Love Will Find a Way

The Zoo Crew is spinning the psychedelic vibes tonight, and we’ve got a gem for all you Zoo Freaks out there: Love Will Find a Way by Yes from their 1987 album Big Generator. This track is a slick, radio-friendly bop with a glossy pop-rock sheen, but don’t let its smooth grooves fool you—it’s got that classic Yes complexity simmering underneath. Written by frontman Jon Anderson and guitarist Trevor Rabin, the song was a deliberate push to blend the band’s prog-rock roots with the polished sound of the '80s. In a 1987 interview with Kerrang!, Rabin shared that the song’s upbeat melody and optimistic lyrics were inspired by his love for Motown, aiming to craft something “hopeful and universal.” It peaked at #30 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it one of Yes’s last big chart hits. Fun fact: the music video, with its surreal imagery and band members rocking questionable '80s fashion, was a staple on MTV and still feels like a time capsule of that era.

Digging deeper, Love Will Find a Way almost didn’t make it onto Big Generator. According to a 1991 chat with Rockline, Jon Anderson revealed the band was under pressure from their label, Atco Records, to deliver a hit single. Rabin initially wrote the song for Stevie Nicks, but when she passed on it, Anderson insisted Yes record it instead. The recording sessions were intense, with the band experimenting with digital synths and drum machines to modernize their sound. A post on the Yes Official Facebook page in 2020 celebrated the song’s anniversary, sharing a rare behind-the-scenes photo of the band in the studio, captioned, “Trevor’s riffs and Jon’s soulful vocals made this one a fan favorite!” Fans in the Yes Fans Facebook group often cite the song’s catchy chorus and Alan White’s punchy drum fills as highlights, with one fan commenting, “It’s the perfect blend of prog and pop—my go-to for road trips!”

Now, let’s rewind to how Yes got their start. Formed in London in 1968, Yes emerged from the vibrant underground music scene, blending psychedelic rock, jazz, and classical influences into what would become progressive rock. Jon Anderson, a young vocalist with a dreamy, ethereal voice, met bassist Chris Squire at a Soho club, and the two bonded over their love for The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel. They recruited drummer Bill Bruford, keyboardist Tony Kaye, and guitarist Peter Banks, naming the band Yes after deciding it was short, memorable, and “positive.” As Anderson recalled in a 2018 interview on Yes’s X account, “We wanted to create music that took listeners on a journey, like a sonic painting.” Their self-titled debut in 1969 didn’t chart, but relentless touring and word-of-mouth buzz built a cult following. By 1971, albums like The Yes Album and Fragile, featuring new guitarist Steve Howe, established them as prog-rock pioneers.

Yes’s journey wasn’t all smooth sailing. The band faced lineup changes, with Bruford leaving in 1972 and Banks exiting early on, but their resilience kept them innovating. The addition of Rick Wakeman’s virtuosic keyboards and Alan White’s dynamic drumming solidified their classic lineup. Their ambitious albums, like Close to the Edge, pushed boundaries with sprawling compositions and mystical lyrics, earning them a devoted fanbase. Today, you can catch up with Yes on their official website, where they share tour dates and merch, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and throwback content. Fans also flock to communities like the Yes Fans Facebook group and the fan-run site Relayer, which offer deep dives into the band’s discography and rare live bootlegs. So, Zoo Freaks, keep those dials locked on THE ZOO as we let Love Will Find a Way carry us into the night!