilliant and amongst my all time favorites.

[Jackaranda]

Originally posted by Neverthirst
I'm with Jack. No contest. Not even close.

I Am Waiting

Neverthirst--Us Kentuckians have to stick together...Jack..

[Plastic Man]

i voted for roundabout...not the most beautiful, but the best one on the list.

[Trooper1129]

First I would have included The Meeting in this poll because I also feel that ABWH is Yes and should be considered as so....

However, my vote still would have to be for I Am Waiting.

[Jackaranda]

Turn of the Century, Hearts, Final Eyes...They're all good.

[Q]

Another boo-boo!

Not as bad as my leaving "Roundabout" out of the Best Rockers poll, but still a pretty blatant oversight ...

hey, nightliner, could you add "Hearts" to this poll?

Sorry, all!
Q

[Insane Teacher]

"Helpless hands soul revealing." This is my favorite moment in the most poetic and moving love song I have ever heard.

[Neverthirst]

Originally posted by Quantum
Another boo-boo!

Not as bad as my leaving "Roundabout" out of the Best Rockers poll, but still a pretty blatant oversight ...

hey, nightliner, could you add "Hearts" to this poll?

Sorry, all!
Q

We should start a poll to vote for Quantum's Best Poll Ommision!!!

Just kidding ...

They're Great!! keep them coming!

[Flo]

Turn of the Century and Changes !

[Q]

... amazed, but pleased that Turn of the Century has so many advocates.

This song is more obscure than many of the others on the list, and certainly somewhat musically understated, with less flourish than other Yes works ... but the heart of the lyric apparently has revealed itself to many ...

q

[Keith Perks]

Turn of the Century for its intensity, closely followed by Onward

[RobAdams]

TURN OF THE CENTURY is a beautiful song. It's a masterpiece. What a great story song from a band that doesn't really specialize in story songs. This is probably the sort of song we'd have gotten from Harry Chapin if he was an English prog rocker! The song touches me. And it's also wonderful that YES has survived past the TURN OF THE CENTURY.

[Yes Oz]

I particularly like the KTA version.

[ycantibu]

I voted for I Am Waiting, although there were other great songs to choose from. I love Final Eyes and Turn of the Century, for instance. Too bad we can only vote for one.

[bevan2004]

Wll I suppose I'll have to go for "If Only You Knew" as I've got it as my ringtone for when anybody in my family group phones.

However, I've been playing "The Meeting" a great deal recently and my wife (not a Yes fan) says that it is beautiful - what better praise!

If neither of the above it would have to be "Turn of the Century" which had me in tears at the NEC.

[cinderella]

:hearts:I Am Waiting. It had a lot of emotion. Final Eyes was a close second.

[Thoughtbecontact]

Interesting how these old threads are popping up........must be the bandwidth problems!


With the exception of Roundabout and AYAI, I feel the other songs listed here fit the definition of a love song, although they are not love songs in the traditional sense. For me, it has ALWAYS been AYAI, first of all, because it is definitely NOT in the traditional love song vein. But musicially, it is the most lush and majestic love song ever written by Yes.

Steve's steel screams out longing and passion. Rick's keyboards are pure romanticism. Combine that with Chris' powerful booming bass and the tenderness of Alan's tuned percussion and one has the musical version of the force of life. Combine all of that when Jon is on emotionally in concert with the lyrics and you have a piece that can turn even the most hardened person to mush.

So many people have noted that AYAI is being played so well on this tour--has anyone ever stopped to think why it reaches us so? It's because it speaks to a basic need--LOVE.

[JimBob]

I completely agree with Thoughtbecontact above. I think 'And You And I' is their best love song. I could never put it into words as she has so beautifully, so I won't even try to. It sounded so great at the Mohegan Sun on the tour, probably as good as on the CTTE tour. I think this year I listened to it in a different way, and not only heard the song, but felt the song.

[brotherofmine]

"Coming quickly to terms with all expression laid, emotion revealed as the ocean maid, all complete in the sights and seeds of life with you."
Has to be only one choice AYAI.

[SallyKhatru]

If Only you knew, Turn of the century and And You And I are very, very close:-)
Love them all.

[Yes Lover]

What about one of my all-time favorites, "Shoot High, Aim Low"? That song gives me chills and makes me tear up. It is so beautiful and haunting.

[cinderella]

Shoot High Aim Low is a beautiful song, but it's about war, and the blue fields in Nicaragua. Jon said, he's the helicopter pilot going in to blow everyone up, and Trevor is singing about love, and a guy having fun in a car with a girl.

[R'tanys]

Onward. Hands down. A semi-close second would be "Where Will You Be?"

[Jackaranda]

Well in 2002 I said it was no contest. It must be because I just voted for a different song than I did 2 years ago. So let's just say it's either Turn of the Century or I Am Waiting.

[Andersonic]

I just made TOTC jump to number 1. Maybe this is another great idea for a CDR...

[the'YES'kid]

Turn or the Century

ps - my brother used "Onward" for his wedding song.

[Gabriel]

This is a hard choice since there are so many great songs there, but for me its definatly got to be And You And I: Simply beautiful in every sence of the world both lyrically and musically. A masterpiece.

On a side note, I found what Cinerella said about Shoot High was rather interesting; I thought that the term shoot high, aim low and break high, shoot low was something to do with plans or helicopters.

[Mike Watkins]

"Don't Kill the Whale"

[cinderella]

Originally posted by Gabriel

On a side note, I found what Cinerella said about Shoot High was rather interesting; I thought that the term shoot high, aim low and break high, shoot low was something to do with plans or helicopters.

Yeah it does. The lyrics to Shoot High Aim Low were so confusing to me when I first heard it, because what Jon is singing about isn't fitting with what Trevor is singing about. Then I read this interview, and I can't remember if it was Jon or Trevor who said it, but they said that when you listen to the song, just remember that Jon is singing about what the soldier is really doing, and Trevor is singing about what he wants to be doing. Then it makes sense.

It's such a beautiful song.

[Gabriel]

I know what you mean; when I first heard it for some reason it didnt click but the second time I heard it I was blown away... I dont want to go off topic here but let me just say that it really touched something...I was just in awe basically.

I'm glad to see that And You And I is getting alot of votes!

[Mr. Holland]

For me it was a choice between "Onward" and "And You And I". I especially love the Keys version of Onward, I think the acoustic guitar suits the song much better and brings in that extra emotional touch. I finally went with AYAI, that song has been growing more and more on me and especially the version they did in Wembley 2004 was absolute magic and made tears roll from my eyes. It is such shear beauty!!

[Mr. Holland]

I just made TOTC jump to number 1. Maybe this is another great idea for a CDR...

I just made AYAI equal with TOTC again!....lol

[paulovajao]

All above including,Madrigal!!!!probably i´m not good at this choices,patience.

[Ridvan]

My vote would have to go to "I'm Alive" from the ABWH album. To me it has one of the most beautiful lyrics ever written of any love song. Heck, all of Quartet would qualify. Otherwise, Chris's Onward would be a distant second.

[tardistraveler]

Ooh, I'll have to get back to you on this one. Most beautiful - does that mean most sentimental, or most melodic, or most evocative, or just my personal favorite?

I'll have to think about it.

[Scooty]

The Meeting...(Yes it counts!!)

Im Alive..as Will so elequently stated is simply wonderous

Onward is pretty

But believe it or not my favorite is ..."If Only you Knew"....ugh..makes me tear up every time..speaks to the women that just didnt understand that i was the one for them..oh well...especially my ex-girlfriend

Scoot

[yesyadda]

In college, I'd make out with my girlfriend to 'Ritual'. Yup- a 21:35 smooch/grope fest!

[Mr. Holland]

In college, I'd make out with my girlfriend to 'Ritual'. Yup- a 21:35 smooch/grope fest!

Then from now on I advise you to put on the Symphonic version.......that'll give you about 7 minutes extra time.... :D

[tardistraveler]

I LOVE Ritual! :D

"Hold me my love, hold me today, call me round. . ." Sounds like a love song to ME.

I notice it didn't make the poll.

I'm still trying to narrow my thoughts on this one. Love is so present in all of Yes music.

[prem895]

Turn of the Century~ Hands down

[yesyadda]

Then from now on I advise you to put on the Symphonic version.......that'll give you about 7 minutes extra time.... :D

I will take that under advisement...YOU CAD!
P.S.- I'm married to that gal now. I sometimes remind her when I play Ritual, and she doesn't remember. What an impression both the music and I made- NOT.

[John Khatru]

call it a love song or a ballad....

while I do like Onward, Turn Of The Century, Hearts & I'm Waiting...I've always liked Yesterday and Today from their first album... it's just a really simple and pretty song that has a really nice melody and the lyrics aren't sappy

[Earl Grey]

And You And I.

It's a love song to the universe...
And to that cute gal in the front row...

Such an amazing thing, and it IS a love song.

The best ever.

[Mr. Holland]

I will take that under advisement...YOU CAD!
P.S.- I'm married to that gal now. I sometimes remind her when I play Ritual, and she doesn't remember. What an impression both the music and I made- NOT.

Well, it's never to late to make a lasting impression, maybe you should make it a RITUAL!! ;) :D

[yesyadda]

Actually, I did get myself in the doghouse the other day- big time. I think what would be appropriate is to dance her around the house to one of our favorites - Rod Stewart singing "Have I Told You Lately..." Sappy but effective.

[stevepenn]

TOTC is such a great romantic song. It's grand and beautiful and I love it. But it's a story and while I get tears every time I hear it, the 3rd person point of view makes Jon a storyteller, not a participant. It's one of my all time favorites, but for the personal point of view I chose to look at this differently.

That's why I vote for Onward, with If Only You Knew coming in right behind. The voice is first person and by that very technique it seems far more personal to me. He's speaking to his love.

I'm a bit surprised nobody's mentioned Sweetness. I LOVE that song. I would add a vote for Sweetness because it's a simple but great song. And the point of view is interesting, too.

So the delegation from St. Paul casts four votes for different candidates. There. I cheated. :)

[Timmo]

A Y A I


TIM
Venice, CA

[Amy]

LOL!!
Are you sure??!!

[Andy56]

I voted for TOTC, but what about Quartet from ABWH; clearly 4 love songs - I particularly like "I Wanna Learn" - great melody.

[Timmo]

LOL!!
Are you sure??!!

Y E S

TIM
Venice, CA

[michael]

Turn Of The Century

[Roan's Lady]

Turn Of The Century

Agreed. Of course.

[Gabriel]

In college, I'd make out with my girlfriend to 'Ritual'. Yup- a 21:35 smooch/grope fest!

Respect to that my son! ;)

[mattquarterstein]

Are AYAI and Roundabout really love songs?

Abilene's a love song! That should be on the poll. And Sweetness, and Yesterday and Today!

I voted If Only You Knew. A little poppy, but Jon seems to mean what he's singing. Jane is so lucky to have him.

[Original_Shifty]

Are AYAI and Roundabout really love songs?

I don't know about Roundabout, but Jon says AYAI is, and if he says it is so, then it it so.

[bdyescall]

I voted for "Onward" only because "The Meeting" wasn't on the list.

[TroopersOwnz]

I voted for Onward because it is a song that really captures the emotion and the meaning of love in a way that is rarely seen today. Its even more so in the day of cheesy romantic comedies and Britney Spears music (yes its an oxymoron). AYAI has themes of love but i interpreted them as a sort of religious or spiritual love rather than a romantic one and Onward is not lightheated or feelgood, its more hopeful and powerful.

[ANTIOCH]

"To Be Over" is a beatiful 'love' song, but "And You and I" is my list choice.

[yes_angel]

Soon, Onward and Turn Of The Century

[MyLadySquire]

Onward

[LupineRagdoll]

I'm voting for Turn of the Century. The story of it is so beautiful, and so sad..I cried the first time I heard it (I guess I shouldn't have been listening to it in front of my sisters, I got teased so much for that :P) Such a great song!

[DaveJB]

Turn of the Century. It's still wonderful and moving after all these years! I was really hoping to hear that on this tour. Oh well, maybe next time!

[DaveJB]

Wow, I must admit, Troopersownz put it really well! Good for you. That's a really good summation.

[rickweber]

I voted for Hearts. It's my fav from 90125. There is a beautiful love song on the first album: Yesterday and Today. Mellow, it flows, very nice. Give it a listen. This one should be on the list.

[rickweber]

Sweetness is another love song. I guess there are better ones, but it's easy to forget those early training numbers.

[Awakened by the Gates]

AYAI. Always get goosebumps and a blushing feel to my skin when hearing the intro - and I am male and 49! LOL :-)

[squiredevotee]

I have to go with "Wonderous Stories".

[Hill St.]

TOTC,I just love this song.The vocals, the guitar work...great song!

[ELLIS]

My fave has always been Yesterday and Today.

[raz]

I voted for 'If only you knew',

but i like all of the ones in the list above

[Amy]

And You And I

When I heard it at Allentown....I cried.
That song never touched me that way before.
It suddenly has a whole new depth that goes way beyond the music itself.

[cactus jon]

"And you and I called over valleys of endless seas"

Makes me misty eyed. Now if I could just find you!!

[wefollowthesun]

You and I ...so beautiful and because The Meeting was not on the list

[DW Duke]

Turn of the Century

[allgoodyes]

"Turn Of The Century" followed closely by "Onward" and "Final Eyes"

[geddy]

To be over

[Deliriumyes]

To be over


Why isn't this on the poll? I agree, "To Be Over" is the best, most beautiful Yes love song.

[Skyward]

Neverthirst--Us Kentuckians have to stick together...Jack..

As a transplanted Virginian, do you suppose there's a proximity component to this, Jack? "I am Waiting"...hands down.

[Jackaranda]

Yeah!! That's good.

I can't remember posting or what I posted, but on any given day it could be different. Depends.

As said above, TBO would certainly be there. But it's more than a love song to me. It's just an amazing piece of work.

[Kaytou]

Although I voted "Onward" from the list, my real favorite is really "The meeting" from AWBH.

"Only when you looked, did I realize......"

[crotale2112]

Five per cent for nothing I find can be quite romantic.

:worm:

[flep]

After voting it seems I voted with the majority with "Turn of her Century"

But how can you say which Yes song is the most beautiful

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

[flep]

The again after all that has been written have we all forgot about

"SOON"

[Hill St.]

I voted TOTC but prefer ITPO.

[Skyward]

The again after all that has been written have we all forgot about

"SOON"
"Soon" seems to be more of a spiritual awakening with an underpinning of universal love as opposed to a love song in the more traditional sense. There can be no question as to its emotionally gripping content. Which reminds me. Does anyone else here 'hear' the song of the Humpback whale in Steve's pedal steel ( I assume ) work in this piece? Just an observation.

[Ormando]

Yesterday and Today -- from the YES album is an exceptionally stunning love song.

[True Believer]

I originally voted for If Only You Knew but am leaning a bit towards Onward these days.

[stpetefl]

I kept with the idea of "beautiful", not best song. Onward is clearly a love song, maybe the only one they ever did, or at least the only "tender" one. I Am Waiting may be considered a love song, should be considered a great song, but too intense to be a "beautiful" love song. Turn Of The Century is a story song about lost love. AYAI seems to be another story song. I can't describe the others as "beautiful", except The Meeting, which seems to be more of a spiritual song, and it appears Rick agrees with that view.

[PrimeMover]

Five per cent for nothing I find can be quite romantic.

:worm:

Yeah I've planned to have that song on my wedding..

[joecool]

Turn of the Century, hands down. Not just the story, but the way Steve and Rick's playing interact is amazing. Definately the highlight of the 35th anniversary show.

[Roan's Lady]

Turn of the Century, hands down. Not just the story, but the way Steve and Rick's playing interact is amazing. Definately the highlight of the 35th anniversary show.

I agree with you regarding TOTC being the quintessential Yes love song. I wish I could say the same re. it being the highlight of their latest tour. I'd give that accolade to And You and I, which in my opinion, isn't a love song in the "romantic" sense. But the love in that room (MSG) when they played it was astounding.

[Skyward]

Hmmm...I guess the animal lover in me provides me with a host of acoustic hallucinations. ; )

[Amy]

I agree with you regarding TOTC being the quintessential Yes love song. I wish I could say the same re. it being the highlight of their latest tour. I'd give that accolade to And You and I, which in my opinion, isn't a love song in the "romantic" sense. But the love in that room (MSG) when they played it was astounding.
Yes it was....and I picked And You and I for the best love song, but the highlight of the last tour still goes to Ritual.

[DW Duke]

Your Move seems like it has elements of a love song told in the third person. Its a very smiple song but sounds great.

[Faceintheplace]

My Top 5:

5. Final Eyes
4. Onward (the instrumental version on the Tormato Remaster and Steve's intro on the KTA version can get me really emotional on the right day.)
3. Yesterday and Today (my pick for glaring ommision from this poll)
2. Turn of the Century
1. And You And I

[neilius]

Final eyes.

[vivafra]

Definitely, And you and I, followed by Turn of the century.
Onward is nice, but too new age for being very good.........

[Jackaranda]

And You And I at Tsongas moves me like very few songs ever have.

[Faceintheplace]

Another one that should be here, Time and a Word.

[SadPreacher]

Saving My Heart on Union.......

[SadPreacher]

only because i do not consider And You And I to be a real love song....it is a song of passion but not love per se.........

[tormatotork]

Onward

[cjreyes]

Had to go with "If Only You Knew"......surprise, surprise. Onward second. TOTC third.

[Close to Loch Ness]

Turn of the Century - brings tears to a glass eye.

[soul warrior]

one of my all time favorite love songs didnt make the poll

Sweetness
Anderson/Squire/Bailey

She brings the sunshine to a rainy afternoon
She puts the sweetness in and stirs it with a spoon,
She watches for my moods and never brings me down
She puts the sweetness in all around
She knows just what to say to make me feel so good inside
And when I'm all alone I feel I don't want to hide
Today she bought me in and told me where she'd been
She put my mind at rest and put the sweetness in
I'll ask her for some time to go and look around
She puts the sweetness in all around
She knows just what to say to make a sunny day
And when I'm all alone I really don't feel that way.
Tell me how would you feel with no world of your own
And nobody to hold, I just can't see the way
I'm so glad it's today and you're here, you're here.
Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo
Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo

She brings the sunshine to a rainy afternoon
She puts the sweetness in and stirs it with a spoon,
She watches for ALL my moods never brings me down
She puts the sweetness in all around
She knows just what to say to make a sunny day
And when I'm all alone I really don’t feel that way
Oh how I need her so, I know she’ll never ever go
Do do do do do do She’ll never leave me, believe me - no
Do do do do do do She’ll never go, no no
No no no no no no no no no - no!

[Andy56]

one of my all time favorite love songs didnt make the poll

Ditto -
'The Meeting' on ABWH is my favorite and since it was played on the last tour I consider it Yes music.
O.K. its not man-woman, but man to his God - it's a love song all the same.

Andy

[luckeydoug1]

1. Hearts
2. Final Eyes

[Vic Anderson]

if only you knew and hearts

[rgfudd99]

I voted for TotC. It's so beautiful that it can bring me to tears even all these years after first hearing it. It is so powerful. I know that Onward is a popular choice too and I do like the song but it just doesn't move me in the same way as TotC. There is an instrumental version of Onward on the Tormato re-issue which I think is great.