What’s up, dudes? It’s a prog rock Christmas! Yes, we’re talking Chris Squire and Alan White’s “Run with the Fox!” This single along with B-side “Return of the Fox” was recorded and released in 1981 on Atlantic Records. The song is a masterclass on pedal point, syncopation, and suspended chords, with a driving beat and occasional mixed meter just to keep things interesting.
Chris Squire and Alan White played bass and drums respectively for progressive rock band Yes, and co-wrote the Christmas song with King Crimson lyricist Peter Sinfield. How? You ask. Well, Yes frontman Jon Anderson and keyboardist Rick Wakeman had left the group in 1980, replaced by Geoff Downes and Trevor Horn from The Buggles. After an album and tour, Yes disbanded in ‘81 and Squire and White continued to work together, composing “Return of the Fox” with Squire on vocals. Naturally it got a lot of airplay through the ‘80s and early ‘90s during the Christmas season.
Synths? Check. Pedal tones? Yup. Obscure metaphoric lyrics? Definitely! So grab your bass, call your backup choir, and run with this episode!
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