The Fish
by Yes

Album: Fragile (1971)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Yes split up the songwriting for the Fragile album by having each of the five members compose a song for it. "The Fish" was created by Chris Squire using only the bass guitar. Steve Howe did "Mood For A Day" as a solo guitar piece; "Cans And Brahms" was not only arranged by Rick Wakeman, he played all the parts as well; Jon Anderson sang all the vocal parts in "We Have Heaven" himself; Bill Bruford created "Five Per Cent For Nothing," which was played by the entire group with percussion instruments. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Randy - Chicago Heights, IL
  • The title comes from Chris Squire's nickname: he was dubbed "the fish" because of his tendency to take long baths. He also happens to be a Pisces.
  • The subtitle for this song is "Schindleria Praematurus," which is an obscure, neotenic marine fish from the Pacific ocean. "Neotenic" means the adult fish exhibits no adult characteristics, only juvenile characteristics. The story is that Chris Squire had the melody and wanted to sing the name of a fish that had eight syllables, and dispatched a roadie (Maybe Michael Tait) to find one. The best he could find had nine, which is why the last syllable kind of trails off.
  • This is an instrumental. The only lyrics (if you can call them that) are the repeated subtitle of the song - "Schindleria Praematurus, Schindleria Praematurus, Schindleria Praematurus." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Mountlake Terrace, WA, for above 2
  • On the album, this segues directly from "Long Distance Runaround." Radio stations usually play the songs together.

Comments: 10

  • Chris Birch from Luxembourg1Schin-2dle-3ri-4a 5prae-6ma-7tu-8rus. Where do you get 9 from? BTW it should be praematura, but we'll let that pass ;-)
  • Johnny Rocks from Port Saint LucieI have always been fascinated by the music of Yes since I was 3 years old when I heard time and a word. I always was curious about the band and the meanings of their compositions and the way their music aroused colorful passions in my spirit. I loved the band oh so much throughout my younger years and throughout my teens. God bless them and was glad they were so fantastic and no other band was ever quite like them!!!
  • Craig Stone from Mukilteo WaI was privlaged enough to meet Chris Squire at a Yes meet and greet in Seattle just before he passed away.I have been a huge Yes fan since ,1970.I was so overwhelmed with actually meeting Chris Squire It was hard for me to converse with him. He started the conversation and was open and very friendly. What a sad day when I told about his death There will never be another bass player that can equal his talent.
  • Greg from Sydney AustraliaIt just occurred to me that Squire also played a bass guitar. A bass is also a fish. So now there's three explanations for his nickname, even if only one of these the actual origin.
  • Kurt from Dallas, TxI remember a freind who showed me that the basic bass line was all overtones, Incredibly difficulat to play and so beautiful. I remember you brother.
  • Carlos from Sao Paulo, BrazilFish is Chris Squire's nickname, as wrote Kent Lyle, and it's also his zodiac sign.
  • Max from Sydney, Australiaone of my favourite yes songs.a great follow up from"longs distence runaround"
  • Greg from Oakville, CanadaNobody even mentions how many basslines are used in this solo. My teacher and I have counted ten different basslines all going simoultaniously, which makes this an incredible solo tacked off the end of "Long Distance Runaround".
  • Kent Lyle from Palo Alto, Ca"The Fish" was Chris Squire's nickname. He earned it primarily due to his very long baths he would take, back when several members lived in the same flat and had to share the bathroom. Bill especially was not amused.
  • Kent Lyle from Palo Alto, CaChris often performed this song live, in which it became an extended bass solo. Unfortunately, what makes the album version of the song so cool is the dense layers of bass rhythms and melodies, which cannot be reproduced live without either a lot of extra personnel or excessive backing tracks. When Alan White joined, it eventually became known as "Whitefish".
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New York

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Actors With Hit Songs

Actors With Hit SongsMusic Quiz

Many actors have attempted music, but only a few have managed a hit. Do you know which of these thespians charted?

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's Songs

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's SongsSong Writing

"London Bridge," "Ring Around the Rosie" and "It's Raining, It's Pouring" are just a few examples of shockingly morbid children's songs.

Mike Love of The Beach Boys

Mike Love of The Beach BoysSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist of The Beach Boys talks about coming up with the words for "Good Vibrations," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "Kokomo" and other classic songs.