Song of Seven

Song of Seven is the second solo album by Yes lead singer Jon Anderson, released in 1980.^[5] It was his first to use an actual band (the New Life Band).

Song of Seven
Studio album by Jon Anderson
Released	7 November 1980[1]
Recorded	1980
Genre	Progressive rock
Length	39:06
Label	Atlantic
Producer	Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson chronology
Olias of Sunhillow (1976) Song of Seven (1980) Animation (1982)
Singles from Song of Seven
"Some Are Born" Released: 3 October 1980[2] "Take Your Time" Released: November 1980 "Heart of the Matter" Released: 1981 (US) "Everybody Loves You" Released: 1981 (NL)[3]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[4]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide	[5]

Overview

Song of Seven was released during Anderson's first hiatus from Yes and supported by his first solo tour. Anderson has said the album's backing tracks took three weeks to record, with further overdubs another two or three weeks.^{[nb 1]}

"Some Are Born", "Days", "Everybody Loves You" and "Hear It" were originally written and demoed during the Tormato sessions. The "Some Are Born" and "Days" demo versions from these sessions were included as bonus tracks on the 2004 CD reissue of Tormato, however, the arrangements recorded on Song of Seven draw more on Celtic and R&B influences.

Track listing

All songs written by Jon Anderson unless indicated.

Side One

1. "For You for Me" – 4:21
2. "Some Are Born" – 4:03
3. "Don't Forget (Nostalgia)" – 2:59
4. "Heart of the Matter" (Anderson, Ronnie Leahy) – 4:18
5. "Hear It" – 1:48

Side Two

6. "Everybody Loves You" – 4:06
7. "Take Your Time" – 3:07
8. "Days" – 3:28
9. "Song of Seven" – 11:16

Personnel

• Jon Anderson – lead vocals, acoustic guitar (2), keyboards (1, 7, 8), harp (9)
• Ronnie Leahy – keyboards (1–9)
• Damian Anderson – keyboards (5), child voice (9)
• Ian Bairnson – guitar (1–3, 5–8), bass (2), backing vocals (2)
• Clem Clempson – guitar (4, 9)
• John Giblin – fretless bass (1, 3 ,6–9)
• Jack Bruce – bass (4)
• Mel – bass (5)
• Morris Pert – drums, percussion (1–3, 5–7, 9)
• Simon Phillips – drums (4)
• Dick Morrissey – saxophone (2,4)
• Johnny Dankworth – alto saxophone (3)
• Chris Rainbow – backing vocals (2–4, 6, 8, 9)
• Deborah Anderson – harmony vocals (9)
• Jade Anderson (credited as "Petite Jade") – child voice (9)
• Delmé String Quartet; arranged by David Ogden (9)

Technical

• Mike Dunne – engineer
• Brian Gaylor – electronic
• Jon Anderson – cover
• Alwyn Clayden – art direction, design
• Ian Nicholson – illustrations

Charts

Chart (1980-1981)	Peak position
UK Albums (OCC)[6]	38
US Billboard 200[7]	143

Notes

1. As stated in December 1980 during the Trent FM radio show "The Rock Show" with Jeff Cooper.

References

1. "Song of Seven".
2. "Music Week" (PDF). p. 44.
3. "Jon Anderson singles".
4. Ruhlmann, William (2011). "Song of Seven - Jon Anderson | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
5. MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1996. p. 750.
6. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
7. "Jon Anderson Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 April 2018.