Make It Easy
Encyclopedia
"Make It Easy" is a 1981 song by the progressive rock
band Yes
. An early version of this song was written and sung by Trevor Rabin
, originally as a demo titled "Don't Give In". It was later re-worked by the band Cinema
, which included Yes members Chris Squire
, Alan White
and Tony Kaye
.
The song was unreleased until 1991, when it was included on the Yes boxed set Yesyears and released as a cassette single
backed with "Long Distance Runaround
". The single debuted on the Billboard
Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in August 1991, eventually peaking at number 36. It was later included as a bonus track on the remastered version of 90125
.
, Geoff Downes
, Steve Howe
, Chris Squire and Alan White. When this group split up following the tour for the album Drama
, Squire and White joined forces with South Africa
n singer and guitarist Trevor Rabin. The three were eventually joined by former Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye, and the four began writing and recording demos under the band name "Cinema".
Demos produced from the Cinema sessions included "Make It Easy", with lead vocals by Rabin, and an early version of "It Can Happen
" featuring Squire on vocals. Both tracks appeared as previously unreleased recordings on 1991's Yesyears boxed set compilation,
and "Make It Easy", recorded in 1981,
was released as a cassette single, backed with "Long Distance Runaround", from 1971's Fragile
. The single debuted on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart August 24, 1991, eventually peaking at number 36.
Both "Make It Easy" and the demo version of "It Can Happen" were later included as bonus tracks on the remastered version of 90125 released in 2004 by Rhino Records.
The beginning of "Make It Easy" has been used as an Intro into "Owner of a Lonely Heart
" when played live by Yes from 1984 to 2000. Steve Howe
has never performed it; Billy Sherwood
played guitar on the intro for the tours to support Open Your Eyes and The Ladder.
In 2003, the early version of this song was released by Trevor Rabin on a collection of demos titled 90124. The track is mistakingly listed as "Cinema Demo 1981". The linear notes reveal the song's real title, "Don't Give In".
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
. An early version of this song was written and sung by Trevor Rabin
Trevor Rabin
Trevor Charles Rabin is a South African born musician, best known as a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the British progressive rock band Yes from 1983–1994, and since then, as a film composer.- Early years :...
, originally as a demo titled "Don't Give In". It was later re-worked by the band Cinema
Cinema (band)
Cinema yes were a short-lived band started in 1982 by former Yes members Alan White and Chris Squire, with guitarist Trevor Rabin. They had plans to release their debut album in 1983, and were working on a number of songs, most of which had been written by Rabin.Eventually, these musicians were...
, which included Yes members Chris Squire
Chris Squire
Christopher Russell Edward "Chris" Squire , is an English musician, known as the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock group Yes. He is the only member of the group to appear on every album.-Before Yes:...
, Alan White
Alan White (Yes drummer)
Alan White is an English rock drummer known for his work with the progressive rock band Yes. White was also a member of the Plastic Ono Band, playing live in 1969 at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival, which was recorded and released three months later as Live Peace in Toronto 1969...
and Tony Kaye
Tony Kaye (musician)
Tony Kaye is a British musician.Kaye was the original keyboard player for the progressive rock group Yes from 1968 to 1971, and rejoined Yes from 1983 to 1995...
.
The song was unreleased until 1991, when it was included on the Yes boxed set Yesyears and released as a cassette single
Cassette single
A cassette single is a music single in the form of a Compact Cassette.- History :...
backed with "Long Distance Runaround
Long Distance Runaround
"Long Distance Runaround" is a song by the progressive rock group Yes first recorded for their 1971 album, Fragile. Written by lead singer Jon Anderson, the song was released as a B-side to "Roundabout" but became a surprise hit in its own right as a staple of album-oriented rock radio...
". The single debuted on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in August 1991, eventually peaking at number 36. It was later included as a bonus track on the remastered version of 90125
90125
-Yes:*Jon Anderson – lead vocals*Tony Kaye – keyboards*Trevor Rabin – guitars, additional keyboards, backing vocals*Chris Squire – bass, backing vocals*Alan White – drums, percussion, backing vocals- Studio personnel :...
.
Background
The 1980 incarnation of Yes included Trevor HornTrevor Horn
Trevor Charles Horn CBE is an English pop music record producer, songwriter, musician and singer. He was born in Houghton-le-Spring in north-east England....
, Geoff Downes
Geoff Downes
Geoffrey "Geoff" Downes is an English rock keyboard player, songwriter, best known as the keyboardist for the bands The Buggles, Yes and Asia, of which he is the only consistent member. When he was a keyboardist for The Buggles, he played multiple keyboards to achieve a New Wave technopop sound...
, Steve Howe
Steve Howe (guitarist)
Stephen James "Steve" Howe is an English guitarist, known for his work with the progressive rock group Yes...
, Chris Squire and Alan White. When this group split up following the tour for the album Drama
Drama (Yes album)
Drama is the tenth studio album by British progressive rock group Yes. It is the first of two Yes albums without vocalist Jon Anderson. In early 1980, after rehearsing music for the follow-up to the tepidly-received Tormato, both Anderson and Rick Wakeman departed the band over creative and...
, Squire and White joined forces with South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n singer and guitarist Trevor Rabin. The three were eventually joined by former Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye, and the four began writing and recording demos under the band name "Cinema".
Demos produced from the Cinema sessions included "Make It Easy", with lead vocals by Rabin, and an early version of "It Can Happen
It Can Happen (Yes song)
"It Can Happen" is a song by the progressive rock band Yes, from their 1983 album 90125. It was released as the third single from that album, reaching number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1984.- History :...
" featuring Squire on vocals. Both tracks appeared as previously unreleased recordings on 1991's Yesyears boxed set compilation,
and "Make It Easy", recorded in 1981,
was released as a cassette single, backed with "Long Distance Runaround", from 1971's Fragile
Fragile (Yes album)
Fragile is the fourth studio album from the English progressive rock band Yes, released on Atlantic Records. It is the first to feature keyboardist Rick Wakeman, who replaced Tony Kaye in 1971, and the first to feature cover art by Roger Dean, who would design many of the band's records.Upon its...
. The single debuted on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart August 24, 1991, eventually peaking at number 36.
Both "Make It Easy" and the demo version of "It Can Happen" were later included as bonus tracks on the remastered version of 90125 released in 2004 by Rhino Records.
The beginning of "Make It Easy" has been used as an Intro into "Owner of a Lonely Heart
Owner of a Lonely Heart
"Owner of a Lonely Heart" is a song by the progressive rock band Yes. It is the opening track of their 1983 album 90125. Written primarily by Trevor Rabin, the song reached number one on the United States Billboard Hot 100 — to date Yes's biggest chart success...
" when played live by Yes from 1984 to 2000. Steve Howe
Steve Howe
Steve Howe is the name of:*Steve Howe , progressive rock guitarist*Steve Howe , former major league pitcher...
has never performed it; Billy Sherwood
Billy Sherwood
William "Billy" Wyman Sherwood is a musician, record producer, and engineer.-Family:Sherwood comes from a musical family which includes his father Bobby Sherwood, who was an actor, musician, and big band leader, his mother Phyllis, a singer and drummer, and brother Michael, a keyboardist and...
played guitar on the intro for the tours to support Open Your Eyes and The Ladder.
In 2003, the early version of this song was released by Trevor Rabin on a collection of demos titled 90124. The track is mistakingly listed as "Cinema Demo 1981". The linear notes reveal the song's real title, "Don't Give In".