Suede burst onto the scene with great acclaim, capturing the airwaves with their Mercury Prize-winning debut album. The band garnered significant attention from the music media, largely due to the creative collaboration between lead singer Brett Anderson and talented guitarist Bernard Butler, although circumstances eventually pulled them apart.
Bernard Butler left the group under contentious circumstances, retreating to a basement apartment in North London while contemplating his next steps. From this challenging time emerged one of Britpop's iconic anthems, a magnificent string-driven comeback titled ‘Yes’.
Working solo, the guitarist aimed to express his emotions—the darkness stemming from his exit from Suede and the severing of friendships with his bandmates—through music, leaning towards vintage arrangements from the 1960s.
In a 2013 interview with NME, he described the experience as “liberating,” noting: “It was the first piece of music I created after leaving Suede. I initially wrote it as an instrumental. Everything was set, but it lacked a vocal… The previous six months had been quite grim for me. I had emerged from a very sad situation and lost many friends, so it was a very freeing song.”
However, Bernard Butler realized he couldn’t provide the powerful vocals that the lyrics—“Yes I do feel better / Yes, I do, I feel alright”—required. Attending a performance at The Jazz Cafe in Camden, he was captivated by the singer, David McAlmont, and his outstanding drummer, Makoto Sakamoto. The guitarist later shared with the Guardian: “It was the greatest sound I’d ever heard.”
The completed track was recorded in Normandy over three days, fulfilling Bernard Butler’s vision—McAlmont’s soaring vocals are among the best of the time, while Makoto Sakamoto’s drumming injects a punk-like energy into the compelling groove.
Rebranded as McAlmont & Butler, ‘Yes’ was released in May 1995, quickly becoming a hit, a staple on the radio, and one of the most unexpected, yet well-deserved, comebacks of the era. Even years later, it holds a special significance for songwriter Bernard Butler, who remarked to the Guardian: “It’s my favorite out of all the records I’ve ever made. Creating a song that people listen to for a good mood is simply magical. Years after its release, I attended a fireworks show with my children. They always ended the night with a big finale, and that year, they closed with ‘Yes.’ It completely astounded me.”
Revisit ‘Yes’ below.
Related: Thinking About A Friend: Bernard Butler Interviewed
The Streets will perform their iconic album 'A Grand Don't Come For Free' in its entirety during a UK tour next year. This album is the project's second release, titled 'A Grand Don't Come.'
The updated edition of their Mercury Prize-winning debut will include contributions from Fontaines DC, Baxter Dury, Matt Maltese, and others.
Black Lips have made a vibrant comeback with their fresh album ‘Season of the Peach’. Channeling their eccentricity, they are undeniably back in top form with their
Charli XCX has announced the cast for her forthcoming drama film, The Moment. The innovative British artist has recently been in the news alongside Taylor Swift.
DJ and broadcaster Tim Westwood has been charged with several counts of rape and sexual assault by the Metropolitan Police. This information was confirmed a short while ago.
Amber Mark's 2022 album 'Three Dimensions Deep' was a consistently delightful, cosmic-influenced hour that blended soul, pop, and R&B, leading to high expectations.
Suede burst onto the scene with great fanfare, capturing the attention of the nation’s airwaves with their Mercury Prize-winning debut album. Adored by the music media, the band