Onward (song)
Encyclopedia
"Onward" is a song performed by the British band Yes
. It is the seventh track on their ninth studio album, Tormato
. The writing credit goes to bassist Chris Squire
, and it is the only song on the album for which singer Jon Anderson
gets no writing credit.
, who also worked on "Madrigal" on the same album. Jackman had recently worked with Squire on his Fish Out of Water solo album and had been in The Syn
with Squire many years before.
. The live version contained an introduction written and performed by guitarist Steve Howe
. It was performed again, apparently on Benoit David's request, when the canadian singer joined and toured with Yes in 2008.
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...
. It is the seventh track on their ninth studio album, Tormato
Tormato
Tormato is the ninth studio album by British progressive rock group Yes. Issued as the follow-up to 1977's acclaimed Going for the One, Tormato received less than charitable reviews upon release and its virtues are still a matter of debate for Yes fans and critics...
. The writing credit goes to bassist 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:...
, and it is the only song on the album for which singer Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
gets no writing credit.
On the album
The song is vastly different in style than the rest of the album, being heavily padded by an orchestra and containing much lower-pitch instrumentation from the band members. The lyrics are also atypical of most progressive rock music; it is a very direct love song from Chris Squire to his then wife, Nikki Squire. The orchestral arrangement was by Andrew Pryce JackmanAndrew Jackman
Andrew Pryce Jackman was a keyboard player and arranger. He was in The Syn with bassist Chris Squire . Jackman subsequently worked on Squire's solo album Fish Out of Water, on The Steve Howe Album and on the Yes album Tormato.-History:In the mid-1960s, Jackman was the keyboard player in The Selfs...
, who also worked on "Madrigal" on the same album. Jackman had recently worked with Squire on his Fish Out of Water solo album and had been in The Syn
The Syn
The Syn are an English band that were active from 1965 to 1967, and then reunited as a progressive rock band in 2004. Chris Welch, in his book, Close to the Edge: The Story of Yes wrote, "The Syn were very similar to Yes in fact...
with Squire many years before.
In the live setting
The song was performed live on the album Keys to AscensionKeys to Ascension
Keys to Ascension is a double album by the British progressive rock group Yes and was released in 1996. The last time Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman and Alan White had worked together on officially released studio recordings was 1978's Tormato...
. The live version contained an introduction written and performed by guitarist Steve Howe
Steve Howe (guitarist)
Stephen James "Steve" Howe is an English guitarist, known for his work with the progressive rock group Yes...
. It was performed again, apparently on Benoit David's request, when the canadian singer joined and toured with Yes in 2008.
Remaster
On the 2004 remaster of Tormato, an unlisted bonus track was included of the recording of the orchestral part of the song.Original
- Jon Anderson: Vocals
- Steve Howe: Gibson Les PaulGibson Les PaulThe Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...
guitar - Chris Squire: RickenbackerRickenbackerRickenbacker International Corporation, also known as Rickenbacker, is an electric and bass guitar manufacturer based in Santa Ana, California...
bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and vocals - Rick WakemanRick WakemanRichard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
: PolymoogPolymoogThe Polymoog is a polyphonic analog synthesizer that was manufactured by Moog Music from 1975 to 1980. The Polymoog was based on divide-down oscillator technology similar to electronic organs and string synthesizers of the time, and this led to a certain lack of flexibility compared to later...
synthesizer - Alan WhiteAlan 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...
: VibraphoneVibraphoneThe vibraphone, sometimes called the vibraharp or simply the vibes, is a musical instrument in the struck idiophone subfamily of the percussion family....
and CrotalesCrotalesthumb|right|Crotales are often used with other mallet percussionCrotales , sometimes called antique cymbals, are percussion instruments consisting of small, tuned bronze or brass disks. Each is about 4 inches in diameter with a flat top surface and a nipple on the base. They are commonly...