Asia distilled the complexity of Yes, King Crimson and ELP into soaring, radio-ready anthems — and ruled MTV in the process. Here is our fellow fan’s ranking of their finest songs.

The short version

If you only hear a few, make them “Heat of the Moment”, “Only Time Will Tell”, “Don’t Cry” and “Sole Survivor” — the signature hit, the synth-fanfare classic, the Top 10 ballad-rocker and their most progressive moment. The full ranking is below.

A prog supergroup for the MTV age

When Asia formed in London in 1981, the pedigree was extraordinary: John Wetton from King Crimson, Steve Howe from Yes, Geoff Downes from Yes and the Buggles, and Carl Palmer from Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Rather than make another sprawling prog epic, they channelled all that virtuosity into tight, anthemic songs with huge hooks — and their self-titled 1982 debut became a phenomenon, topping the US charts for nine weeks and ruling the brand-new MTV, wrapped in Roger Dean’s iconic dragon artwork. These fifteen songs are our pick of the very best.

How we ranked them

This is one fan’s order, weighing songwriting, hooks, musicianship and lasting impact across their career. The facts are accurate; the order is a starting point for the debate.

The essential six

At the top sits “Heat of the Moment” (1982), the irresistible, MTV-conquering hit that remains their signature song. Beside it stands “Only Time Will Tell” (1982), with its unforgettable synth-and-guitar fanfare. With them: “Don’t Cry” (1983), the Top 10 lead single from Alpha; “Sole Survivor” (1982), their most progressive debut moment and a fan favourite; “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes” (1983), a gorgeous, aching ballad; and “Wildest Dreams” (1982), an epic of love and war played for maximum drama.

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Reliably great

The next tier is essential too. “Time Again” (1982) is a galloping debut highlight; “Here Comes the Feeling” (1982) closes the first album in impassioned style; “Go” (1985) is the edgy, guitar-driven standout from Astra; “The Heat Goes On” (1983) builds to a thrilling Carl Palmer drum showcase; and “Open Your Eyes” (1983) is a soaring Alpha closer.

Deeper cuts

For the dedicated, these reward repeat listens. “Voice of America” (1985) is a dramatic Astra anthem; “An Extraordinary Life” (2008) is a warm highlight from the reunion album Phoenix; “Face on the Bridge” (2010) shows the reunited originals still had melodies to spare; and “Tomorrow the World” (2012) is an optimistic gem from their thirtieth-anniversary album.

Every song at a glance

All fifteen songs, in chronological order — each linked to the album it comes from, so you can hear it in context.

Where to start

Begin with “Heat of the Moment” — one of the great anthems of its era. From there, “Only Time Will Tell” and “Sole Survivor” lead you into the debut album, where their reputation rightly rests.

The players

Asia were a supergroup in the truest sense, formed in 1981 from progressive rock royalty: singer-bassist John Wetton (King Crimson, U.K.), guitarist Steve Howe (Yes), keyboardist Geoff Downes (Yes, the Buggles) and drummer Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer). Wetton’s warm, powerful voice and gift for melody were central to their sound. He passed away in 2017; Geoff Downes, the one constant across every lineup, has continued to lead the band ever since.

Why they still matter

Asia proved that prog musicians could conquer the mainstream without losing their craft — pairing virtuoso playing with melodies built to last. Their debut remains one of the defining albums of the early MTV era and a high point of melodic progressive rock. They carry the DNA of progressive giants Yes, King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and share with Genesis the rare knack of turning prog ambition into chart-topping pop. Few supergroups have ever delivered so completely.

Go deeper

Keep exploring: rank their records with our guide to the best Asia albums, find an entry point with where to start with Asia, or dig into the underrated Asia albums. You can also place them in the bigger picture with the best progressive rock songs of all time.

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