In 1972, the British rock band Yes released a song that was unlike almost anything else in rock music.
At 18 minutes and 43 seconds long, "Close to the Edge" took up an entire side of the band's iconic album of the same name and pushed the boundaries of what a rock song could be. More than five decades later, this epic composition continues to garner acclaim.
In a recent ranking of the 20 best songs longer than 10 minutes, the magazine Goldmine , dedicated to music collectors, called "Close to the Edge" the greatest long song of all time.
«"I think objectively, in terms of both intellect and physical force, 'Close to the Edge' is certainly the greatest long song of all time, whether you share the Yes view or not," Goldmine wrote.
The publication continued: "It's almost a cliché—or rather, a debatable thesis that everyone agrees on—that Close to the Edge is the greatest progressive rock album of all time, and the main reason for that is this masterpiece of ethereal, spiritual, unusual music.".
The album was released in September 1972. Close to the Edge marked a turning point for the English pioneers of progressive rock. The album became the band's most commercially successful to date, reaching number three on the Billboard 200 chart and number four in the UK. It eventually sold over a million copies in the US.
The title track remains the album's centerpiece.
Written John Anderson и Steve Howe , This song combines progressive rock, classical influences, jazz elements, and an ambitious plot to form a sweeping four-part suite. The lyrics are partly inspired by Hermann Hesse's novel. «Siddhartha» , and the music undergoes dramatic changes in tempo, mood, and instrumentation. The composition was so ambitious that it took up an entire side of the original vinyl release.
While "Close to the Edge" never became a traditional hit, it has become one of the band's defining pieces and remains a progressive rock standard more than 50 years after its debut.
Goldmine praised the song's bold structure and original sound.
«"The whole thing is a journey: first the sounds of nature, then cacophony, then strange rhythms," the publication wrote. "There's church organ music, Steve Howe's unique, energetic guitar work, and then, to top off the whole spider-like performance, Jon Anderson speaking in unseen languages—it's all mystical and a little spooky, as if following him and his flowing robes would lock you in a church basement.".
In conclusion, the publication noted that it is the ending of the song that ultimately sets it apart from its competitors.
«"However, the sublime and divine ending makes you realize that what he was talking about was not just nonsense.".
Over the years, the album Close to the Edge became one of the most acclaimed albums in the history of progressive rock. The record was repeatedly included in lists of the best albums and was recognized by the magazine Rolling Stone one of the greatest albums of all time. The title track, meanwhile, continues to be considered one of the defining achievements of the genre.
« Close to the Edge "This is the best Yes album of all its many lineups, reaching its absolute peak, with Jon Anderson's soulful vocals flowing over new member Rick Wakeman's virtuoso keyboard work. The title track, an 18-minute epic in four distinct movements, remains the most sublime moment in the history of progressive rock," Rolling Stone wrote about the album and the song.
More than 50 years after its release, "Close to the Edge" remains the standard by which other long rock epics are judged, proving that even a song approaching 19 minutes can leave listeners wanting more.
This article was originally published by Parade on June 6, 2026, in the Entertainment section. Add Parade to your list of recommended sources by clicking here.