Showing posts with label asia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label asia. Show all posts

Saturday, May 20, 2023

Yes et al: Top 100 Songs/Top 20 Albums

Yes et al

Top 100 Songs

Progressive rock group formed in London in 1968. The original members were:

  • Jon Anderson (vocals: 1968-80, 1983-88, 1990-2004)
  • Chris Squire (bass: 1968-2015). Died in 2015.
  • Tony Kaye (keyboards: 1968-71, 1982-94)
  • Peter Banks (guitar: 1968-70)
  • Bill Bruford (drums: 1968-72, 1990-92)

Future members included:

  • Steve Howe (guitar: 1970-81, 1990-92, 1995-present)
  • Rick Wakeman (keyboards: 1971-74, 1976-80, 1990-92, 1995-96, 2002-04)
  • Alan White (drums: 1972-2022)
  • Patrick Moraz (keyboards: 1974-76)
  • Geoff Downes (keyboards: 1980-81, 2011-present)
  • Trevor Horn (vocals: 1980-81)
  • Trevor Rabin (guitar, vocals, keyboards: 1982-94)
  • Billy Sherwood (bass, keyboards, guitar: 1997-2000, 2015-present)
  • Igor Khoroshev (keyboards: 1997-2000)
  • Benoit David (vocals: 2008-12)
  • Oliver Wakeman (keyboards: 2008-11)
  • Jon Davison (vocals: 2012-present)
  • Jay Schellen (drums: 2022-present)

Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe also recorded together from 1988-92, but under their names as they didn’t have rights to use the Yes moniker. Downes and Horn worked together in the Buggles before joining Yes. Howe and Downes formed Asia after departing from Yes in 1981. Howe was also in the short-lived GTR in 1986.

Click here to see other acts’ best-of lists.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out Dave’s Music Database podcast: The Best of Yes based on this list. It debuts October 5, 2021 at 7pm CST. New episodes based on Dave’s Music Database lists are posted every Tuesday at 7pm CST.

Awards:

Top 100 Songs

This list was created by tallying the number of appearances songs had on Yes compilations and live albums as well as best-of lists focused on Yes songs. The top 100 ranking songs were then re-ranked according to their overall status on Dave’s Music Database, which integrates best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. A few lists incorporated some Yes-related material, hence the inclusion of songs by the Buggles, Asia, GTR, Jon Anderson (solo), and Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman & Howe.

DMDB Top 2%:

1. Owner of a Lonely Heart (1983)
2. Roundabout (1971)
3. Video Killed the Radio Star (The Buggles, 1979)

DMDB Top 5%:

4. I’ve Seen All Good People (1971)
5. Heat of the Moment (Asia, 1982)

DMDB Top 10%:

6. And You and I (1972)
7. Starship Trooper (1971)
8. Long Distance Runaround (1971)
9. Leave It (1983)

DMDB Top 20%:

10. Only Time Will Tell (Asia, 1982)

11. Yours Is No Disgrace (1971)
12. Wonderous Stories (1977)
13. Love Will Find a Way (1987)
14. Going for the One (1977)
15. Rhythm of Love (1987)
16. America (1972)
17. Heart of the Sunrise (1971)
18. Don’t Cry (Asia, 1983)
19. Go (Asia, 1985)
20. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (Asia, 1983)

21. It Can Happen (1983)
22. Lift Me Up (1991)
23. Changes (1983)
24. When the Heart Rules the Mind (GTR, 1986)

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

25. Don’t Kill the Whale (1978)
26. Soon (1974)
27. Hold On (1983)
28. Close to the Edge (1972)
29. Days Like These (Asia, 1990)
30. Wildest Dreams (Asia, 1982)

31. Shoot High Aim Low (1987)
32. The Calling (1994)
33. Siberian Khatru (1972)
34. Amazing Grace (1976)
35. Time and a Word (1970)
36. Our Song (1983)
37. Cage of Freedom (Jon Anderson, 1984)
38. Every Little Thing (1969)
39. South Side of the Sky (1971)
40. Sole Survivor (Asia, 1982)

41. Open Your Eyes (1997)
42. Brother of Mine (Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman & Howe; 1989)
43. I Would Have Waited Forever (1991)
44. Make It Easy (1982)
45. Walls (1994)
46. Final Eyes (1987)
47. Tempus Fugit (1980)
48. We Have Heaven (1971)
49. Fly from Here: We Can Fly (2011)
50. Homeworld (The Ladder) (1999)

51. Awaken (1977)
52. Sweet Dreams (1970)
53. Big Generator (1987)
54. Run with the Fox (Chris Squire & Alan White, 1981)
55. The Clap (1971)
56. The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus) (1971)
57. City of Love (1983)
58. The Gates of Delirium (1974)
59. Holy Lamb (1987)
60. Survival (1969)

61. Saving My Heart (1991)
62. Ritual (Nous Sommes du Soleil) (1973)
63. No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed (1970)
64. Perpetual Change (1971)
65. Dear Father (1970)
66. Then (1970)
67. Does It Really Happen? (1980)
68. The Revealing Science of God (Dance of the Dawn) (1973)
69. Turn of the Century (1977)
70. Looking Around (1969)

71. Something’s Coming (1969)
72. Hearts (1983)
73. Love Conquers All (1991)
74. Astral Traveller (1970)
75. Sound Chaser (1974)
76. Money (That’s What I Want) (1978)
77. Without Hope You Cannot Start the Day (1991)
78. I’m Down (1976)
79. Sweetness (1969)
80. The Ice Bridge (2021)

81. Mood for a Day (1971)
82. The More We Live – Let Go (1991)
83. Into the Lens (1980)
84. Order of the Universe (Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, 1989)
85. To Be Over (1974)
86. Machine Messiah (1980)
87. Parallels (1977)
88. Onward (1978)
89. Run Through the Light (1980)
90. Miracle of Life (1991)

91. Mind Drive (1997)
92. Release Release (1978)
93. Everydays (1970)
94. Lightning Strikes (1999)
95. On the Silent Wings of Freedom (1978)
96. State of Play (1994)
97. Talk (Part 2 of “Endless Dream”) (1994)
98. Masquerade (1991)
99. Dare to Know (2021)
100. Arriving UFO (1978)

Yes: Studio Albums Ranked

Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by album’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, critics’ ratings, and awards. Also factored in are the status of each album’s songs in Dave’s Music Database for songs.

1. Fragile (1971)
2. Close to the Edge (1972)
3. The Yes Album (1971)
4. 90125 (1983)
5. Tales from Topographic Oceans (1973)
6. Relayer (1974)
7. Going for the One (1977)
8. Big Generator (1987)
9. Drama (1980)
10. Tormato (1978)

11. Union (1991)
12. Fly from Here (2011)
13. Talk (1994)
14. Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (1989)
15. Time and a Word (1970)
16. Yes (1969)
17. Heaven & Earth (2014)
18. The Ladder (1999)
19. Magnification (2001)
20. KeyStudio (2001 – studio cuts from 1996’s Keys to Ascension and 1997’s Keys to Ascension 2)

21. Open Your Eyes (1997)

Resources and Related Links:

First posted 7/24/2021; last updated 5/20/2023.

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Thursday, January 19, 2023

Book: Songs That Made a Mark

Songs That Made a Mark:

100 of Mark Whitaker’s Favorites

For Christmas 2022, I told my brother I’d make a book – just for him – of 100 of his favorite songs. We worked together to come up with the list offered here. Songs are not ranked; they are listed alphabetically by the recording acts. While the book is not available for purchase, all the songs are listed here with links to dedicated Dave’s Music Database pages, each with information about the song’s chart, sales, and airplay statistics as well as links to awards won by the songs, videos, and lyrics.

Click here to see other lists from critics and individuals and here to see other lists from publications and/or organizations.

Spotify Playlist:

You can listen to all these songs via the Spotify playlist Songs That Made a Mark.

1. Ace “How Long” (1974)
2. Adele “Skyfall” (2012)
3. Aerosmith “Janie’s Got a Gun” (1989)
4. Alabama “Mountain Music” (1982)
5. Animal Logic “I’m Sorry Baby (I Want You in My Life)” (1989)
6. Asia “Heat of the Moment” (1982)
7. Asia “Only Time Will Tell” (1982)
8. Asia “Don’t Cry” (1983)
9. The Beatles “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (1968)
10. Pat Benatar “Shadows of the Night” (1982)

11. Clint Black “Killin’ Time” (1989)
12. David Bowie “Changes” (1971)
13. Boyz II Men “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” (1991)
14. Garth Brooks “> Unanswered Prayers” (1990)
15. Kate Bush “This Woman’s Work” (1988)
16. Johnny Cash “Hurt” (2002)
17. Harry Chapin “Cat’s in the Cradle” (1974)
18. Chic “Le Freak” (1978)
19. Chicago “If You Leave Me Now” (1976)
20. Eric Clapton “Wonderful Tonight” (1977)

21. Eric Clapton “Tears in Heaven” (1992)
22. Phil Collins “In the Air Tonight” (1981)
23. Commodores “Three Times a Lady” (1978)
24. Robert Cray “Smoking Gun” (1986)
25. Bing Crosby with David Bowie “Peace on Earth/The Little Drummer Boy” (1977)
26. Crowded House “Don’t Dream It’s Over” (1986)
27. Crowded House “Better Be Home Soon” (1988)
28. Charlie Daniels Band “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” (1979)
29. Def Leppard “Photograph” (1983)
30. Depeche Mode “Somebody” (1984)

31. Dennis DeYoung “Desert Moon” (1984)
32. Eagles “Take It Easy” (1972)
33. Eagles “Desperado” (1973)
34. Foreigner “Waiting for a Girl Like You” (1981)
35. Peter Gabriel “Biko” (1980)
36. Genesis “Mama” (1983)
37. Hootie & the Blowfish “Only Wanna Be with You” (1995)
38. Billy Joel “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” (1977)
39. Billy Joel “The Stranger” (1977)
40. Billy Joel with Ray Charles “Baby Grand” (1986)

41. Elton John “Candle in the Wind” (1973) / “Candle in the Wind 1997 (Goodbye England’s Rose)” (1997)
42. Journey “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” (1983)
43. Journey “Faithfully” (1983)
44. Journey “Ask the Lonely” (1983)
45. Kansas “Carry on Wayward Son” (1976)
46. Kansas “Dust in the Wind” (1977)
47. Jonny Lang “Lie to Me” (1997)
48. Led Zeppelin “The Battle of Evermore” (1971)
49. John Lennon “Imagine” (1971)
50. Huey Lewis & the News “Naturally” (1986)

51. Linkin Park “In the End” (2000)
52. Little River Band “Lonesome Loser” (1979)
53. Nick Lowe “Cruel to Be Kind” (1979)
54. Manfred Mann’s Earth Band “Blinded by the Light” (1976)
55. Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder “Ebony and Ivory” (1982)
56. John Cougar Mellencamp “Rain on the Scarecrow” (1985)
57. Metallica “One” (1989)
58. Metallica “Nothing Else Matters” (1992)
59. Mike + the Mechanics “Silent Running” (1985)
60. Mike + the Mechanics “The Living Years” (1988)

61. Mr. Mister “Broken Wings” (1985)
62. Night Ranger “Four in the Morning” (1985)
63. OutKast “Hey Ya!” (2003)
64. The Alan Parsons Project “Old and Wise” (1982)
65. The Alan Parsons Project “Let’s Talk About Me” (1985)
66. Dolly Parton “Jolene” (1973)
67. Pearl Jam “Jeremy” (1991)
68. Steve Perry “Oh Sherrie” (1984)
69. The Police “Roxanne” (1978)
70. The Police “Message in a Bottle” (1979)

71. Elvis Presley “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (1961)
72. Prince & the Revolution “Purple Rain” (1984)
73. Queen “We Will Rock You” / “We Are the Champions” (1977)
74. Queensrÿche “Empire” (1990)
75. Queensrÿche “Silent Lucidity” (1991)
76. The Rainmakers “Downstream” (1986)
77. Bonnie Raitt “Nick of Time” (1989)
78. R.E.M. “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” (1987)
79. REO Speedwagon “Can’t Fight This Feeling” (1984)
80. Lionel Richie “Hello” (1984)

81. Lionel Richie “Say You Say Me” (1985)
82. Kenny Rogers “Coward of the County” (1979)
83. Rush “Free Will” (1980)
84. Kenny Wayne Shepherd “Blue on Black” (1998)
85. Rick Springfield “Affair of the Heart” (1983)
86. Bruce Springsteen “Dancing in the Dark” (1984)
87. Squeeze “Tempted” (1981)
88. Styx “Come Sail Away” (1977)
89. Styx “Renegade” (1978)
90. Tears for Fears “Mad World” (1982) / Michael Andrews & Gary Jules “Mad World” (2002)

91. Toto “Africa” (1982)
92. Toto “Stranger in Town” (1984)
93. Tina Turner “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” (1985)
94. Bonnie Tyler “Total Eclipse of the Heart” (1983)
95. U2 “Sunday Bloody Sunday” (1983)
96. U2 “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (1987)
97. Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble “The Sky Is Crying” (1985)
98. Madisen Ward & the Mama Bear “Silent Movies” (2015)
99. Stevie Wonder “Superstition” (1972)
100. Stevie Wonder “Isn’t She Lovely” (1977)

Resources/Related Links:

First posted 12/26/2022; last updated 1/19/2023.

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Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Asia: A Retrospective, 1982-2014

Asia

A Retrospective: 1982-2014

Overview:

The rock group Asia formed in 1981 in England. The original members had impressive resumes. Keyboardist Geoff Downes had been with the Buggles and Yes. Guitarist Steve Howe was also from Yes. Carl Palmer was the drummer with Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Singer John Wetton had previously worked with King Crimson. Despite their prog-rock credentials, the supergroup created a polished, commercially successful brand of mainstream rock.

“However, the group received “venomous criticism from the so-called hip music press.” BA “Perhaps the formation seemed cooked up by dollar-blinded record-company brass and even the musicians themselves,” BA but the group “expertly combined stellar instrumental prowess with killer hooks and choruses – and, yeah, more than a little bombast.” BA

The original lineup only lasted through two albums and Asia appeared to be done after 1985’s Astra. However, after the 1990 compilation Then & Now, which featured four new cuts, Geoff Downes took up the mantle and soldiered on with an ever-changing lineup whose only other consistent member was vocalist John Payne. Then, in 2007, the original lineup reunited for a tour and released four studio albums from 2008 to 2014. Sadly, John Wetton passed away on January 31, 2017, but at least Asia fans got to see the original foursome back together over the last decade.

The Players

  • Ian Crichton (g – Saga, Asia: 98-99, 01)
  • Geoff Downes (k – Yes, Buggles, Asia: 81-present, Wetton/Downes: 05)
  • Guthrie Govan (g – Asia: 01-06, GPS: 06)
  • Steve Howe (g – Yes, Asia: 81-84, 92, 01, 2006-13; GTR: 86)
  • Aziz Ibrahim (g – Simply Red, Asia: 96-99)
  • Mandy Meyer (g – Krokus, Asia: 85-90)
  • Carl Palmer (d – ELP, Asia: 81-85, 90-92, 2006-present)
  • John Payne (v: 92-06, GPS: 06)
  • Al Pitrelli (g: 92-96)
  • Elliot Randall (g – Steely Dan, Randy Crawford, Asia: 96, 01)
  • Jay Schellen (d – Asia: 05-06, GPS: 06)
  • Billy Sherwood (b/v – Asia: 2017-present)
  • Chris Slade (d - Manfred Mann's Earth Band, The Firm, Uriah Heep, Gary Numan, AC/DC, Asia: 99-05)
  • Michael Sturgis (d – aha, Asia: 87, 91-01)
  • Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (v/g: 2019-present)
  • Pat Thrall (g: 90, 01)
  • John Wetton (v – King Crimson, UK, Asia: 81-90, 2006-17, Wetton/Downes: 2005). Died in 2017.

v = vocals; g = guitar; b = bass; k = keyboards; d = drums

Links

Awards

Studio Albums

Compilations

Spotify Playlist

Here’s my Asia 1982-1990 playlist at Spotify. It features all songs from Then & Now plus some personal selections.

Under each album snapshot, songs featured on the anthologies are noted. If the song charted, the date of the song’s release or first chart appearance and its chart peaks are noted in parentheses. Click for codes to charts.

Asia

Asia

Released: March 18, 1982

Charted: April 3, 1982

Peak: 19 US, 11 UK, 13 CN, 13 AU, 14 DF Click for codes to charts.

Sales (in millions): 4.0 US, 0.1 UK, 10.0 world (includes US and UK)

Rating:

3.861 out of 5.00 (average of 30 ratings)

Tracks:

  1. Heat of the Moment TN, VB, DC, AN
  2. Only Time Will Tell TN, VB, DC, AN
  3. Sole Survivor VB, DC
  4. One Step Closer
  5. Time Again VB, AN
  6. Wildest Dreams TN, VB, DC
  7. Without You
  8. Cutting It Fine
  9. Here Comes the Feeling VB, DC

About the Album:

Regardless of what the critics thought, the record-buying public lapped up Asia’s 1982 self-titled debut, sending it to the top of the Billboard album chart for nine weeks in the U.S. It was “a strong collection of melodic, sweeping, muscular arena rock” TD which produced a top-five pop hit with Heat of the Moment) and a top-twenty follow-up Only Time Will Tell. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Alpha

Asia

Released: July 26, 1983

Peak: 6 US, 5 UK, 10 CN, 45 AU, 12 DF Click for codes to charts.

Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.06 UK, 1.06 world (includes US and UK)

Rating:

3.550 out of 5.00 (average of 26 ratings)

Tracks:

  1. Don’t Cry TN, VB, DC, AN
  2. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes TN, VB, DC
  3. Never in a Million Years VB
  4. My Own Time (I’ll Do What I Want)
  5. The Heat Goes On VB, DC, AN
  6. Eye to Eye
  7. The Last to Know
  8. True Colors
  9. Midnight Sun
  10. Open Your Eyes VB, DC
  11. Daylight VB, DC

About the Album:

Their sophomore album, Alpha, came a year later. The album was another top-ten, platinum seller led by top-ten hit Don’t Cry. That album also produced the top-40 hit The Smile Has Left Your Eyes. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Astra

Asia

Released: November 11, 1985

Peak: 67 US, 68 UK, 66 CN, 99 AU, 12 DF Click for codes to charts.

Sales (in millions): --

Rating:

3.395 out of 5.00 (average of 24 ratings)

Tracks:

  1. Go VB, DC, AN
  2. Voice of America TN, VB, DC
  3. Hard on Me
  4. Wishing DC
  5. Rock and Roll Dream
  6. Countdown to Zero
  7. Love Now Till Eternity
  8. Too Late VB, DC
  9. Suspicion
  10. After the War

About the Album:

After two albums, original guitarist Steve Howe left Asia. He was replaced by Mandy Meyer, whose biggest claim to fame was with the band Krokus, which hardly put him in the same ballpark as Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Steve Howe. Still, the album was “unjustly ignored.” BA It offered up the “explosive rocker Go,” BA a top-10 hit on the album rock chart, but it stalled short of the top 40 on the pop charts. The album also featured the minor album rock hit Too Late (#30). Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Then & Now

Asia

Released: August 13, 1990

Recorded: 1981-1990

Peak: 114 US, -- UK, 82 CN, -- AU, 11 DF Click for codes to charts.

Sales (in millions): 0.5 US

Genre: classic rock/progressive rock

Rating:

3.579 out of 5.00 (average of 14 ratings)

Awards:

(Click on award to learn more).

Tracks:

(1) Only Time Will Tell (2) Heat of the Moment (3) Wildest Dreams (4) Don’t Cry (5) The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (6) Days Like These (7) Prayin’ 4 a Miracle (8) Am I in Love? (9) Summer Can’t Last Too Long (10) Voice of America

Total Running Time: 42:29

About the Album:

Asia released three studio albums from 1982 to 1985 and then went dormant for the rest of the decade. In 1990, this collection emerged. While it featured four new songs, they were “flaccid musically and insipid lyrically.” TD The exception is “the anthemic Days Like These, which nearly matches the band’s strong debut material” TD and features Toto guitarist Steve Lukather. The song did revive interest in the group at album rock radio, where the song reached #2, but the pop world had largely abandoned Asia at this point; “Days” peaked at #64 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In the end, Then & Now is a “poorly conceived compilation.” BA Considering the few hits Asia had, it would seem to be an easy task to gather them together in one package, but Then & Now largely misses the boat. Sure, it gathers the most obvious songs with “Heat of the Moment,” “Only Time Will Tell,” “Don’t Cry,” and “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes,” but the collection is flawed because of the absence of top-ten album rock songs “Sole Survivor,” “The Heat Goes On,” and “Go.” Also, how did the band miss the obvious and not title this collection Anthology given their predilection for giving their previous albums titles all starting with “A”?

Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums:

  • Days Like These (8/17/90, 64 BB, 2 AR, 31 CN) TN, VB, DC
  • Prayin’ 4 a Miracle TN
  • Am I in Love? TN
  • Summer Can’t Last Too Long TN

Heat of the Moment: The Very Best of

Asia

Released: June 6, 2000

Recorded: 1981-1990

Peak: -- Click for codes to charts.

Sales (in millions): --

Genre: classic rock/progressive rock

Rating:

3.901 out of 5.00 (average of 13 ratings)

Tracks:

(1) Heat of the Moment (2) Only Time Will Tell (3) Sole Survivor (4) Time Again (5) Wildest Dreams (6) Here Comes the Feeling (7) Don’t Cry (8) Daylight (9) The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (10) Lying to Yourself (11) The Heat Goes On (12) Never in a Million Years (13) Open Your Eyes (14) Go (15) Voice of America (16) Too Late (17) Days Like These (18) Ride Easy

Total Running Time: 77:00

About the Album:

The flaws with Then & Now were corrected with this collection. The three unnecessary new songs from Then & Now were eschewed in favor of the three aforementioned top-ten album rock songs, although “Sole Survivor” and “Here Comes the Feeling” are “the choppily edited single versions.” BA The collection also added the B-sides “Ride Easy,” “Daylight,” and “Lying to Yourself.” However, the set is bloated with six songs each from the first two albums, meaning a few unnecessary album cuts creep in.

Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums:

  • Ride Easy (B-side of “Heat of the Moment”) VB
  • Lying to Yourself (B-side of “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes”) VB

The Definitive Collection

Asia

Released: September 12, 2006

Recorded: 1981-1990

Peak: 183 US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU, 11 DF Click for codes to charts.

Sales (in millions): 3.0 worldwide

Genre: classic rock/progressive rock

Rating:

3.587 out of 5.00 (average of 12 ratings)

Awards:

(Click on award to learn more).

Tracks:

(1) Heat of the Moment (2) Only Time Will Tell (3) Sole Survivor (4) Wildest Dreams (5) Here Comes the Feeling (6) Don’t Cry (7) The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (8) The Heat Goes On (9) Open Your Eyes (10) Daylight (11) Go (12) Voice of America (13) Too Late (14) Wishing (15) Days Like These (16) Go (extended version)

About the Album:

This set weeded out some of the forgettable album cuts which clogged up The Very Best of, including the three B-sides which, while interesting to Asia’s faithful followers, are not vital songs. In the end, this ends up being the most focused of the three collections covering 1981 to 1990. I’d prefer to see “Rock and Roll Dream” and “Countdown to Zero” from Astra instead of “Open Your Eyes” and “Wishing,” but that’s just a personal choice.

Aqua

Asia

Released: January 1992

Peak: -- Click for codes to charts.

Sales (in millions): --

Tracks:

  1. Aqua, Pt. 1 AN
  2. Who Will Stop the Rain? (8/92, --) AN
  3. Back in Town
  4. Love Under Fire
  5. Someday AN
  6. Little Rich Boy
  7. The Voice of Reason
  8. Lay Down Your Arms
  9. Crime of the Heart
  10. A Far Cry
  11. Don’t Call Me
  12. Heaven on Earth
  13. Aqua, Pt. 2

About the Album:

Asia’s superstar lineup from 1982 didn’t last long. After two albums, Steve Howe left the group. After 1985’s Astra, the group went on hiatus, returning for 1990’s Then & Now, which featured only four new songs. Then, in 1992, Geoff Downes and Carl Palmer reunited but now John Payne was on vocals and bass instead of John Wetton and Al Pitrelli was on guitar instead of Steve Howe, although Howe did guest on the album. Downes and Payne would become the core of the band for the next 15 years, but had nothing close to the success of the first three albums. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Aria

Asia

Released: May 1994

Peak: -- Click for codes to charts.

Sales (in millions): --

Tracks:

  1. Anytime (5/94, --) AN
  2. Are You Big Enough?
  3. Desire
  4. Summer (1994, --)
  5. Sad Situation
  6. Don’t Cut the Wire
  7. Feels Like Love (1994, --) AN
  8. Remembrance Day
  9. Enough’s Enough
  10. Military Man (1994, --) AN
  11. Aria
  12. Reality (bonus track added to later editions) AN

About the Album:

Yet another original member bolted. Carl Palmer was replaced on drums by Michael Sturgis. Only keyboardist Geoff Downes from the original group remained. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Arena

Asia

Released: July 2, 1996

Peak: -- Click for codes to charts.

Sales (in millions): --

Tracks:

  1. Into the Arena
  2. Arena AN
  3. Heaven
  4. Two Sides of the Moon AN
  5. The Day Before the War
  6. Never
  7. Falling
  8. Words
  9. U Bring Me Down
  10. Tell Me Why
  11. Turn It Around (1996, --)
  12. Bella Nova

About the Album:

This was the third album featuring John Payne on vocals. Sturgis, who stepped in on 1994’s Arena, returns here, but guitarist Al Pitrelli is gone, replaced by Elliott Randall and Aziz Ibrahim. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Anthology

Asia

Released: 1997

Recorded: 1982-1996

Peak: -- Click for codes to charts.

Sales (in millions): --

Genre: veteran classic rock

Rating:

3.003 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

Tracks:

(1) The Hunter (2) Only Time Will Tell (3) Arena (4) Anytime (5) Don’t Cry (6) Aqua Part One (7) Who Will Stop the Rain? (8) The Heat Goes On (9) Two Sides of the Moon (10) Reality (11) Go (12) Feels Like Love (13) Someday (14) Heat of the Moment (15) Military Man (16) Different World (17) Time Again (acoustic)

Total Running Time: 74:07

About the Album:

Despite the presence of classic-era Asia (1981-1990) songs, these are actually all recordings from 1992 on. John Wetton filed a lawsuit when the originals of “Heat of the Moment,” “Only Time Will Tell,” “Time Again,” “Don’t Cry,” “The Heat Goes On,” and “Go” were used on the original Japanese release so the band re-recorded them with John Payne on vocals. This collection also includes a cover of “The Hunter,” originally recorded by Steve Howe’s band GTR.

Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums:

  • The Hunter AN
  • Different World AN

Aura

Asia

Released: June 5, 2001

Peak: -- Click for codes to charts.

Sales (in millions): --

Tracks:

  1. Awake
  2. Wherever You Are (2001, –)
  3. Ready to Go Home (2001, --)
  4. The Last Time
  5. Forgive Me
  6. Kings of the Day [Regis Diem]
  7. On the Coldest Day in Hell
  8. Free
  9. You’re the Stranger
  10. The Longest Night
  11. Aura

About the Album:

After a five-year layoff, the Downes-Payne lineup of Asia returned. A slew of guitarists appeared on the album, including original member Steve Howe. Michael Sturgis was also back on drums, a role also filled out by Chris Slade. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Silent Nation

Asia

Released: August 31, 2004

Peak: -- Click for codes to charts.

Sales (in millions): --

Tracks:

  1. What about Love? (2004, --)
  2. Long Way from Home (2004, --)
  3. Midnight
  4. Blue Moon Monday
  5. Silent Nation
  6. Ghost in the Mirror
  7. Gone Too Far
  8. I Will Be There for You
  9. Darkness Day
  10. The Prophet
  11. Rise

About the Album:

This was the last Asia album to feature John Payne, who’d stepped into the roll of singer and bassist with 1992’s Aqua. Chris Slade and Guthrie Govan, who’d both appeared on the last album, now filled the roles of drummer and guitarist respectively. Payne and Govan recorded the album Window to the Soul with drummer Jay Schellen as GPS in 2006. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Phoenix

Asia

Released: April 11, 2008

Peak: 73 US, 166 UK, -- CN, -- AU Click for codes to charts.

Sales (in millions): --

Tracks:

  1. Never Again (2008, --)
  2. Nothing’s Forever
  3. Heroine
  4. Sleeping Giant/ No Way Back/ Reprise
  5. Alibis
  6. I Will Remember You
  7. Shadow of a Doubt
  8. Parallel Worlds/ Vortex/ Deya
  9. Wish I’d Known All Along
  10. Orchard of Mines
  11. Over and Over
  12. An Extraordinary Life (2008, --)

About the Album:

John Wetton and Geoff Downes released a pair of albums in 2005 (Icon) and 2006 (Rubicon). In 2007, they reunited with Steve Howe and Carl Palmer for a tour in celebration of the 25th anniversary of their debut album. Then, to the delight of Asia fans, they went back into the studio to record together for the first time since 1983’s Alpha. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Omega

Asia

Released: April 23, 2010

Peak: -- US, 135 UK, -- CN, -- AU Click for codes to charts.

Sales (in millions): --

Tracks:

  1. Finger on the Trigger
  2. Through My Veins
  3. Holy War
  4. Ever Yours
  5. Listen, Children
  6. End of the World
  7. Light the Way
  8. Emily
  9. I’m Still the Same
  10. There Was a Time
  11. I Believe
  12. Don’t Wanna Lose You Now

About the Album:

The original four were back again with another studio album which featured a reworking of “Finger on the Trigger,” a song Wetton and Downes originally recorded for their 2006 album. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

XXX

Asia

Released: June 20, 2012

Peak: 134 US, 69 UK, -- CN, -- AU Click for codes to charts.

Sales (in millions): --

Tracks:

  1. Tomorrow the World
  2. Bury Me in Willow
  3. No Religion
  4. Faithful (2012, --)
  5. I Know How You Feel
  6. Face on the Bridge (5/14/12, --)
  7. Al Gatto Nero
  8. Judas
  9. Ghost of a Chance

About the Album:

Here they are, back again! This would be the last album to feature the original Wetton-Howe-Palmer-Downes lineup. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Gravitas

Asia

Released: March 19, 2014

Peak: 159 US, 92 UK, -- CN, -- AU Click for codes to charts.

Sales (in millions): --

Tracks:

  1. Valkyrie (2014, --)
  2. Gravitas
  3. The Closer I Get to You
  4. Nyctophobia
  5. Russian Dolls
  6. Heaven Help Me Now
  7. I Would Die for You
  8. Joe DiMaggio’s Glove
  9. Till We Meet Again

About the Album:

Steve Howe flew the coop again, replaced by Sam Coulson on guitar. This would be the last album to feature John Wetton, who died in 2017. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Resources/References:

Related DMDB Links:

First posted 9/10/2020; last updated 6/28/2026.

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