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Roundabout
Yes
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- Album
- Fragile (Super Deluxe)
- Released
- 1971
- Genres
- progressive rock, art rock, aor
- Length
- 8:36
- Tempo
- 132 BPM
- Label
- Rhino Atlantic
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About this song
"Roundabout" was the first single released from Yes's fourth studio album, Fragile, in 1971. The song opens with an acoustic guitar piece by Steve Howe that lasts about 40 seconds, and it mixes time signatures, with most of it in 4/4, the choruses in 14/4 and the ending vocal section in 7/4. Its later resurgence came from its use in the Rock Band 3 game, the Jojo's Bizarre Adventure anime ending credits, and Grand Theft Auto V.
What it's about
The lyrics reflect the impressions of scenery the songwriters had while traveling, along with their thoughts about an upcoming festival. Jon Anderson and Steve Howe are credited as the songwriters.
Fun facts
- Sampled in 26 other songs, like “Made in Heaven by SplitSuns”.
- Covered 8 times, including “Roundabout by Dee Palmer & London Philharmonic Orchestra”.
- Written by Jon Anderson and Steve Howe.
- Produced by Yes and Eddy Offord.
- Recorded at Advision Studios.