Exactly what I was thinking... I have stopped referring to Daniel as this great kid on YT. He is one fine young man, and certainly not a"kid" when compared to others in his or my generation at that age...
One of my favorite Styx songs! Dennis DeYoung posted this to Reddit about the song's meaning: "It was the Bi-Centennial and as it was coming up you started seeing commercials for the Bi-Centennial mug and the Bi-Centennial panties and all of that. The 200th anniversary of America was being totally taken over by commercialization in a rather unceremonious fashion. I had a moment of reflection. I had grown up in the so called glory days of the United States of America, which was post World War II until 1970. To live in this country at that time was really the golden age. The fallibility of the United States was something that struck me and that set the tone for “Suite Madam Blue.” Maybe I was fearful of being literal - I think I probably was. Take Bruce Springsteen for example, in his early work he is very literal in his storytelling and there is not a great deal of mysticism. I was still being influenced, lyrically, by art rock bands. I really love Yes as a band in their early years but to this day I still don’t understand any of their songs. I have no idea what any of those songs are lyrically about. That is mysticism to the extreme. “Suite Madame Blue” is somewhere in-between."
The Panozzo brothers were a glue to Styx, James Young is an all-time guitarist, Tommy Shaw is an ageless rock legend to this day. But Dennis DeYoung was the voice that kept it all together through the epic successful run of Styx. A shame some petty differences occurred, they should still be together to this day. Lawrence Gowan is a great sub for Dennis, but he is not Dennis. RIP John Panozzo (1996).
Well done Daniel. I listened to Styx a lot in my late teens. especially Pieces of Eight and The Grand Illusion (on 8-track) driving around or 'cruising' in my Uncle's car. I would suggest; 'Great White Hope" "I'm OK" " Queen of Spades" "Miss America" "Castle Walls" "Rockin' the Paradise" and "Lorelei ". Peace and Love.
Me too! Now that you have heard the studio version, please listen to the live version from Paradise Theatre! ❤️ You will hear "the note". And yes, it's a very uplifting lyric. "A word from your lips and the world turned around." Cuban missile crisis?
The reason you group Kansas, Boston and Styx together, is _THEY"RE ALL AWESOME!!!_ . I love the way Styx likes to lull you to sleep, then _POW_ , snap you awake. "Queen of Spades" is like that, too.
Well, that and the fact that all 3 bands have a single name based on geography (mythological or otherwise). But yeah, I don't think that would work if they weren't so much fun to listen to!
I used to have a "Queen of Spades" card hanging from my car rearview mirror back in the 70's, had to make my own, much to mom's chagrin, but that's what we did in the 70's, or at least how I did it, I'm 62 now Rock On
been a STYX fan from the very beginning of discovering music, I'm 62 now, and I have to admit, STYX is still one of my all time, if I ended up on a deserted island and could only take 10 albums kind of favorites, and this is my all time favorite song of theirs, I've seen them perform this twice...magical both times...Rock On
Styx are a Great Band, I have seen them in Concert twice. and they Rocked the House ! My favorite Albums by them are The Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Tomorrow Belongs To Me Action Strasse 3:15 Snake Bite 3:56 Soul In Chains 3:52 The Tale Of The Giant Stone Eater 7:16 Ribs And Balls 1:37 Give My Compliments To The Chef 5:32 Sharks Teeth 4:57 Shake That Thing 4:06 Tomorrow Belongs To Me 3:46 To Be Continued 0:56
This is pre-Tommy Shaw. That guitar intro is by one their original guitarists, John Curulewski (RIP). A longer version of this includes him doing Prelude 12 before the body of this song.
Hi Daniel, thanks for reacting to this epic classic. It is by far, my favourite Styx song. I guess you can say that number is as prevalent today as it’s ever been. Peace and love from Toronto!
Fabulous! Loving all your reactions - very thoughtful and beautifully stated. It’s fun to see you hear the music I loved for so long for the first time. Brings back great memories. I saw Styx in the 1990’s (Dennis DeYoung was still with them) and they were incredible live! At one point they pulled up stools, sat in a semi circle and sang several songs accompanied only with a guitar. It was something I will never forget.
Great album!!!! I sang this song quite a bit after 911, we weren’t “children” anymore and somehow this song brought us back together (in the places I was singing).
Andy & Alex just recently reacted to The Grand Illusion by Styx and when they asked what Styx song should they react to next, one of my yt friends told them "Suite Madame Blue is a MUST! Styx's masterpiece." That comment currently has 280 'likes' and 47 replies. Talk about timing. 😎 Talk about a relevant song for America today.
I listened to A&A's reaction to The Grand Illusion and they weren't blown away by Dennis DeYoung's vocals on that song. I'm pretty sure they will like his singing on SMB better when they get around to reacting to it.
These guys used to play my High School. Then Equinox came out. Nor more High School shows!!! Phenomenal album! I always weep when I hear this song. Class of '76.
Another great reaction, Daniel! Styx was a fabulous band back in the day and Dennis DeYoung who sings and write this one is still going on tour (non Covid times), and sounds as great as ever. If you have not yet reacted to Babe or Lady yet you should add them to your list. In fact, if you would like to try something different and fun you should listen to four different songs with the same one word title - "Lady" by Kenny Rogers, Styx, Little River Band and Supertramp! Each a great track and each one unique and with plenty to offer!
Sgt. Roos, John T. (Ret.) I too, got Equinox on 8-Track!:) Way back in 1975... Styx, back in 1975, did move me! I was from Minnesota, in Crystal, just outside in Minneapolis. Then my parents move us to Wadena, MN. The 'Band' that calls themselves 'Styx', without D.D.Y., will never be the Styx that I'll remember... Semper Fidelis
andrew rhodes The balance of Dennis to Tommy is what made STYX so great like Lennon had McCartney. Instead of a one dimensional rock band with Den is they had a balance of ballads and production to straight rock songs led by Tommy. This is what ruins rock bands, it is The it huge egos!
GREAT GREAT song from the BEST album EVER!! You need to attach the Prelude (12) that comes before it. Great work by JC. What an awesome song & album. Thank you for reviewing this. Review is fantastic!
When I first heard this song it was on an old radio in leu of the repetitive "America" I thought they were saying "A man in a car" The songs "Light Up" and "Lorelei" are the other outstanding songs from the Equinox album. 🔥
For decades I thought they were singing "a miracle" over and over. Even though I know it is incorrect, I still kind of like to think of that section in that way.
@@clintonsmith5163 Hey - me too. Some sounded like A Miracle then some like America and I wasn't sure which was right so thought maybe both ? Lol - So it's not just me then hearing this. Thankyou !
Hi, this needs Prelude 12 that segues into this track. I never play this without that intro even though it's listed as a separate track - it's not. Brilliant music with so many great songs - ie; "Born For Adventure" - "Man In The Wilderness" - "Crystal Ball" & the epic, "A Day", which is totally different being from their 2nd album [ Styx 11 ] & with a different vocalist. Love this track - I had the same reaction with that sustained synth note + guitar riff when I first heard it over 40 years ago.
Love the progressive bands of the 70's. They did the hard/soft thing so well. Led by Floyd, Zep, Yes, Rush, Purple etc...They'd play something beautiful, then knock you around and bloody your nose with that hard R&R, only to but you back down softly. Miss 70's music!
:) One thing that I really like about your channel is the variety. It's really cool wondering which artist/band you'll chose next. Another great reaction, Daniel. :)
Thank you very much for your reaction. I always, love hearing a your thoughts and feelings on different songs. A.D. 1928/Rocking the Paradise: This is another Styx song that starts as a ballad but goes into rock with strong political lyrics. This is the first song of their concept album Paradise Theatre which has a very show tune feel to the music. The whole album sounds like the music to a play that never was. Paradise Theatre is the third in a(sort of) trilogy of concept albums by Styx, following one of the main characters of the two albums. The other two being Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight both of which were written and recorded with the intent to be played and listened back to back. Jonas Psalter: Overlooked and underrated Styx song telling the tale of a pirate captain. Boat on the River: A lamenting folk ballad by Styx music feels like it could follow Jonas Psalter as a natural progression. Unfinished Song : A lamenting piano ballad by Styx the music feels like it could naturally precede Come Sail Away. Lorelei: Styx song that is an upbeat pop/synth/rock love ballad from the same album as this song. It uses similar overlapping harmonies across the headphones as during the part when they sing America. Put Me On: Crazy Choatic High Energy Styx song that nobody seems to talk about.
I really enjoyed the pieces of eight album and it is included in one of the upcoming shipments to you for your future enjoyment It would be a great album to react to a lot of good gems can be found
This came out when I was about 10. I first noticed the ending AMERICA part, but could never catch when the song was playing on the radio because it took me a long time to learn the first half. Not that these are the only ones to recommend, but I'll but this out for you. I think I saw you react to some of them. Every song on both Grand illusion and Pieces of Eight. I used to have cable TV and had a channel that played only live concerts. Styx did one where they played every song on both albums in the exact order, as if the vinyl record were playing, and a graphic background that showed the record turning and the needle being placed. Begins with Grand Illusion, ends with Aku Aku. Great concert.
Ah yes, the ode to the Bicentennial that rings so eerily true today. One of my very favorite Styx songs. Thank you for doing this one! My husband and I felt like Styx "groupies" for a bit in the late 70's/early 80's, seeing the band perform something like 7 times in 4 cities over the course of maybe 3 years? Something like that. Just seemed like everywhere we went, there they were! The first time, we were in college and it was a big deal to scrape up the money for tickets, but then we graduated and had jobs, so when we had the opportunity, we thought, "OK, let's go see them again!" And *again*. And *again*. Never got old; every performance was just top notch.
You're becoming a multiplatform star. I had never heard this one. (Btw, the lead singer from Styx used to live in the school district in which I taught. His daughter went to my school. Another of my many claims to fame.)
Yeah...Styx, Kansas, Boston, and Foreigner have always been grouped together, right or wrong. They all kind of came out at the same time and received the same attention on radio back then. "Heart" was often thrown into this mix too.
To look at songs that include history or a commentary on society and how we treat each other there are three that in an odd way go together and could just as easily have been written now as then (which is sort of sad in a way because it shows things haven't changed enough). Styx: Show Me The Way, Pink Floyd: On The Turning Away and Billy Joel: We Didn't Start The Fire (a 40 year history lesson in a 4 min 30 sec song)
The early works of Styx, the first 6 albums, were heavy pro-rock and a lot of what I like to call "rock opera" as there was a lot of songs like this one (such as Little Fugue in G/Father OSA or Golden Lark/Song for Suzanne)... they start slow, build, pull back, and build again. Though the Grand Illusion album is fantastic, it was the first album where there was a noticeable shift in their style.... they started moving away from the Pro-rock and a lot more toward AOR and mainstream radio rock. I will say that seeing them back in '81 on tour was one of the best concerts I have ever seen... they put the same energy into their live shows then as they put into their studio work. And the concert was a concept show, built around the Paradise Theatre story, with their other albums worked in
This by far is my favorite Styx song! All the songs you've been reacting to are stellar, but don't sleep on James JY Young, please check out Miss America, James has a great voice!
"We The People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union..." We've never been "perfect," no country or peoples ever have been. But, we can strive to be "more perfect," to use the language of that day...strive to be "closer to perfect," might be a better way for modern ears. However you say it, it's a lofty goal...one worth fighting towards.
There is a tune (tunes) from the Styx II album that starts out with “Little Fugue In “G”” then right into “Father O.S.A.” that when you listen to it sounds like such an epic saga and Dennis Deyoung’s voice is spectacular!! Please consider it for your listening pleasure, your ears will thank you. By the way, Styx II is also a great album. Thanks for your time.
Daniel, every song on The Grand Illusion(1977) is great, you already did Come Sail Away and Fooling Yourself(The Angry Young Man) so anything else from this album is recommended, especially the title cut, Castle Walls and Man In The Wilderness.
Released right before the bicentennial and right after the Vietnam War, DDY used a an aging woman as a metaphor for the direction and hope he had for the USA. I played this song over and over during the 2020 elections.
Love Styx! Check out a Dennis DeYoung song Desert Moon, with the original video. Another group you should check out is Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Start with Spaceship Orion and If You Wanna Get To Heaven You Have To Raise A Little Hell. They don't have a bad song!
From this same album, check out "born for adventure". Equinox is my favorite by them. Believe it or not, my 2nd favorite is their newest 2017 album - THE MISSION. I felt like I was hallucinating when I first heard it, how can an old old band do an album this good 50 years in? They sound young and hungry
I love Born for Adventure! It's a silly fun upbeat song that sounds like they just got done playing a round of D&D and had a little too much fun recanting the tale.
@@timothyharwood1941 LOVE "Born For Adventure"! I hope Daniel will react to it! I created a video for it if you'd like to check it out on my channel. It has still images as well as movie clips.
Awesome review! Thank you! You know you're enjoying the song when you keep turning up the volume. As a follow-up to this song...checkout REO Speedwagon "Golden Country". It may surprise you!
I would suggest doing any one of the songs on Dennis Deyoung’s latest album released last year, especially “With All Due Respect.” But the entire album is awesome, especially since you consider that the man is 73 years old! He hasn’t lost a step in 50 years.
This is a good song musically from my perspective. I love when guitars are tuned to sound like harpsicords. The country was founded in the age of harpsicords as in how the song starts out. I assume that was intentional. The song works lyrically because everyone wants to "lead us away from here"; however, each listener wants to travel to a different place, and these places are mutually exclusive. It is like the Delphic Oracle in which the receiver of the prophesy reads their particular interpretation into what was meant. It is always right. I graduated from high school in 1976 and we had little plastic liberty bells on the ends of our tassels. They didn't make noises, thank goodness. I still have the graduation cap somewhere. This reminds me of how President Biden always says, "It is a fight for the soul of the country." Countries don't have souls, only people do. While people understand he means the tone of things, it is a bad way to put things unless your audience operates on muddled thinking which it does.
My favorite song from them and one of my favorite all-time songs, and if you want to have a similar Sonic Journey, you can listen to a more recent song, which is over 8 minutes long, from unleash the archers from canada. THE WIND THAT SHAPES THE LAND
Here's a few more to sample: Rockin' the paradise, Too much time on my hands, Borrowed time, Lorelei, Boat on the river, half penny two penny, Mr. Roboto, etc.
Go Daniel - another generation exposed to the great music of my favorite band. Also, a great attitude towards the subject of this song - America. Many more of your generation need to research the history of this country without the current inaccurately critical push towards socialism. "No country is perfect", and this country was founded on the government of the people with mechanisms for its ever improvement. As someone who lived through the cold war, cultural turmoil of the 60's and early 70's, political fights, and disco; the uplifting music of Styx and others (e.g. Boston as you mentioned) can maybe work some more magic in these times to another generation. "Prelude 12" is a MUST to listen to as an intro to this song as on the album. It was awesome live in 1983, missed it in 1996's Return To Paradise, and wish the currently lineup would bring it back. As you noted, this song starts slow and quiet, builds to a hard-rockin' instrumental, and then everything is layered together to blow you away. This was Dennis' answer to have a "Stairway To Heaven"-esque song. This is also used in a number of other Styx songs and surprises the listener. It's kind of like listening to Boston's "Foreplay" where you have to crank up the volume only to be hit when "Long TIme" kicks in. BTW, check out "Hitch A Ride" and its layered guitars. Other Styx songs to check out: "Best Thing", "A Day", "The Serpent Is Rising", "Put Me On", "Man In The Wilderness", "Queen Of Spades", "Pieces Of Eight".
It is also a response to the crap the country was going through because of Watergate and Richard Nixon. It very much applies to the last few years - I know you don't like talking politics, but, you know, since January 20 we've "made a new start."
Hello Daniel, Glad your doing well, great channel. Bet you weren't ready for that, the America part. Perhaps about the Statue of Liberty. Hitting some good cuts. All the best from Oregon, C.
My favorite Styx song. New to your channel but saw you do the Hurt comparisons and loved your review. Something else you should do comparisons to is the song Black Betty. The original is by Ram Jam, but Metal Church and Spiderbait have done excellent versions as well. Thanks. Great job
This was something that was very common in the 60's and 70's. Music that had greater social meaning. During the time this song, and the earlier ones, was written there were many more artists adding there voices to the social impact through their music. I wish it was the same today. Now, they rely on Twitter or Facebook to get the messages out and if you don't follow them you don't hear the message. It should be in their music too so that even if you aren't great fan you will still hear it when you come across it on the radio. Maybe I would like them a bit more for that then just their normal stuff. Today, I can only think of RAP that tried to do that, and then only for one segment of society - rightfully so, but still only one. On the down side some RAP also objectified women, glorified rape, murder, and a few other undesirable behaviors.
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"Starts like a ballad, then becomes a lament". Said no other 17 year-old anywhere. SPOT ON, Daniel.
Exactly what I was thinking... I have stopped referring to Daniel as this great kid on YT. He is one fine young man, and certainly not a"kid" when compared to others in his or my generation at that age...
i guess I'm kinda off topic but does anybody know of a good website to watch new tv shows online ?
@Tristan Ephraim Flixportal =)
@Cayson Fletcher thank you, signed up and it seems like they got a lot of movies there =) I really appreciate it!
@Tristan Ephraim You are welcome :D
This is an Epic song. You missed the acoustic intro "prelude" this is my favorite STYX album. Theres not a mediocre song on Equinox.
This song was appropriate back in '76, and it's appropriate - again - in 2021.
One of my favorite Styx songs!
Dennis DeYoung posted this to Reddit about the song's meaning:
"It was the Bi-Centennial and as it was coming up you started seeing commercials for the Bi-Centennial mug and the Bi-Centennial panties and all of that. The 200th anniversary of America was being totally taken over by commercialization in a rather unceremonious fashion. I had a moment of reflection. I had grown up in the so called glory days of the United States of America, which was post World War II until 1970. To live in this country at that time was really the golden age. The fallibility of the United States was something that struck me and that set the tone for “Suite Madam Blue.” Maybe I was fearful of being literal - I think I probably was.
Take Bruce Springsteen for example, in his early work he is very literal in his storytelling and there is not a great deal of mysticism. I was still being influenced, lyrically, by art rock bands. I really love Yes as a band in their early years but to this day I still don’t understand any of their songs. I have no idea what any of those songs are lyrically about. That is mysticism to the extreme. “Suite Madame Blue” is somewhere in-between."
Great information.
Thank you.
💜💫✌🏼🎵
Styx- Miss America.
Yes! Excellent choice!!
The Panozzo brothers were a glue to Styx, James Young is an all-time guitarist, Tommy Shaw is an ageless rock legend to this day. But Dennis DeYoung was the voice that kept it all together through the epic successful run of Styx. A shame some petty differences occurred, they should still be together to this day. Lawrence Gowan is a great sub for Dennis, but he is not Dennis. RIP John Panozzo (1996).
You know a song is timeless when it is as relevant today as it was 46 years ago.
Great channel. Keep up the good work 😷
Well done Daniel. I listened to Styx a lot in my late teens. especially Pieces of Eight and The Grand Illusion (on 8-track) driving around or 'cruising' in my Uncle's car. I would suggest;
'Great White Hope" "I'm OK" " Queen of Spades" "Miss America" "Castle Walls" "Rockin' the Paradise" and "Lorelei ". Peace and Love.
Great white hope, queen of spades, castle walls, miss America
Or the whole return to paradise concert which is here on RUclips...awesome
I was one of those who requested this song . So hey , thanks for getting to it .
Me too! Now that you have heard the studio version, please listen to the live version from Paradise Theatre! ❤️ You will hear "the note". And yes, it's a very uplifting lyric. "A word from your lips and the world turned around." Cuban missile crisis?
The reason you group Kansas, Boston and Styx together, is _THEY"RE ALL AWESOME!!!_ . I love the way Styx likes to lull you to sleep, then _POW_ , snap you awake. "Queen of Spades" is like that, too.
Well, that and the fact that all 3 bands have a single name based on geography (mythological or otherwise). But yeah, I don't think that would work if they weren't so much fun to listen to!
Queen of Spades is their best song!
I used to have a "Queen of Spades" card hanging from my car rearview mirror back in the 70's, had to make my own, much to mom's chagrin, but that's what we did in the 70's, or at least how I did it, I'm 62 now Rock On
I saw Kansas open for Styx at konocti harbor clear lake in the early 2000s. What a concert...
been a STYX fan from the very beginning of discovering music, I'm 62 now, and I have to admit, STYX is still one of my all time, if I ended up on a deserted island and could only take 10 albums kind of favorites, and this is my all time favorite song of theirs, I've seen them perform this twice...magical both times...Rock On
Dennis DeYoung singing this live is fantastic. He holds the note so long.
On Return to Paradise, it is over 20 seconds!
Dennis DeYoung still does this song at his solo shows! Saw him right before the pandemic hit. Sounded amazing! Fresh as ever!
Love Styx and Dennis DeYoung. Thanks for the reaction
Styx are a Great Band, I have seen them in Concert twice. and they Rocked the House ! My favorite Albums by them are The Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight.
Gregory N My favorite two albums as well👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻☮️✌🏻🎤
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Tomorrow Belongs To Me
Action Strasse 3:15
Snake Bite 3:56
Soul In Chains 3:52
The Tale Of The Giant Stone Eater 7:16
Ribs And Balls 1:37
Give My Compliments To The Chef 5:32
Sharks Teeth 4:57
Shake That Thing 4:06
Tomorrow Belongs To Me 3:46
To Be Continued 0:56
SAHB - Live would also work. Great band!
This is pre-Tommy Shaw. That guitar intro is by one their original guitarists, John Curulewski (RIP). A longer version of this includes him doing Prelude 12 before the body of this song.
Hi Daniel, thanks for reacting to this epic classic. It is by far, my favourite Styx song. I guess you can say that number is as prevalent today as it’s ever been. Peace and love from Toronto!
Fabulous! Loving all your reactions - very thoughtful and beautifully stated. It’s fun to see you hear the music I loved for so long for the first time. Brings back great memories. I saw Styx in the 1990’s (Dennis DeYoung was still with them) and they were incredible live! At one point they pulled up stools, sat in a semi circle and sang several songs accompanied only with a guitar. It was something I will never forget.
I was in middle school (junior high) and treasured my first album purchase - Styx. 🤘🏼
Great album!!!! I sang this song quite a bit after 911, we weren’t “children” anymore and somehow this song brought us back together (in the places I was singing).
Andy & Alex just recently reacted to The Grand Illusion by Styx and when they asked what Styx song should they react to next, one of my yt friends told them "Suite Madame Blue is a MUST! Styx's masterpiece."
That comment currently has 280 'likes' and 47 replies. Talk about timing. 😎
Talk about a relevant song for America today.
I listened to A&A's reaction to The Grand Illusion and they weren't blown away by Dennis DeYoung's vocals on that song. I'm pretty sure they will like his singing on SMB better when they get around to reacting to it.
@@clintonsmith5163 so, in about 6 months, lol 😀
@@Lightmane 10 months and still WAITING!, lol
Styx - Sing for the Day
These guys used to play my High School. Then Equinox came out. Nor more High School shows!!! Phenomenal album! I always weep when I hear this song. Class of '76.
Daniel...you grouped...Styx...Kansas...and Boston together...you were correct to do that...but also include...Foreigner...keep up the great work...
Show me the Way, Boat on the River and Babe, are my faves from them👍💥
This my friend is my favorite Styx tune. Seen them do it live in 76
Another great reaction, Daniel! Styx was a fabulous band back in the day and Dennis DeYoung who sings and write this one is still going on tour (non Covid times), and sounds as great as ever. If you have not yet reacted to Babe or Lady yet you should add them to your list. In fact, if you would like to try something different and fun you should listen to four different songs with the same one word title - "Lady" by Kenny Rogers, Styx, Little River Band and Supertramp! Each a great track and each one unique and with plenty to offer!
Sgt. Roos, John T. (Ret.) I too, got Equinox on 8-Track!:) Way back in 1975... Styx, back in 1975, did move me! I was from Minnesota, in Crystal, just outside in Minneapolis. Then my parents move us to Wadena, MN. The 'Band' that calls themselves 'Styx', without D.D.Y., will never be the Styx that I'll remember... Semper Fidelis
andrew rhodes The balance of Dennis to Tommy is what made STYX so great like Lennon had McCartney. Instead of a one dimensional rock band with Den is they had a balance of ballads and production to straight rock songs led by Tommy. This is what ruins rock bands, it is The it huge egos!
In the "Caught in the Act" live album Dennis holds the last "Heaven's door" 47 seconds.
I'm grateful that my middle sister & her husband (since 1976) were huge STYX fans when I was a kid in the 70's.
I don’t tweet but please consider “ He Knew” by Kansas
When you said "Where are we going?" and the guitar dropped, I was 17 again and gesturing while shouting "Right there!"
Also “Lady” by Styx
1st Lady, not Lady '95☺
This song and the album (Equinox) turned me on to Styx when 8-tracks were still in vogue.
GREAT GREAT song from the BEST album EVER!! You need to attach the Prelude (12) that comes before it. Great work by JC. What an awesome song & album. Thank you for reviewing this. Review is fantastic!
When I first heard this song it was on an old radio in leu of the repetitive "America" I thought they were saying "A man in a car"
The songs "Light Up" and "Lorelei" are the other outstanding songs from the Equinox album. 🔥
For decades I thought they were singing "a miracle" over and over. Even though I know it is incorrect, I still kind of like to think of that section in that way.
@@clintonsmith5163 Hey - me too. Some sounded like A Miracle then some like America and I wasn't sure which was right so thought maybe both ? Lol - So it's not just me then hearing this. Thankyou !
Hi, this needs Prelude 12 that segues into this track. I never play this without that intro even though it's listed as a separate track - it's not. Brilliant music with so many great songs - ie; "Born For Adventure" - "Man In The Wilderness" - "Crystal Ball" & the epic, "A Day", which is totally different being from their 2nd album [ Styx 11 ] & with a different vocalist. Love this track - I had the same reaction with that sustained synth note + guitar riff when I first heard it over 40 years ago.
Mature statements about history. Respect.
Love the progressive bands of the 70's. They did the hard/soft thing so well. Led by Floyd, Zep, Yes, Rush, Purple etc...They'd play something beautiful, then knock you around and bloody your nose with that hard R&R, only to but you back down softly. Miss 70's music!
Young people like you give me hope for the future of America. Also, if I were 25 years younger.....
:) One thing that I really like about your channel is the variety. It's really cool wondering which artist/band you'll chose next.
Another great reaction, Daniel.
:)
Thank you very much for your reaction. I always, love hearing a your thoughts and feelings on different songs.
A.D. 1928/Rocking the Paradise:
This is another Styx song that starts as a ballad but goes into rock with strong political lyrics. This is the first song of their concept album Paradise Theatre which has a very show tune feel to the music. The whole album sounds like the music to a play that never was. Paradise Theatre is the third in a(sort of) trilogy of concept albums by Styx, following one of the main characters of the two albums. The other two being Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight both of which were written and recorded with the intent to be played and listened back to back.
Jonas Psalter:
Overlooked and underrated Styx song telling the tale of a pirate captain.
Boat on the River:
A lamenting folk ballad by Styx music feels like it could follow Jonas Psalter as a natural progression.
Unfinished Song :
A lamenting piano ballad by Styx the music feels like it could naturally precede Come Sail Away.
Lorelei:
Styx song that is an upbeat pop/synth/rock love ballad from the same album as this song. It uses similar overlapping harmonies across the headphones as during the part when they sing America.
Put Me On:
Crazy Choatic High Energy Styx song that nobody seems to talk about.
My favorite is the title track from Crystal Ball.
This Song is Proof Styx Should be in the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame!!!!!
One of my all time Faves!
I really enjoyed the pieces of eight album and it is included in one of the upcoming shipments to you for your future enjoyment It would be a great album to react to a lot of good gems can be found
Very good album. Great song. My hometown boys from Illannoys.☺
Yep. One of their best. I requested this a while ago and you came through. Good on ya! Thanks.
This came out when I was about 10. I first noticed the ending AMERICA part, but could never catch when the song was playing on the radio because it took me a long time to learn the first half.
Not that these are the only ones to recommend, but I'll but this out for you. I think I saw you react to some of them.
Every song on both Grand illusion and Pieces of Eight.
I used to have cable TV and had a channel that played only live concerts. Styx did one where they played every song on both albums in the exact order, as if the vinyl record were playing, and a graphic background that showed the record turning and the needle being placed. Begins with Grand Illusion, ends with Aku Aku. Great concert.
Ah yes, the ode to the Bicentennial that rings so eerily true today. One of my very favorite Styx songs. Thank you for doing this one!
My husband and I felt like Styx "groupies" for a bit in the late 70's/early 80's, seeing the band perform something like 7 times in 4 cities over the course of maybe 3 years? Something like that. Just seemed like everywhere we went, there they were! The first time, we were in college and it was a big deal to scrape up the money for tickets, but then we graduated and had jobs, so when we had the opportunity, we thought, "OK, let's go see them again!" And *again*. And *again*. Never got old; every performance was just top notch.
You're becoming a multiplatform star. I had never heard this one. (Btw, the lead singer from Styx used to live in the school district in which I taught. His daughter went to my school. Another of my many claims to fame.)
Yeah...Styx, Kansas, Boston, and Foreigner have always been grouped together, right or wrong. They all kind of came out at the same time and received the same attention on radio back then. "Heart" was often thrown into this mix too.
To look at songs that include history or a commentary on society and how we treat each other there are three that in an odd way go together and could just as easily have been written now as then (which is sort of sad in a way because it shows things haven't changed enough). Styx: Show Me The Way, Pink Floyd: On The Turning Away and Billy Joel: We Didn't Start The Fire (a 40 year history lesson in a 4 min 30 sec song)
The early works of Styx, the first 6 albums, were heavy pro-rock and a lot of what I like to call "rock opera" as there was a lot of songs like this one (such as Little Fugue in G/Father OSA or Golden Lark/Song for Suzanne)... they start slow, build, pull back, and build again. Though the Grand Illusion album is fantastic, it was the first album where there was a noticeable shift in their style.... they started moving away from the Pro-rock and a lot more toward AOR and mainstream radio rock. I will say that seeing them back in '81 on tour was one of the best concerts I have ever seen... they put the same energy into their live shows then as they put into their studio work. And the concert was a concept show, built around the Paradise Theatre story, with their other albums worked in
This by far is my favorite Styx song! All the songs you've been reacting to are stellar, but don't sleep on James JY Young, please check out Miss America, James has a great voice!
"We The People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union..." We've never been "perfect," no country or peoples ever have been. But, we can strive to be "more perfect," to use the language of that day...strive to be "closer to perfect," might be a better way for modern ears. However you say it, it's a lofty goal...one worth fighting towards.
There is a tune (tunes) from the Styx II album that starts out with “Little Fugue In “G”” then right into “Father O.S.A.” that when you listen to it sounds like such an epic saga and Dennis Deyoung’s voice is spectacular!! Please consider it for your listening pleasure, your ears will thank you. By the way, Styx II is also a great album. Thanks for your time.
Daniel, every song on The Grand Illusion(1977) is great, you already did Come Sail Away and Fooling Yourself(The Angry Young Man) so anything else from this album is recommended, especially the title cut, Castle Walls and Man In The Wilderness.
Released right before the bicentennial and right after the Vietnam War, DDY used a an aging woman as a metaphor for the direction and hope he had for the USA. I played this song over and over during the 2020 elections.
What a fantastic band they were, just pure magic.
You rock dude....Styx has a lot of great tunes.
The song was released on the cusp of the Bicentennial.
Madam Blue refers to the Statue of Liberty
Love Styx! Check out a Dennis DeYoung song Desert Moon, with the original video. Another group you should check out is Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Start with Spaceship Orion and If You Wanna Get To Heaven You Have To Raise A Little Hell. They don't have a bad song!
Love this song so much. Not one of the more played but rocks out toward the end..
From this same album, check out "born for adventure". Equinox is my favorite by them. Believe it or not, my 2nd favorite is their newest 2017 album - THE MISSION. I felt like I was hallucinating when I first heard it, how can an old old band do an album this good 50 years in? They sound young and hungry
I love Born for Adventure! It's a silly fun upbeat song that sounds like they just got done playing a round of D&D and had a little too much fun recanting the tale.
@@timothyharwood1941 LOVE "Born For Adventure"! I hope Daniel will react to it! I created a video for it if you'd like to check it out on my channel. It has still images as well as movie clips.
14:25-in Latin: govern/ment: control the mind.
My absolute favorite Styx song, bar none.
Awesome review! Thank you! You know you're enjoying the song when you keep turning up the volume. As a follow-up to this song...checkout REO Speedwagon "Golden Country". It may surprise you!
1) generalization is the easy way out 2) perfection is the unattainable goal. It is the journey is what is important.
That's there best songs IMO the whole album pieces of eight is amazing Dennis Deyoung is a ridiculous singer and keyboard player🤘😻🤘
A massive jump from the last album to this. Equinox. Now a great band to be reckoned with.
Oh, how I've loved this song, this album (Pieces Of Eight), this band.
Daniel, "Pieces of Eight" would be awesome album to explore.
I would suggest doing any one of the songs on Dennis Deyoung’s latest album released last year, especially “With All Due Respect.” But the entire album is awesome, especially since you consider that the man is 73 years old! He hasn’t lost a step in 50 years.
Great reaction. Styx has always been hit or miss for me, this one is a hit for sure. I think I’ll listen to Mr Roboto as I shovel snow today.
The book states that the Suite Madame Blue was released a year before the bicentennial but Equinox was released in December 1975.
Yeah - Just about my Fav Styx song.... Great Choice Dan -
Lost my mom about the time this album was popular, takes me back to a hard time in my life
This is a amazing song memories from high school ☺️
I've heard other reactor's say, WHY ISN'T THIS OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM.
This is a good song musically from my perspective. I love when guitars are tuned to sound like harpsicords. The country was founded in the age of harpsicords as in how the song starts out. I assume that was intentional.
The song works lyrically because everyone wants to "lead us away from here"; however, each listener wants to travel to a different place, and these places are mutually exclusive. It is like the Delphic Oracle in which the receiver of the prophesy reads their particular interpretation into what was meant. It is always right.
I graduated from high school in 1976 and we had little plastic liberty bells on the ends of our tassels. They didn't make noises, thank goodness. I still have the graduation cap somewhere.
This reminds me of how President Biden always says, "It is a fight for the soul of the country." Countries don't have souls, only people do. While people understand he means the tone of things, it is a bad way to put things unless your audience operates on muddled thinking which it does.
I love it...where they going....ok...brilliant...you never know where they going...but it's gonna rock
My favorite song from them and one of my favorite all-time songs, and if you want to have a similar Sonic Journey, you can listen to a more recent song, which is over 8 minutes long, from unleash the archers from canada.
THE WIND THAT SHAPES THE LAND
Here's a few more to sample: Rockin' the paradise, Too much time on my hands, Borrowed time, Lorelei, Boat on the river, half penny two penny, Mr. Roboto, etc.
Tommy Shaw said of the ending of Styx. "There wasn't enough room in the stadiums for the band, the crowd, and Denis's ego."
Styx still tours and they still kick ass!
You got it! Awesome "young" man, you give this "old" timer hope! 💜💜💜
Go Daniel - another generation exposed to the great music of my favorite band. Also, a great attitude towards the subject of this song - America. Many more of your generation need to research the history of this country without the current inaccurately critical push towards socialism. "No country is perfect", and this country was founded on the government of the people with mechanisms for its ever improvement.
As someone who lived through the cold war, cultural turmoil of the 60's and early 70's, political fights, and disco; the uplifting music of Styx and others (e.g. Boston as you mentioned) can maybe work some more magic in these times to another generation.
"Prelude 12" is a MUST to listen to as an intro to this song as on the album. It was awesome live in 1983, missed it in 1996's Return To Paradise, and wish the currently lineup would bring it back.
As you noted, this song starts slow and quiet, builds to a hard-rockin' instrumental, and then everything is layered together to blow you away. This was Dennis' answer to have a "Stairway To Heaven"-esque song. This is also used in a number of other Styx songs and surprises the listener. It's kind of like listening to Boston's "Foreplay" where you have to crank up the volume only to be hit when "Long TIme" kicks in. BTW, check out "Hitch A Ride" and its layered guitars.
Other Styx songs to check out: "Best Thing", "A Day", "The Serpent Is Rising", "Put Me On", "Man In The Wilderness", "Queen Of Spades", "Pieces Of Eight".
First time hearing this track - impressed !!
My second album I brought, checked it out of the library before so bought it
IMO, among their top 3 albums.
It is also a response to the crap the country was going through because of Watergate and Richard Nixon. It very much applies to the last few years - I know you don't like talking politics, but, you know, since January 20 we've "made a new start."
great reaction . you got it when you said "it's a lament
Hello Daniel, Glad your doing well, great channel. Bet you weren't ready for that, the America part. Perhaps about the Statue of Liberty. Hitting some good cuts. All the best from Oregon, C.
Styx can be a deep rabbit hole, check out Miss America, Snowblind, Queen of Spades or Half Penny, Two Penny
My favorite Styx song. New to your channel but saw you do the Hurt comparisons and loved your review.
Something else you should do comparisons to is the song Black Betty.
The original is by Ram Jam, but Metal Church and Spiderbait have done excellent versions as well.
Thanks. Great job
DAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - YOU FORGOT THE PRELUDE - YOU HAVE TO DO THEM TOGETHER FOR THIS SONG!!!!!!
America the Country & people that live in it. > American Government.
This was something that was very common in the 60's and 70's. Music that had greater social meaning. During the time this song, and the earlier ones, was written there were many more artists adding there voices to the social impact through their music. I wish it was the same today. Now, they rely on Twitter or Facebook to get the messages out and if you don't follow them you don't hear the message. It should be in their music too so that even if you aren't great fan you will still hear it when you come across it on the radio. Maybe I would like them a bit more for that then just their normal stuff.
Today, I can only think of RAP that tried to do that, and then only for one segment of society - rightfully so, but still only one. On the down side some RAP also objectified women, glorified rape, murder, and a few other undesirable behaviors.