What is the best Yes album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Fragile" (1971). It's the most representative of what makes Yes worth hearing.

What are the best Yes albums?

The essential Yes albums include "Fragile" (1971), "Yessongs" (1973) and "90125" (1983).

How many albums does Yes have?

Yes has 88 releases in their discography, including 72 albums.

Photo: Rick Dikeman · CC BY-SA 3.0

Yes

Q: Who is Yes for?

If you're into progressive rock and art rock, Yes is worth your time. A tapestry of intricate melodies and shifting rhythms creates a dense auditory landscape that pulls listeners into its evolving textures.

A tapestry of intricate melodies and shifting rhythms creates a dense auditory landscape that pulls listeners into its evolving textures.

art rock · progressive rock · symphonic rock

United Kingdom Est. 1968

Read about Yes on Bookshop

Start here

The album

Fragile (1971)

Represents Yes's signature sound with intricate melodies and diverse styles, providing a cohesive listening experience that's approachable for newcomers.

The song

“Roundabout”

Features an engaging hook and showcases the band's distinctive blend of progressive rock elements, making it a solid introduction to their style.

See the full guide

About Yes

Yes has carved a crucial niche in the evolution of rock music, serving as a bridge between the grandiosity of classical composition and the visceral energy of rock.

Their ambitious soundscapes and intricate arrangements have not only challenged conventional songwriting but also opened doors for countless artists seeking to elevate their craft beyond traditional pop formats. By prioritizing musicianship and thematic depth, Yes has significantly influenced how rock can embrace complexity while still resonating with audiences. The band's innovative approach lies in their elaborate song structures and virtuosic performances, which often incorporate shifting time signatures and expansive instrumental passages. This commitment to artistry fosters an immersive listening experience that transforms concerts into explorative journeys. The seamless interplay among band members creates a dynamic synergy, allowing for spontaneous moments that captivate audiences and reinforce the communal aspect of live music. Lyrically, Yes frequently explores themes of transcendence, nature, and human experience, often blending poetic abstraction with evocative imagery. Their writing tends to balance sincerity with an impressionistic quality that invites interpretation, prompting listeners to engage deeply. The tone varies from uplifting to introspective, while storytelling elements interweave with philosophical musings, creating layers of meaning that resonate on multiple levels.

72 studio albums· 88 total releases· 5 decades· United Kingdom

Full discography

Yes's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

88 releases • 72 albums • 1969–2023

Type:

Studio albums (58)

Grouped by decade — 8 eras.

2020s ()

Mirror to the Sky

2023

The Quest

2021

2010s ()

Topographic Drama – Live Across America album by Yes

2000s ()

1990s ()

1980s ()

1970s ()

1960s ()

Yes

1969

Undated ()

Live ()

Compilations ()

The Ultimate Yes: 35th Anniversary Collection

2003

The Best of Yes

2000

Singles ()

Songs to start with

If you'd rather pick a song than an album.

1

"Owner of a Lonely Heart" — from 90125 (1983)

accessible entry with immediate hook
2

"Siberian Khatru" — from Yessongs (1973)

accessible entry with immediate hook

Continue your journey

If you liked Yes, start with King Crimson

A guided entry point we think you'll like.

Listen

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Reference

Official site Wikipedia MusicBrainz Wikidata

Yes

About Yes

Full discography

Studio albums (58)

2020s ()

Mirror to the Sky

The Quest

2010s ()

Topographic Drama – Live Across America

Progeny: Seven Shows from Seventy-Two

Like It Is: Yes at the Mesa Arts Center

Heaven & Earth

Like It Is: Yes at the Bristol Hippodrome

The Studio Albums 1969–1987

High Vibration

Fly from Here

Wonderous Stories: The Best of Yes

2000s ()

Essentially Yes

Songs from Tsongas

Yes Acoustic: Guaranteed No Hiss

Yesspeak

Remixes

In a Word: Yes (1969–)

Magnification

Keystudio

1990s ()

The Ladder

Yes, Friends and Relatives

Open Your Eyes

Keys to Ascension 2

Something's Coming: The BBC Recordings 1969–1970

Keys to Ascension

Talk

Highlights: The Very Best of Yes

Yesstory

Greatest Video Hits

Yesyears

Union

1980s ()

Big Generator

9012Live: The Solos

90125

Classic Yes

Yesshows

Drama

1970s ()

Tormato

Going for the One

Yesterdays

Relayer

Tales from Topographic Oceans

Yessongs

2 Originals of Yes

Close to the Edge

Fragile

The Yes Album

Time and a Word

1960s ()

Yes

Undated ()

From a Page

Yes: Live – 1975 at Q.P.R.

The Solid Gold Collection

Yes-Today

Golden Age

Paris Sessions

Topography

The Masterworks

YesFamily – Owner of a Lonely Heart

Live ()

The Royal Affair Tour: Live from Las Vegas

Live at the Apollo

In the Present – Live from Lyon

Union Live

Live at Montreux 2003

Greatest Hits Live

House of Yes: Live from House of Blues

Live in Philadelphia

50 Live