Just a few words about a classic Yes moment

Classic Yes at their greatest, "I've Seen All Good People" is the kind of song that many listeners struggle to find a meaning, or find something in the words of Jon Anderson that validates the whole. A song and clip divided in two parts, and for that it's needed to break them down because the video follows different aesthetics, ideas and visuals, but it certainly benefits the conjuction.

"Your Move": Anderson appears in the so-called first section of the song, played out mostly as more accoustic if compared to what follows. He's all by himself lip-synching to the track and he's inside a chessboard scenery along with the pieces moving from time to time. An awkward special effect and editing trick to be seen, groundbreaking then, but by quite cheap looking by today's standards. But it's fine, it serves its purpose as the lyrics make several analogies about the game of chess and relationships. Then, a folk song vibes related to experience and form connections, and "don't surround yourself with yourself" phrase came a decade prior to the "owner of a lonely heart" being "much better than the owner of a broken heart" (written by Trevor Rabin though).

"I've Seen All Good People" has a stage performance of Yes (Anderson, Chris Squire, Bill Bruford, Tony Kaye and Steve Howe), a more rocky sound, with the lyrics being repeated almost as if being a chant echoing in slightly different variations, as the performers make changes in their playing, there's solos and such. With this one, the video got a shortened version of the song.

The whole song as I see it: a shift of different times and generations, with the first part addressing union and movement among people for a common goal, and the second part showing a more egoistical tone of the crowd, everybody's busy with their own affair, their own goals - yet they're all good peple. While dealing with chess imagery, there's a sense of organization, discipline and tactics on how to deal with personal relations (but it's an old game, so we look into a distant past); second part are simply the echoes of a self-absorbed society going their own way (present and future).

Considering that this amazing group haven't got the chance to make concept videos for their epic songs divided in parts - this one becoming a small yet effective exception - I got nothing but praise for it. It's an excellent song in all levels, and I'm glad they actually made a video with both parts, as the single can be found split, and the Yes experience only works in totality. 9/10.

The music genre features stories showcasing musical performances, music-related documentaries and recordings of live concerts and music festivals.

Prince and Apollonia Kotero in Purple Rain (1984)

The official music video for Yes single "I've Seen All Good People" is split in two segments just as the song. In the first portion ("Your Move") lead singer Jon Anderson is inserted on a chess set with some of its pieces moving; the other portion ("All Good People") is a performance of all band members on stage.

Jon Anderson in Yes: I've Seen All Good People (1972)

Get a closer look at some of Hollywood's perfect pairs.

Hollywood Power Couples

Get a closer look at some of Hollywood&#39;s perfect pairs.

See which big screen releases you can watch from the comfort of your couch.

Theatrical Releases Coming to Streaming

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Chris Squire in Yes: I've Seen All Good People (1972)

Bill Bruford in Yes: I've Seen All Good People (1972)

Jon Anderson and Chris Squire in Yes: I've Seen All Good People (1972)

Yes: I've Seen All Good People

Photos12

Top Cast6

User reviews1

Related interests

Storyline

Did you know

Top picks

Details

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed