September 10, 2019 by

Yes, “Can I” from ‘The Ladder’ (1999): YESterdays

Yes was not shy with progressing their sound under the watchful eye of late producer Bruce Fairbairn. Prog rock, AOR and world-music elements can be found on 1999’s The Ladder, most of which are successful.

“Can I,” essentially an interlude between the tropical/AOR feeling “Lightning Strikes” and the hard-hitting “Face to Face,” is a fine two minutes of music.



Though the song may be compared to “We Have Heaven” from 1971’s Fragile, “Can I” distinguishes itself with Caribbean percussion (played and programmed) and the fact that it’s a collaborative effort between bandmates. Of course, Jon Anderson’s indistinguishable lyrics are a treat, making the song anything but filler.

“Can I” represents something new for the band, yet there is a connection to its storied past. It shows that Yes was indeed progressing.


YESterdays is a song-by-song feature that explores the unforgettable musical legacy of Yes. The series runs every other Tuesday.

Preston Frazier
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