I’ve Seen All Good People: (a) Your Move (b) All Good People – Yes | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning

Chart Performance: Pop (#40); 1971

Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne

The most successful progressive band of them all began when singer Jon Anderson teamed up with bassist Chris Squire in 1968. Anderson’s resume included a stint with The Warriors, who recorded a single in 1964, while Squire had played with Syn on two 45’s.

In London, Anderson fell in with Mabel Greer’s Toy Shop, an outfit whose fluid line-up included Squire. The two aspiring musicians formed a new band that combined powerful instrumental textures with seamless vocal harmonies, allegedly inspired by those of the 5th Dimension.

With Jon’s high clear voice leading the way, Yes debuted publicly on July 20th, 1968 and landed a record deal in 1969. The group’s first two albums drew inspiration from classic rock acts (covering The Byrds’ I See You and The Beatles’ Every Little Thing) as well as classical music.

The Yes Album, the band’s third, catapulted them into the UK Top 10, and broke them onto American FM radio while Top 40 stations jumped on Your Move, a single-length edit from the album

This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.

Produced by:

  • Yes
  • Eddy Offord

Lyrics Written by:

  • Jon Anderson
  • Chris Squire

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Ed Osborne

Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).