The Fish
Encyclopedia
"The Fish" is a mostly instrumental
rock song by progressive rock
band Yes
from their 1971 album Fragile
. It was written by Chris Squire
.
The bass guitar
performs most of the parts of the song. The song starts out with a guitar solo before transitioning into the main 7/4 section. Its only lyrics, the subtitle of the song, appear towards the end of the piece, are repeated several times and fade out with it.
In concert, the song is used as an extended bass jam for Chris Squire, and the piece is drastically rearranged. There are only two points in the song that are in 7/4 and are similar to the studio version; the rest is a series of different common time improvisations by Squire with varying beats and backing melodies, often including bass parts from other Yes songs such as "Tempus Fugit", "Sound Chaser" and "On the Silent Wings of Freedom". This solo can last up into the ten-minute range, as can be heard on Yessongs
. Live performances of The Fish have sometimes been titled "Whitefish", referring to Alan White & Squire performing the piece as a duet. "Whitefish" can be found on 9012Live: The Solos
.
Because the song "Long Distance Runaround" directly transitions into "The Fish", the songs are frequently played together on classic rock radio stations.
The origin of the song's title has been attributed variously over the years. One story says that Squire was given the nickname by Bill Bruford
, who gave it to Squire after he flooded his hotel room in Oslo, Norway while taking a shower. Bruford has also stated that when he and Squire shared a house in Fulham, Squire would spend long periods of time in the bathroom. Furthermore, his astrological
sign is Pisces
(Fish). It may also be a reference to the bass (fish), whose name is homonymous with the bass guitar. Subsequently, Squire made reference to his nickname by titling a solo album Fish Out of Water.
Schindleria praematura is the Latin
scientific name for a marine fish known as the infantfish or Schindleria
.
Instrumental
An instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
rock song by progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
from their 1971 album Fragile
Fragile (Yes album)
Fragile is the fourth studio album from the English progressive rock band Yes, released on Atlantic Records. It is the first to feature keyboardist Rick Wakeman, who replaced Tony Kaye in 1971, and the first to feature cover art by Roger Dean, who would design many of the band's records.Upon its...
. It was written by Chris Squire
Chris Squire
Christopher Russell Edward "Chris" Squire , is an English musician, known as the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock group Yes. He is the only member of the group to appear on every album.-Before Yes:...
.
The bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
performs most of the parts of the song. The song starts out with a guitar solo before transitioning into the main 7/4 section. Its only lyrics, the subtitle of the song, appear towards the end of the piece, are repeated several times and fade out with it.
In concert, the song is used as an extended bass jam for Chris Squire, and the piece is drastically rearranged. There are only two points in the song that are in 7/4 and are similar to the studio version; the rest is a series of different common time improvisations by Squire with varying beats and backing melodies, often including bass parts from other Yes songs such as "Tempus Fugit", "Sound Chaser" and "On the Silent Wings of Freedom". This solo can last up into the ten-minute range, as can be heard on Yessongs
Yessongs
Yessongs is the first live album from the English progressive rock band Yes, released on Atlantic Records. The album is formed of recordings from their supporting world tours for their studio albums, Fragile and Close to the Edge, between February and December 1972...
. Live performances of The Fish have sometimes been titled "Whitefish", referring to Alan White & Squire performing the piece as a duet. "Whitefish" can be found on 9012Live: The Solos
9012Live: The Solos
† – Recorded at Edmonton, Canada at Northlands Coliseum, 28 September 1984, as part of the soundtrack of the movie "9012Live"‡ – Recorded at Dortmund, Germany, 24 June 19849012Live: The Solos reached #44 in the UK...
.
Because the song "Long Distance Runaround" directly transitions into "The Fish", the songs are frequently played together on classic rock radio stations.
The origin of the song's title has been attributed variously over the years. One story says that Squire was given the nickname by Bill Bruford
Bill Bruford
William Scott "Bill" Bruford is an English drummer, percussionist, composer, producer, and record label owner. He was the original drummer for the progressive rock group Yes, from 1968-1972. Bruford has performed for numerous popular acts since the early 1970s, including a stint as touring...
, who gave it to Squire after he flooded his hotel room in Oslo, Norway while taking a shower. Bruford has also stated that when he and Squire shared a house in Fulham, Squire would spend long periods of time in the bathroom. Furthermore, his astrological
Astrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
sign is Pisces
Pisces
Pisces may refer to:*Pisces , a constellation*Pisces , an astrological sign*Fish , as an obsolete taxonomic term*OZ-09MMS Pisces, a fictional mecha in the Gundam Wing anime...
(Fish). It may also be a reference to the bass (fish), whose name is homonymous with the bass guitar. Subsequently, Squire made reference to his nickname by titling a solo album Fish Out of Water.
Schindleria praematura is the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
scientific name for a marine fish known as the infantfish or Schindleria
Schindleria
Schindleria, is a genus of marine fish. It is the only genus of family Schindleriidae, among the Gobioidei of order Perciformes. The type species is S. praematura, Schindler's fish. The Schindleria species are known generically as Schindler's fishes or infantfishes...
.
Personnel
- Jon AndersonJon AndersonJon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
- Vocals - Chris SquireChris SquireChristopher Russell Edward "Chris" Squire , is an English musician, known as the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock group Yes. He is the only member of the group to appear on every album.-Before Yes:...
- Bass, Vocals - Bill BrufordBill BrufordWilliam Scott "Bill" Bruford is an English drummer, percussionist, composer, producer, and record label owner. He was the original drummer for the progressive rock group Yes, from 1968-1972. Bruford has performed for numerous popular acts since the early 1970s, including a stint as touring...
- Drums