Yes - Roundabout Meaning

Song Released: 1971

Roundabout Lyrics

I'll be the roundabout
The words will make you out 'n' out
We'll start the day your way--
Call it morning driving through the sun
And in and out the valley!

The people dance and sing
They make the children really ring
Of distant...

1. anonymous

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   Jun 3rd 2021 !⃝

   Driving through Scotland. Amazed at the great number of traffic circles. Hard to believe traffic control could inspire a great song. The wonderful scenery helped, I am certain.
2. anonymous

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   Mar 16th 2018 !⃝

   To be honest, "roundabout reminds me of the tesla roadster which is travelling through space at a high rate of speed. "I will remember you, your silouette will charge the view" of distant atmosphere" the famous space car is leaving earth forever, and is heading out into deep space in a journey towards mars and the asteroid belt. "ten true summers we'll be there and laughing too" meaning that the roadster will reach its destination in millions of miles over but will never come back to earth. if the song could be written over by Yes, the lyrics would be based on the roadster's psychodelic journey through an endless vacuum of a black universe we call the "heavens"

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
3. anonymous

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   Feb 8th 2018 !⃝

   Roundabout is a British meaning for a Merry-go- around and a traffic circle. Like walk-mans in the U.S., the British version is called a Soundabout. What I find interesting is, is when the band says "the sailor sees the rim of the land" then they say "get closer hold the land" I'm not sure what they mean by that.
4. anonymous

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   Jan 6th 2018 !⃝

   Well in the seventies everything was psychedelic drugs and a new world everything's groovy peaceful and you know Cosmic everybody was in their own little world color lights it was America at its best and of course all the bands from around the world came on the scene and provided interpretation of what happened in was but I think roundabout was about in and out of interstates and driving through traffic that's my guess.
5. anonymous

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   Mar 11th 2017 !⃝

   Thanks for such a moving song. RIP Chris Squire...We miss you
6. anonymous

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   Mar 11th 2017 !⃝

   I find this song so emotionally comforting. Personally, the bridge of the song (4:58-5:40) moves me in such a way; the keyboards by Rick Wakeman, acoustic guitar by Steve Howe, singing by Jon Anderson... It's just so lovely. I get goosebumps listening to that song. I hope I never forget this special song from a very special band.
7. anonymous

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   Sep 28th 2014 !⃝

   The intro sounds like it's a missing part of Tool's Parabola. Actually if you listen to Tool's Parabola before Yes's Roundabout you can hear Parabola. Coincidence???
8. anonymous

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   Sep 28th 2014 !⃝

   The intro sounds like it's a missing part of Tool's Parabola
9. anonymous

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   Aug 12th 2014 !⃝

   Sounds to me like someone who is admiring a pretty landscape and looking forward to seeing a loved one. Either that or he's talking about he majesty of nature and the world.
   
   I don't know what "I'll be the roundabout" could possibly mean.