Hold Out Your Hand

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin Hold Out Your Hand by Chris Squire from his 1975 solo album Fish Out of Water. This track kicks off the album with a funky, orchestral vibe, featuring a pipe organ intro played by Barry Rose at St. Paul’s Cathedral. In a 2007 Deluxe Edition DVD interview, Squire shared that the song was born from keyboard chords, with the bassline crafted around them, followed by vocals and lyrics—a departure from his usual bass-first approach with Yes. The song flows seamlessly into You By My Side, a transition captured in a promotional film for The Old Grey Whistle Test, where Squire, Bill Bruford, Patrick Moraz, and Andrew Pryce Jackman mimed alongside a London Symphony Orchestra section. Fun fact: Squire could only afford the orchestra for 30 minutes, costing £3,000, as they were en route to another gig!

Another tidbit comes from the song’s creation process. Squire collaborated closely with Andrew Pryce Jackman, a childhood friend and arranger who helped shape the album’s lush, orchestral sound. Jackman’s influence was so significant that Squire offered co-writing credits, which Jackman humbly declined. The track also features Squire’s then-wife, Nikki, on backing vocals, adding a personal touch. On X, fans like @progrocksongs have called Fish Out of Water one of the best solo albums by a Yes member, praising its blend of prog rock with contributions from stars like Bruford, Moraz, and Mel Collins. A standalone edit of Hold Out Your Hand was made for a rare Yessolos promotional album, fading out before the transition to the next track, a treat for radio stations back in ’75.

Now, let’s dive into how Chris Squire, the legendary bassist of Yes, got his start. Born on March 4, 1948, in London, Squire didn’t consider music a career until his teens, inspired by the Beatles and the 1960s Beat boom. A school friend suggested he try bass due to his tall frame and large hands, leading him to buy a cheap Futurama bass. In 1964, Squire was suspended from school for having long hair and, instead of getting a haircut, left school for good. His mother took him to a recruitment agency seeking music-related work, landing him a job selling guitars at a Boosey & Hawkes shop in Regent Street. From there, he joined bands like The Syn and Mabel Greer’s Toyshop, which evolved into Yes in 1967. Squire’s innovative basslines and backing vocals became a cornerstone of Yes’s sound, earning him the nickname “Fish” from bandmate Bill Bruford—partly due to his Pisces zodiac sign and his habit of taking long baths.

Stay connected with Chris Squire’s legacy through his official website and the official Yes website. You can also follow updates on Yes’s Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where fans and the band share memories of Squire’s work. For fan communities, check out the Yesfans group on Facebook, a vibrant space for Zoo Freaks to discuss Squire’s music, including Fish Out of Water. Another great spot is Yesfans.com, a fan-driven site with forums and news about Squire and Yes. Keep the prog spirit alive, Zoo Crew!