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05-05-2002, 12:23 AM
Released in 1988. What are your thoughts on this recording?

@ALBUM: city.angels
Author: Jon Anderson
Album title: In The City Of Angels
@SONG: Hold On To Love


There you have it
You see this love regretting
There's something wrong again
But you had it
In the palm of your hand

Your heart has started bleeding
You gotta get out
You're leaving
You're on your own forever

It's not the space or time or whether
You can leave
You want You can't have
You need You can't touch
You plead It's enough, enough

There's something happening to ya
Love can see right through ya
In a world of make believe
Don't go throwing it all away

Hold on to love
Hold on to love
Treat it as a good thing
Be always ready
With that electric feeling

You work so hard
To be in love with her
She tries so hard
You gotta let it go

Hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on


The more and more you hear it
The more it seems to make sense
To hold love in the palm of your hand

But you think that round the corner
They're queuing up to hold her
But that won't make a difference in the end

There's not the space or time or whether
You can leave
You want You can't have
You need You can't touch
You plead It's enough, enough

There's something happening to ya
Love can see right through ya
In a world of make believe
Don't go throwing it all away
Hold on to love
There's nothing more important
Treat it as a good thing
Be always ready
With that electric feeling

You work so hard
To be in love with her
She tries so hard
You gotta let it go

Hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on

- Solo -

You work so hard
To be in love with her
She tries so hard
You gotta let it go

Hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on

Hold on to love
There's nothing more important
Hold on to love
Don't let it pass you by
Hold on to love
There's nothing so important
Hold it in the palm of your hand
Yeah, yeah

Hold on to love
There's nothing more important
Hold on to love
Don't ever let it pass you by

Hold on to love
Hold on to love
Treat it as a good thing
Treat it as a good thing
Treat it as a good, good thing

@SONG: If It Wasn't For Love (Oneness Family)


If it wasn't for love
The moon would disappear
The seas would crash into the land
The sun would not appear
And tears would dry up in the sand

If it wasn't for love

If it wasn't for love
The children of the sun
They would all but melt away
Believe me that would be
An unnecessary day - oh my
If it wasn't for love

If it wasn't for love
I'd still be all alone
And completely in the dark
No friends would help me through the night
No singing in the park - oh my
If it wasn't for love

All we need is the truth in our hand
Someone to call a friend
Never fear the darkness
All we need is just the sun in the sky
And the hope of a summer to come
With the meaning of love

If it wasn't for love
Well how do you expect
A woman to need a man
They'd dry up all inside
As if life has never begun

If it wasn't for love

If it wasn't for love
The world would disappear
And we would fly off to the sky
The hatred and the sorrow would be
Showing in our eyes - oh my
If it wasn't for love

When the moment of truth comes alive
How we'll rejoice and sing the blues away
There's no telling just how we will feel
So important is that very day

We'll imagine a change in our heart
Sometimes it's hard to explain the truth
But we'll see and will know
There's no doubt about it
The meaning of love

- Solo -

If it wasn't for love
The moon would disappear
The seas would crash into the land
The sun would not appear
And tears would dry up in the sand

If it wasn't for love

If it wasn't for love
The children of the sun
They would all but melt away
Believe me that would be
An unnecessary day - oh my
If it wasn't for love

Oh my - if it wasn't for love
Oh my - if it wasn't for love
Oh my - if it wasn't for love

@SONG: Sundancing (For The Hopi/Navajo Energy)


I, he said, release hold it there
Cannot hold it down at all anymore
I begot a singer of song
How it looked to find this destiny there

I, he said, release to the laws
As he set to find the answer to give
How he chased so far for the laws
They would change his whole perception to live

See the sun can dance to the sky

So he walked to path a mountain to climb
With a song he walked right up to the sky
There amazed he saw as clear as the day
Getting into tune we shout at the system

How we play this man-made dream of the fear
How we play this man-made dream of desire
How we dance awake this song of the earth -
Come along


The four new laws will enter the world
Add a new dimension changing it all

One new law we travel so fast
Number two will be the salt of the earth

Number three will be our guide to the stars
Number four will be the witness to love
As the four new laws will enter the world
As the four new laws will enter the world


Come alive the singers out of the sun
Come alive the dancers out of the moon
Come alive the passion all to the great
We can dance the sundance all of the way

Can you dance the dream awake in your life

As he said, release can't hold any longer

Only wanted too
Ever wanted too
Getting ready too
Always wanted too

As it ever is
As it ever will
As it ever can
As it ever is

Get, get, get, get, get, get what you need

- Solo -

See the four new laws will enter the world
See the four new laws will enter the world

See the four new laws will enter the world
See the four new laws will enter the world


@SONG: Is It Me


Is it something
Is it something said
I know you're lost
Like someone who's lonely
And cannot see the way

I still love you
There's some things that bind
And so the tale is just a moral of love
It comes and it goes with time

Don't think about the worries
My love will change you
Someday you'll find room
In your heart for my love again

Is it me
Is it me that
Hurt you so badly
Are you ready
Are you changed for this
Because I know that it's not always going

The way you see
Things don't easily change
Those facts of love
That come with the moment
Just memories remain

Don't think about your worries
My love will change you
And open up this feeling of love
In your heart again

Was it me
Was it me that
Hurt you so badly
Are you ready
Are you changed for this
I couldn't stand another day without you

Is it love
Is it this love
Are you ready to be counting
I'm your lover
I'm your everything
And you won't always be telling me
It's all over

- Solo -

Was it me
It's another world
Was it me that
It's another time
Hurt you so badly
I can't believe in love without you

Are you ready
It's another day
Are you changed at all
It's another place
I couldn't stand another day without you
I can't believe in love without you

I'm in love
It's another world
I'm in this love
It's another time
It's not easy when I feel so strong about you
I can't believe in love without you

There's no other
It's another day
There's no one but you
It's another time
I couldn't stand another day without your love
I can't believe in love without you


@SONG: In A Lifetime


You never realize
How you throw your love away
You never know how much it hurts
Living without love

I was the one
Who wandered on my own
Looking for some familiar road

I was a diamond man at night
I was a fool that couldn't believe at all
Then I met you once again
And you showed me you can't give
Until you're strong enough to love

How could I begin
With no foundation in my heart
And it wasn't until I saw
My life in your eyes

At last I've found true love
Without someone to love, without someone
There's no reason to live
At last I've found true love
In a lifetime


It's never the same
When your dreams have gone away
A day seems like a year
When your love has disappeared

I'm suddenly more aware of you
N' all the things that I've got to do
I'm yours forever and you're mine
And I just don't want to waste another
Day of time

At last I've found true love
Without someone to love, without someone
There's no reason to live
At last I've found true love
In a lifetime

There was a time, there was a time
I got caught in the middle
Of the darkest night - suddenly
Suddenly I could feel
A power so divine

Oh don't you ever deny my heart
And all the things love stands for
'Cos there's no way
I could ever find a love so right
Not in any other lifetime
I believe this love's so right

At last I've found true love
Without someone to love, without someone
There's no reason to live

At last I've found true love
True love
True love
In a lifetime
In a lifetime

At last I've found true love
Without someone to love
There's no reason at all


@SONG: For You


Tell me that I would sing
Soft as a song would bring
All of a union together in my life
Tell me I'm everyone
As where my heart is searching
Now is finally resting again

Oh, for the perfect sound
Jon, Jon, for my life
As it's something that I must
Explain this and all to you
Haven't you guessed it
Haven't you guessed it at all
This song is for you
This song is for you

- Solo -

Oh, for the perfect sound
Jah, Jah, for my life
As it's something that I must
Explain this and all to you
Haven't you guessed it
Haven't you guessed it at all
This song is for you
This song is for you

@SONG: New Civilisation


Can you imagine all the world
Decided where we're going
Can you imagine a new dance
They call it syncopation
Ain't it right to think the start
Of anything just means there's
Something going on - yeah
Something going on - yeah, yeah, yeah

We change our style
We change our clothes upon
This day called summer
To specialize electric
We called a connection brother
Can you imagine how the older
Order took this as a challenge
To democracy

That Saturday night dream
That Saturday night dream

Oh, the magic of it
Yes, it comes together
Oh, the magic of it
They just can't believe it

Living in a new civilization
Living in a new revelation
Living to the tune of a nation
Living in a new civilization

Can you imagine all the rites
Of summer coming closer
Where all is one and one is all
A freedom to discover
The magic songs will come
As all our dreams recover

The songs for the world sing
Songs of the wind
Songs of the sea
Songs of the fire
Songs of the earth

The singers of love

Oh, the magic of it
Yes, it comes together
Oh, the magic of it
Yes, the magic of it
Yes, they just can't believe it
They just can't believe it

We're living in a new civilization
We're living in a new revelation
We're living to the sounds of a nation
We're living in a new civilization

- Solo -

Couldn't stand anymore for a minute
Just looked into the future
It was, it was
As though 'round the corner
Through the ever magic door
Of Persopolis
The changing order
An incredible journey for all

All our countries
All our people
Beyond war
Space travel
Colorful children
Just simply a new
A new civilization

There within our reach
There within our grasp

I've seen it
Believe me
Now, now, now

I've seen it
Believe me
Now, now, now

I've seen it
Believe me
Now, now, now


@SONG: It's On Fire


I may not always be the one
But until something comes along
It's never easy but I know
Without you where would I go

I may not always stoop to win
'Cause we can change how we begin
I won't deny my brothers' sight
Without them how will I fly

Same chance
Same time
Come along

How can I tell you what to be
When you're the best judge of yourself
You hold a power so unique
You have the power to change your world

Same chance
Same steps along the way
Same chance
Same time

I may not always be the one
But until something comes along
It's never easy but I know
Without you where would I go

You may not always see me win
Doesn't mean I won't be dreamin'
I can stand as tall as the sky
With this feeling
Wanting only just to be near you
Wanting only just to be near you

Same time
Same place under the sun
Same chance
See it's almost there

Wanting only just to be with you
Wanting only just to be with you
To be near you
This time

- Solo -

Same time
Same place under the sun
Same chance
It is everywhere

Wanting only just to be near you
Wanting only just to be near you
Wanting only just to be near you

I may not always be the one
But until something comes along
It's never easy but I know
Without you where would I go

I may not always stoop to win
Doesn't mean I won't be dreamin'
I won't deny my brothers' sight
Without them how will I fly


@SONG: Betcha


It was the perfect opportunity
Looking at your quick mistakes
So you finally went and did it
You screamed and ran away

It was the perfect chance
The mystery school
It's all for beginners
How we knew it then
But that didn't mean a thing

So we stacked our promises
To the mothers of invention
Then you chased the spiral dream
With the brothers of time

So you gave your heart of hearts
To the sisters of the union
You were left so high and dry
Just give it up
Just give a little time

Betcha never thought
You'd make it
Betcha never thought
You'd see the light of day
Betcha never thought
You'd make it


You were dancing faster all the time
Living life so down and out
But it was so magnificent
You couldn't leave it all alone

So you chase your dreams
When they sing to you "bon jour"
It's the perfect dream
But that didn't mean a thing

Something tells me you know who you are
You just make believe it all
Something tells me you were
Just waiting for that perfect time

- Solo -

See this reality
It's the mother of invention
You can spin the spiral dream
Sister, brother, sister of time

Betcha never thought
You'd make it
Betcha never thought
You'd see the light of day
Betcha never thought
You'd have it in your pocket

Just catch you when you're falling

Betcha never thought
You'd make it
Betcha never thought
You'd see the light of day
Betcha never thought
You'd have it in your pocket

Just catch you when you're falling, falling

Betcha never thought
You'd make it
Betcha never thought
You'd see the light of day
Betcha never thought
You'd have it in your pocket

Betcha never thought
You'd make it

It was the perfect opportunity
Just looking at your quick mistakes
So you finally went and did it
Betcha never thought
Betcha never thought
You'd make it


@SONG: Top Of The World (The Glass Bead Game)


Ah, see we both sing
Get along
Some of us set this treaty
Because I know
Set it to really purify

See the more the reasoning
As the stars they sit at night
We can never really guess
Unless we ask like a mission

And it touches you
Like a measure do
It's a real life
And it gets us by

Some Gemini told us of a reason
We had something of a catapult force
I'm steering out another vision

Top, very top
Top, very top
Top of the world we'll see what it's like
Clearer


Just around the corner we heard it
Just around the boat should be there
It came alive so by the fire
For the very first time so heavy

First energy reach first vision
First energy caught in the light
First energy bringing the night

I'm a river, I love you
Night
I'm a river, I love you


Watching
Like a tiger mystic
Like a unicorn
Water
See the great whale
Skyward
Are you listening
Do shine
It's a gift you're reaching
Day to day you touch me
Like a vision we fly to the sky
For the very first time

First energy reach first vision
First energy caught in the light
First energy reach first vision
First energy bringing the night

I'm a river, I love you
Night
I'm a river, I love you
Night


I'm a river, I love you
I'm a river, I love you


Some Gemini told us of a reason
We had something of a catapult force
I'm steering out another vision

Top, very top
Top, very top
Top of the world we'll see what it's like
Clearer

I'm a rhythm, I love you
I'm a rhythm, I love you
I'm a river, I love you
I'm a river, I love you
I'm a river, I love you


@SONG: Hurry Home (Song From The Pleiades)


The breakthrough was needed
By the sign of the day
Singing out our revolution
Children show the way

They made out a charter
Sealed with a song
It took me across the river
To where I belong

Hurry home to your heart
Hurry home to the voice
There are times for inner changes
Be ready for the choice

Hurry home said my love
Hurry home to the stars
Start a new generation
With a freedom that's ours

My friends said bear me witness
I'm coming alive
For the first time in our history
No mountains to climb

Be the living soul of this time
Be ye wise as the moon
Be the first new generation
Coming home coming soon

They call it the cleansing
Of the loneliest soul
It's an honour just to be alive

05-06-2002, 01:33 AM
This is a great recording.

The song Is It Me is simply wonderful.
If It Wasn't For Love, another winner.
It's on Fire--is the same as Under the Sun from Change We Must. I like this version best.

2 songs I do not like: Hold on to Love, which incidentally was the single for this album.
And In a Lifetime--Don't care for it at all.

But still a must have.

Flo
05-06-2002, 05:23 AM
I've just bought the CD to replace my old vinyl and I'm happy about it. Top of the World is great. The whole album has good sound (very 1980's), nice melodies and is very lively. At the time it was released, it filled Yes' absence.

tomas
05-21-2002, 08:42 PM
I like a lot of the stuff on this album. I got the cassette when it first came out in the mid-eighties and I seem to still prefer the songs now that I preferred then. It's a fairly straightforward set of songs, definately quite mainstream for Jon.
What I don't like about parts of it, is that sometimes the musicians sound too much like LA session musicians (which they probably are). Some of it is a little too typical produced pop, like they were trying too hard for radio airplay. I dont like the clunky song 'Betcha' and I think 'Top of the World' could have been performed better. To me those are the low points.
'Hold on to Love' is quite hokey, but also fun, its a guilty pleasure for me. 'In a Lifetime' is actually a heartfelt song which I can appreciate, somewhat soulful. 'Is it Me' is a great love song. 'Sundancing' is very unique with high energy, and 'New Civilisation' is a hot cut as well (maybe a bit overproduced) 'Hurry Home' is a classic, and my favorite on the album is the uniquely powerful 'Its on Fire'
If you like Jon you will like most of this album.

05-21-2002, 10:38 PM
Hey there tomas, thanks for your thoughts. You brought up some good points--regarding Becha and others. Very interesting. It's nice to know that those songs I did not like reached someone. Overall, I like the cd a lot. That Jon! He's the coolest!

Welcome to the site tomas! Glad you joined the party!

Andersonic
06-09-2002, 06:26 AM
In The City Of Angels...I was playing this album for two days in a row the past week. It is a great Jon record to sing along to. Hold On To Love was the big hit, the video for it was erm...HILARIOUS to be honest. Jon dancing!! I recently saw the video again after years and years, I guess Jon will laugh at himself too when he sees it again. Among the musicians on the album are the members of Toto, who were recording The Seventh One album next door. Jon ended up on the hit single Stop Loving You by Toto (the scat singing before the guitar solo and in the chorusses).
There isn't a song on it that I don't like, when I 'became' a Yesfanatic and an Andersonic in the late '80's this was one of the first albums I bought so it still has some extra magic for me...
Best songs: Top Of The World - Sundancing - and the rest, yes even Betcha...I'm sorry...
Now here's a thought: what would those old Jon albums sound like when remastered? I think In The City Of Angels could be even better with a more 'balls' (pardon the expression) production...think about it

Flo
06-10-2002, 04:16 AM
Originally posted by Andersonic
In The City Of Angels... the video for it was erm...HILARIOUS to be honest. Jon dancing!! I recently saw the video again after years and years, I guess Jon will laugh at himself too when he sees it again.

I never saw the videos for Jon's solos. I would like too. Indeed it must be hilarious...

markcampbell
06-10-2002, 06:55 PM
Originally posted by Flo
I've just bought the CD to replace my old vinyl and I'm happy about it. Top of the World is great. The whole album has good sound (very 1980's), nice melodies and is very lively. At the time it was released, it filled Yes' absence.

Yes, Flo: I agree with you as regards the quality of 'In the City of Angels.' I remember purchasing the album when it initially came out and whenever I put the record on I sing and dance to my heart's content! It is a very happy, joyful opus which seems to bear out Jon's character. He is what I call a sunny, effervescent personality and this comes out whenever I see him perform live (always a special privilege for me, especially seeing as it usually turns out to be a Yes gig - apart from the two ABWH concerts at Wembley Arena in 1989, although I always look on those as unofficial Yes performances). See ya!

Mark