Uploaded June 2009 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Jon and Vangelis is the collaborative effort between the singer Jon Anderson (the lead vocalist of the progressive rock band Yes) and the Greek synthesizer musician Evangelos Papathanassiou who is usually known as "Vangelis". Together they released a number of successful albums in the 1980s.
In 1974, Vangelis was considered as a replacement for Rick Wakeman as keyboardist in Yes, and although the job went to Patrick Moraz, it led to several collaborations with Anderson, who contributed vocals to Vangelis' Heaven and Hell (1975), harp to Opera Sauvage (1979), and vocals to See You Later (1980).
Anderson left Yes between 1980 and 1983, and during this time the collaboration with Vangelis began in earnest. The two recorded several albums between 1979 and 1991, producing the major hits "I Hear You Now" (UK #8), "I'll Find My Way Home" (UK #6) and "The Friends of Mr. Cairo" (Canada #1). Anderson wrote the lyrics, and Vangelis composed the music.
In 1986, Jon & Vangelis made a few attempts at writing a new album, but much of this work was never officially released under the Jon & Vangelis name. Twelve tracks were compiled on 1991's Page of Life, while other songs from these sessions appeared in later works, including "Let's Pretend", the last song on the 1989 album Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe. Anderson ultimately took it upon himself to re-work Page of Life, which was released in 1998 in the United States only with nine tracks. Vangelis did not approve this, and it is cited as the reason for the dissolution of their collaboration. "Sing With Your Eyes" appeared in 1991, as a B-side on the CD single release of "Wisdom Chain" / "Page of Life"
"Curious Electric" is track from "Short Stories"(1980)
Lyrics:
Sitting here in the television
Looking at the tube
Sitting next to me
He's not been very well lately
He told me so
He's been crying
A little bit
And I ain't lyin'
But we're sitting it out
Watching "Match of the Day"
You know we've all gotta go anyway
I said we've all gotta go anyway
And I wouldn't mind being last in line
To see such joy and fruitfulness
When everyone discovers short stories
Jon and Vangelis is the collaborative effort between the singer Jon Anderson (the lead vocalist of the progressive rock band Yes) and the Greek synthesizer musician Evangelos Papathanassiou who is usually known as "Vangelis". Together they released a number of successful albums in the 1980s.
In 1974, Vangelis was considered as a replacement for Rick Wakeman as keyboardist in Yes, and although the job went to Patrick Moraz, it led to several collaborations with Anderson, who contributed vocals to Vangelis' Heaven and Hell (1975), harp to Opera Sauvage (1979), and vocals to See You Later (1980).
Anderson left Yes between 1980 and 1983, and during this time the collaboration with Vangelis began in earnest. The two recorded several albums between 1979 and 1991, producing the major hits "I Hear You Now" (UK #8), "I'll Find My Way Home" (UK #6) and "The Friends of Mr. Cairo" (Canada #1). Anderson wrote the lyrics, and Vangelis composed the music.
In 1986, Jon & Vangelis made a few attempts at writing a new album, but much of this work was never officially released under the Jon & Vangelis name. Twelve tracks were compiled on 1991's Page of Life, while other songs from these sessions appeared in later works, including "Let's Pretend", the last song on the 1989 album Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe. Anderson ultimately took it upon himself to re-work Page of Life, which was released in 1998 in the United States only with nine tracks. Vangelis did not approve this, and it is cited as the reason for the dissolution of their collaboration. "Sing With Your Eyes" appeared in 1991, as a B-side on the CD single release of "Wisdom Chain" / "Page of Life"
"Curious Electric" is track from "Short Stories"(1980)
Lyrics:
Sitting here in the television
Looking at the tube
Sitting next to me
He's not been very well lately
He told me so
He's been crying
A little bit
And I ain't lyin'
But we're sitting it out
Watching "Match of the Day"
You know we've all gotta go anyway
I said we've all gotta go anyway
And I wouldn't mind being last in line
To see such joy and fruitfulness
When everyone discovers short stories
