What is the meaning of “Turn of the Century” by Yes
"Turn of the Century" by Yes is a poignant song that explores themes of love, loss, and the desire for immortality through art. The narrative centers around a sculptor named Roan, who is deeply in love with his partner. After she falls ill and dies, Roan becomes consumed with grief and seeks to immortalize her beauty by creating a statue that captures her essence. This act of creation is both a tribute to his love and a way to cope with his loss.
Key themes and interpretations of the song include:
1. **Grief and Loss**: The song reflects Roan's sorrow over the death of his beloved, highlighting the emotional turmoil that accompanies such a profound loss. He realizes too late that he was so focused on preserving her beauty that he neglected to cherish their time together.
2. **Art as Immortality**: Roan's desire to mold his love into clay symbolizes the human impulse to create art as a means of achieving immortality. He hopes that through his sculpture, he can reconnect with her spirit, echoing the myth of Pygmalion, where a sculptor falls in love with his creation.
3. **Reflection on Life**: The lyrics suggest a contemplation of life’s fleeting nature, with references to the passage of time and the inevitability of death. Roan's struggle to let go of his beloved is a universal theme that resonates with many listeners, as it speaks to the difficulty of moving on after losing someone dear.
4. **Hope and Reunion**: Despite the sorrow, there is an underlying hope that love transcends death. The lyrics imply a belief in a future reunion, suggesting that love endures beyond the physical realm.
Overall, "Turn of the Century" is a beautifully crafted song that combines lyrical depth with emotional resonance, making it one of Yes's more memorable pieces [[1]](https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858532077/)[[2]](http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45698).
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Learn more:
1. [Yes - Turn of the Century Lyrics & Meanings | SongMeanings](https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858532077/)
2. [What do some of Yes's lyrics mean? - Progressive Rock Music Forum - Page 1](http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45698)
3. [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3bysb4T5mg)