"It Can Happen" by Yes

Song#:  1953
Date:  06/23/1984
Debut:  85
Peak:  51
Weeks:  7
Genre:  Prog Rock



Pop Bits:  Yes had been making albums since 1969 with many of them hitting the gold or platinum mark, but their biggest success wouldn't come until 1983 with their multi-platinum album 90125. The more commercial-friendly collection was enhanced by the #1 Pop and Rock hit "Owner of a Lonely Heart" and the #3 Rock/#24 Pop follow-up "Leave It." A third single was called for and this track, which got to #5 at Rock, was chosen. It made it nearly halfway up the Pop chart, but stalled and quickly fell away. There would be no further singles, but one other track from the album, "Changes," would be a hit at Rock getting to #6.

ReduxReview:  This song has a terrific bridge and chorus, but I think what may have held it back at Pop was the verse. It nearly brings the song to a halt with the way it is produced. The original version by Cinema (see below) plays it a bit different and it makes the song more cohesive. However, that version is missing the soaring unique vocals of Jon Anderson, so I guess there is a trade off. Either way, it's a good song and one that could have ducked inside the Top 40.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) As mentioned in a previous post, this album started out as a project by a new group called Cinema. However, after a lineup change there ended up being three former members of Yes in the band. Therefore, marketing tactics dictated that the Yes brand had to be revived. In the early Cinema sessions, a few songs were completed including this one. At that time, Chris Squire sang the lead vocals. After the personnel changes, this song was then reworked and the lead vocal was handled by Jon Anderson. The original Cinema version featuring Squire would later be included on a reissue of 90125 along with two other completed songs from the Cinema sessions.  2) In the instrumental section of this song you can hear a spoken word recitation under the music. The passages are bits of dialog taken from the 1895 play The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. In the play, the lines are said by one of the main characters, Algernon Moncrieff.

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