I was 10yrs old when this album came out, my older sister bought it but I listened to it so much it wore the grooves off. To this day it's one of my top 10 albums.
The best song from them by far for many reasons. Probably even more prophetic now. It was made for the bicentennial!!! We are so far away from what our 4 fathers intended. It’s very scary and very sad..I didn’t hear this song until I was around 17 or so 1983-84. Styx was one of the first rock bands I got into starting in 77 when the grand illusion came out. This song was And is rarely played on the radio. One of my top 50 greatest songs!!
The founding fathers founded a country on ethnic cleansing of the land, a slave economy, and the franchise restricted to landowning men. Thank god we got away from that. No, what DDY is saying is that America doesn't live up to the ideals she pretends to hold dear.
Didn't even have to watch this reaction to like it.... one of my favorite STYX songs ever, haunting beautiful and the progression as the song goes on is mesmerizing, they don't get the credit for being such amazing songwriters !!
STYX is my favorite Arena rock band. They are so good! It is a crying shame they are not in the shithole Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They are so deserving! They were monsters in the mid to late 70’s to the mid 80’s
Styx Kansas and Foreigner have been in my Rock and Roll Hall of Fame system minute I heard them in the late 70s critics may not have like them but true music fans love them
Dennis wrote this as America was coming up on its bicentennial and you touched on many of the things that were going through his mind at the time. Great tune. Always loved it.
I remember when this song came out. I was a STYX fan already but I didn’t appreciate this song until much later in life. It was too “theatrical “ for me as a young teen. It’s an incredible song to me now as an adult and the meaning of it. Great reaction! ✌🏼
Styx, 1981, Paradise Theater Tour, top 3 concerts I’ve ever been to….and I’m still going to concerts. Side note…I’ve seen Damn Yankees too…they killed it.
I absolutely love Styx….with Dennis DeYoung in the band! Dennis voice is unique and amazing! This live version really shows how great of a singer he is for sure. He definitely stands out as one of the best singers in rock and roll. Check out more that he sings on like… Castle Walls, First Time, Come Sail Away, Best of Times, Don’t Let It End, Why Me, Lady, Lorelei, and so many more. Another band to check out is Toto! There catalog is amazing as well.
What a voice, it's so pure and clear. I've never heard this live version and it literally gave me goosebumps. The composition and transitions are very similar to Come Sail Away minus the piano. Somehow Come Sail Away was more popular than this one but I think they're both equal classics.
Check out "Rocking the Paradise" off their Paradise Theater album (use studio cut, not live) and also "Boat on the River"---both great songs, the first sung by Dennis DeYoung (the same person as who sang Suite Madame Blue) and the second sung (mainly) by Tommy Shaw. Styx was my first favorite band, mainly because they were from Chicago.
Amazing song. One of my favorites. If you haven't yet. CRYSTAL BALL is similar, but is more guitar driven since guitarist Tommy Shaw sings it instead of keyboardist Dennis DeYoung.
Growing up, listening to these albums as they came out, I often felt that Queen was operatic, Pink Floyd symphonic, and Procol Harum theatrical. But I also remember also thinking that Styx could often be beautifully cinematic. This is a good example of that opening-credits soundtrack-type of sound they were so good at.
GREAT song! I've been a Styx fan since their first album and have seen them live 9 or 10 times over the years. Also caught your reaction to Queen of Spades tonight and noticed your comment about liking the uptempo songs. You should check out Lorelei along with Crystal Ball, Blue Collar Man and Light Up.
Yes, this is exactly why us old timers were shaking our heads at you (and our canes - LOL) when you talked about how great Mr Roboto was. This is my first time hearing this live version - great stuff!
I have seen them in concert 11 or 13 times I've been to so many concerts I forget about how many xs, but they are awesome live. Thank you for reacting to them Tommy Shaw is so great and nice, but because of that I never could ask him for his autograph it just seem weird lol now I wish I would have. Much love to you and your family 💕Brandi Modrak 💕❤
LOL, It's all good, T, cos Mr Roboto was my first Styx song too, and it'swhat set me on the path (or is it river, lol) of Styx. I was obsessed with that song before I discovered more of their tunes.
It had been a while since I listened to this. I really enjoyed reliving it with you. I was pretty young when I got into Styx. I didn’t really understand the lyrical content or the deeper meaning behind it.I just loved the sound. Styx you can just crank up and get lost in the sound. Love it. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Still sound just as good as ever. Unfortunately I never got to see them live.
It's not too late to see them - they still touring (though without Dennis DeYoung - their replacement is really good. I've seen them live 8 times. Three times with the replacement lead singer).
Joel Hammond, sorry to hear that you have never been able to see one of their concerts. I was fortunate to see them during their 1983 "Kilroy" your, (it was during that tour that they recorded "Caught In The Act"). That tour was very theatrical, combining both a video package (that began the concert) and the stage show. I have been a fan since the mid-'70s. At one point I owned all of the LPs that were released prior to 1993. IMO they were underrated by a lot of people.
@@willhorting5317 I did have that live Caught in the Act cassette and listened to it a lot. Not quite as good as being there, but still very enjoyable and gave me a good idea of what their live show was like. I have also watched YT videos of live performances both with Dennis DeYoung and with Glen Burtnick.
I have watch a handful of your videos before I did not subscribe... I subscribed to wait too many channels at this point... Styx - Suite Madame Blue is one of my favorite songs by Styx... Matter of fact it is in my CD player right now in my truck... Since you did this song I am a new subscriber... I have one request that you play a song by Styx called ( A Day ) from the 1973 album Styx 2... It's eight minutes song and I know you'll love it and I think your subscribers will love it two... I will be looking forward to hearing your reaction of this great song...
Thank you, T!!! Great reaction. Even better received than I anticipated. I knew you would love this one!! As for the inspiration of the song - it was written as a tribute to America as they approached the bicentennial anniversary of the 1776 Revolutionary War victory. That was Dennis DeYoung on vocals (same as Mr. Roboto). You already know Tommy Shaw is another singer. And James Young is their third. One of factors of why their music was never stagnant - so many ways to make their songs diverse and unique. This one is in my top 3 favorites. The other two in my top 3 are Shaw's tracks: Man in the Wilderness, and Crystal Ball. I wonder if you've reacted to either of those two....? Happy New Year, brother! I hope you had a great Christmas. Love to you and Tasha. :-)
You and I are very similar. My 2 favorite Styx songs are man in the wilderness and crystal ball. It’s really hard for me to rank songs though past this because they’re my favorite rock band and it’s like ranking your children. I know that sounds odd but at least for me, it’s true.
One of my favorites along with Queen of Spades, Castle Walls, The Grand Illusion, Fooling Yourself, Renegade, Lorelie. are some other good ones. Madame Blue was kind of a mash up two separate songs. that had two meanings. The nation has just been hit with the Watergate scandal on top of the conflict in Vietnam and it really shook up the belief in the in the government as a truthful and honest entity.
It was that, yes, but on the eve of the bicentennial was the inspiration behind the uplifting part of 'ya we fkd up - but no one can survive that and move on better than America - so lets do this!"
You nailed it 100%. Greatest Styx song ever. Dennis DeYoung ( Styx singer) wrote this song with the Bicentennial approaching in 1976. The song was basically saying that the USA was no longer in its infancy, and with all the events transpiring in our country and in our past we have completely lost our childhood innocence. Just a tremendous song and a great choice by you to play. The album Suite Madame Blue comes from Equinox will always be my favorite album of all time. Side 2 of the Equinox album is PERFECT. Prelude 12 leads into this song. It's music perfection.
1975 - post Vietnam, post Watergate, lots of unrest in the country at that time. This song, to me, at 15-16 years old, was a wake up call to remember what America was, what the dream was, and to move on from our differences, become one nation, with equality for all. A naive sentiment, but not unexpected from teenagers. Politics and 'Big Money' have screwed that up though.
"The NOTE" is still held 20-30 seconds when Dennis DeYoung preforms SMB live, in the same key, and he will be 75 years old next month. Hopefully once the world calms down, he will be touring again.
Back to the 70s again. Nice request! One of those wait for it Songs. Try the studio version. This was the ending of the Nam war, draft numbers were still being issued. In a year was the debacle of the Vietnam pull out. BTW, thanks to all nam vets.
I grew up with this band my all time favorite group, got stoned to their songs so relaxing and would send me into another time and space always makes me happy.
Suite Madam Blue is referring to the Statue Of Liberty and was release just before the 1976 Bicentennial on the Equinox album, a masterpiece cover.to cover.
You need to check out the album Equinox. Including this song and Born for Adventure, Light up! . The whole thing is great! I still rock it loud! In 1975 the War was over and we kids were disappointed things hadn’t really changed. I think this song gave us some hope it still could.
Great song. Great analysis. For a song with a similar theme ( but a lot more scathing accounting of our nations situation) I would recommend "Monster "by Steppenwolf.
Very astute reaction, that was exactly what he was writing about, we were as a nation getting ready to celebrate our Bicentennial and there were such high expectations for the future at that time. It was coming off the Vietnam war, and having to make peace with all that went on during that time. I cant really put it all into words here, but yes you were correct that it was written with that in mind. One of my all time favorite Styx songs, from one of my favorite albums. It was their last great live performance before they split off from Dennis DeYoung, and IMHO the band has never been the same since then. I played the caught in the act album and cassette so much that I wore out both of them and had to buy another copy....such an amazing performance. You gotta do "Miss America" if you haven't already.
Underrated band. Labeled corporate, Prog, Cheesy….I loved ‘em since the early days “Equinox” + “Pieces of Eight”….this song is an Ode to Americas greatness and how the Bi-Centenial had gone astray to cheapen the nations strength!! “….Once, long ago, one words from your lips and the world turned around!!” True power, Dennis….caught Dennis on tour at 72, the dude still sounds crisp as can be…a true pro, great songwriter….one of the great ‘70’s bands!
Hi There, This is my second reaction video of your's that I've watched. The first was when you reacted to Aerosmith's - Seasons Of Whither & Lord Of The Thighs In which I was impressed, Being not many even react to those 2 song's & Your reaction/vibe was great! I subscribed right after watching that. Both of those song's are probably my 2 fav's. Thank you for taking a chance on checking out Great Classic Rock! Music Is Truly The Only Real Peace Of Mind! (It Can Take You There or It Can Take You away) As far as Styx goes, They're a great band & in my thoughts some what underrated as well. Personally my fav album by Styx is The Grand Illusion - Not a bad song on the entire album. (Man In The Wilderness) (Fooling Yourself) (Miss America) To name a few song's from that album worth checking out. Cheers from Western Canada! Wishing You A Happy New Year! Keep Safe, Keep Rockin!
I can give you a list of 25 of their songs that are great to outstanding. They are similar to Fleetwood Mac in that they have 3 different lead singers. Listen to James Young sing Miss America. This is Dennis DeYoung. Listen to Renegade sung by Tommy Shaw!
One of the very few bands that sounds as good or better live than they do in the studio. VERY underrated band. Incredible amount of unforgettable music.
MAN I HAD GOOSEBUMPS ALL THROUGH THIS, N STILL SOOOOO BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEM SEVEN TIMES. THE EQUINOX ALBUM IS A MASTERPIECE, 1975. YOU HAVE TO DO THE FIRST SONG. LIGHT UP… GREAT REACTIONS, ROCK ON 👊🖖
With a song like this, you REALLY need to listen to the album version first. Live they're good, but there's a lot of subtle things you miss in the live version.
The LIVE version? Why? It's pretty good, but if you're going for a live version, the recent Dennis DeYoung versions are better (especially the vocals on the "America" bit). Still, the gold standard is the studio version... The vocals sound too "dry" on this, I miss the reverb! Actually the studio version does have a mistake: the lead-up to "America" has a flub on the rhythmic guitar part, but it was 'the magical take', warts and all. Instead of overdubbing the mistake out, they left it in... Studio perfection, but with human frailty and emotion!
@@JasonSmith-jr7jh Dennis always comes off as being a bit too "Broadway" for me, he's just not the true rock-n-roll type. Not that I don't like his original music with Styx, live he just seems to go over the top. Great singer and keyboardist, but over the top.
@@ffjsb True. Mr. Showbiz. The Mr. Roboto 'concept' was over the top...and the tour was a flop. And though many people loved it, (as a teen in the early 80s) hearing the intro to BABE come on the radio use to give me the bends!
YOU CAN'T BEAT THAT VOICE OF DENNIS T, SO SO SHARP, POWERFUL, HIGH, SOLID AND CMONNNN T, IT'S 74, 75, 76 , WHEN MUSIC WAS OUTRAGEOUSLYYYYY GREAT! :) AND AGAIN THE 2 SONGS THAT LAUNCHED THEM WERE : BABE AND LADY
I was 10 years old when this came out, but it was on the radio for many more years. Its meaning; America claimed moral leadership of the world, but too often failed to live up to the standard. This band and many others were calling on its government & society as a whole to be better.
This song came out in 1975 but it was written about the US bicentennial celebrations and more than anything about how commercialized and used as promotions for everything it was becoming.
16 years old and just got my first electric guitar and amplifier out of layaway. Up to that point I had been learning on an acoustic guitar. It was fun to play this song on acoustic but it was orgasmic on my new electric. I don’t think my neighbors agreed though. Lol
Such a great and underrated band .... Rock Hall of Fame, WAKE up and let these guys in.
The R & R Hall of Fame really sucks, and has for decades. You may want to reconsider this wish. I know you meant well, but no.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a joke
Have to agree the R&R Hall of Fame is a complete joke…. Dolly Parton is in, give me a break.
Literally my favorite Styx song. Everyone loves "Come Sail Away" and I'm all about "Suite Madame Blue"
AMEN!!!!!
Dennis DeYoung has an incredible voice and voice control. I have seen him sing this several times and he always holds that note perfectly.
Two words.
"Crystal Ball."
❤👍🏽
Absolutely adore Styx seen them multiple times!!
Agree ... excellent song.
One of my favorites
First song Tommy wrote with the band
Crystal Ball is a fantastic song!
@@donna3465 you got that right
I was 10yrs old when this album came out, my older sister bought it but I listened to it so much it wore the grooves off. To this day it's one of my top 10 albums.
I was 12 when this came out and loved it...
One of my favorite albums and only recently as an adult did I notice the x-rated album cover
I was also 10 my older brother got this album and I fell in love with Styx
I was 9 lol! Great time to grow up. Seen Styx in Star Lake in Burrgesstown Pa in 1995 !! Great great show!
@@ClevelandPotters Burgettstown,PA
I was younger but it was my older sisters, one with Pink Floyd and the other with Styx. What they listened to influenced what I liked from the 70s.
The best song from them by far for many reasons. Probably even more prophetic now. It was made for the bicentennial!!! We are so far away from what our 4 fathers intended. It’s very scary and very sad..I didn’t hear this song until I was around 17 or so 1983-84. Styx was one of the first rock bands I got into starting in 77 when the grand illusion came out. This song was And is rarely played on the radio. One of my top 50 greatest songs!!
The founding fathers founded a country on ethnic cleansing of the land, a slave economy, and the franchise restricted to landowning men. Thank god we got away from that. No, what DDY is saying is that America doesn't live up to the ideals she pretends to hold dear.
Snow blind is another great song!!!!
Didn't even have to watch this reaction to like it.... one of my favorite STYX songs ever, haunting beautiful and the progression as the song goes on is mesmerizing, they don't get the credit for being such amazing songwriters !!
Radio stations out in the mid west hated their earlier stuff. Nobody would play them Until Lady hit the charts
STYX is my favorite Arena rock band. They are so good! It is a crying shame they are not in the shithole Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They are so deserving! They were monsters in the mid to late 70’s to the mid 80’s
Styx, Kansas and Foreigner not in among others
Styx Kansas and Foreigner have been in my Rock and Roll Hall of Fame system minute I heard them in the late 70s critics may not have like them but true music fans love them
I bet they could carr less about the hall of fame. To quote Alec Lifeson " blah blah blah:
The live version just goes to show how incredible the vocals, harmonies, and musicianship all are.
Snow Blind!!
@@rogercaruthersjr4185 Hell - Fucking - Yes
Dennis wrote this as America was coming up on its bicentennial and you touched on many of the things that were going through his mind at the time. Great tune. Always loved it.
I remember when this song came out. I was a STYX fan already but I didn’t appreciate this song until much later in life. It was too “theatrical “ for me as a young teen. It’s an incredible song to me now as an adult and the meaning of it. Great reaction! ✌🏼
I almost forgot about Crystal Ball. It has one of the best guitar fades ever.
It's in my top 5 favorite songs....
I would also add "Pieces of Eight" to your list... amazing 40 years later how relevant the subject matter of the song still is !!!
...also Cornerstone
Styx, 1981, Paradise Theater Tour, top 3 concerts I’ve ever been to….and I’m still going to concerts. Side note…I’ve seen Damn Yankees too…they killed it.
I absolutely love Styx….with Dennis DeYoung in the band! Dennis voice is unique and amazing! This live version really shows how great of a singer he is for sure. He definitely stands out as one of the best singers in rock and roll. Check out more that he sings on like… Castle Walls, First Time, Come Sail Away, Best of Times, Don’t Let It End, Why Me, Lady, Lorelei, and so many more. Another band to check out is Toto! There catalog is amazing as well.
I love Styx they are still so great to see live. One of my favorite concerts I've ever been to.
These guys are masters!!! Love their music. So friggin talented!!!
What a voice, it's so pure and clear. I've never heard this live version and it literally gave me goosebumps. The composition and transitions are very similar to Come Sail Away minus the piano. Somehow Come Sail Away was more popular than this one but I think they're both equal classics.
Check out "Rocking the Paradise" off their Paradise Theater album (use studio cut, not live) and also "Boat on the River"---both great songs, the first sung by Dennis DeYoung (the same person as who sang Suite Madame Blue) and the second sung (mainly) by Tommy Shaw. Styx was my first favorite band, mainly because they were from Chicago.
I think Half Penny Two Penny is worth a listen.
Another ballad from long ago is Lady. Check it out. Another song that is a must is Miss America from The Grand Illusion album.
Amazing song. One of my favorites. If you haven't yet. CRYSTAL BALL is similar, but is more guitar driven since guitarist Tommy Shaw sings it instead of keyboardist Dennis DeYoung.
Growing up, listening to these albums as they came out, I often felt that Queen was operatic, Pink Floyd symphonic, and Procol Harum theatrical. But I also remember also thinking that Styx could often be beautifully cinematic. This is a good example of that opening-credits soundtrack-type of sound they were so good at.
What made STYX great was they had three uniquely sounding singers who worked great singularly and in harmony.
This was always one of my favorite Styx songs. I seen them here in Vegas in 1996 with Dennis DeYoung, great show.
I still get the chills listening to this song.
Whats really amazing it was recorded in 1975!! 70's music kicks ass!
one of my favorite rock songs of all time
GREAT song! I've been a Styx fan since their first album and have seen them live 9 or 10 times over the years. Also caught your reaction to Queen of Spades tonight and noticed your comment about liking the uptempo songs. You should check out Lorelei along with Crystal Ball, Blue Collar Man and Light Up.
Very underrated song. I always get chills when I hear it.
Rock N Roll at it's very best. Master Musicians and Consumate Professionals 🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼 Grand Illusion .... Seen em Few times In Colorado USA🎵🎵🎵
Yes, this is exactly why us old timers were shaking our heads at you (and our canes - LOL) when you talked about how great Mr Roboto was.
This is my first time hearing this live version - great stuff!
Another critical song, came out about the same time is "Golden Country" by REO Speedwagon. Still relevant today.
I have seen them in concert 11 or 13 times I've been to so many concerts I forget about how many xs, but they are awesome live. Thank you for reacting to them Tommy Shaw is so great and nice, but because of that I never could ask him for his autograph it just seem weird lol now I wish I would have. Much love to you and your family 💕Brandi Modrak 💕❤
LOL, It's all good, T, cos Mr Roboto was my first Styx song too, and it'swhat set me on the path (or is it river, lol) of Styx. I was obsessed with that song before I discovered more of their tunes.
It had been a while since I listened to this. I really enjoyed reliving it with you. I was pretty young when I got into Styx. I didn’t really understand the lyrical content or the deeper meaning behind it.I just loved the sound. Styx you can just crank up and get lost in the sound. Love it. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Still sound just as good as ever. Unfortunately I never got to see them live.
It's not too late to see them - they still touring (though without Dennis DeYoung - their replacement is really good. I've seen them live 8 times. Three times with the replacement lead singer).
Joel Hammond, sorry to hear that you have never been able to see one of their concerts. I was fortunate to see them during their 1983 "Kilroy" your, (it was during that tour that they recorded "Caught In The Act"). That tour was very theatrical, combining both a video package (that began the concert) and the stage show. I have been a fan since the mid-'70s. At one point I owned all of the LPs that were released prior to 1993. IMO they were underrated by a lot of people.
@@willhorting5317 I did have that live Caught in the Act cassette and listened to it a lot. Not quite as good as being there, but still very enjoyable and gave me a good idea of what their live show was like. I have also watched YT videos of live performances both with Dennis DeYoung and with Glen Burtnick.
I saw STYX live in 1984 and again in 2012. If you ever get a chance to see them live they will not disappoint.
Rock on STYX.
I have watch a handful of your videos before I did not subscribe... I subscribed to wait too many channels at this point... Styx - Suite Madame Blue is one of my favorite songs by Styx... Matter of fact it is in my CD player right now in my truck... Since you did this song I am a new subscriber... I have one request that you play a song by Styx called ( A Day ) from the 1973 album Styx 2... It's eight minutes song and I know you'll love it and I think your subscribers will love it two... I will be looking forward to hearing your reaction of this great song...
Thank you, T!!! Great reaction. Even better received than I anticipated. I knew you would love this one!!
As for the inspiration of the song - it was written as a tribute to America as they approached the bicentennial anniversary of the 1776 Revolutionary War victory.
That was Dennis DeYoung on vocals (same as Mr. Roboto). You already know Tommy Shaw is another singer. And James Young is their third. One of factors of why their music was never stagnant - so many ways to make their songs diverse and unique.
This one is in my top 3 favorites. The other two in my top 3 are Shaw's tracks: Man in the Wilderness, and Crystal Ball. I wonder if you've reacted to either of those two....?
Happy New Year, brother! I hope you had a great Christmas. Love to you and Tasha. :-)
You and I are very similar. My 2 favorite Styx songs are man in the wilderness and crystal ball. It’s really hard for me to rank songs though past this because they’re my favorite rock band and it’s like ranking your children. I know that sounds odd but at least for me, it’s true.
This one as well as Crystal Ball are my two favorite Styx songs by far
This man KNOWS!
One of my favorites along with Queen of Spades, Castle Walls, The Grand Illusion, Fooling Yourself, Renegade, Lorelie. are some other good ones.
Madame Blue was kind of a mash up two separate songs. that had two meanings. The nation has just been hit with the Watergate scandal on top of the conflict in Vietnam and it really shook up the belief in the in the government as a truthful and honest entity.
It was that, yes, but on the eve of the bicentennial was the inspiration behind the uplifting part of 'ya we fkd up - but no one can survive that and move on better than America - so lets do this!"
He did a reaction to Queen Of Spades. Check it out.
@@mikenastasi8927 No he reacted to a live version without DDY not the same Studio version on this song only.
castle walls is so underrated
God Bless America. Thanks again for sharing this wonderful song with us all. 😎
I was blessed enough to get Paradise Theater in 1981. Fell in love with the album.
You nailed it 100%. Greatest Styx song ever. Dennis DeYoung ( Styx singer) wrote this song with the Bicentennial approaching in 1976. The song was basically saying that the USA was no longer in its infancy, and with all the events transpiring in our country and in our past we have completely lost our childhood innocence. Just a tremendous song and a great choice by you to play. The album Suite Madame Blue comes from Equinox will always be my favorite album of all time. Side 2 of the Equinox album is PERFECT. Prelude 12 leads into this song. It's music perfection.
My favorite Styx release. 1975 was such a great year to be a teenager. Nice to hear a great live version.
We certainly had a great soundtrack for life, didn't we.
@@johnjriggsarchery2457 Well put, brother.
1975 - post Vietnam, post Watergate, lots of unrest in the country at that time.
This song, to me, at 15-16 years old, was a wake up call to remember what America was, what the dream was, and to move on from our differences, become one nation, with equality for all. A naive sentiment, but not unexpected from teenagers.
Politics and 'Big Money' have screwed that up though.
"The NOTE" is still held 20-30 seconds when Dennis DeYoung preforms SMB live, in the same key, and he will be 75 years old next month. Hopefully once the world calms down, he will be touring again.
Another song off this album, Born For Adventure, is a hidden masterpiece.
My Favorite Styx Song. Totally Jamming right now🤘
Back to the 70s again. Nice request! One of those wait for it Songs. Try the studio version. This was the ending of the Nam war, draft numbers were still being issued. In a year was the debacle of the Vietnam pull out. BTW, thanks to all nam vets.
Love the way you break down songs
Love Styx. Saw them in 78 then again in 79. Still listening to them today
I grew up with this band my all time favorite group, got stoned to their songs so relaxing and would send me into another time and space always makes me happy.
Incredible song
First concert I ever saw! They were so great live!
Suite Madam Blue is referring to the Statue Of Liberty and was release just before the 1976 Bicentennial on the Equinox album, a masterpiece cover.to cover.
You need to check out the album Equinox. Including this song and Born for Adventure, Light up! . The whole thing is great! I still rock it loud! In 1975 the War was over and we kids were disappointed things hadn’t really changed. I think this song gave us some hope it still could.
Agreed
First concert I ever saw was Styx - Paradise Theater. Amazing show
i saw them do this in 78 live on pieces of 8.what a show.
I think it was 1975 or 76 when I saw them at the Montreal forum. They opened for bad company and blew bad company off the stage!😀 Happy New Year!!!
Favorite band for many years.
Great song. Great analysis. For a song with a similar theme ( but a lot more scathing accounting of our nations situation) I would recommend "Monster "by Steppenwolf.
styx was my 1st concert, mom took me i was like 7 lol, been a big part of my life lol, love this song
that was back in 92
This my favorite version of the song when Dennis hits as he calls it The Note its just amazing
Very astute reaction, that was exactly what he was writing about, we were as a nation getting ready to celebrate our Bicentennial and there were such high expectations for the future at that time. It was coming off the Vietnam war, and having to make peace with all that went on during that time. I cant really put it all into words here, but yes you were correct that it was written with that in mind. One of my all time favorite Styx songs, from one of my favorite albums. It was their last great live performance before they split off from Dennis DeYoung, and IMHO the band has never been the same since then. I played the caught in the act album and cassette so much that I wore out both of them and had to buy another copy....such an amazing performance. You gotta do "Miss America" if you haven't already.
Underrated band. Labeled corporate, Prog, Cheesy….I loved ‘em since the early days “Equinox” + “Pieces of Eight”….this song is an Ode to Americas greatness and how the Bi-Centenial had gone astray to cheapen the nations strength!! “….Once, long ago, one words from your lips and the world turned around!!” True power, Dennis….caught Dennis on tour at 72, the dude still sounds crisp as can be…a true pro, great songwriter….one of the great ‘70’s bands!
I'm happy you didn't give up on Styx if the first song you heard by them was Mr. Roboto. They jumped the shark with that one.
Hi There, This is my second reaction video of your's that I've watched.
The first was when you reacted to Aerosmith's - Seasons Of Whither & Lord Of The Thighs
In which I was impressed, Being not many even react to those 2 song's & Your reaction/vibe was great!
I subscribed right after watching that.
Both of those song's are probably my 2 fav's.
Thank you for taking a chance on checking out Great Classic Rock!
Music Is Truly The Only Real Peace Of Mind!
(It Can Take You There or It Can Take You away)
As far as Styx goes, They're a great band & in my thoughts some what underrated as well.
Personally my fav album by Styx is The Grand Illusion - Not a bad song on the entire album.
(Man In The Wilderness) (Fooling Yourself) (Miss America)
To name a few song's from that album worth checking out.
Cheers from Western Canada!
Wishing You A Happy New Year!
Keep Safe, Keep Rockin!
I love Styx! They had two lead guitarists (Tommy Shaw and James Young) and three who were capable of singing lead (Tommy, James and Dennis DeYoung).
First time seeing your channel and immediately you have a new subscriber. You had me at "Suite Madame Blue."
Great profile picture, one of my favorite bands, and albums.
Hoping to see some more reactions to classic Traffic...
I can give you a list of 25 of their songs that are great to outstanding. They are similar to Fleetwood Mac in that they have 3 different lead singers. Listen to James Young sing Miss America. This is Dennis DeYoung. Listen to Renegade sung by Tommy Shaw!
Wasnt a big fan of the live version of this one... but yes, they are a great band. Great reaction. Thank you. 😊
Another killer band that is awesome live
Whoop Whoop! Absolute fave Styx song!!! Some them do this in concert in VA Beach in 99 or 98... Just spectacular 😁😁😁
Your eyes when the instruments drop!!! Yes!!! That's how I feel everytime I hear this!!!! Guaranteed 💯🔥!!!
I love the Scorpions as well!!!
If you haven't done The Zoo by the Scorpions, you are missing out!!!
One of the very few bands that sounds as good or better live than they do in the studio. VERY underrated band. Incredible amount of unforgettable music.
MAN I HAD GOOSEBUMPS ALL THROUGH THIS, N STILL SOOOOO BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEM SEVEN TIMES. THE EQUINOX ALBUM IS A MASTERPIECE, 1975. YOU HAVE TO DO THE FIRST SONG.
LIGHT UP… GREAT REACTIONS, ROCK ON 👊🖖
Yes I think you will definitely enjoy the studio version. 🙂🎵 blessings from Ontario.
Such a great song, great reaction as always I saw STYX 3 different tours amazing band keep on rocking dude 🤟
Great song from the Equinox lp. Styx, great band. One of the best concerts to go to in the 70's. $6 as I remember.
This is THE best recording of the best version of the best song Styx ever did. For this snapshot in time, Dennis was a god.
I absolutely love this live version of this song too. Styx is my favorite band. You should give man in the wilderness or queen of spades a listen.
This song is a friggin beast. Love it.
So many great bands came out of the 70's. Styx rocked the decade on FM radio!
With a song like this, you REALLY need to listen to the album version first. Live they're good, but there's a lot of subtle things you miss in the live version.
True.
Exactly 💯
The LIVE version? Why? It's pretty good, but if you're going for a live version, the recent Dennis DeYoung versions are better (especially the vocals on the "America" bit). Still, the gold standard is the studio version... The vocals sound too "dry" on this, I miss the reverb! Actually the studio version does have a mistake: the lead-up to "America" has a flub on the rhythmic guitar part, but it was 'the magical take', warts and all. Instead of overdubbing the mistake out, they left it in... Studio perfection, but with human frailty and emotion!
@@JasonSmith-jr7jh Dennis always comes off as being a bit too "Broadway" for me, he's just not the true rock-n-roll type. Not that I don't like his original music with Styx, live he just seems to go over the top. Great singer and keyboardist, but over the top.
@@ffjsb True. Mr. Showbiz. The Mr. Roboto 'concept' was over the top...and the tour was a flop. And though many people loved it, (as a teen in the early 80s) hearing the intro to BABE come on the radio use to give me the bends!
YOU CAN'T BEAT THAT VOICE OF DENNIS T, SO SO SHARP, POWERFUL, HIGH, SOLID AND CMONNNN T, IT'S 74, 75, 76 , WHEN MUSIC WAS OUTRAGEOUSLYYYYY GREAT! :) AND AGAIN THE 2 SONGS THAT LAUNCHED THEM WERE : BABE AND LADY
Awesome song
Awesome review, you are the first reviewer I’ve seen do this song… do yourself a favor and listen to the studio version. Thank you 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Styx, Boston, Bad English, Alan Parsons Project... so much inventive and innovative rock during this time period.
I was 10 years old when this came out, but it was on the radio for many more years. Its meaning; America claimed moral leadership of the world, but too often failed to live up to the standard. This band and many others were calling on its government & society as a whole to be better.
Look at you dude. Fooling yourself by Styx is one of my faves. I used to play the 45 that my dad had
47 years ago, bands were making MUSIC. Styx is one of the most underrated bands of that time.
Saw couple times late 70s that song was one of those very few songs that made the hair on your neck stand up
Their best song and the best version of it!!
This song came out in 1975 but it was written about the US bicentennial celebrations and more than anything about how commercialized and used as promotions for everything it was becoming.
Dont forget that 1976 was our bicentennial. "Your not a child anymore" 100 years still made us a young country but not a child.
This song was always a banger live!!!
16 years old and just got my first electric guitar and amplifier out of layaway. Up to that point I had been learning on an acoustic guitar. It was fun to play this song on acoustic but it was orgasmic on my new electric. I don’t think my neighbors agreed though. Lol
Now you’re talking, suite Madame blue! Although I think I like the studio version a little better
With Prelude 12
I saw them at Elgin Community College 1974. They rocked!
A lot of fans don't know this song was about be upcoming by Centennial in 1976 it was attribute to that