Best song on Fragile?

[caP'n Jazz]

I think Roundabout, personally. It's that bass riff, get's me every time.

[TNyesfan]

How to choose one out of four of the best loved classics in Yes' repertoire?! Not an easy job! For decades it was Long Distance Runaround. These days it is SSOTS. Seeing the band finally nail it on tour was INCREDIBLE! The boys added a new dimension to the meaning of rock.

[Silent_wings]

I love Fragile so many good songs. It ia a hard choice but HOTSR is the song I can't live without.

btw welcome to yesfans caP'n Jazz

[caP'n Jazz]

Originally posted by Silent_wings
btw welcome to yesfans caP'n Jazz

thanks :)
this place is pretty hardcore from what i've seen so far, heh.

[leqin]

It would have to be Heart of the Sunrise, in fact it's always been HOTS despite all the brilliant songs on the album.

[Dragonfly]

It was hard, for a brief moment, to vote for "Roundabout", but I did. It's not that I don't think it's the best song on the album. I do. It has beautiful acoustic guitar work and a lovely, quieter mid-section. It has blistering keyboard leads and some incredible bass and drum work. Jon sounds great and has written very good lyrics. So why the difficulty? I'm sick of it!

Perhaps it's a bit of a compliment for a song to be played SO often that people finally get sick of it. (Think "Stairway to Heaven" or "Hey Jude".)

I looked at it the album’s best “all-around” composition.

Dragonfly :fly:

"Heart of the Sunrise" is great on the album, but, quite honestly, I dislike all of the live versions I've heard or witnessed. (Well, the version on my UNION tour boot, is the best of the lot, but I still don't play it very often (like, if it weren't for the new CD release, it would have been over five years!)) The slower bits just don't work for me. It's like "Mind Drive" off of KEYS TO ASCENSION. I lose all interest when it drops into the quiet bits. It's not that they suck or anything, it's just how they fit within the song's structure. It just falls flat. :rolleyes: “That, That Is” is light-years ahead of it IMN-S-HO.

[BrianD]

Heart of the Sunrise without a doubt. Had never heard the Fragile album when I first saw Yes in '73 - they played this as their second or third song - amazing. The contrasts between the various sections of the song, Jon's ethereal vocals floating between the frenzied guitars, percussion and keyboards. I can never tire of it. I'll never forget those accented 'Sharp' 'Distance' parts with a crescendo of sound and bright pulsing lights from he front row - a lasting impression!

[deelovesyes]

Southside Of The Sky got my vote

[Roan's Lady]

I'm with you, Dee. Southside is it!
Love the piano, love it all! :D

[yessongs72]

Heart of The Sunrise I voted for,but also would vote for SSOTS. Roundabout,damn it's about time they are leaving that song off set lists. Don't get me wrong,but hell everytime you go to a Yes concert,some idiot keeps yelling out,Play Roundabout after every song!

[tardistraveler]

Heart of the Sunrise for me as well. Brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it live! And a big smile!

And Yessongs, I agree about the folks who scream "Roundabout"! As if they're NOT going to play it! Ha ha!

I've been to 26+ Yes concerts (I get a little fuzzy!) and they've never failed to play Roundabout. I remember the Tales tour '74 - I was seated near one of those "Roundabout" screamers. Finally turned to him and said "Of course they'll play Roundabout, they ALWAYS play Roundabout - cool it!" He did calm down after that, which made for a more enjoyable concert

Actually, I still enjoy hearing that in concert as well. In Atlanta this past August, they encored with YIND, and I found myself feeling a little disappointed that they didn't play Roundabout! Imagine that! But after YIND, they did play it as well. That was such a wonderful show.

[yessongs72]

Originally posted by tardistraveler
Heart of the Sunrise for me as well. Brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it live! And a big smile!

And Yessongs, I agree about the folks who scream "Roundabout"! As if they're NOT going to play it! Ha ha!


Actually, I still enjoy hearing that in concert as well. In Atlanta this past August, they encored with YIND, and I found myself feeling a little disappointed that they didn't play Roundabout! Imagine that! But after YIND, they did play it as well. That was such a wonderful show.

I saw Yes in Columbia,Md in August and NO ROUNDABOUT!!!! But they kicked butt and took names on YIND!

[tardistraveler]

Yes, I heard that they did leave it out at some stops on this tour. Probably responding to the fan comments about it.

I heard the Columbia show was great - my friend Doug went. Wish I could have!

[Balrog]

Another vote for "South Side"!

[Thoughtbecontact]

Well, In Chicago in November, we got neither--no Roundabout, no YIND. Roundabout I didn't miss, wouldn't have minded hearing YIND. But we did get an absolutely wonderful version of HOTS, which is something like my 4th all time favorite Yes song. So of course, I voted for it. But I love it live, much better than the album version. It's just L=like Brian says, there's something about SHARP! DISTANCE that gets me everytime.

[Dances w/PURPLE]

it's nice to see most all of us are in agreement on HOTS!

BUT


It's the cover art man! AWESOME PLANET!

[luray]

:thumbs: HOTS it is for me too.Though I do agree this Album is Superb with many greats!

[Dances w/PURPLE]

which sounds incredible coming out of my speakers.

[yesgirl93]

By all means I'm not knocking any one song from Fragile but I LOVE Heart of the Sunrise!

[TNyesfan]

Originally posted by caP'n Jazz
I think Roundabout, personally. It's that bass riff, get's me every time.
I bought Fragile when I was 13. I asked my older brother to listen to it with me so he could tell me which instrument was making those incredible sounds (it was Chris' bass). It was that sound and Roger Dean's artwork that drew me into Yes music.

[Sheerah]

That song is incredible on about 19 different levels!

[Earl Grey]

Oh my!

Oh my oh my.

How do they do that?

Go ask your cosmic mother...

:ele:

[GoD57]

HOTS for me too. My favorite until until I heard Gates in concert.

Bill

[Dances w/PURPLE]

SSOTS from the DC broadcast. *sigh* took me all the way to work and then played it again for the trip home and then played it again on my way to clay class and on the way home.

[STARRSHIP TROOPER]

Roundabout is a classic but Heart of the Sunrise is a masterpiece
Starrship Trooper

[tardistraveler]

Agreed, Starrship! Now you've got me playing HOTS in my head! Wonderful!

[bender]

HOTS is perhaps a better song but my favorite is SSOTS. I love the middle section when Rick's playing then Chris and Bill come in., and Steves guitar sounds fantastic (when doesn't it?)

[Earl Grey]

No question about it.

This may be the greatest song ever recorded.

And then again, you might record something better...

BUT I DARE YOU!

Heart Of The Sunrise.

Amazing!

So knock me out... Waiting. Waiting... *sigh*

Earlie:yesbird:

[soleil7]

Straight light moving and removing
SHARPNESS of the colour sun shine
Straight light searching all the meanings of the song
Long last treatment of the telling that
Relates to all the words sung
Dreamer easy in the chair that really fits you

Definitely HOTS for me !!!

[Martin Riley]

It took me so long to 'get' this song. Fragile was my first Yes album and for the longest time I thought HOTS was a bit of a let down at the end of an amazing album. One day it just clicked, the mathematic precision of Bruford's drumming, the power of the bass, the ethereal, almost solo, voice of Jon ( and it was quite unusual for Jon to sing a song almost entirely solo or not double tracked) and the overall arangement just merged into a piece of stunning majesty

[Flo]

I can't decide which of South Side of the Sky and Heart of the Sunrise I prefer. And it has always been like that since I first listen to Fragie. So I choose both.

[Dances w/PURPLE]

Originally posted by Flo
I can't decide which of South Side of the Sky and Heart of the Sunrise I prefer. And it has always been like that since I first listen to Fragie. So I choose both.

and Flo if they played them back to back and one faded into the other, we would have a PERFECT tune to listen to!

I couldn't agree with you more but do love Heart since I listened to it quite a bit on my trip.

[Dale Cleary]

SSOTS for me. That tune really is unique.

[Third]

Southside of The Sky all the way!

[SallyKhatru]

I´m a happy girl, so for me the best song always was LDR, but when I saw YES performing South Side of the Sky it changed everything. It was amazing. I love that song, they played it in the pourin rain and I was cold like they sing in the song. So I can hear and feel this song now. Also heart of the Sunrise is classic. I love it too and so I do with roundabout. I love singing it when Steve Howe sings theat song on his solo albums.
After all this I still don´t know which song I like most.
But that´s not important. Fragile is great!

[tardistraveler]

Sally, You make a good point. Although threads such as this promote discussion, it really isn't important which is the best song on Fragile. It's a great album, with some wonderful songs!

[lrs]

Like many people, over the years I have thought almost every song on Fragile was the best song I ever heard.

Right now, I think We Have Heaven is amazing. I like the idea of simple tools (just voices) making a broad statement. It makes me think of harmony (only a useful pun, not even a bad one) in people doing thier own thing and the unexpected voices that come in make me remember that life and its people are full of surprises.

Mike

[tardistraveler]

Hi, Mike! Welcome to YesFans! Glad you found us - we're a friendly bunch here, so I hope you will come back and post often!

[SallyKhatru]

How comes when I read the question for the best song on fragile I didn´t think of We have heaven???
Maybe because it´s different from the other songs. I just aksed myself whether it is SSOTS, LDR or HOTS. maybe because they´re more typical for Yes.
So welcome Mike and thank you for remebering on that song. it´s really great and after Jon telling the story to the songs on the tour I like it even more.
Feel free to remember me on other things.
Have a wonderful time with all of us yesfans here, Mike

[lrs]

Thanks for the warm wlecome. Sorry it took me a while to respond to this one, but the first time I tried to something didn't work and then I started to look at other polls.

It's been about two weeks since I said We Have Heaven and am pleased ot report that it is still my favourite song on the record.

Mike

[jimtim45]

Too many good songs to choose from but its got to beHOTS I bought Fragile on the week it was released back in 71.I always thought HOTS had a bit of King Crimson influence in it?

[Simon B]

HOTS for me!

Just copied the Rhino re-issue to my MD and listened to Relayer and Fragile on the way to work this morning.

Total Mass

[Bluetailfly]

I picked Roundabout, and i think every one of the songs listed above are great.

Heart of The Sunrise is really great in concert. I think their performances of HOTS in 2002 N.A. were the best. That song particularly sttod out for me on both legs. Chris is really crunchy on that one.

South Side Of The Sky has many unique elements to it. A definite tripper on headphones, with the cold wind a blowing. The amazing middle section where YES takes on that swingin rhthym where they sing just notes, like the Swingle Sisters. And then it rips you back in to the rock jam. I always liked how this sounded on the record, and quite liked the suprise of it on the first leg of 2002 tour.

Long Distance Runaround is a great YES song, that shows them using that Classical counter point style, like something written by Bach. Really a wonderful melody here. Perhaps it doesn't get the votes because its not epic.

Which brings us to my pick: Roundabout. I think it is too bad that this one has fallen from grace in the eyeys and ears of yesfans. As far as in concert, the band shouldn't always play it, and not always in the same slot either. Also, they should give it the dignity it deserves with a full dynamic traetment. They are better dropping it for awhile then just tossing it off like they do now.
So why do I pick it. It is their signature melody. The dynamics are beautiful, from the harmonics at the end and beginning, the slight classical phrasing, and then the amazing hard rocking balance between all of the bands elements. The quieter refrain of the chorus in the middle creates a slowing effect, that allows for the roller coaster to get going again as they jam on. Not the best lyrics they have ever penned, but I think one of the best tunes. There is a reason this song was so popular and grabbed so many listeners right off. I always though they should open the show with this one, or close the first part (set) with it.

[OzzieYes]

Must admit since the realease of the album and 12 months ago my favorite would have been "Heart of the Sunrise" but since they have included South side of the Sky in their set list and I have heard it 3 times in Oz then SSOTS is my favorite. this number really rocks. It has all the best aspects of Yes live IMO. Rock foundation with a classical middle section, especailly listening to Rick lay it down on the keyboard and then the kciking back and forward between Rick and Steve. The highlite of the 3 Yes shows in Oz for me. Of course I do relise that this is not the version on Fragile but when you go back and listen it still rocks more thabn I remember it too.

[Suzy]

My favourite track is South Side of The Sky - Yes actually played this live on their June 2003 concert in Birmingham and it was a real treat to hear something different. Also Jon's solo - We Have Heaven - a good treat from the band.

[Yesfan70]

South Side of the Sky for me.

I haven't heard it through a good pair of headphones (my current pair stinks), but to hear it in surround sound is freaking awesome!

[upbgirl]

heart of the sunrise.. hehe
aint seen the sun here for weeks.. so ipicked that one for today!
;)

[BrianD]

For years its been Heart of the Sunrise. Never really liked South side of the Sky on the album but having seen it live a couple of times - I'm having a big change of mind. At the moment I think it is better than HOTS the way they have played it on the past tour - they've improved it.

[ES-335]

My favorite YES album ... tough choice ... but I voted for HOTS.

[Thoughtbecontact]

HOTS has always been my favorite on the album, hands down. They have mastered SSOTS on the Full Circle tour, particularly the dueling guitar/keys improv at the end of the song. However, both songs were in their infancy on Fragile. Neither one sounds as good as it does now and HOTS is still one of the ones they do consistently well in concert.

[Ancient Al]

South Side of the Sky is the best from Fragile. I rocks Live also. I never like HOTS until I heard them do it live. It is a much better live song. Squire is God-like on HOTS-Live.

[CordofLife]

South Side of the Sky. Love the middle piano part and the vocal harmony. Rocking song.

[moonchild]

it was a hard decision between SOTS and LDR, but cause I too love that middle piano part...however I went for LDR cause I would say hat melody runs thru my head a lot more often....

[fragile34]

Hots

[stevepenn]

South Side baby, South Side. LOVE that song.

[Aventurer]

I vote for one not in the poll. I really like 5%. Its so funky but if I have to stick to the poll I'd go for South Side.

[Amy]

Heart of the Sunrise

[C0ops]

I agree with Amy it is a great way to end the album

[About The Round]

Me too beeing at the Heart of the Sunrise, Roundabout, -a close second. And Long Distance Runaround a good third. South Side of the Sky? - in this company -fourth is not a bad number – Love the middle-break.

[ndselwood]

Has to be South Side of the Sky ...... I defy any true Yesfan to deny it makes the hairs on the back of their neck stand on end !

I for one was delighted they started playing it live again last year.

[Timmo]

SSotS. Especially after this last tour, with the dueling guitar and keyboards.

The vocal harmonies and piano in the central dsection is simply SUBLIME.

TIM
Venice, CA

[Scooty]

..."A river....a mountain to be crossed.." Totally South Side of the Sky.....and like Tim said this tour completely affirms that....holy toast Batman!!! It just rocks like nothing i have ever seen

Scott

[bobby45]

HOTS does it for me. I first heard it on Yessongs (my first Yes LP), and have been hooked since then. It has lots of musical contrasts, not to mention the lyrics. The guitar/bass interplay caught my ear early on, too.

[Rabin105]

all four songs are amazing question has their been a tour since the realease of fragile that does not have any songs from this album

[Gabriel]

Definatly Heart of the Sunrise; beautiful track IMO and definatly one of the best songs they ever did. South Side follows closely behind!

[Rabin105]

Heart of the sunrise Is really good as is Southside (would really have liked to of heard Tony Kaye on southside) Roundabout is great but a wee bit overplayed

[tranceofdances]

hots...most definately. that's a song i could never get tired of. so many beautiful melodies and counter-melodies in that song. incredible composistion. i think when i 1st started listening to fragile, and i didn't at the time know it was called fragile, of course roundabout stuck out since i had heard that one on the radio. i agree with some though that roundabout has gotten a lil tired from overplay, specially on the radio. the band has a ton of other songs i would love to hear on the radio. i actually heard yours is no disgrace and starship once...lol i remember that ssots had a big impact, and long distance ( because of how it went into the fish) was also wonderful. however, when i got to that last song, and that intro started, i had chills all over me.
jason
"sharp, distance, how can the wind with it's arms all around me"

[Rabin105]

Your right HOTS is a really good song

[prem895]

Heart of the Sunrise for me as well. Brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it live! And a big smile!

And Yessongs, I agree about the folks who scream "Roundabout"! As if they're NOT going to play it! Ha ha!

I've been to 26+ Yes concerts (I get a little fuzzy!) and they've never failed to play Roundabout. I remember the Tales tour '74 - I was seated near one of those "Roundabout" screamers. Finally turned to him and said "Of course they'll play Roundabout, they ALWAYS play Roundabout - cool it!" He did calm down after that, which made for a more enjoyable concert

Actually, I still enjoy hearing that in concert as well. In Atlanta this past August, they encored with YIND, and I found myself feeling a little disappointed that they didn't play Roundabout! Imagine that! But after YIND, they did play it as well. That was such a wonderful show.
I have to agree with you on this

[Braniff92]

South Side Of The Sky! To this day it's still my favorite Yesssong!!!!! Al.

[Bluetailfly]

I wonder why Long Distance Runaround doesn't get more props. I like all four songs a lot and each one is different and offers something unique. Roundabout has the beautiful harmonics and the melodic hook. Heart Of The Sunrise has the amazing progressive tempo changes, grinding bass patterns and Jon's trippy lyrics. Southside Of The Sky has somne cool production edits, a hard rock part 1 and 3 with that neat jazzy middle section. Long Distance Runaround deserves mention though for being succinct. It is written in a style that is unique to rock n roll, sort of a fugue structure with point counter point. Squire's bass just rolls on this. All the pieces fit together and run like a swiss watch. I think I voted for Roundabout, but it is really hard to sya what the best song is.

[kerensa]

HOTS builds and builds until a really emotionally charged ending.


I loved it when I first heard it in 74 and I still do 30 years later!

[paulovajao]

hots,always makes me smile and cry at the same time,so good!carlo vajao.

[tardistraveler]

hots,always makes me smile and cry at the same time,so good!carlo vajao.

I KNEW we had something in common, Carlo! :hearts:

[JimBob]

I'll go with South Side of the Sky.

[paulovajao]

HOTS-My 1 st song on Yes in serious way and the one who makes me have chills!!!too many emotions on this song personaly!!

[Gabriel]

My opinion on this album has changed alot over the last few months; its still one of my favourite albums by Yes but South Side of the Sky is now my favourite without a doubt; that song just ROCKS in every sence of the word!

[orsonwellz]

After weathering temptations to head South or aim for the Heart, I had to be honest with myself and acknowledge that Roundabout is and always will be a high-water mark for the band. The fact that it badly needs a good long hiatus from their live show doesn't invalidate its varied and awe-inspiring attributes.

C'mon now, you guys...be honest here. How many of us, if hearing Roundabout today for the first time, wouldn't be totally blown away by the groundbreaking blend of acoustic and hard electric, the intelligent but undeniably infectious pop sensibilities, or a thrill-per-minute ratio that has never been equalled in all of Yes's history?

Heart of the Sunrise is a sublime buzzsaw, South Side of the Sky wins over us all as the unfairly forgotten child, and the melodic invention of Long Distance Runaround continues to please lo these many years later. (And leave us not forget Five Percent For Nothing, a gemstone in its own right.)

But Roundabout, for all its many haggard stage appearances in recent years, remains a truly outstanding event in the history of pop music.

Turn off your mind, relax...and when just the right moment arrives, pop in Fragile and hit the play button. If you're good and you're lucky, you'll hear once more what all the fuss was about.

You'll hear a great, great song.

[DaveJB]

They're all great songs, but HOTS is tops, IMHO. The build up is wonderful, much like an early morning sunrise (which I'm sure we all can see on our way to work!). It's that kind of imagery that makes this my choice.

[ODV2]

While I enjoy South Side of the Sky a lot, HOTS is certainly my favorite off of Fragile! It is the perfect, I love the abrupt opening and ending! Jon's vocals are excellent in this song.

[Awakened by the Gates]

Where are '5% for Nothing' and 'The Fish'? Not to mention 'We Have Heaven'!

My vote goes to 'South Side Of The Sky.' The words, voice and music sit so well together. Rick's piano section gives me goosebumps!

A real classic, finally getting a long overdue public performance! And the acoustic version ain't half bad either!!

[AwakeMan]

For me it really has to be "Heart of the Sunrise". The end, especially, is one of the best passages they ever recorded, really expressive and perfectly balanced.

Séamus.

[sgtschultz]

Heart of The Sunrise :1svader:

[soul warrior]

heart of the sunrise! it has been played so much i think we take for granted the beauty of this piece of artwork.

[Professor Yessor]

I will admit that on Yessongs, one of my absolute favorite moments, is Steve's
CRAZY waah pedal brief solo right before "Straight light moving and removing
sharpness of the colour sunshine".

Having given HOTS it's due props, you gotta go with Roundabout. That song
single handedly FINANCED this band for us all practically. Bass riff, incredible,
organ solo excellent, song structure excellent.

[soul warrior]

I will admit that on Yessongs, one of my absolute favorite moments, is Steve's
CRAZY waah pedal brief solo right before "Straight light moving and removing
sharpness of the colour sunshine".

Having given HOTS it's due props, you gotta go with Roundabout. That song
single handedly FINANCED this band for us all practically. Bass riff, incredible,
organ solo excellent, song structure excellent.


roundabout is the icing on the cake. the part that looks so good you had to taste it. HOTS is the cake! metaphorically speaking. having said that, sometimes my favorite part of the cake is the icing. in this case the whole album is great! not even a weak moment.

[PureYes]

I see my voting is consistent with the general Yesfans.com population.

[michael]

"torn between two YES tunes, feelin' like a fool. Lovin both of them is breakin' all the rules."

Roundabout and Heart Of The Sunrise

[duncan]

I have to agree with the difficulty in selecting from these Fragile cuts. I volunteer as a dj on college radio (a student at my age!) and YES fills my first half an hour on the air. Roundabout gets too much air time as "Classic Rock" so I don't play it, but "South Side of the Sky" is my favorite, has the ultimate lead-in, and showcase what the Yes guys can really do with mini-solo performances.

[Starship Trooper]

To me, HOTS defines Yes and the whole concept of progressive rock in one song. Every instrument has moments in the spotlight at different points in the piece but yet they all work together as a team. And so many different styles of music appear: jazz, classical, blues-type stuff, etc. Plus, there are all the dynamics (quiet vs. loud) and mood swings....I could go on and on.

Incredible tune! A musician friend of mine and myself once tried to analyze HOTS many years ago and determine what "style" it was. We finally concluded that it was simply "Yes" - it was beyond categorization.

But this poll really is unfair - all four songs are masterpieces! I love every track on the album, even Wakeman's Cans & Brahms cover.

[mwood]

Tough call, but I still remember being blown away by HotS the
first time I put the Fragile LP on. Not to take anything away
from Roundabout or SSotS - either would be the best song on
any normal, mortal album.

[Deano]

Definintely a tough call to pick one from my favourite album but after careful consideration went for HOTS

[Earl Grey]

'Heart Of The Sunrise' may be the most perfect of all yessongs.

Everything is there.

Think about it. Feel.

Howe is gentle/agressive, all in the moment.

Wakey and those rounded grand piano notes of the bridge.
Tilting the world with phased leslie Hammond organ variances...

Squire's step-laddered bass notes to the enth...

Jon's High Vibration meanderings, the perfect note, word, placement, heart.

Bruford's snare-tattoo burning an audible image of artistry and rythmetistic joy...

HOTS is Hot.

Perhaps the finest Yessong of all, and at very least, one of the top five.

I choose HOTS from Fragile.

Few moments of joy that can ascend this amazement.

EG:yesbird:

[yes_angel]

SSOTS
gotta luv it!

[rickweber]

Heart of the Sunrise gets my vote. It's a flawless album. For me, Fragile is the example of how tight a group of musicians can be when writing, arranging & recording their music. Nothing else comes close. (Until Close to the Edge came out).

[YesBassist]

Heart Of The Sunrise... first song i ever heard from yes and is what got me hooked on yes... the bass arangement is superb!!!! over all the best off of Fragile

[Drummeg]

You do ask difficult :crybby: questions....Roundabout or LDR for me x

[brotherofmine]

HOTS for me. With SSOS a close second. SSOS acoustic is terrific ~ they did that in Oxford.

[lida]

Heart of the Sunrise no doubt.
Really enjoyed this song live on the video in the big dream.
Visited the concert ABWH an evening of... and was in Awe
this was my first yes concert ever
We were with 5 of us and all speachless on the drive back home.

Does anyone know how to get hold of this video by the way,
It shows some clips, and some live footage, and I love it
But sadly the tape was eaten by my old and hungry videorecorder.

[soundchaser_micheal]

:thumbup: Another vote for "South Side"!

Need I Say More?...

[wolfhound]

hmmm. I came to this thread thinking I'd be alone on this, but South Side of The Sky.
The chords E to C, I think, at the start of the verses really demonstrate that Yes *gets* how to write a classic song.
Also, the vocals and guitars at "Were we ever colder" are apart from anything else I've heard in music.

[Chris I]

I would have to say "Heart of the Sunrise." Easily one of my favorite Yes songs of all time. It has a real "epic" quality to it. I like the different dynamics. There are some parts of the song that rocker harder than almost anything I've ever heard from Yes, and there are also incredibly tender parts as well. Yeah, I love that song.

[QBall]

A damn hard choice. I went with Heart Of The Sunrise, mainly because it's so intense in the first three minutes and is full of mood changes (but, isn't any Yes song like that?). Every Yessong has its brilliant parts, if it's a bass line or a drum fill, or a key passage... It's really hard to decide about the 'best' song.
Roundabout is a close runner-up.

[rickweber]

It's kind of a toss up for me between South Side of the Sky and Heart of the Sunrise. Steve does a riff toward the end of South Side of the Sky that's probably the best guitar riff I know of. A great run down the frets at the perfect time. Excelent! Heart of the Sunrise plays continuously in my head. I'm always thinking of that one. It just sticks with me for some reason.

[nous_sommes87]

Where is 5% for nothing? :(

lol

[Whitefish]

It was very close between "Heart of the Sunrise" and "South Side of the Sky". "Heart of the Sunrise" got my vote.

[justyes]

South Side Of The Sky IMO. But where is the rest of Fragile songs?

[sparky]

Personally, I´d say Roundabout. But Long distance runaround was my first love when I was 13 and South side of the sky is the track I play most nowadays (alongside Roundabout)

[Olias of Sunhillow]

No doubt about it, Fragile is a masterpiece! I love that album! Personaly i am not really crazy for the indivual parts on this album. In my opinion only Squire's work is fantastic. I get nervous by listening to five percent for nothing, I still don't know what a moon dog or march hare is, Cans and Brahms sounds to simple for Rick and although mood for a day is beautiful, i love the clap so much better. The rest of the album is hard to chose which one i love the best. I love Roundabout especially for the bass line and the guitar. Heart of the sunrise is a masterpiece as well. Chris is great on bass there and i love Jon's voice on it. Long distance i am not crazy for, but my favourite is South side. Wonderful song!

[Faceintheplace]

The best song is Heart of the Sunrise, my favorite is South Side of the Sky.

[Jubei_ninpucho]

I love Roundabout, I always feel like dancing when I hear that song....even If I'm reallly tired :D.
South Side of The Sky is real good too and it has very good lyrics.
Long Distance Runaround is my favorite. I don't know why it's just so damn good
Heart of the sunrise is a close second It's a fantastic composition

[pianozach]

I',m surprised that HOTS is so far ahead of Roundabout. C'mon, Roundabout, as a song is darn near perfect songwriting. It's THE prog song that cracked the Top 40 for cryin' out loud. I love HOTS (even more so live), and I realize that Roundabout's been overplayed, is on every freakin' compilation that's ever been assembled in Yes' name, but . . . . well, I'm just surprised, that's all.

[MoonGateClimber]

I think Iv'e said this somewhere else before, but I voted for SSotS.

[Symbol]

Got to love 'em all... but I voted for SSotS.

[DW Duke]

The best song is Heart of the Sunrise, my favorite is South Side of the Sky.


I think I gotta go with Face on this one.

[raz]

has to be heart of the sunrise for me....
it has a bit for every one and it sounds so good live.
roundabout is excellent as well, but i've heard it too many times now.
HotS is just so New still.
nothing comes close to it on Fragile....

[Trooper Jim]

As other people have said, how do you choose when they're all great? But Heart Of The Sunrise is such a majestic song with a beautiful theme running through it, so it's my choice.

[Timmo]

HOTS RAWKS. Roundabout is an amazing song, even though we've all heard it so much. The Yessongs version of "The Fish" makes me weep with joy.

But nothing does it for me like "South Side of the Sky."

[sherriff_johnbrown]

I think all the songs are great - I can't decide between Roundabout, SSotS and HOTS. Tough choice...

[SonicDeath10]

why isn't we have heaven on here?!?!?!?

[Timmo]

Or The Fish! Which is completely and totally awesome!

[sherriff_johnbrown]

Oh, yes, how could I forget the Fish...that song rocks...a crybaby on a bass...goosebumps!

[marklovesyes]

Wow - I am surprised that "Roundabout" is only #3.

[cinderella]

I voted for Roundabout. I guess it's because of the beginning. I'll never forget the very first time I heard it. It still gives me goosebumps.

I also love Mood For A Day. It's teeny, but it slays me.

I'm not a fan of Heart Of The Sunrise.
I don't like that annoying beginning. Sorry, I give it a C- !

[brotherofmine]

I voted for Roundabout. I guess it's because of the beginning. I'll never forget the very first time I heard it. It still gives me goosebumps.

I also love Mood For A Day. It's teeny, but it slays me.

I'm not a fan of Heart Of The Sunrise.
I don't like that annoying beginning. Sorry, I give it a C- !
Sorry Cinders have to disagree with you there. I love HOTS followed closely by SSOTS, I think Roundabout has been to over done (too many times as live encore)..but I do like the studio version very precise and I love the beginning.

[marklovesyes]

I think Roundabout has been over done (too many times as live encore)..
Unfortunately, I perceive that this is the reason "Roundabout" is getting fewer votes. The "sick of hearing it in concert" factor should not be considered when voting on the merits of how good the song is.

[Albedo]

I like both Roundabout and SSOTS. Probably Roundabout wins for shear energy. Way overexposed though, the only Yes song I ever hear on the radio. HOTS is a good song but I don't like the crescendo thing and I never liked the base crunching Chris does with it live.

[Stevehoweworshipu!]

Wwell! i would say the whole album!. since i brought it 5 years ago, i've never listened to just 1 song. so i cant say. The whole album is perfecto! in my thoughts, much like CTTE or Relayer or even The Yes Album, all perfect never a dull moment!. i love listening to it and getting excited for the next song, after the next..

[SCHSYesfan]

I vote for Long Distance Runaround. This is because I really like how the harmonics lead into The Fish at the end. I thought that was awesome!!

[junomon]

:rightG: Personally, and considering the Union Tour I saw when the AllState used to be called the Rosemont Horizon--Jon Anderson said "This is the only one song we all agreed on. Heart of the Sunrise!" So that is my vote, for the Fragile album.

[Yes_Fan_4_Life26]

HOTS is the sexiest song from Yes I'm not even joking its so crazy i need to see that song live. Also imagine having an alarm clock set to this song that would give it new meaning to SUNRISE LOL

SSOTS is so cool too (I need to learn that piano solo) its so freakin cool

Roundabout is such a great ensemble song by those guys i like the beginning too its so modernly classic lol

LDR is 10000% a summer song just a great song to listen to on a hot summers day

[RobAdams]

FRAGILE is a nearly flawless album. But I've always wished that Bill would have offered us something a little longer than FIVE PERCENT FOR NOTHING as his solo piece. And as for Rick's piece CANS AND BRAHMS? I like it but I don't care for the recording. THE FISH is interesting in its' overly overdubbed studio version, but live versions nearly make the studio "demo" useless.

HOTS and SSOTS are so close to being a tie for first place to me, but HOTS wins by a nose. LDR is brilliant. My favorite short Yes song ever.

ROUNDABOUT is such a great classic. I used to be sick of it, but I avoid it often so that when I do hear it, it's still fun. It's a well written, recorded and arranged song. Science needs to figure out why we Yesfans can get sick of something so perfect!

[Sound Chaser 7490]

My top three from Fragile:

1. Heart of The Sunrise
2. Roundabout
3. Mood For a Day

[tormatotork]

Heart of the sunrise for me.

[SouthSideGuy]

South side of the sky *of course*

[neilius]

Heart of the sunrise

[Mike Watkins]

if you could paste together the piano section of SSOTS to the stillness after the long lead-in on HOTSR you would have my perfect fragile song.

As it is it's a dead heat. A tie.

Screw it - SSOTS

[Charles Matejic]

South Side of the Sky for many reasons not the least of which was seeing the 35th anniversary tour where Rick and Steve jammed and I mean jammed at the end they made up as they went along ,but back to the studio who can not appreciate the lead in of We Have Heaven and the footsteps and swirling wind which sets the tone for the minds eye to see the ice and snow of the South Pole and what the explorers felt as they faced their deaths there,the beautiful vocals seem to be the angels approaching and Steves racous guitar the dtorm,but the part I think gets overlooked is the piano in the background when the vocals are going La La La La La etc. because the vocals are so harmonic and Bruffords drums so enchanting right at that part;we all know the keyboards intro that bit and end it but while the vocals are transpiring it is some of Wakemans best stuffand to me keeps the faith of the sound of Kaye before him on The Yes Album. The bands sound changed alot 'tween the two albums but the link is all there in that piece and I don't know of any Yess freak that doesn't get a really enjoyable listen with South Side!!!!! I could go on about every song on the album but you have all been ther before

[Charles Matejic]

sorry about all my typing mistakes but I'm on pain meds for an injury

[new_sum_do_solve_ay]

I voted for SSOTS mostly for the musicality. I just remember around the time of my first introduction to Yes I'd hear it and think "Wow, wonder what happened ON THAT DAY." Seemed so 'out there' it stood out from the more standard rock on the album.

[Close to Loch Ness]

I voted for Heart of the Sunrise.
Brian :rightG:

[Wakey's #1 Fan]

Only one...that is really hard, where can I vote for Cans and Brahms :lmao: (http://www.yesfans.com/images/icons/icon12.gif) ...no joke, Roundabout of course!

[sirlespaul]

south side of the sky

[PhaseDance]

south side of the sky
I don't know whether it's the best, but South Side Of The Sky is fantastic. Just listen to all the great fills Bill provides. Also, Steve's distorted riffs are great.

[cjreyes]

Heart Of The Sunrise hands down, Cap'n. Someone may have wanted to vote for one of the tracks not listed....

[Rabin105]

god it's hard uhm...

all of them lol

[Wakey's #1 Fan]

Heart Of The Sunrise hands down, Cap'n. Someone may have wanted to vote for one of the tracks not listed....
yeah, it was me...I really enjoy Cans and Brahms (I don't know why's everyone blackguarding that track?), but it's not my fave on Fragile...

[Rabin105]

yeah, it was me...I really enjoy Cans and Brahms (I don't know why's everyone blackguarding that track?), but it's not my fave on Fragile...

I think because it's not an orignal track. I enjoy it myself.....


Of course due to cntractioal obligations Rick couldn't write anmything.

though this bring up a whole other issue of Why tiny never got the credit he desrved for fragile. (the 4 main tracks have more hamond on them then any other album Rick's done that was my first clue that tony helped write the material the second of course is mear time wise tony had to be aprti n some respect because they began working on the album post the yes album tour)


but iregardless of all of that Cans and Brhams is a lovely song and I feel it belongs with fanfare for the common man and Hoedown as rock reinterpiting the classics.

[Bob Barker.]

1. heart of the sunrise
2. long distance runaround
3. south side of the sky
4. roundabout

[Yes.2]

Cans and Brahms


Please fix the pole.

[TOBYSGRAPHICGOKART]

1. Heart Of The Sunrise.
2. Roundabout.
3. South Side Of The Sky.
4. Lond Distance Runaround.

[YesCarolinita]

1. Heart Of The Sunrise.
2. Long Distance Runaround
3. South Side Of The Sky.
4. Roundabout

[Gemini]

Had to vote for Roundabout because it was for me, as it was for so many others, the hook that got me into YES. Leaving nostalgia and sentimentality aside, SSOTS.

[aerosol kid]

Heart of the Sunrise.........

[Roadkill]

Having heard one of the more recent shows where they revisit SSOTS, I have to say I think it sounds better now than it ever did.

But my heart will always belong to the sunrise, so that's where I cast my vote. I love the stop-start structure to it and Chris's bass playing never gets old on this track. Some sublime fills from Mr Bruford, too.

[miar]

Roundabout :)

[yesyadda]

Cans and Brahms


Please fix the pole.

Yeah. And 5 percent for naught.

[rememberer]

The Fish.

[YESMAN90125]

As has been stated it seems a few songs are missing
I'll add "We Have Heaven"
though in this poll, I pick Heart Of The Sunrise. I first heard most of the songs on Yessongs and HOTS popped out pretty quickly for me

Though I remember some show on PBS when I was a kid that began with Mood For A Day as it's theme song I think it was Called Hodgepodge Lodge it was some kind of craft show that came on right after One of the kiddie programs like Mr Rogers . I remember I would always listen to the song and then shut off the show I was pretty little then and I imagine the song was only a few years old.
I still have a soft spot for "Mood For A Day"

[90125yes]

Roundabout

[Purple Wolfhound]

South Side Of The Sky

[witeskyn7]

South Side of the Sky.



(Wot?? No '5 Percent of Nothing' ????)

[chergonblues]

This poll is supposedly meant to be only about the group compositions on Fragile?

I had to vote for SSoTS as well. It's probably going to be dropped from the "Ultimate-Yes-Song-Elimination-etc." next, but hey, the majority rules there...
I'm still not quite sure what all is guitar there and what bass, but that angular barbed wire sound tickles me in just the right spots...
:headset:

[90125yes]

it is so close between SSOTS and HOTS

[HOTsunrise]

I dont call myself HOTsunrise for nuthin'. :)

[Khatrusdad]

H.O.T.S. Squire, Howe and Wakeman Are All on fire.

[Akira]

lol...
I would have voted for THE FISH :BassPostIcon:

But SSOTS gets my vote from the list
The juxtaposition of the middle and outer sections is pretty effective, IMHO

[yesyadda]

lol...
I would have voted for THE FISH :BassPostIcon:

But SSOTS gets my vote from the list
The juxtaposition of the middle and outer sections is pretty effective, IMHO

Hello, Akira. I see you're new here. Welcome! :D

[jayar2k9]

Hots

[Earl Grey]

Hots is probably my favorite track, although South Side is right up there...

And, if you listen to Roundabout, pretend you've never heard it before (well, I dunno, smoke something, or something!), it's still one of the greatest rock songs EVER! The first song I ever heard by YES... There's a reason why it's nearly impossible for YES to not play it at every Yesshow!

OK, now I have to listen to FRAGILE, on vinyl of course!

[AmyK]

HOTS.

Its become a common morning ritual to play HOTS as the sun is actually rising here, watching the orange twilight shimmering through the trees, power lines, etc. Try it sometime with your first sips of morning coffee. I swear it seems like the day is set into motion in a new way. The tears of joy wash the sleep crystals away too for a safer drive :)

[lrs]

i vote for We have Heaven

[tidewater]

I voted for Roundabout...followed by SSotS:headset:

[rphheather]

Difficult choice between HOTS and SSoTS..

I ended up voting for HOTS. I love how the opening riff smacks you in the face and the dramatic tempo change at the end (well OK and everything in between.) Wonderful stuff.

[FishIntoWater]

I voted for "Heart of the Sunrise" but I love Fragile from start to end!

Rei.

[crotale2112]

Howe come 5% for nothing wasn't on the list? By far one of yes's best songs ever.

[90125yes]

Howe come 5% for nothing wasn't on the list? By far one of yes's best songs ever.

---

it is a bit brief to be a yes classic