The True Meaning Of Yesmusic

[YESOLA]

Jon is usually inspired by the leaves of green.

[hammerhead]

I enjoyed this first reaction to CTTE from a classical musician trying to interpret the symbolism in the music and maybe a little of the lyrics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeIXYgFzaJk

She has a Youtube series where she listens to various type of rock music for the first time from prog rock to heavy metal.

[Oldie on the Goldie]

I never suggested, nor even implied, that all Yes fans are seeking the divine within. I simply quoted Anderson's response to a question asking what his Yes lyrics are about. People can enjoy great music inspired by spirituality or religion whether they are spiritual/religious or not . I love Bach's music but don't believe in Christianity, despite the fact that his music was inspired by, and aimed at inspiring in the listener, that particular faith. The same way one can appreciate a beautiful cathedral without being religious.

When I saw Anderson perform solo at the Byron Blues Festival, he was wearing white robes and a group of his followers were sitting in the front row similarly clad and in the lotus position.

Not a fan of Pollock but I do find Seinfeld inspiring.

[Ash Armstrong]

I have no interest in divine gobbledygook or spiritual this, that or the other. No need for it personally.

[Gilly Goodness]

Yes. Anderson composes non-affiliated religious music, "spiritual" as you say. Tales. Awaken. ITPO.
Positive messages. Give peace a Chance. It's not as overt as Christian Rock.

Always happy to refute any inference that Yesfans are only made up of devotees seekin' the divine within. Some are. I'm not. For reasons I have given. I'm a humanist. A world weary one at times. In the last census here, believers were in the minority. For first time.

Rock music is entertainin'. Can even be insightful and inspirin'. Just like a paintin' by Jackson Pollock or an episode of Seinfeld. All cultural products made by humans.

[Oldie on the Goldie]

Anderson indicated his belief in "the Divine within", which is an idea central to Hinduism and Buddhism as well as many of those who have dabbled in psychedelics. Anderson started out in the sixties remember.

[cjreyes]

The music is wide-rangin' without prescribin' one religion. To say it is spiritual takes a leap of faith I am not prepared to do. I listen and love stirrin' music. Brings me pleasure. If Anderson believes all that and that inspires his composin'. Fine. A lot of church music is upliftin' and wonderful. As music. Swap Jesus or Buddha or g-d around and it wouldn't matter. YESmusic is not prescriptive. Robin Hood stole from the rich and gave to the poor. Redistributed wealth. On Earth. No spiritualism. Shot his bolt. Done.

I can find wonder and beauty in Tom Waits music. In the Neighbourhood is a great paen to universal humanity. As is All Good People.

The OP assigns too much to the music. World transformative? Popular music in the West. Sure.
I love and follow the band without ever wonderin' how my spiritual chakras are doin'?

There is too much wonder already in the world. The Southern Lights. My children. Flowers. Even International Dark Sky Parks. May be in the minority but I am a Yesfan with no awareness of/need for the divine. To be alive and human and the result of millions of procreations. With a brain evolved over millennia. Though my head hurts tryin' to understand economics.

Try to live an ethical life. Live a balanced life to ensure longevity. To raise a family and care for them long term
Enough for me.

Lookin' forward to All Connected. As we are. A species. In a battle for survival.

I see strawmanning all over your posts, mate. I'll give a more thorough response later.

edit: Okay, maybe there was one instance when you said I am assigning something. I don't know, maybe I am. Wait, why am I focusing on this?

Anyway, for me, I am making an observation. My overall point is the band's intention. It can be seen clearly in their music. I would think, that if one was going to muse about this with any member of the band, especially the founders, they would agree somewhat with the overall purpose of the band. My speculation, of course.

[cjreyes]

[QUOTE=Gilly Goodness;n41976]

Well let's see now. CTTE is about the quest of Siddhartha for spiritual enlightenment, based on the life of Siddartha Gautama more commonly known as Buddha. Tales was inspired by ancient Hindu religious scriptures . Awaken is blatantly about spiritual enlightenment. The theme of That That Is is that everyone even crack hos is capable of spiritual transcendence. Just to take a few epic examples.

Songs that could've also used a legend like Robin the Hood as an inspiration. Guessin' you believe in all this divine within. Fine.

Don't care. As long as you live an ethical life. Are kind to puppies and children. Do you. Keep doin' you. 😉

Hmmm....he didn't say what he believed or if he believed anything. Sorry, can anybody know what someone else believes? Do you know what you believe? Just askin'. Also, do you really 'require' everyone to live an 'ethical life' by your definition?

[Gilly Goodness]

The music is wide-rangin' without prescribin' one religion. To say it is spiritual takes a leap of faith I am not prepared to do. I listen and love stirrin' music. Brings me pleasure. If Anderson believes all that and that inspires his composin'. Fine. A lot of church music is upliftin' and wonderful. As music. Swap Jesus or Buddha or g-d around and it wouldn't matter. YESmusic is not prescriptive. Robin Hood stole from the rich and gave to the poor. Redistributed wealth. On Earth. No spiritualism. Shot his bolt. Done.

I can find wonder and beauty in Tom Waits music. In the Neighbourhood is a great paen to universal humanity. As is All Good People.

The OP assigns too much to the music. World transformative? Popular music in the West. Sure.
I love and follow the band without ever wonderin' how my spiritual chakras are doin'?

There is too much wonder already in the world. The Southern Lights. My children. Flowers. Even International Dark Sky Parks. May be in the minority but I am a Yesfan with no awareness of/need for the divine. To be alive and human and the result of millions of procreations. With a brain evolved over millennia. Though my head hurts tryin' to understand economics.

Try to live an ethical life. Live a balanced life to ensure longevity. To raise a family and care for them long term
Enough for me.

Lookin' forward to All Connected. As we are. A species. In a battle for survival.

[Oldie on the Goldie]

Gilly what I believe or don't believe is not relevant here, the discussion is what the music is about. Yes with Anderson "could have" used a legend like Robin Hood as inspiration, but never did. I'd guess the closest thing to it would be Turn of the Century which seems inspired by the Pygmalion legend, though that song too has a spiritual aspect.

70s Genesis did the sort of thing you describe, drawing inspiration from various myths and legends.

As you probably know, Anderson is a spiritual guy by his own account.

[Gilly Goodness]

[QUOTE=Oldie on the Goldie;n41968]Well let's see now. CTTE is about the quest of Siddhartha for spiritual enlightenment, based on the life of Siddartha Gautama more commonly known as Buddha. Tales was inspired by ancient Hindu religious scriptures . Awaken is blatantly about spiritual enlightenment. The theme of That That Is is that everyone even crack hos is capable of spiritual transcendence. Just to take a few epic examples.

Songs that could've also used a legend like Robin the Hood as an inspiration. Guessin' you believe in all this divine within. Fine.

Don't care. As long as you live an ethical life. Are kind to puppies and children. Do you. Keep doin' you. 😉

[Oldie on the Goldie]

Well let's see now. CTTE is about the quest of Siddhartha for spiritual enlightenment, based on the life of Siddartha Gautama more commonly known as Buddha. Tales was inspired by ancient Hindu religious scriptures . Awaken is blatantly about spiritual enlightenment. The theme of That That Is is that everyone even crack hos is capable of spiritual transcendence. Just to take a few epic examples.

The defense rests.

[cjreyes]

I'm agnostic. I don't know anything.

[Gilly Goodness]

My feeling is the overall Yes-vibe, spirit, philosophy or what ever you want to call it goes way beyond the lyrics. Thinking of something along the lines of souls, symphonies, music, love, enlightenment, world transformation.

Think you're stretchin' things. World transformation?
I mean. I thinks it's cool music and all. Also. Souls? Think they don't exist. Brain activity. Yes. Death? End of brain activity.

The only YES-related music that will be enjoyed in a 1,000 years is the Firebird Suite.

[cjreyes]

My feeling is the overall Yes-vibe, spirit, philosophy or what ever you want to call it goes way beyond the lyrics. Thinking of something along the lines of souls, symphonies, music, love, enlightenment, world transformation.