Meaningful Lyrics and Lyrical sounds
Jtyesinden
There has been a long time thread on amy and elsewhere, generally unchallenged
that Yes' lyrics are primarily meaningless words put together for the pleasure
of the sounds of the vocalist, J.A., as an instrument.
I won't deny that Jon's lyrics and singing often have this effect and can be
enjoyed without making any allusions to the meaning of the words. Indeed there
are examples of songs where the lyrics have little to no meaning from Jon's own
report: Roundabout, Siberian Khatru for example.
However, there are also many songs where the lyrics seem to be a mix of words
with meaning and some just for the sound and songs where the lyrics obviously
have meaning. Jon as a lyricist, even when trying to write about something,
can often be obtuse or vague. His lyrics are often poetic rather than literal.
This does mean that they have no meaning. Also, many of the lyrics of Yes are
of a spiritual slant, ala new age ideas, which can be somewhat fluffy and vague
when written in prose.
Here are some examples of songs with lyrics that have some meaning. I am not
judging whether the meaning behind the lyrics are of any particular value or
quality but that they have meaning:
Time and a Word (song about finding peace in the moment through love)
Yours is no Disgrace (about the vietnam war and veterans fighting in war,
according to interview with Jon I heard in the mid-70's)
Perpetual Change (song about technological achievements vs. the constant change
of the universe, man's place in a the universe)
Close to the Edge (according to Jon it is based on Herman Hesse's novel
Siddhartha, read the novel and the chorus "Close to the Edge, Down by the
River, Seasons will pass you by, I get up, I get down" takes on a clear
meaning)
Gates of Delirum (song about war, opening about setting off to battle, driven
by a force or need to fight, followed by the battle, then the emerging peace
afterwards, soon)
To Be Over (awesome spiritual lyrics, one of my favorite Yes tunes, about going
with the flow of life, don't suffer with the random game of chance, time will
heal your fear, don't worry, don't doubt your part)
Turn of the Century (about an artist recreating his lover after her death, J.A.
said he was making an android in an interview during the GFTO tour)
Wonderous Stories (going to hear a master speak and tell wonderous stories)
TFTO (all four sides have ascribed meanings. some of the lyrics clearly fit
the subject described in the liner notes. some lyrics more vague. some seem
to be put in as filler or because they sound good instrumentally)
anyway enough examples. Take what you like and leave the rest.
Jim
jim
Shawn
Jtyesinden wrote in message
<199804180618...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...
[...]
I recall Jon using Roundabout as an example for showing
*where* the meaning is in the lyrics. Maybe driving down a
mountainside and not being at your destination yet doesn't
have a *major* meaning in the Grand Scheme of things.
Trivial topic certainly, just as Wonderous Stories is
trivial, but it isn't a "meaningless" lyric. It is filled
with poetic metaphor, which Jon wields as a master. Perhaps
*too* masterful, as people hear it and say, "What's that
gobbledegook about?"
He has said that he frequently uses words the way a painter
selects a particular color. "River," for example, is one of
his favorite "colors," yet each time "river" is used,
however, it certainly holds a meaning and is representing
"something." What that "something" is varies from one song
to another, but I've never found a place where it's used
without meaning whatsoever.
Cool post, Jim.
Shawn
--
I'm a river I love you.
Remove NOSPAM from my address to reply.
~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*
"Take heart and gather your courage, for the Universe
is presenting you with an opportunity to soar above
the mundane levels of your life."
~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Jtyesinden
>He has said that he frequently uses words the way a painter
>selects a particular color. "River," for example, is one of
>his favorite "colors," yet each time "river" is used,
>however, it certainly holds a meaning and is representing
>"something." What that "something" is varies from one song
>to another, but I've never found a place where it's used
>without meaning whatsoever.
>
>Cool post, Jim.
>
>Shawn
>--
>I'm a river I love you.
> Remove NOSPAM from my address to reply.
> ~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*
>"Take heart and gather your courage, for the Universe
>is presenting you with an opportunity to soar above
>the mundane levels of your life."
Shawn,
I agree with what you say about the metaphorical aspects of Yes lyrics. To me,
that is one reason I can listen to their music repeatedly over the years.
Occasionally, a new layer of meaning will come out of the music and lyrics even
after years of listening.
Jim
jim
M.A. ARINO CLARKE
In article <35383...@news.imaxx.net>, "Shawn"
<shawn...@imaxx.net> wrote:
>
>I recall Jon using Roundabout as an example for showing
>*where* the meaning is in the lyrics. Maybe driving down
a
>mountainside and not being at your destination yet
doesn't
>have a *major* meaning in the Grand Scheme of things.
Well, that's life, going up and down and not being where
you want to be yet :-).
(snipped)
>[...]It is filled
>with poetic metaphor, which Jon wields as a master.
Perhaps
>*too* masterful, as people hear it and say, "What's that
>gobbledegook about?"
Then it's a case of art that only those who can understand
it enjoy fully.
Now me, I enjoy a lot Jon's lyrics, they ussually are
beautiful, like:
"Cold summer listening, hot colour melting the anger to
stone"
I don't need to see the meaning of that to sense that they
form a beautiful verse. Just my view... In Jon's well
written lyrics there is something to be found in all
levels, the more you dig the more gold you get :-)
Jtyesinden
>I don't need to see the meaning of that to sense that they
>form a beautiful verse. Just my view... In Jon's well
>written lyrics there is something to be found in all
>levels, the more you dig the more gold you get :-)
Beautifully said,
hey b what do you think of this excellent summary about Jon's lyrics.
Jim
jim
b
Jtyesinden wrote in message
<199804220453...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...
I wasn't following the entire thread, Jim. But I will say this, the
paragraph above holds "true to the light" in full meaning of verse. :) One
should always listen to the wisdom of an ANGEL as lessons can be learned and
interpretations can be processed. It is the same case spoken with the holy
words from the bible. Jon and the bible's lyrics share a few traits in
common: all knowing, all wisdom, all positive, and more to learn upon each
re-reading. Bless Jon and his lyrics. :)
b