Yes released “Close to the Edge” in 1972, and radio ignored it almost entirely. The song runs for 18 minutes and 43 seconds. It takes up the entire first side of a vinyl record. In 1972, radio stations played three-minute songs. “Close to the Edge” wasn’t a three-minute song. It wasn’t close. And yet more than 50 years later, Goldmine Magazine called it the greatest long song ever recorded, across every genre, full stop.
In 1972, three minutes was the length of a song. That was the rule radio had built its entire structure around. Record labels wanted three-minute singles they could promote. Yes were commercially successful at this point. They had options. They could’ve chased radio. They could’ve made something shorter and more accessible and probably more profitable.
Instead, they recorded 18 minutes and 43 seconds and called it one piece of music. If you've forgotten just how great a 'piece of music' it really was, or maybe it's a long time since you've heard it, be my guest. This is a good live version from '72:
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Marked down today only to $ 279.99
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I love Yes,saw em many times 1977-78,Close To The Edge great but Tull recorder TAAB and Passion Play,songs that took up both sides of a record.....,just saying.
ReplyDeleteKSHE 95, "The Voice of the Pig" would play it late at night, if memory serves me.
ReplyDeleteJpaul
Nektar's Remember the Future was 16 minutes long and got lots of airplay time in St. Louis back in 74/75.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like an ELP effort. Rather nice.
ReplyDeleteI had always thought Alice's Restaurant Massacre was the longest song at 18:34. Beat out by 9 seconds. Alice's Restaurant was played every Thanksgiving and usually by every DJ that came on shift that day.
ReplyDeleteI have the album. Bought it in '73
ReplyDeleteHow about Jethro Tull's, Thick As A Brick? I have THAT album as well.
I not only have the vinyl album, I also have Jethro Tull's, Thick As A Brick!
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