The original line-up consisted of Jon Anderson (vocals), Chris Squire (bass, vocals), Peter Banks (guitar, vocals), Tony Kaye (keyboards), and Bill Bruford (drums). Personnel changes brought musicians Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman into the group in 1970 and 1971 respectively. Steve Howe appears on the cover of Time and a Word, even though soon-to-be-ousted Pete Banks is the guitarist on the album. Alan White then replaced Bill Bruford in 1972. These changes had arguably the biggest influence on their music and subsequent success. The early 1970's saw Yes as one of the few influential mainstream progressive acts.
For some fans, the double-album, four-track 1973 recording Tales from Topographic Oceans - symphonic and oddly mystical, marked a point of departure. It generally received a critical mauling in the press yet went straight to No. 1 in the UK album charts. Those listeners taken by the Tales album would be enthralled by 1974's Relayer - the only album that Patrick Moraz played keyboards on - which mixed progressive rock and a jazz fusion style that at times was very free in tunes such as "The Gates of Delirium". Far from their pop beginnings, this album marked a milestone for the band and for progressive rock as a whole.
During the rise of the progressive genre, Yes pioneered the use of synthesizers and sound effects, gaining large popularity with their unique brand of mysticism and grand-scale compositions. Fragile (1971) and Close to the Edge (1972) are considered their best works - symphonic, complex, cerebral, spiritual and moving. These albums featured beautiful harmonies and strong, occasionally heavy playing. Also, Fragile contained the popular hit song "Roundabout". With the advent of punk in 1977, many considered progressive rock dead in the water. Yes, however, proved them wrong by releasing one of their most successful albums - Going for the One, which contained "Awaken", a rhythmic tour-de-force.
In 1979, Anderson and Wakeman left the band after unsuccessful recording sessions in Paris. Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes (from the new-wave band The Buggles of "Video Killed the Radio Star" fame) were recruited to replace them, and the band recorded Drama, their first album without Anderson on vocals. The resulting sound was much heavier than previous albums, particularly the opening track Machine Messiah, and a strong synth-pop influence due to the involvement of Downes and Horn, which drew some criticism and the dismissive label "Yuggles". While the new Yes was well-received in America, the band encountered more hostile audiences in England. The group split up in 1981.
The band reformed in 1983 with a new lineup featuring Squire, White, South African guitarist Trevor Rabin, and the return of Jon Anderson on vocals and Tony Kaye on keyboards. This line-up, which was eventually nicknamed "Yes West", recorded 90125 and Big Generator and enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. During these years, Yes championed digital sampling technologies and sold millions of records, influencing a generation of digital musicians with hits such as "Owner of a Lonely Heart" and "Rhythm of Love".
By the end of the 1980s, Jon Anderson formed a side project with former Yes members Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman and Bill Bruford, releasing Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe in 1989. This led to a merger in 1990 and the album Union and the following tour with all 8 members. However, while the tour and album were commercial successes, many of the band members were dissatisfied with the album. Union was comprised of a demo recorded by the "Yes West" lineup attached to what was originally recorded as the second Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe album, and was finished using session musicians. Bruford has disowned the album entirely, and Wakeman was reportedly unable to recognise any of his keyboard work in the final edit.
The "Yes West" lineup went on to release Talk in 1994, but sales were poor, and in 1995 Rabin and Kaye left the band. Howe and Wakeman re-joined to produce the albums Keys to Ascension in 1996 and Keys to Ascension 2 in 1997, which featured both live performances and new studio tracks, returning to their progressive style of the 1970s. Wakeman left the band shortly thereafter due to disagreements about the albums and tour.
The band collaborated with Billy Sherwood to produce the album Open Your Eyes in 1998, and Sherwood became an official member at the end of the sessions due to his significant contributions. Igor Khoroshev also performed on a few tracks and performed on the following tour, eventually becoming a full member as well.
Moving through the 1990s and into the new millennium, the band has moved back towards progressive influenced music and today keeps pushing the boundaries by using the latest hard-disk recording techniques.
In 1999 they worked with Relic Entertainment, providing the song "Homeworld (The Ladder)" for the PC game Homeworld. Although Sierra Entertainment later released a CD with the soundtrack they, for no apparent reason, chose not to include this song on the CD. It can however be found on the 1999 album The Ladder.
After the departure of Sherwood in 2000 and Khoroshev in 2001, Yes recorded Magnification in 2001 without a keyboardist, instead featuring a full orchestra. Rick Wakeman re-joined the band the next year, and in 2003 the band recorded five tracks that were added as a 3rd CD in the compilation Ultimate Yes: 35th Anniversay Collection, including acoustic versions of "Roundabout" and "South Side of the Sky".
In 2008, when the band was about to begin their 40th anniversary tour, Jon Anderson suffered from a throat infection and was unable to participate. Benoit David, from Canadian Progressive Rock band Mystery and Yes tribute band Close To The Edge, was recruited to fill in on vocals for the tour. In 2009, he was named as Anderson's permanent replacement. Rick Wakeman's son Oliver Wakeman also joined the band on keyboards.
The band recorded Fly From Here in 2011, their first new album in 10 years, with David on vocals and Trevor Horn as producer. Before the album was completed, Wakeman was replaced by Geoff Downes, bringing together the Drama lineup and a similar sound. The title track was originally conceived in 1981, and it was refined and extended into 20-minute six-part epic.
In February 2012, after contracting a respiratory illness, David was replaced by Glass Hammer vocalist Jon Davison who, like David, was discovered while fronting a Yes cover band. In 2014, Yes released Heaven & Earth with Davison performing vocals.
On May 19, 2015, Chris Squire announced that he would be unable to join the band on their North American tour with Toto due to being diagnosed with Acute Erythroid Leukemia (AEL), an uncommon form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Billy Sherwood would perform with the band in his place.
On June 28, 2015, Yes released the following announcement:
It’s with the heaviest of hearts and unbearable sadness that we must inform you of the passing of our dear friend and Yes co-founder, Chris Squire. Chris peacefully passed away last night (27 June 2015) in Phoenix, Arizona.
RIP Chris Squire 1948-2015
Discography
Albums
Studio albums
Year Album details Peak chart position Certifications
(sales thresholds)
UK
[1] US
[2] CH
[3] NOR
[4] NL
[5] SWE
[6] AT
[7] AUS
[8]
1969 Yes - - - - - - - -
1970 Time and a Word 45 - - - - - - -
1971 The Yes Album 4 40 - - 15 - - -
Fragile 7 4 - - 12 - - -
1972 Close to the Edge 4 3 - - 1 - - -
1973 Tales from Topographic Oceans 1 6 - 8 13 - - -
1974 Relayer 4 5 - 18 14 - - -
1977 Going for the One 1 8 - 7 10 10 - -
1978 Tormato 8 10 - 9 14 18 - -
1980 Drama 2 18 - 11 15 19 - -
1983 90125 16 5 3 8 2 7 9 -
CAN: 2× Platinum[11]
1987 Big Generator 17 15 22 - 21 14 - -
1991 Union 7 15 16 - 13 32 - -
1994 Talk 20 33 29 - 31 31 - -
1996 Keys to Ascension (live/studio) 48 99 - - - - - -
1997 Keys to Ascension 2 (live/studio) 62 159 - - - - - -
Open Your Eyes 105 151 - - - - - -
1999 The Ladder 36 99 - - - - - -
2001 Magnification 71 186 - - 81 - - -
2011 Fly from Here
2014 Heaven & Earth
2021 The Quest
2023 Mirror to the Sky
New Language
Yes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Interesting Facts ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even tho' I make it up as I go on
A special trait is that I've tried
To reach all feelings
So I speak a new language of love
Some say that it is written in the circle
Others that it is written in the sun
As a metaphor for moving on
Sometimes I check myself
To start to believe in
The horoscopes you read everyday
They're telling me somethings
I really ought to know
But then again I like to
Then again I learn to
Then again I'm running away
Vision is coming so fast I can't stop myself
Vision forgets who is real
On the city streets, people get lost
Just waiting for history
Pushing the real world away
Taking a chance only once in your life
Only weakness can stop you from hearing
New languages
Translate each word
As they bring you creation
Your voice is the perfect key
Is there something that
I'm supposed to see
Is there something that I'm
Supposed to feel
I'm with you
And I can't help but want to know
(Talk to me)
Is there something that I'm supposed to teach
(Speak to me)
Is there something that I'm supposed to find
As I reach to the healing in each spoken word
For some strange reason time just cannot wait a minute
I'm chasing every second before I let go
Yesterday my history
Dreams are still a mystery
This living is a gift I should know
Lay it down and let me live the new language
Let me learn at every twist every turn
Lay it down and let me love the further future
Let me know I'm running
Let me know I'm learning
Let me know I'm moving on
Vision is racing so fast I can't stop myself
Chasing the reason
For all kinds of wondering
People embracing these feelings of limbo
Just waiting for some kind of truth
Taking a chance as it comes only once
Only strength can do justice
With words of new languages
Translate creation
To bring you salvation
Your voice is the perfect key
(Talk to me)
Is there something that
I'm supposed to see
(Speak to me)
Is there something that I'm
Supposed to feel
I'm with you
And I can't help but want to know
(New languages)
(Talk to me)
Is there something that
I'm supposed to teach
(Speak to me)
Is there something that I'm supposed to find
As I reach to the healing of each spoken word (new languages)
Taking a chance as it comes only once
Only strength can do justice
With words of new languages
Translate creation
To bring you salvation
Your voice is the perfect key
(Talk to me)
Is there something that
I'm supposed to see
(Speak to me)
Is it something that I'm
Supposed to feel
I'm with you
And I can't help but want to know
(New languages)
(Talk to me)
Is there something that
I'm supposed to teach
(Speak to me)
Is there something that I'm supposed to find
As I reach to the healing of each spoken word (new languages)
Is it something that I'm supposed to find
As I reach to the healing of each spoken word (new languages)
The lyrics to Yes's "New Language" seem to celebrate the idea of learning and growth through experiencing new things. The singer acknowledges that they often "make it up" as they go along, but this seems to be part of the journey. They view the learning process as a kind of protection, perhaps from stagnation or complacency. The singer also references a "new language of love" which they have developed through trying to understand and connect with others on a deeper level.
There are references to time and history, as well as to the idea of metaphor and symbolism. The singer seems to be searching for meaning and understanding, and is open to learning from a variety of sources. They indicate a willingness to take chances, even though this can be scary.
Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of someone who is on a journey of self-discovery, trying to make sense of the world and their place in it. The idea of a "new language" suggests that they are trying to create something new or different, rather than simply accepting the status quo.
Some interesting facts about "New Language" include:
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
I speak from some sort of protection of learning
I speak cautiously from the knowledge I've gained so far in life.
Even tho' I make it up as I go on
Even though I'm not always sure of what I'm doing, I continue to move forward.
A special trait is that I've tried To reach all feelings
I have a characteristic of trying to understand and relate to all emotions.
So I speak a new language of love
Due to my efforts to understand others' feelings, I now communicate love in a unique way.
Some say that it is written in the circle
Some believe that the answer to life is in the cyclical nature of the universe.
Others that it is written in the sun
Others believe that the answer to life is in the energy of the sun.
But I protect myself by seeing this experience As a metaphor for moving on
I safeguard my own growth by seeing my experiences as symbolic of my personal journey.
Sometimes I check myself To start to believe in The horoscopes you read everyday
Occasionally, I question myself and turn to the daily horoscopes for guidance.
They're telling me somethings I really ought to know But then again I like to Then again I learn to Then again I'm running away
The horoscopes offer advice that I should follow, but I often struggle with self-doubt and avoidance.
Vision is coming so fast I can't stop myself Vision forgets who is real On the city streets, people get lost Just waiting for history Pushing the real world away
The fast-paced world causes people to lose their sense of self, leading to a disconnection from reality and a focus on the past instead of the present.
Taking a chance only once in your life Only weakness can stop you from hearing New languages Translate each word As they bring you creation Your voice is the perfect key
Opportunities only arise once, and only being vulnerable can open up the possibility of understanding new perspectives. By interpreting each word carefully, we can create something new, with our own voice being the key to this process.
Is there something that I'm supposed to see
Am I missing something important?
Is there something that I'm Supposed to feel I'm with you And I can't help but want to know (Talk to me)
I'm in the company of others and I'm curious about how I'm supposed to feel in this situation. I want to communicate my thoughts with those around me.
Is there something that I'm supposed to teach (Speak to me) Is there something that I'm supposed to find As I reach to the healing in each spoken word
I wonder if there is a greater purpose for me to fulfill, and if there is something profound that I can learn from each conversation I have.
For some strange reason time just cannot wait a minute I'm chasing every second before I let go Yesterday my history Dreams are still a mystery This living is a gift I should know
I have an inexplicable desire to make the most out of my time. Despite my past experiences shaping me, my future remains uncertain. Yet, I realize life is a gift I should cherish.
Lay it down and let me live the new language Let me learn at every twist every turn Lay it down and let me love the further future Let me know I'm running
I ask for the opportunity to fully embrace new ways of communicating and understanding, so that I may continue to learn and grow.
Let me know I'm learning Let me know I'm moving on Vision is racing so fast I can't stop myself Chasing the reason For all kinds of wondering People embracing these feelings of limbo Just waiting for some kind of truth
I want to feel assured that I'm progressing and that my journey has purpose. People are looking for answers and direction, some unsure of their place in the world.
(Talk to me) Is there something that I'm supposed to teach (Speak to me) Is there something that I'm supposed to find As I reach to the healing of each spoken word (new languages)
I'm still pondering whether there is a higher purpose to my life, and if by understanding unique ways of communicating, I might reach a deeper level of understanding and healing.
Is it something that I'm supposed to find As I reach to the healing of each spoken word (new languages)
By exploring new ways of communicating and being open to others, will I discover a greater level of healing and understanding?
New languages (Talk to me) (Speak to me) New languages (Talk to me) (Speak to me)
The theme of exploring new concepts and ways of understanding is a central message of the song.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Musicnotes, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN WHITE, BILLY SHERWOOD, CHRIS SQUIRE, IGOR PETROVICH KHOROSHEV, JON ANDERSON, STEVE JAMES HOWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind