Fox Reviews Rock

Battle Of The Bands – Yes vs The Who

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When we genuinely adore a band, it’s essential to stand by them! In this series, we’ll pit two bands against one another. Use the comments section to champion your favorite and proudly show your allegiance! Engage with others’ opinions, share fascinating facts, and recount your experiences with the bands. Now, put on your war paint and prepare for battle!

Yes – Owner Of A Lonely Heart (All Rights Are Retained By Yes)
The Who – Baba O’Riley (All Rights Are Retained By The Who)

Make sure to let us know which of the two bands you prefer in the comments, your opinions matter to us!

We claim no rights over the songs used in this post , and all rights are retained by the relevant band/artist.

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63 responses to “Battle Of The Bands – Yes vs The Who”

  1. richardbist avatar
    richardbist

    Tough call because they’re sort of in different arenas. The Who are solidly epic rock, while Yes are grandfathers of prog rock. Both have a library of great, memorable songs. Both bands had amazing bass players.

    Gonna have to go with a tie on this one.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      Tie is perfectly OK, but for me Who wins this one by a long way ( I’m not big into prog)

      Like

      Reply
  2. Mike avatar
    Mike

    The Who, by the slightest margins, for their broader impact, unforgettable live shows, and timeless anthems that resonate across generations. But if prog’s your thing, Yes could steal the show.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      I think this is a good breakdown of it 😁👍🏻 any songs I should check out by each ?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Mike avatar
        Mike

        Underrated but awesome songs by Yes include “The Gates of Delirium,” “Siberian Khatru,” “Yours Is No Disgrace,” “Heart of the Sunrise,” and “I’ve Seen All Good People.” These tracks showcase Yes’s progressive rock mastery beyond their more mainstream hits and often highlight complex musicianship and epic compositions.

        For The Who, some of the most underrated songs are “So Sad About Us,” “Slip Kid,” “Relay,” “Sunrise,” and “The Song Is Over.” These tracks capture the band’s raw energy, emotional depth, and compositional range but tend to be overshadowed by their biggest hits like “Baba O’Riley” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”

        These choices represent some of the best but lesser-recognized gems from both bands’ extensive catalogs.

        Liked by 3 people

        Reply
        1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
          Fox Reviews Rock

          Now this is what I made this website for! 🙂 Thank you 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  3. Katie Frances Hartless avatar
    Katie Frances Hartless

    let’s get together before we get much older. 👍

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      😁👍🏻

      Like

      Reply
  4. Roger avatar
    Roger

    I don’t think Owner of A Lonely Heart is a fair representation of the bulk of Yes. I remember hearing this track for the first time with a radio DJ on a car radio late at night. He said, “That was Yes?” It’s fine but…

    Whereas Who’s Next is prime Who. I’ll say the Who, in part because I like their early stuff as well. Also, the Who, with Tommy and to a degree with Quadrophenia, dipped into different genres (film, theater)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      Yeah thats a fair comment but for this I just use the highest streamed song on spotify. Mainly because it takes less time 🤣🤣

      I agree with everything you said on the who 😁😁

      Like

      Reply
  5. RasmaSandra avatar
    RasmaSandra

    Always was a The Who fan,

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      I think its hard not to be tbh

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. Kit avatar
    Kit

    The Who, hands down!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      I cant disagree 👍🏻

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. robinmaderich avatar
    robinmaderich

    Although I have been a Yes fan (in my younger years–now it’s more nostalgia) and do like the song you have chosen in this post, I still have to go with The Who, no matter what song you put out there, lol.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      I think they were just the more iconic band tbh it’s a fair vote

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. earlthepearl137 avatar
    earlthepearl137

    The Who!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      Yep seems pretty popular! 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Chris avatar
    Chris

    The Who!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      I think I agree!

      Like

      Reply
  10. lyndhurstlaura avatar
    lyndhurstlaura

    Baba O’Reilly swings it – although I love both bands. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      Both great bands but I think that’s the way I swing too

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. edmondslance avatar
    edmondslance

    Yeah Fox Rocks,

    I’ve got to agree with richarbist with the first comment.

    Feels kinda like pitting 80’s against 70’s.

    Yes might’ve had many prog rock hits in the 70’s, but Owner of a Lonely Heart was in the 80’s, and they changed their sound to capture a changing radio demographic.

    Perhaps if you had selected I’ve Seen All Good People as the Yes entry, then you would truly have a more comparable match.

    The first time I heard Owner of a Lonely Heart, back in the 80’s I thought it was Phil Collins or Genesis.

    I’m an 80’s kid, so I pick Yes for this one.

    If your looking to do a good 70’s rock match up, might I suggest pitting Styx, Come Sail Away against ELO, Mr. Blue Sky🤯😱🤪

    Honestly , I don’t know WHICH I’d pick!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      Haha honestly the song is purely so people who don’t know the band have something to go off at least and I just pixk the first song on spotify 👍🏻

      The match up is something I randomise so that different genres time etc come up and sparks wonderful debates like the one you just gave me!

      I really appreciate the comment and nice that someone voted for Yes ! 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. edmondslance avatar
        edmondslance

        I think that album with Owner of a Lonely Heart had another song that got radio play back in the 80’s. But, it wasn’t nearly as popular.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
          Fox Reviews Rock

          1 Song does tend to steal the show, but it also probably helped drive album sales too.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. edmondslance avatar
            edmondslance

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
  12. Ezekiel Fish avatar
    Ezekiel Fish

    The Who!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      Nice choice

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. Lori Pohlman avatar
    Lori Pohlman

    My husband knows more about those bands than I do. He’s says they’re both good but totally different. 😄

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      Oh yeah they are nothing alike! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  14. Cadeegirl Gee avatar
    Cadeegirl Gee

    The Who of course! 😄

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      It has been a popular opinion 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  15. isabellawolgoth avatar
    isabellawolgoth

    “Who are you,” no, really, who do you think you are to divide listeners? You must be the “owner of a lonely heart,” sir!

    Just kidding by the way.
    Long time no see.
    Color me a “Who.”

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      Haha that made me laugh maybe more than it should have 😉 Nice work! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. isabellawolgoth avatar
        isabellawolgoth

        You better, you better, you bet 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  16. Mike Hartley avatar
    Mike Hartley

    Saw both bands live several times in the 70s. The Who concerts had far more power and energy. Yes had some great musicians but songs were longer and quite instrumental at times which seemed put the crowd in a trance. Two different types/styles of music. Both great. The Who was the better band.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      I think I agree with your outcome 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Mike Hartley avatar
        Mike Hartley

        An article on The Who farewell concert from the other night you might like. https://variety.com/2025/music/news/the-who-hollywood-bowl-concert-review-farewell-tour-1236523723/

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
          Fox Reviews Rock

          Thank you! 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  17. Debbie D. avatar
    Debbie D.

    No contest for me! The Who, all the way. (I’m still on a concert high, after seeing their final show in Toronto recently.)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      Oh wow I bet that show was fantastic! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. deKe avatar
    deKe

    Grumpy Roger and Angry Pete for the WIN!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      Haha all the way! 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  19. Debbie D. avatar
    Debbie D.

    It was! 🔥🎸🤘 https://thedogladysden.com/the-who-bids-farewell/

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      ❤ Everyone go and check this out !!!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  20. writinstuff avatar
    writinstuff

    Owner of a Lonely Heart might be the only song I know so I have to go with The Who. 🙂 But now I’m curious about Yes.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      At least it is a new band for you to explore 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  21. Geoff Cherrett avatar
    Geoff Cherrett

    Who or Yes? Won’t get fooled again or Roundabout? Who’s Next or Fragile?
    Two great bands, two great tracks from two great albums released at around the same time.
    I guess we were well entertained, back in the day.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      Much more than today that is for sure!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  22. valenciartist avatar
    valenciartist

    Wow…hard choice, but I have to pick The Who!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      I think the correct pick too 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. valenciartist avatar
        valenciartist

        👍

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  23. Danny*Fantod avatar
    Danny*Fantod

    I love, love, love listening to Yes. But The Who wins again in my reckoning.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      I think I agree to be honest 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  24. Alan J. Blaustein avatar
    Alan J. Blaustein

    You brought me back some 60 years with Baba O’ Reilly! Yes put out a album that had songs with mystical animals like Manticore, I heard it but I don’t recall the title..

    Thank you for liking my poem!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      You’re very welcome 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  25. ajeanneinthekitchen avatar
    ajeanneinthekitchen

    Tough question. Both are great songs by great bands.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      They are indeed! But if you had to base it on all the songs from both bands and not just these 2 ? 🙂

      Like

      Reply
      1. ajeanneinthekitchen avatar
        ajeanneinthekitchen

        Based on that, I’d go with The Who.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
          Fox Reviews Rock

          A solid choice 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  26. musicman1959daily avatar
    musicman1959daily

    Yes. Owner Of A Lonely Heart. ♥️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar
      Fox Reviews Rock

      It is a cracking song! 🙂

      Like

      Reply

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