Yes "Roundabout"

"Roundabout" is a classic progressive rock song by the English band Yes, released in November 1971 as the opening track on their fourth studio album, Fragile.123 Written by singer Jon Anderson and guitarist Steve Howe, the song is celebrated for its intricate musicianship, vivid lyrics, and innovative structure.

Origins and Inspiration

The song was inspired by a real-life road trip the band took in March 1971 while touring Scotland. Traveling from Aberdeen to Glasgow, Jon Anderson and Steve Howe encountered numerous roundabouts—Anderson estimated "maybe 40 or so"—which became the central image of the song.143 Anderson, under the influence of cannabis, found the journey and the surrounding Scottish landscape mystical and vivid, which fueled the song's abstract and impressionistic lyrics. The line "Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there" was inspired by the cloud-shrouded mountains they saw along the way, and "In and around the lake" refers to a loch they passed near Glasgow.1435

Lyrics and Meaning

While Anderson’s lyrics are famously elliptical and open to interpretation, "Roundabout" ultimately captures the magic of reunion and the transformation of a mundane journey into something meaningful because of the anticipation of seeing a loved one. The refrain, "Twenty-four before my love, you'll see, I'll be there with you," expresses the anticipation of returning home.5

The song’s lyrics are filled with natural imagery and poetic abstraction, inviting listeners to find their own meanings. Anderson’s approach was to write words for their sound and feel as much as their literal meaning, resulting in lines that are both evocative and enigmatic.1465

Composition and Recording

• Musicianship: "Roundabout" showcases Yes at their peak, blending complex rhythms, shifting time signatures, and virtuosic performances. Rick Wakeman’s classical keyboard skills, Steve Howe’s intricate guitar work, and Chris Squire’s dynamic bass lines are all highlights.6
• Production: The song was recorded at Advision Studios in London with co-producer Eddy Offord, using a 16-track recorder to layer the band's ideas. The rhythm tracks were recorded in separate sections and then assembled, contributing to the song's epic, multi-part feel.1
• Versions: The album version runs over eight minutes, while a heavily edited single version (3:27) was released in the US to fit radio formats, becoming the band's breakthrough hit.123

Release and Legacy

• "Roundabout" was released as a single in the US in January 1972, with "Long Distance Runaround" as the B-side. It peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #10 on the Cash Box Top 100, becoming Yes’s biggest hit until "Owner of a Lonely Heart" in 1983.123
• The song remains one of Yes’s most famous tracks and a staple of classic rock radio, known for its energetic instrumentation and memorable hooks.63

Notable Lyrics (Excerpt)

I'll be the roundabout
The words will make you out and out
I spend the day your way
Call it morning driving through the sound and in and out the valley

In and around the lake
Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there
One mile over, we'll be there and we'll see you
Ten true summers, we'll be there and laughing too
Twenty-four before my love, you'll see I'll be there with you3

Summary Table

"Roundabout" endures as a quintessential progressive rock epic, blending technical prowess, lyrical mystique, and a sense of wonder inspired by a simple journey through the countryside.14635