The Meaning Behind The Song: Cans And Brahms by Yes
Yes, one of the most influential progressive rock bands, released their fourth studio album, “Fragile,” in 1971. The album included nine tracks, one of which was Cans and Brahms. Unlike the other songs in the album, Cans and Brahms was an instrumental piece, composed by Yes keyboardist, Rick Wakeman. The song is a tribute to classical composer Johannes Brahms, and it reflects the band’s diverse musical influences that included classical, jazz, and rock.
Composition
Rick Wakeman, who joined the band for Fragile, wrote Cans and Brahms while he was still at the Royal College of Music in London. The song was inspired by Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in E Minor. In an interview with Prog Magazine in 2017, Wakeman said that he was listening to Brahms’ symphony when he thought, “Wouldn’t it be great to do this as a rock version?” He explained that he was interested in the challenge of incorporating classical music into rock, and Cans and Brahms was his attempt at achieving that.
The song opens with a classical flourish, played on a synthesizer. It’s followed by a piano section that’s based on the first movement of Brahms’ Symphony No. 4. The middle section of the song features Wakeman’s signature usage of the mellotron, an early synthesizer that used tape loops to reproduce the sound of orchestra instruments. The song ends with a reprise of the piano section, played more aggressively this time.
Significance
Cans and Brahms is significant because it showcases the band’s musical versatility. Yes was known for their experimentation, and Cans and Brahms was one of their earliest attempts at incorporating classical music into rock. The song was well received by critics and fans and helped solidify the band’s reputation as pioneers of progressive rock.
Cans and Brahms was also a notable departure from the other tracks in the album, all of which were vocal-driven. In an interview with Rolling Stone in 1972, Yes bassist Chris Squire said, “We wanted to do an instrumental track, and Rick came up with ‘Cans and Brahms.'”
Legacy
Cans and Brahms remains a fan favorite and a demonstration of Yes’ experimentation with different musical styles. The song was included in the band’s 1991 box set, ‘Yesyears,’ and was later remastered and re-released in the 2002 box set, ‘In a Word: Yes (1969–).’
FAQs About Cans And Brahms
1. Is Cans And Brahms a classical piece?
No, Cans and Brahms is a rock instrumental piece, composed by Yes keyboardist, Rick Wakeman, as a tribute to classical composer Johannes Brahms. The piece does incorporate classical music elements, but it is not a purely classical piece.
2. Why is the song called Cans And Brahms?
The title Cans and Brahms is a play on words. “Cans” is slang for headphones, and it refers to the headphones that musicians wear to listen to the playback of their recordings. “Brahms” refers to classical composer Johannes Brahms, whose Symphony No. 4 in E Minor was the main inspiration for the piece.
3. What is the mellotron, and why is it significant to the song?
The mellotron is an early synthesizer that used tape loops to reproduce the sound of orchestra instruments. It was popularized in the 1960s and 1970s and was used extensively by progressive rock bands like Yes. Rick Wakeman was known for his talented usage of the mellotron, and it features prominently in Cans and Brahms’ middle section.
4. What album is Cans and Brahms in?
Cans and Brahms is part of Yes’ fourth studio album, “Fragile,” which was released in 1971.
5. What inspired Rick Wakeman to compose Cans and Brahms?
Rick Wakeman was listening to Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in E Minor when he thought, “Wouldn’t it be great to do this as a rock version?” He was interested in the challenge of incorporating classical music into rock, and Cans and Brahms was his attempt at achieving that.
6. Why is Cans and Brahms significant for Yes?
Cans and Brahms showcases Yes’ musical versatility and experimentation with different musical styles. The song helped solidify the band’s reputation as pioneers of progressive rock.
7. What other songs in the album Fragile are notable?
Other notable songs in Fragile include Roundabout, released as a single, and Heart of the Sunrise, featuring the band’s complex vocal harmonies and instrumental interplay.
8. Has Cans and Brahms been featured in movies or television shows?
Yes, Cans and Brahms has been featured in several movies and television shows, including Almost Famous, Black Funnel, and Justice League: Gods and Monsters.
9. Was Cans and Brahms a commercial success?
Since Cans and Brahms was not released as a single, it did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100. However, Fragile was a commercial success, reaching number four on the UK Albums Chart and number eight on the Billboard 200.
10. Has Rick Wakeman performed Cans and Brahms live?
Yes, Rick Wakeman has performed Cans and Brahms live on several occasions. The most notable performance was at the 2003 YesSymphonic Concert, where he performed the song with the European Festival Orchestra.
11. What makes Cans and Brahms unique?
Cans and Brahms is unique in that it’s an instrumental piece that incorporates classical music elements into rock. The song showcases Yes’ musical versatility and experimentation with different musical styles.
12. Who are some other bands that were influenced by Yes?
Several progressive rock bands have cited Yes as an influence, including Genesis, Rush, and Dream Theater.
