What Are Yes' Most Negative Songs?

[downbyariver]

Yes is known in some circles for it's positive and uplifting lyrics.

However, over the course of 21 albums (Give or take), there must have been a negative song or two.

I don't mean songs that you don't like, that you think are of low-quality, that correspond with lineup changes you weren't in favor of, or that simply happened to be playing in the background when something bad happened to you.

I'm talking about songs that convey a negative or depressing message with their lyrics and music.

Are there any? If so, which ones can you think of? If not, which songs come the closest?

[soundchaser09]

erm... dunno, Changes maybe?

[Homemade Parachute]

Well, “Harold Land” right on album Home ain’t no picnic… I spoze neither is “That, That Is”, although there’s room for interpretation there. “Machine Messiah” is kind of ominous, lyrically, as is “Fist of Fire”. “Gates of Delirium”?

[Soundwaveseeker]

I suppose Birthright, a song about Aborigines getting blasted by nuclear testing isn't exactly a positive theme. That That Is, obviously. All the stuff about crack babies and drive-by shootings. Those two stand out i suppose. I guess they can't all be songs about children of light dancing to the rhythm of the sun.

[Yesed]

Well, “Harold Land” right on album Home ain’t no picnic… I spoze neither is “That, That Is”, although there’s room for interpretation there. “Machine Messiah” is kind of ominous, lyrically, as is “Fist of Fire”. “Gates of Delirium”?

Harold Land maybe one, making social commentary. But to respond to your post, and Dbar, Id say its rare, and even the songs you mention provide a positive outcome, if only with a cautionary tale and triumphant ending, even if only in musical tone, I think that's why I love some of the Paris sesion songs. Lots of youthful energy and optimism,

[Gilly Goodness]

I suppose Birthright, a song about Aborigines getting blasted by nuclear testing isn't exactly a positive theme. That That Is, obviously. All the stuff about crack babies and drive-by shootings. Those two stand out i suppose. I guess they can't all be songs about children of light dancing to the rhythm of the sun.

The British government persuaded the South Australian government to explode nuclear bombs in the desert. There were tribes livin' out there. Everyone knew that. They had helped find water for the men who built the overland telegraph line. Supposedly they were even warned by leaflets dropped out of the sky warnin' them to move. Written only in English.

Now. Remember. It was not till 1967 that aboriginal people were regarded by the census as human beings and not flora and fauna.

[yamishogun]

The British government persuaded the South Australian government to explode nuclear bombs in the desert. There were tribes livin' out there. Everyone knew that. They had helped find water for the men who built the overland telegraph line. Supposedly they were even warned by leaflets dropped out of the sky warnin' them to move. Written only in English.

Now. Remember. It was not till 1967 that aboriginal people were regarded by the census as human beings and not flora and fauna.

What many people including Anderson didn't know is that above ground testing wasn't a risk unless you lived with 5 miles from the blast.

[Ash Armstrong]

What many people including Anderson didn't know is that above ground testing wasn't a risk unless you lived with 5 miles from the blast.

That's bollocks.

[Gilly Goodness]

Bizarre.

[luvyesmusic]

Owner. Most people seem to go take a piss when it is played.

[Gilly Goodness]

TIMELINE OF DESTRUCTION





This is the nuclear explosion September 1956 in Maralinga, South Australia allowed by the conservative government led by Robert Menzies.

A few months before the Summer Olympics were held in Melbourne, Victoria.

My eldest sister was born in Melbourne, May 1956.

The cloud of radiation took 21 hours to spread over the Eastern seaboard and Melbourne.

Maralinga is an Aboriginal word for "thunder". Apt? Spose. But ironically is not from the local language but from a Northern Territory language.

[Davy]

Survival is pretty grim, particularly if you're a young bird.

[josuev80]

Shirley and cracktime.

[Yesed]

Dear Father, is one of those rare direct message, and negative Yes songs.

[yamishogun]

That's bollocks.

I'm pretty sure you don't have degrees in physics and mathematics as I do.