Talk:Owner of a Lonely Heart

Cover image
Could not find a good image of the single's sleeve/cover. Did some mod's, but still need more info about the singles media and catalogue numbers. Jimcripps 06:26, 11 June 2006 (UTC)

Monumental Break
There should be some reference to the song's break or breakdown (or whatever it's called). __meco 02:48, 12 July 2006 (UTC)


 * agreed. If I'm not mistaken this song has the first known use of a breakbeat drum sample, and the first time an orchestral hit sample was used in a pop song. --89.0.10.39 (talk) 11:32, 17 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Still nothing on this. Indeed the article doesn't have a decent section discussing the composition of the song but only lots of discussion of less important aspects, such as the music video __meco (talk) 17:01, 3 February 2012 (UTC)
 * Completely agree with meco. This article is incomplete and unbalanced. Jus  da  fax   02:43, 24 April 2012 (UTC)

Song length
Are there other original edits of the song, with varying lengths? A user recently changed the length of the song in the infobox, which is different than the one I have. Does anybody else agree/disagree with the change?


 * The length of the 45 single is 3:50, as verified in Joel Whitburn's "Pop Annual 1955-1999" p. 475 Also, I have a scan of the face of the 45 single which shows the length at 3:50.  BurienBomber (talk) 18:57, 18 December 2008 (UTC)


 * That's correct. The single version fades out just before Anderson's last section ("Sooner or later each conclusion will decide the lonely heart") near the end of the song. 3:50 it is.Amrush (talk) 14:28, 14 August 2009 (UTC)

Cowbell?
Is this a bit of vandalism or is there really copious use of Cowbell? I mean, I am one of those users who just needs more Cowbell, but not if it ain't appropriate. ;-) --The preceding unsigned comment was added by Lisapollison (talk o contribs) 06:55, 4 March 2007 (UTC).
 * I doubt the existence of a cowbell in this song. And if there is, its use can hardly be considered "copious". Cowbell use is never copious.Zambetis 14:15, 25 June 2007 (UTC)
 * I've been listening to the song over and over in an attempt to make a judgment call on this. It sounds like, right at the 50sec mark of the standard radio version, there is a very, very quiet bell sound in the background.  It's still not copious or notable, I don't think.  (There's another gentle ding at 101sec, it seems.) Phil Bordelon 18:27, 13 July 2007 (UTC)

Trevor Horn and Falsetto
I recommend the reference to Trevor Horn's vocals be removed. I've been a Yes fan for 25 years, beginning with this song, and I have never heard any evidence that Horn sings on this song anywhere. His voice *does* appear in the Fairlight chorus on "Leave It," a song from Side 2 of the "90125" album, but as far as I know, not here.


 * As for the falsetto ... Jon Anderson does *not* sing in falsetto. This is a common misconception. Singing in falsetto means singing outside your normal vocal range. Jon Anderson has a naturally high-pitched voice. He hardly ever sings in falsetto, and he certainly does not here. Trevor Rabin has said on many occasions that *he* sang in falsetto to imitate an Anderson vocal line on this song, wanting to replace a line that he wasn't happy with, when Anderson wasn't available to re-sing the part. I'll see if I can find a citation. Rabin has always been coy about which line or lines he replaced, and I've never been able to figure it out myself. Amrush (talk) 12:50, 14 August 2009 (UTC)


 * I believe Trevor Horn clearly sings the line "Much better than an..." in the chorus, although it's hard to know for sure since it could easily be mistaken for Trevor Rabin, as their voices are quite similar in that range. Currently looking for a citation to prove it, as I distinctly remember reading about it years ago. I don't believe he did any falsetto singing though. 24.38.68.219 (talk) 13:29, 3 May 2019 (UTC)

Longer video with concert version?
I saw a version of the video that first shows the band members in concert. One of them then says something like "hold it, hold it, hold it... there's another way to do this..", and it then becomes the more metaphorical video described on the page. I found it interesting because it combined the two most popular music video types "concert" and "concept" in an unusual way. Kelly.terry.jones (talk) 18:33, 10 February 2010 (UTC)


 * What you're describing is actually the complete video; I suspect the abridged version was more "MTV-friendly" since it's roughly two minutes shorter. I would send you a YouTube link, but I don't think I'm supposed to do that. I'm a newbie, so correct me if I'm wrong. Rapunzel676 (talk) 06:28, 28 February 2010 (UTC)


 * The video seen on MTV is not the original video, the original low-budget UK one is this one:  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 95.149.53.180 (talk) 12:32, 25 February 2018 (UTC)

No reference to Kafka?
I thought it was common knowledge that the video was inspired by Kafka's The Trial. I suppose I could dig around and find a citation, but if you read the story's plot summary here: [] it's fairly obvious. Rapunzel676 (talk) 06:07, 28 February 2010 (UTC)


 * Yes, the video chronciles Jung's process of individuation or self realization. The man is shown in black and white, plodding along in the direction of society (conformity). However, he has flashes of primal insights...animal spirits and a semi- nude woman, signifying fears, desires and totems...these come to him as society forces him to comply and begins to punish him for his "erratic" behavior. He reacts to these animal spirits with startlement because the color images in his unconscious are at odds with his socially nurtured ego...the sexual desires are forbidden, etc. He is taken below to a place of fiery sparks and abuse which is meant to signify the use of religious terrors to get him back in line. But he beaks free and runs to the rooftop where he sees the band as shamans...they have consciously accepted their shadow selves and are in touch with the spiritual world. He leaps from the rooftop and instead of dying becomes one with the hawk totem and awakens into a new consciousness, signified by his calm decision to turn from the path of the crowd and go in his own, individual direction. A very old occult belief, here very cleverly presented in such a way as to render the anti-religious message inconspicious and effect a real and lasting impression on the unconscious. --Preceding unsigned comment added by Nimmicus (talk  o contribs) 07:25, 10 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Still, according to Wikipedia's core policies, you would still need a reliable source to back it up in the article. Otherwise it would be original research which is not allowed. - Ib Leo (talk) 07:55, 10 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Well, there's http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/48917/ but I doubt that's considered "reliable". Kelly.terry.jones (talk) 15:17, 15 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Certainly not. Anyone could stipulate this in a blog or likewise. – Ib Leo (talk) 18:14, 15 March 2010 (UTC)

First breakbeat sample
When someone takes the time to contribute a cited reference pertaining to an entry please do not remove it without any explanation (those are the actions of a philistine!)

According to The Roots ?uestlove (aka Amir Thompson) Owner of a Londely Heart contained the first use of a sample as a breakbeat (as opposed to a sound effect). Yes incorporated five second of Funk Inc's 'Owner of a Lonely Heart' (1972), itself a cover of Kool and the Gang's 'Kool is Back'

Rhodes, C., & Westwood, R. I. (2008). Critical representations of work and organization in popular culture. London: Routledge. p 177

If you don't believe me look it up on Google books!--Rodmunday (talk) 18:11, 25 April 2010 (UTC)


 * I admit to be the "philistine" who reverted your edit. Not because I don't believe you but because you added the reference AND your signature directly in the article text. Which I actually did explain in the edit summary. It's better now, but there is still room for improvement. First, we now have the same information twice in the article which is redundant. Second, you might want to read WP:MUSTARD to learn more about how we format song names etc. – Ib Leo (talk) 20:45, 26 April 2010 (UTC)


 * I have no objection to being copy edited. I'm afraid I am a novice contributor to wikipedia and am liable to make stylistic errors. However, you removed (and have still removed) the citation which I included from a published source. Furthermore your edit totally misses the point. This is the first instance of a looped beat sample. That is historically significant and it is ironic that a prog rock band like Yes pioneered something which became a mainstay in hip hop culture. Although it is not surprising considering that Horn came to this project from McLaren's Duck Rock Album where he collaborated with the 'World Famous Supreme Team' Anyway, you are still a philistine IbLeo and I am very reluctant to contribute to any Wikipedia article again if this is the way that self appointed editors treat contributions. I.e. as if I it were an act of vandalism. There has been much criticism of a 'top down' editorial tendency that has manifested on Wikipedia in recent times and now I can see why!--81.141.65.57 (talk) 17:12, 1 May 2010 (UTC)


 * There is certainly nothing wrong with being a new editor, and sure, it is only human to make mistakes. But could you please be more precise about who you are as I don't see any edits belonging to you, unless you are Rodmunday who forgot to sign in. If that's the case, I haven't touched your last edit which is still in the article. – Ib Leo (talk) 17:43, 1 May 2010 (UTC)


 * Yes that was me and thank you for reinstating the edit--Rodmunday (talk) 18:49, 1 May 2010 (UTC)


 * Just for the record: I didn't reinstate your second edit, it was there all the time. You can check it out yourself by looking at the page history. And I am sorry if I have unintentionally discouraged you for contributing to Wikipedia; it was by no meant my attention. The reason I reverted your first edit was that I was in a bit of a hurry and didn't have the time to properly copy edit it. Finally, I did explain my reasons in the edit history, as recommended by WP:ROWN and I expected you to review and reinstate, which you also did. Last, please be aware that I am in no means affiliated to Wikipedia (I am not even an administrator). I am an ordinary Wikipedian just like yourself, doing this out of passion. Happy editing! – Ib Leo (talk) 19:55, 1 May 2010 (UTC)

No info about Knight Rider (80s) ?
I'm shocked that there is no information that this song was in a few of Knight Rider episodes! 62.152.145.17 (talk) 14:17, 12 January 2013 (UTC)


 * It's not really used in a notable or interesting way, unlike (say) In the Air Tonight in Miami Vice. In fact, looking at footage on Youtube, it seems that Knight Rider used a cover version by session musicians. Amusingly, the German Wikipedia does mention Knight Rider, thus reinforcing the stereotype that David Hasselhoff is very popular there. -Ashley Pomeroy (talk) 19:02, 25 September 2014 (UTC)

Ninja Sex Party's Version
Ninja Sex Party, an American musical comedy duo, covered the song on their 2019 album Under The Covers Vol III

Since there is no Covers heading in the article, it should probably be added. After all, the album itself has a Wikipedia page ( Under the Covers, Vol. III ) and all the songs are listed there and linked to all of the song pages, including this one.

Under the Covers, Vol. III Charts for reference:

Dominakiara (talk) 05:06, 17 January 2020 (UTC)
 * Same rational as Talk:(Don't Fear) The Reaper -  FlightTime  ( open channel ) 05:13, 17 January 2020 (UTC)

Development and production
What's going on with this sentence? "The arpeggiated guitar part on the verses, according to Horn, was played on a 12-string Rickenbacker, although it sounds more like a Fender Stratocaster; other guitars used by Rabin on the 90125 album include the Fender Telecaster and the Gibson Les Paul, while the Strat was used most of the time - there's no mention of any Rickenbacker guitars." Just a mess. O0drogue0o (talk) 11:52, 18 November 2021 (UTC)
 * I agree, and I've trimmed. Doctorhawkes (talk) 05:28, 20 November 2021 (UTC)