Close to the Edge

Yes

About Close to the Edge

"Close to the Edge" is a song by the English progressive rock band Yes, featured on their fifth studio album Close to the Edge (1972). The song is over 18 minutes in length and takes up the entire first side of the album. It consists of four movements.


Year:
1997
123 

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A seasoned witch could call you from the depths of your disgrace,
And rearrange your liver to the solid mental grace,
And achieve it all with music that came quickly from afar,
Then taste the fruit of man recorded losing all against the hour
And assessing points to nowhere, leading every single one
A dewdrop can exalt us like the music of the sun,
And take away the plain in which we move,
And choose the course you're running

Down at the edge, round by the corner,
Not right away, not right away
Close to the edge, down by a river,
Not right away, not right away

Crossed the line around the changes of the summer,
Reaching out to call the color of the sky
Passed around a moment clothed in mornings faster than we see
Getting over all the time I had to worry,
Leaving all the changes far from far behind
We relieve the tension only to find out the master's name

Down at the end, round by the corner
Close to the edge, just by a river
Seasons will pass you by
I get up, I get down
Now that it's all over and done,
Now that you find, now that you're whole

My eyes convinced, eclipsed with the younger moon attained with love
It changed as almost strained amidst clear manna from above
I crucified my hate and held the word within my hand
There's you, the time, the logic, or the reasons we don't understand

Sad courage claimed the victims standing still for all to see,
As armored movers took approached to overlook the sea
There since the cord, the license, or the reasons we understood will be

Down at the edge, close by a river
Close to the edge, round by the corner
Close to the end, down by the corner
Down at the edge, round by the river

Sudden call shouldn't take away the startled memory
All in all, the journey takes you all the way
As apart from any reality that you've ever seen and known
Guessing problems only to deceive the mention,
Passing paths that climb halfway into the void
As we cross from side to side, we hear the total mass retain

Down at the edge, round by the corner
Close to the end, down by a river
Seasons will pass you by
I get up, I get down

In her white lace, you could clearly see the lady sadly looking
Saying that she'd take the blame
For the crucifixion of her own domain           

I get up,
I get down,
I get up,
I get down

Two million people barely satisfy
Two hundred women watch one woman cry, too late
The eyes of honesty can achieve
How many millions do we deceive each day?
I get up, I get down
I get up, I get down

In charge of who is there in charge of me
Do I look on blindly and say I see the way?
The truth is written all along the page
How old will I be before I come of age for you?
I get up, I get down
I get up, I get down
I get up, I get down

The time between the notes relates the color to the scenes
A constant vogue of triumphs dislocate man, it seems
And space between the focus shape ascend knowledge of love
As song and chance develop time, lost social temperance rules above
Ah, ah

Then according to the man who showed his outstretched arm to space,
He turned around and pointed, revealing all the human race
I shook my head and smiled a whisper, knowing all about the place
On the hill we viewed the silence of the valley,
Called to witness cycles only of the past
And we reach all this with movements in between the said remark

Close to the edge, down by the river
Down at the end, round by the corner
Seasons will pass you by,
Now that it's all over and done,
Called to the seed, right to the sun
Now that you find, now that you're whole
Seasons will pass you by,
I get up, I get down
I get up, I get down
I get up, I get down
I get up

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Yes

Yes are an English rock band who achieved success with their progressive, art and symphonic style of music. They are distinguished by their use of mystical and cosmic lyrics, live stage sets and lengthy compositions, often with complex instrumental and vocal arrangements. Seventeen musicians have been a part of the band's line-up in its history, which has consisted of singer Jon Davison, guitarist Steve Howe, bass guitarist Chris Squire, keyboardist Geoff Downes, and drummer Alan White since February 2012. more »

8 fans

Written by: JON ANDERSON, STEVE JAMES HOWE

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Album Release
"Close to the Edge" is the title track of the fifth studio album by British progressive rock band Yes, which was released in September 1972.
Track Length
This song is the band's longest studio recording, with an impressive duration of 18 minutes and 43 seconds.
Lineup
The band lineup for the "Close to the Edge" album consisted of Jon Anderson (vocals), Steve Howe (guitars), Chris Squire (bass), Rick Wakeman (keyboards), and Bill Bruford (drums).
Four Sections
The song "Close to the Edge" is divided into four sections - "The Solid Time of Change," "Total Mass Retain," "I Get Up I Get Down," and "Seasons of Man."
Simultaneously
The title track was reportedly recorded in one take, all five band members playing simultaneously, showcasing their prominent talent.
Chart Success
Despite its unusual length, "Close to the Edge" was quite successful, reaching No. 3 on the UK Albums chart and No. 4 on the US Billboard 200.
Perception
At first, Rick Wakeman expressed his displeasure with the song version recorded for the album, but after listening to it again years later, he admitted to have misjudged it and now believes it represents some of Yes' best work.
Cover Art
The album's iconic cover was designed by Roger Dean, who would go on to create several more covers for the band.
Sonic Experimentation
This song was among the early instances of the use of nature sounds in progressive rock. The beginning of the track features the sound of running water and birds sung by Jon Anderson and Steve Howe.
Genre Impact
"Close to the Edge" is considered one of the defining albums of the progressive rock genre, and its title track is often cited as one of the greatest progressive rock songs.
Conceptual Influence
It was partly inspired by Herman Hesse's book "Siddhartha," which depicts a spiritual journey of self-discovery.
Brilliant Watery Imagery
The lyrics contain various water-related symbols, reflecting themes of introspection and spirituality favored by Jon Anderson.
Bruford’s Departure
Interestingly, after recording the album, drummer Bill Bruford left Yes to join King Crimson, another progressive rock band.
Critical Acclaim
Rolling Stone magazine described "Close to the Edge" as "Yes at their cohesive, complex, most intricate best."
Live Performances
Despite its length, "Close to the Edge" has been regularly performed in its entirety during the band's live shows.

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