YESterdays

Yes, "Clear Days" from Time and a Word (1970): YESterdays

Yes, “Clear Days” from Time and a Word (1970): YESterdays

Jon Anderson has written a few classic Yes songs by himself. Sadly, “Clear Days” from the 1970 release ‘Time and a Word’ is not one of them.

Yes, "The Prophet" from Time and a Word (1970): YESterdays

Yes, “The Prophet” from Time and a Word (1970): YESterdays

Yes’ “The Prophet,” the lone Jon Anderson/Chris Squire collaboration on ‘Time and a Word,’ is a strong track hampered by heavy-handed production.

Yes, "Sweet Dreams" from Time and a Word (1970): YESterdays

Yes, “Sweet Dreams” from Time and a Word (1970): YESterdays

Yes’ “Sweet Dreams” may have a decidedly non-progressive rock feel, but it is one of the stronger compositions on 1970’s ‘Time and a Word.’

Yes, "Everydays" from Time and a Word (1970): YESterdays

Yes, “Everydays” from Time and a Word (1970): YESterdays

Talk about a buzz kill. Yes’ cover of Stephen Stills’ “Everydays,” though situated between two of their best early songs, just doesn’t work.

Yes, "Then" from Time and a Word (1970): YESterdays

Yes, “Then” from Time and a Word (1970): YESterdays

An inventive and frenzied drum part from Bill Bruford helps propel Jon Anderson’s “Then” into the upper echelon of early Yes songs.

Yes, "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed" from Time and a Word (1970): YESterdays

Yes, “No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed” from Time and a Word (1970): YESterdays

‘Time and a Word’ opens with “No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed,” a Yes song which doesn’t quite sound like Yes.

Yes, "Survival" from Yes (1969): YESterdays

Yes, “Survival” from Yes (1969): YESterdays

Yes knows a thing of two about survival. As such, it seems only fitting that the last song on their debut is so titled.

Yes, "Sweetness" from Yes (1969): YESterdays

Yes, “Sweetness” from Yes (1969): YESterdays

“Sweetness,” which became Yes’ debut single in 1969, shows a fledgling band that hasn’t quite become more than the sum of its parts.

Yes, "Every Little Thing" from Yes (1969): YESterdays

Yes, “Every Little Thing” from Yes (1969): YESterdays

This Beatles cover shows how unique original guitarist Peter Banks was, and how important his contributions were to the early Yes sound.

Yes, "Harold Land" from Yes (1969): YESterdays

Yes, “Harold Land” from Yes (1969): YESterdays

A promising-but-still-transitional composition from Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford and Chris Squire, “Harold Land” points to bigger things from Yes.