“Our Song,” the B-side to Yes’ mega hit “Owner of The Lonely Heart” is the weakest track on 1983’s 90125. However, even this tune fares well against contemporaries on the charts at the time.
In fact, “Our Song” reached No. 32 on the U.S. rock charts. Perhaps this is a testament to the irrefutable back beat provided by Alan White and Chris Squire. The two could bring out the best in any track, and contribute to the few progressive rock elements here. It’s also hard to fault Trevor Rabin’s irresistible stadium-rock guitar intro, which leads in to a tight and not overly flashy lead guitar riff.
Jon Anderson, who wrote this with Rabin, Squire and White, delivers a rock vocal like only he can. Lyrically, “Our Song” – partly about a touring experience in the city of Toledo, Ohio – is good rock fare and is only interrupted by a lyrical Rabin guitar solo reminiscent of Brian May.
What doesn’t work for me is the keyboard sound, which was appropriate at that time for other artists but not for the world’s greatest progressive rock band. Let’s blame programmers Dave Lawson and/or Jonathan Jeczalik for that. Equally pedestrian is Trevor Rabin’s synth playing, which overshadows his tasteful piano on “Our Song.”
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