Released September 28, 1987 Length 4:32 | Genre Pop rock Label Atco Records | |
Recorded 1985-1987 (exact date and location unknown) Writer(s) Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin | ||
"Big Generator" is a song by Yes that appears on their 1987 album, Big Generator. The song was released as a single exclusively in the U.S., and was backed with itself. It appeared on every show on the Big Generator tour, but nowhere else to date.
Contents
Meaning
The song, according to Jon Anderson, is about how we are all a part of the Earth, its eyes, its ears, its voice.
On the album
This song, which sounds as if to be in the same vein as "Rhythm of Love", "Love Will Find a Way" and others (it is also sometimes compared to "Owner of a Lonely Heart", being a harder rock number), is second in order on the album.
A remix of the song was issued in July 1988 on a 12" promo single, then later in 2004 on The Ultimate Yes: 35th Anniversary Collection. The remix keeps the verses as they are, but is much compressed by removing a large amount of bridge parts and profusely scrambling choruses. In addition, it includes some vocals not used on the original version.
In the live setting
Typically, the song was performed just after "Shoot High Aim Low". Discounting announcements, it usually lasted for about five minutes, but sometimes lasted longer; the performance on November 14, 1987 lasted for approximately 6:26. As with "Rhythm of Love", the song's intro was never played.