The song was released as an edited single in the US in January 1972 with "Long Distance Runaround" from their fourth studio album Fragile, released in November 1971.
It was written by singer Jon Anderson and guitarist Steve Howe and produced by the band and Eddy Offord. The song originated when the band were on tour and travelled from Aberdeen to Glasgow, and went through many roundabouts on the way.
"Roundabout" has become one of the best-known Yes songs; it has been performed at nearly every concert since its release. “Roundabout” was played during Yes’ induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. The song was performed by keyboardist Rick Wakeman, vocalist Jon Anderson, guitarists Steve Howe and Trevor Rabin, drummer Alan White, and Rush bassist Geddy Lee.
Lyrics
I'll be the round about
The words will make you out 'n' out
You change the day your way
Call it morning driving through the sound and in and out the valley
The music dance and sing
They make the children really ring
I spend the day your way
Call it morning driving through the sound and in and out the valley
In and around the lake
Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there
One mile over we'll be there and we'll see you
Ten true summers we'll be there and laughing too
Twenty four before my love you'll see I'll be there with you
I will remember you
Your silhouette will charge the view
Of distance atmosphere
Call it morning driving through the sound and even in the valley
In and around the lake
Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there
One mile over we'll be there and we'll see you
Ten true summers we'll be there and laughing too
Twenty four before my love you'll see I'll be there with you
Along the drifting cloud the eagle searching down on the land
Catching the swirling wind the sailor sees the rim of the land
The eagles dancing wings create as weather spins out of hand
Go closer hold the land feel partly no more than grains of sand
We stand to lose all time a thousand answers by in our hand
Next to your deeper fears we stand
Surrounded by a millions years
I'll be the round about
The words will make you out 'n' out
I'll be the round about
The words will make you out 'n' out
In and around the lake
Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there
Twenty four before my love and I'll be there
I'll be the round about
The words will make you out n out
You change the day your way
Call it morning driving through the sound and in and out the valley
In and around the lake Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there One mile over we'll be there and we'll see you Ten true summers we'll be there and laughing too Twenty four before my love you'll see I'll be there with you
Songwriters: Miller Anderson
Roundabout lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc
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