“You have cultural icons who are celebrities to the people. That kind of scares people in a political climate who want control. They can't control them, so all they can do is make the press take control, debase these people and try to take their credibility.” »read more
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This song is about war, specifically the Vietnam War. Governments fight wars, not men and women - therefore yours is no disgrace. The message is that war has no winners and no real meaning: "Death defying, mutilated armies scatter the earth, Crawling out of dirty holes, their morals, their morals disappear," "On a sailing ship to nowhere." (thanks, Mike - Mountlake Terrace, Washington)
Steve Howe devised a completely new opening to this song specifically for the Yessongs live album, a decision that was made at the last minute. (thanks, Adrian - Brookings, SD)
More songs by Yes
More songs about war
Comments:
Weirdly the instrumental break in this song was used as a theme to the BBC nightly news programme through the 70s in Scotland!
- Dom, Southampton, United Kingdom
The line "shining, flying purple wolfhounds" refers to British slang for a particular type of fighter jet.
And yes, this song is about the Vietnam War.
"Caesar's palace" --> gives a real governmental, dictator feel to the song, doesn't it?
- Corey, Barrie, ON
Pure coincidence, I'd say. But yeah... kind of.
- Michael, Oxford
Listen to Pink Floyd's "The Gnome" and tell me that the acoustic section of this song doesn't remind you of it, at least a little.
- Kent Lyle, Cincinnati, OH
The "shining flying purple wolfhounds" line (which I also like) was picked by one columnist (Dave Barry? I don't remember) as one of the worst lines in rock music.
- Lauren, Maryville, MO
Having seen Yes "In The Round" about 8 times, I can imagine that one may feel as if they'er in a microwave with the lights being that close. Must be hot.. I suffered on stage under simular lighting, and its not fun.....
- Jim, Somewhere, PA
A Live YES show with a Microwave??? they must have thought of Fralile in a Kitchen...
- Max, Sydney, Australia
The first albumn i bought was Yes Fragile back in 1974. (I was 12) I saw Yes in concert in 1978 with Wakeman and Bill Bruford. They played on a huge round stage that revolved like a rotissarie in a microwave. Great concert!!!
- Steve, Alexandria, VA
I really think Yes is the best band in the world!! No one can do what steve howe can do. neither can anyone do the FANTASTIC!! keyboards that he wonderful Rick Wakmen can do. If you have listend to "Awaken" off "Going For The One" Wakemen does the best orgen i've ever heard in my life!! Jon anderson is a great singer aswell!! YES RULES!!
- Max, Sydney, Australia
Steve Howe is the most adventerous rock guitarist ever. He walks the fine line between rawness and finesse and has never been afraid to walk where no other guitarist has gone before. He is my overall favourite guitarist - even if there had been nothing else from him but "Clap".
- tom, Freiburg, Germany
I love the "shining, flying, purple wolf-hounds" line !!!
- Gregg, Denver, CO
Anderson's former bandmate from his Warriors days, David Foster, claimed he co-wrote part of this song with Anderson but was never credited. He even released an autobiography titled after the song. Foster did receive co-writing credit for "Sweet Dreams" and "Time and a Word" from the previous album.
- Kent Lyle, Palo Alto, CA
The first Yes song credited to the entire band. Yes went through cycles of either listing individual songwriters or crediting everything on the album to all of the members. Still, most of the basic musical ideas generally originate from Anderson.
- Kent Lyle, Palo Alto, CA
Maybe the second song with Steve Howe - but the first Steve recorded with them was the long 3 chord section at the end of Starship Trooper (The Wurm?)
- John, Surrey, England
This is a great song. When I first heard it I just smiled. I kept thinking, "this is really good" I love the guitar break in the middle Steve Howe is a genius. When he came, they were their best.
- Jonathan, Ann Arbor, MI
First Yes song featuring Steve Howe on guitar. Clocks in at 9:40.
- Robert, Chicago, IL