“Awaken” is the sprawling, 15-minute magnum opus that closes Yes’s 1977 album Going for the One, and stands as one of the band's most spiritually ambitious and musically transcendent compositions. While Yes had long been known for their symphonic approach to progressive rock, “Awaken” refines their complex style into something not just technically impressive, but emotionally stirring and philosophically rich.
Musically, “Awaken” is a perfect demonstration of dynamic progression. It opens with Steve Howe’s 12-string guitar - shimmering and celestial - and gradually builds into an intricate tapestry of sound that includes Jon Anderson’s soaring vocals, Rick Wakeman’s grand church organ, and an increasingly assertive rhythm section courtesy of Chris Squire and Alan White. Each member of the band is at the peak of their powers, not merely showcasing virtuosity but contributing to a sense of spiritual ascent.
Rick Wakeman’s performance is particularly monumental. His use of the pipe organ, recorded at St. Martin’s Church in Switzerland, imbues the track with an ecclesiastical grandeur rarely found in rock music. Midway through the song, the intensity gives way to a meditative, floating section driven by harp and ambient textures - a moment of profound stillness that makes the climactic reprise feel truly earned.
Lyrically, Anderson touches on themes of rebirth, spiritual awakening, and cosmic unity. His words can be esoteric, but the emotion behind them is unmistakable. Phrases like “High vibration go on” may read like mystic riddles, but in the context of the music, they function more as incantations than narrative lyrics.
This is not an easy song - it demands patience, attentiveness, and openness - but for those willing to take the journey, it’s one of the most transcendent pieces in the progressive rock canon. Unlike some prog epics that get lost in their own complexity, it feels guided by purpose. It’s less a song than a pilgrimage.
“Awaken” is the spiritual and musical summit of Yes’s career - a celestial voyage that encapsulates the best of what progressive rock can be: exploratory, elevating, and deeply human. It remains a testament to Yes’s vision of rock as a vehicle for not just art, but transcendence.
Musically, “Awaken” is a perfect demonstration of dynamic progression. It opens with Steve Howe’s 12-string guitar - shimmering and celestial - and gradually builds into an intricate tapestry of sound that includes Jon Anderson’s soaring vocals, Rick Wakeman’s grand church organ, and an increasingly assertive rhythm section courtesy of Chris Squire and Alan White. Each member of the band is at the peak of their powers, not merely showcasing virtuosity but contributing to a sense of spiritual ascent.
Rick Wakeman’s performance is particularly monumental. His use of the pipe organ, recorded at St. Martin’s Church in Switzerland, imbues the track with an ecclesiastical grandeur rarely found in rock music. Midway through the song, the intensity gives way to a meditative, floating section driven by harp and ambient textures - a moment of profound stillness that makes the climactic reprise feel truly earned.
Lyrically, Anderson touches on themes of rebirth, spiritual awakening, and cosmic unity. His words can be esoteric, but the emotion behind them is unmistakable. Phrases like “High vibration go on” may read like mystic riddles, but in the context of the music, they function more as incantations than narrative lyrics.
This is not an easy song - it demands patience, attentiveness, and openness - but for those willing to take the journey, it’s one of the most transcendent pieces in the progressive rock canon. Unlike some prog epics that get lost in their own complexity, it feels guided by purpose. It’s less a song than a pilgrimage.
“Awaken” is the spiritual and musical summit of Yes’s career - a celestial voyage that encapsulates the best of what progressive rock can be: exploratory, elevating, and deeply human. It remains a testament to Yes’s vision of rock as a vehicle for not just art, but transcendence.