Owner of a Lonely Heart

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s your groovy Zoo Crew spinning the vinyl for you at THE ZOO, and we’ve got a banger lined up: Owner of a Lonely Heart by Yes from their 1983 album 90125. This track’s a wild ride, and we’ve dug up some far-out trivia to share. Picture this: Trevor Rabin, the guitarist and main songwriter, came up with the song’s core in 1979 while—get this—sitting on the toilet! He recorded the demo with just an acoustic guitar and a 4-track machine, capturing that iconic riff in a moment of pure inspiration. Fast forward to 1983, and the song almost didn’t make the cut for 90125. Producer Trevor Horn had to beg the band to record it, and even then, drummer Alan White wasn’t thrilled about the programmed drum sound inspired by The Police’s Synchronicity. The band’s roadies were overheard at Sarm East Studios griping that the drums sounded like “pee on a barrel”! But that slick production and those clattering synths helped the song soar to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Yes’ only chart-topper, and it became a staple on MTV with a trippy video directed by Storm Thorgerson of Hipgnosis fame.

Now, let’s talk about the song’s creation drama. Jon Anderson, the band’s vocalist, wasn’t sold on Trevor Horn’s new lyrics and rewrote parts, like the second verse with that killer line, “Watch it now, the eagle in the sky.” Horn, feeling cheeky, added a gunshot sound effect right after, as if “shooting down” Anderson’s eagle! Rabin later said Horn got a writing credit mostly for introducing him to the Synclavier synth, which shaped the song’s futuristic vibe. Fans on X still buzz about this track—on October 8, 2020, Yes posted asking where fans first heard it, sparking a wave of nostalgic replies. Some purists called it a “sellout” compared to Yes’ prog-rock epics like Close to the Edge, but Anderson defends it, saying it’s aged well and still feels fresh when he performs it live. Oh, and here’s a cool tidbit: the song’s drum break and horn stab might be rock’s first sample, lifted from Funk, Inc.’s 1971 track Kool Is Back. It’s been sampled by others too, like Michael Jackson and The Art of Noise, and covered by Max Graham, whose 2005 version hit No. 9 in the UK.

Let’s rewind to how Yes got their start. Formed in London in 1968, the band began when vocalist Jon Anderson met bassist Chris Squire at a club called La Chasse. Both were music obsessives—Anderson had been in a band called The Warriors, while Squire played in The Syn. They bonded over their love for harmony and complex arrangements, pulling in drummer Bill Bruford, keyboardist Tony Kaye, and guitarist Peter Banks to create a sound blending rock, jazz, and classical vibes. Naming themselves Yes (suggested by Banks for its punchy positivity), they signed to Atlantic Records in 1969 and dropped their self-titled debut that year. Albums like The Yes Album and Fragile in the early ’70s, with hits like Roundabout, cemented their rep as prog-rock pioneers, known for intricate compositions and mystical lyrics. Despite lineup changes—Steve Howe replaced Banks, and Rick Wakeman later joined on keys—Yes kept pushing boundaries, even as punk and new wave shook up the scene. By the time 90125 dropped, Trevor Rabin’s pop sensibilities and Horn’s production gave them a new lease on life, proving they could evolve while staying true to their cosmic roots.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Yes on their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and throwback gems. Their official website, yesworld.com, is your go-to for merch, tour dates, and band history. Fans are also vibing in spaces like the Yes Fans Facebook group, where you’ll find diehards debating everything from 90125’s pop sheen to the band’s ’70s epics. Another hot spot is yesfans.com, a fan-run site packed with forums, news, and deep dives into the band’s legacy. So, crank up Owner of a Lonely Heart, let that riff take you to the stars, and stay tuned to THE ZOO for more righteous tunes!