Yes, “Life On a Film Set” from ‘Fly From Here’ (2011): YESterdays

The original version of “Life On a Film Set” from 2011’s Fly From Here offers one of my favorite Benoit David vocals.

The Geoff Downes / Trevor Horn composition starts with gentle Steve Howe Spanish guitar and Downes’ lush orchestral touches. The lyrics are vivid and compliment the imagery formed in the b-section of the song, where the pace quickens. Chris Squire’s harmonies and Alan White’s pulsating drums add elements of elements.

Howe returns with powerful lead work which contrasts Downes’ keyboard tones. “Life On a Film Set” builds and builds and just when you expect a d-section to further the theme, the song is over.

Enjoyable yet leaving the listener wanting more, the original version of “Life On a Film Set” works better than the Trevor Horn version on Fly From Here: Return Trip.

YESterdays is a multi-writer, song-by-song feature that explores the unforgettable musical legacy of Yes. Click here for an archive of the series, which was founded by Preston Frazier.

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Preston Frazier

Preston Frazier is a bass-playing lawyer living in Atlanta. He is the author of 'Toto: The Band, Not the Dog,' a look at his favorite band. Frazier hosts the music-focused Slang of Ages Podcast and regularly writes about his favorite music on slangofages.com. He can be reached at [email protected]; follow him on Twitter: @slangofages.

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