head to head wednesday 09/17/03 City of Love vs. Shock to the System

[Mr. Holland]

The reason I've come up with this one is that Trevor Rabin stated in his last NFTE interview, that he didn't like playing that song on the Union tour, that he thought it was ABWH trying to do City of Love........

So what do we think is the better song, City of Love or Shock to the system?

My vote goes to City of Love, because I think the vocals are stronger on this one (He, Chris is on it, he isn't on Shock to the System), the keyboard work is better and as far a straight forward rock song goes, I like Alan's drumming better..........

[BrianD]

Have always enjoyed Shock to the System - enjoyed the live Union version. City of Love has never done much for me.

[Dantalion Rides Again]

Originally posted by Mr. Holland
The reason I've come up with this one is that Trevor Rabin stated in his last NFTE interview, that he didn't like playing that song on the Union tour, that he thought it was ABWH trying to do City of Love........

Why would ABWH try to copy YesWest? That idea has always baffled me. This isn't the first time I've heard paraphrases from the YesWest camp that suggest ABWH wished they were as cool as YesWest. I think I remember reading Chris Squire saying that Union happened because ABWH desperately needed their project salvaged from fiery ruin. That is just crazy to me because I would prefer Union without the YesWest tracks. No offense to anyone. I know lots of people really prefer those 3 (or 4) songs to lots of the other ABWH-Union tracks.

Another interesting thing about that statement from Trevor Rabin is that the way I hear it on the Yesyears video, he sings the wrong harmony note in "Shock . . " on stage. Shouldn't it be a G, not a G#? I know it's just one note, but it's an important one. I think he does it throughout the song too (can anyone with a Union boot confirm this? Yesyears has just a short snippet).

I think the song's in E minor, and Trevor makes it major when he adds his harmony, kind of wrecking the key signature. It makes me feel that he never really listened to the song to begin with. And that makes it even more amazing that he said that.

Also, isn't that assuming a lot about what ABWH thinks of "City of Love"? I can't imagine Steve Howe and Bill Bruford sitting around listening to 90125 wishing they could make that kind of music.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anyway, I like both songs, but I definately prefer "Shock to the System." The bridge part is beautiful.

That "Once bitten twice shy" line in "City of Love" is a fine example of the abuse of trite lyrics on 90125. Cool sounding chorus though.

I noticed just yesterday that the keys in "City of Love" resemble the keys in "Hearts" - don't know if they grouped those songs together for that reason, but they both have that stereotypically oriental sound going on in the keyboard tracks. Know what I mean?

Uh . . . oh boy. I've gone and responded to another simple song poll with a friggin' essay. :rolleyes:

[Mr. Holland]

No more votes and opinions on this one?????

[groovecake]

City of Love is a far superior song. The chorus hits SO HARD and the main riff is fantastic.

Shock To the System...yawn.

[Khatru Dave]

A few days ago Shock to the system just came into my head. All day long I kept thinking about it. As soon as I got home I put it on and listened to it about 10 times...It is a MUCH better song than City of love . But City of love is a good song too

[Khatru Dave]

Can ANYONE name a BAD song from YES

[Gabriel]

I've always been a huge fan of City of Love, and while these two songs are very much alike, I think COL takes it by a mile for me. The riff is fantastic and for some reason It just gets me much more that Shock, which is in its own right a good song.

[Silent_wings]

Humm
I never voted on this one and it's old.

I've always liked Shock to the System.

[jimmygtr]

Have always enjoyed Shock to the System - enjoyed the live Union version. City of Love has never done much for me.

I like them both, but I have to admit that when I found Steve didn't actually play on Shock to the System (guitar tracks were redone by Jimmy Haun) it's been hard to listen to it ever since.

[Full Tilt Boogie]

Is my laundry read yet? :rolleyes:

[yesyadda]

Check this out:

"Schrock to the System"

http://www.aaronschock.com/index.html

[CybrKhatru]

Well.... the similarity of riffs between these two songs is noticeable, to say the least.

Was ABWH doing a nod to Yeswest? Who knows...

Kevin, your ears ain't deceiving you...that "wrong" harmony always bothered me too. Should be a G.

I guess I vote Shock 'cause it seems to be a better song.

Aren't opinions wonderful? ;)

[pjt]

I really don't like City of Love, especially the chorus, so it's Shock to the System. By the way, Jimmy's guitar is great on that song ;).

[cinderella]

City Of Love - One of my very favorite Yes songs. (Trevor Likes it too.)






Shock To The System - What I suffer from when I hear this horrible song.