About the song
Wonderous Stories is a song by the English progressive rock band Yes, released in September 1977 as the first single from their eighth studio album, Going for the One. It was written by lead vocalist Jon Anderson, who gained inspiration for the song one morning during his stay in Montreux, Switzerland where the band recorded the album. The song reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart and remains the band’s highest-charting single in the country.
The song begins with a gentle acoustic guitar riff and Anderson’s soft vocals, painting a picture of a tranquil morning by a river. The lyrics soon take on a more mystical quality, as Anderson describes being drawn to a mysterious figure who tells him “wonderous stories” of faraway lands. The music swells and becomes more complex, reflecting the narrator’s growing sense of wonder and excitement.
“Wonderous Stories” is a classic example of Yes’s progressive rock style, combining intricate melodies, complex rhythms, and soaring vocals. The song is also notable for its use of spacey synthesizers, which were a new addition to the band’s sound at the time.
The song was a critical and commercial success, reaching number 7 on the UK Singles Chart and number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has been covered by many artists, including Rush, Dream Theater, and Umphrey’s McGee.
“Wonderous Stories” is a beautiful and evocative song that has captured the imaginations of listeners for over 40 years. It is a must-listen for any fan of progressive rock or classic rock.
Video
Lyrics
I awoke this morning
Love laid me down by the river
Drifting, I turned on upstream
Bound for my forgiver
In the giving of my eyes to see your face
Sound did silence me, leaving no trace
I beg to leave, to hear your wonderous stories
Beg to hear your wonderous stories
La-la-la
He spoke of lands not far
Nor lands they were in his mind
Of fusion captured high
Where reason captured his time
In no time at all he took me to the gate
In haste, I quickly checked the time to see if I was late
I had to leave to hear your wonderous stories
I had to hear your wonderous stories
La-la-la, la-la-la
Hearing
Hearing, hearing your wonderous stories
Hearing your wonderous stories
It is no lie (it is no lie)
I see deeply into the future (I see deeply into the future)
Imagine everything (imagine everything)
You’re close, and were you there?
To stand so cautiously at first, and then so high
As he spoke, my spirit climbed into the sky
I bid it to return to hear your wonderous stories
Return to hear your wonderous stories
Return to hear your wonderous stories (return to hear your wonderous stories)
La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la
Hearing
Hearing
Hearing
Hearing
Hearing