| "The Gates of Delirium" | |
|---|---|
 UK album A-side label | |
| Song by Yes | |
| from the album Relayer | |
| Released | 29 November 1974 |
| Recorded | 1974 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 21:50 |
| Label | Atlantic |
| Songwriter(s) | Yes |
| Producer(s) |
|
"The Gates of Delirium" is a song by the English progressive rock band Yes, recorded for their seventh studio album, Relayer. At almost 22 minutes in length, the song is loosely based on the 1869 novel War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy which originated from a musical idea that frontman Jon Anderson had that depicted a battle. It was then developed and arranged into a complete track by Anderson and the rest of the band, namely bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White, and keyboardist Patrick Moraz.[2] Musically, the song represents an introductory vocal section followed by an instrumental that represents the battle. The final section, entitled "Soon", is a gentle, soothing prayer for peace and hope.
The song was originally released in November 1974 as side one of Relayer. A shortened version of "Soon" was released as a single in the United Kingdom in January 1975, which did not chart. Yes performed "The Gates of Delirium" live between 1974 and 1976; it was not played live again until 2000, a gap of 24 years. The piece was performed live with an orchestra on stage with the band in 2001, and it was reinstated into the band's live set in 2019.
- ^ "All 183 Yes Songs Ranked Worst to Best". 4 December 2018.
- ^ Charles Snider (April 2008). The Strawberry Bricks Guide to Progressive Rock. Strawberry Bricks. p. 188. ISBN 978-0-615-17566-9.