Classic Yes is the second compilation album by the English progressive rock band Yes, released in December 1981 by Atlantic Records. It was released after the group had disbanded in early 1981, following their 1980 tour in support of their tenth studio album, Drama (1980). The tracks were compiled by bassist Chris Squire and the cover was designed by Roger Dean.

Classic Yes
Greatest hits album by
Released11 December 1981[1]
Recorded1970–1977
Genre
Length49:38
LabelAtlantic
Producer
CompilerChris Squire
Yes chronology
Yesshows
(1980)
Classic Yes
(1981)
90125
(1983)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[2]

Upon its release, it charted at No. 142 on the US Billboard 200. Some pressings included a free single of previously unreleased live versions of "Roundabout" and "I've Seen All Good People". The album became a strong seller, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over one million copies.

Track listing

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Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Heart of the Sunrise - Fragile (1971)"Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Bill Bruford10:34
2."Wonderous Stories - Going for the One (1977)"Anderson3:45
3."Yours Is No Disgrace - The Yes Album (1971)"Anderson, Squire, Bruford, Steve Howe, Tony Kaye9:41
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
4."Starship Trooper" - The Yes Album (1971)"Anderson, Squire, Howe9:29
5."Long Distance Runaround - Fragile (1971)"Anderson3:30
6."The Fish - Fragile (1971)"Squire2:36
7."And You and I" - Close to the Edge (1972)"Anderson, Bruford, Howe, Squire10:03


Bonus single, side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
8."Roundabout"Anderson, Howe7:47[A]
Bonus single, side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
9."I've Seen All Good People""Anderson, Squire7:24[B]

Personnel

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Yes

Production

  • Chris Squire – album compilation
  • Yes – production
  • Eddie Offord – production, engineer

Charts

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Chart (1981) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[3] 142

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[4] Silver 60,000^
United States (RIAA)[5] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ live at Oakland Coliseum, 7 October 1978
  2. ^ live at Empire Pool, 28 October 1978
  1. ^ "BPI".
  2. ^ Connolly, D. (2011). "Classic Yes - Yes". allmusic.com. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  3. ^ "Yes Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  4. ^ "British album certifications – Yes – Classic Yes". British Phonographic Industry.
  5. ^ "American album certifications – Yes – Classic Yes". Recording Industry Association of America.