After more than 40 years... they are still rocking and touring (at least until the pandemic shut things down). Tommy Shaw (the lead singer on this one and Renegade... they change lead singers depending on the song) is awesome, and he contributed a LOT to the band after he joined in the 70's. Another really cool thing they're involved with is the Contemporary Youth Orchestra. They've collaborated with them several times over the years. There are videos of their concerts they've done with CYO backing them up, and it's obvious both the band and the orchestra (full of really talented, energetic kids) have an absolute blast when they're performing classic Styx songs together. Look up Styx with CYO, and/or Tommy Shaw with CYO! So much fun! Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man), Too Much Time on My Hands, Suite Madame Blue, and Blue Collar Man are all fantastic classic songs of theirs (beside the ones you've already reacted to).
“Man in the Wilderness” is the follow up/sequel to “Crystal Ball” lyrically/thematically but rocks harder and is just as good. “Queen of Spades” is about gambling addiction that starts subtly and then absolutely rips...a total banger with Dennis DeYoung on vocals. “Snowblind” is about another addiction, specifically cocaine and is an incredible bluesy rocker duet with Tommy Shaw and James Young on vocals. “Rockin’ The Paradise” is a commentary on the human condition and America specifically with the Paradise Theatre as the metaphor, sung by Dennis...all great choices. Love your reactions, they’re very much like mine were when I first discovered STYX.
This was their 6th album, the first one with guitarist Tommy Shaw who sings lead on this song (he was also the lead singer on Renegade, while Dennis DeYoung sang lead on Come Sail Away). Tommy Shaw replaced founding guitarist John Curulewski. My favorite JC lead vocal is the title track from the album The Serpent Is Rising. That song has heavy prog elements in it, I think you'd dig it. Suite Madame Blue, from the Equinox album is another great song with DDY on vocals. Founding guitarist James Young also sings some of their songs, Miss America is a great example of a JY fronted rocker. Styx has many great songs. Enjoy the journey. P.S. Castle Walls from The Grand Illusion album is a must hear. Most Styx fans would agree, one of their best.
Tommy Shaw once said that he started writing this song in the bowling alley his band was playing in when he got a call from Styx to join them and finished it in the back of a limo on the way to a concert.
@@ms.chuckfu1088 All mentioned in the replies are legendary, I just mentioned those 4 because I've been discussing the Kansas/Styx/Boston rabbit hole Daniel's at least partially entered over the last few days. No other reason.
Their theatricality came to a literal head with 1981's "Paradise Theatre", but 1983's "Killroy Was Here" was where most of me and my peers moved on from Styx. We just couldn't take it anymore. We turned our attention to the new King Crimson, old Genesis, Yes, The Police, etc.
I saw the Paradise Theatre tour back in the day. Good times. I also moved on from Styx after that. Same thing happened for me with ELO. I saw the Out of the Blue tour in 1978, which was probably their peak. I moved on when Discovery came out.
Glad you’re liking them. Here’s good ones: Suite Madame Blue Too Much Time on My Hands Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) Blue Collar Man (Long Nights) What is it with all the parentheses, lol?
Styx had talented musicians and vocalists and they had an interesting take on life. You can't go wrong with that. One of my favorite bands from my youth. Crystal Ball is one of my all time favorites. This song so captures my teenage years. Great band! Plenty to love. And, I like your format. Your opening is a lot of fun!
I remember hearing Tommy Shaw perform an early version of this song back in the local bars in Montgomery, Alabama while he was with Harvest. He was amazing even then.
Tommy Shaw lead singer most times since Dennis DeYoung departed years ago! Tommy writes a lot of the songs ,plays lead guitar, acoustic Guitar and mandolin! Check out Boat on the river,etc!
I fell in love with Styx in 1989 - I know i was late to the party. I was a junior in highschool and it was all about iron maiden, Metallica, guns n Roses, and Ozzy for me back then. I met my (then) best friend Corey (wherever you wound up Corey I hope you're good). His family adopted me as a second son if you will, and Corey and I used to just sit and hang out - we were D&D geeks, computers and video games, and comic books. He puts on the cassette tape one day as we're hanging out it was Grand Illusion - which I knew nothing about. Suddenly i didn't pay attention to anything going on - just the music. I was hooked. He went on vacation the next day and I asked to borrow his tape which I played a dozen times over the weekend. Man in the Wilderness captured my psyche immediately as I listened to the lyrics as a 17 year old not sure about the future and lost for my own identity, and awkward in school. Suddenly that song became an anthem for me. I suddenly wanted more Styx and soaked it up. To this day they are still my heart's favorite - their music is so uplifting and inspirational. Then Corey opened me to a lot of other bands he loved: Night Ranger, Asia, SuperTramp, Yes, Journey. And my musical horizons widened and evolved from just headbanging this more melodic rock. I was watching a lot of reaction channels of other popular bands, and suddenly I wanted to see if anyone reacts to Styx. I was surprised to see someone so young - who actually genuinely likes the music. And bud, you remind me of Corey a lot. I instantly subscribed, and I am enjoying your reactions and channel. I especially applaud your music tastes. Suite Madam Blue, Crystal Ball and Man in the Wilderness are my top three favs but truthfully hard to pick as so many great.
I like your story. It's funny because I remember when I became a styx fan. I can't remember when I became a fan of other bands but styx is one that I can remember. I enjoyed other bands but there is no band that I got into the music, lyrics and everything about them like I did with styx.
Styx late 70s was just a great kick ass band that delivered every time . Yes there was ups and downs but looking back those albums will be played for ever it’s our job to past it on to some of these rap dudes to show them this is what great music sounds like
They were such talented musicians and their arrangements were great along with dramatic vocals and evocative lyrics, they could do it live too. Great reaction.
"Pieces Of Eight, treasures filled with emptiness, don't let it turn your Heart to Stone" We knew it was all Corporate Rock back then, but even contrived truth, is truth! This bit from the title track of Pieces Of Eight, is a typical statement for so many artists, but they all make millions, I can only hope they follow their own advice.
Thanks for your Styx reaction. You can feel comfortable with not pausing Styx they have very strong feelings towards sharing music in general and would just be happy that they are being shared. For more Styx suggestions... Father OSA, Man in the Wilderness, and Unfinshed Song all definitely have that personal struggle theme with different musical approaches. Queen of Spades and Witchwolf are some heavy shredding songs for fun. Lady, Babe, and Lorelei are kickass ballads. Grand Illusion, Miss America, Prelude 12/Suite Madam Blue, Half Penny Two Penny/A.D. 1958 are all heavy rocking songs with lyrics that have great subtext concerning the political, social, and economical state of the United States that still matter today. Also make sure you listen to the version of the song that has the "/" that indicates either an intro or outro for the song and you won't get the full experience if you only listen to a version that doesn't have the "/" and the weird number.
Im glad you appreciate the 70s era of rock band like styx, Boston, journey with steve perry singing and gregg rollie, they were my three favorite bands of the end of the 70s and 80s
I had forgotten how much this song actually rocked, seems I remembered it as a slower song. Styx certainly had their moments; I think what most people are talking about when they say Styx "went bad" is upon the release of "Mr. Roboto". People hated it, though these days they'll bop their heads whenever it comes on and sing along. I second Castle Walls/Angry Young Man as a good one to react to, but anything off of Grand Illusion or Pieces of Eight albums would likely be enjoyable. Tommy Shaw did a thing with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra not that long ago and it was awesome seeing the kids enjoy performing songs along with him; the best was when they did "Sing for the Day", but of course I can't seem to find a link to a good version of it right now.
An earlier album than the Grand Illusion (Come Sail Away) and Pieces of Eight (Renegade). Yes, the vocals is what attracted me to this band when I was ummmmm 16. Like most bands at that time it was the harmonies that got me. Then I heard Rush, and well. that was different. I saw "Miss America" was coming up. That's a another good one by Styx. At my age going back is a more attractive option, then seeing in the future. The future....if you saw something you didn't like then you could be focused to not go that direction (paranoid). If you saw something you liked, you'd want to make sure you didn't mess it up. (more paranoid)
First off, great to see the younger generations checking out these bands. A lot of today's music is just a celebrity and a producer with a laptop. Bands from this era had to actually be able to play, sing, write, and perform their songs. Their record deal was not the start of their career, they had already put in time honing their craft in order to GET the record deal. I am the live FOH engineer of this band and except for COVID, these guys still play 80-90 shows a year.. You should hear their live versions to see how much (or little) the arrangements have changed over 40 years but they still bring it every show.
This is the song that Tommy Shaw wrote that got him into the band. That’s a fact. This is the one that he whipped out and blew their minds and catapulted him into the band.
What strikes me about this is the addictive nature of crystal balls. Early on he's like "I wonder..." and "perhaps" but as you said, he becomes more desperate for answers as the song goes on. This reminds me both of the crystal balls in Lord of the Rings, and also of another book I love (dated as it may be) -The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin. It has a line about how foretelling exhibits "the utter uselessness of knowing the answer to the wrong question." The idea being that if we could peek into the future, what we would ask to see is unlikely to satisfy us. So it is our *not* knowing the future that allows us to fully live in the present. Anyway, great song and nice to hear Tommy Shaw's voice!
You've done several sad, storytelling songs the last couple of days, if you want something totally uplifting, I HIGHLY recommend Fooling Yourself/Angry Young Man (one song). It's my favorite Styx song by a large margin, for many reasons.
I was listening to Styx when i was in high school in the late 70s, and to us it was just good old rock n roll, but now, 45 years later, im beginning to see that their music had a much deeper meaning about America, and its future, that we are now living in, which in my opinion, is beginning to look pretty dark.
Fantastic! You've gotta check out Prelude 12 followed by SUITE MADAME BLUE from my favorite Styx album Equinox. Suite Madame Blue IMO is Styx at their absolute best. The Prelude leads into the song. Thanks for the GREAT channel.
Styx really never changed much musically. They were always in tension between the rock music that Tommy Shaw and James Young favored vs. the more theatrical and quirky music Dennis De Yong envisioned. It's what broke the band up initially and then finally forced Dennis out. You friggin' love Styx. That's a testament to their writing and performing timeless music. I was a teen in their heyday. (late 70's early eighties) Their old enough to be your granddad, and the music transcends generations to effect you the same as it did kids of that time. - Good stuff.
"Shooz" off this same album is a banger for sure. As great as Tommy, James and Dennis were, brothers (now deceased) John (bass) and Chuck (drums) Panozzo really gave this band legs to run on. Their contribution to the overall sound cannot be overstated in my opinion. Such a strong power rythym section.
Tommy Shaw's debut with the band and he really was the missing ingredient they never knew they needed up to that point, it's no coincidence that they soon became mega-successful headliners, when they could stand each other he and DeYoung made for the perfect combination. Of course if they'd had a crystal ball they would have known that, and that it couldn't last, but they had a good run. The Grand Illusion would be my vote for the next Styx track you hit, since you asked (what, you didn't? Oh).
I encourage you to take a listen to JY's *"Miss America."* He's the third singer/songwriter in Styx. Very different than Tommy and Dennis. Tommy wrote this before joining Styx. The original version is still here on RUclips if you want to take a listen to it. By a band called "Harvest". The music was changed, and a verse was deleted for this version here. And don't worry, they didn't take it down...
The massive change to Styx's music you've heard about was directly attributable to the song "Babe". It's a "you're my entire universe and I love you so much that I couldn't possibly live another day without you" ballad so cloyingly sweet that hearing it is roughly analogous to eating a big bowl of marshmallows covered in maple syrup. Teeth could rot, and diabetes was a real concern. It was written and sung by Dennis DeYoung, who was its only champion. The rest of the band hated it, and didn't even want to record it. Management liked its commercial appeal though, so it was released as a single. When it came out, BECAUSE it was so shamelessly sweet, it appealed like candy to overly-romantic teenage girls everywhere. Catering as usual to the teenage girl demographic, radio picked up the ball and ran for the goalposts. It was Styx's first and only single to reach number one on the charts, and was completely impossible to avoid. Styx was at last enjoying the success they'd been working toward with over ten years of nonstop touring. Success bore the seeds of destruction for Styx. One of their greatest strengths had always been that they weren't locked into any particular style or genre, and having three very different singer/songwriters in the band meant that their music would not be limited to a single aesthetic or a narrow vision. Every member had his own opportunity to shine, and their albums were both eclectic and balanced, and always creative and interesting as a result. And then came "Babe". As you know, there's a widespread school of thought that "if something works once, you should do the same thing over and over again until you run it into the ground". Seeing the profits and success of "Babe", Dennis DeYoung decided that HIS songs were the only thing the band needed, to the exclusion of anything else. Also seeing the profits and success, Styx's management and record label threw all their support behind DeYoung, and essentially told the other two songwriters that they weren't at all interested in their songs or their opinions. Now, what do you suppose happened to relations within the band? Correct, they became toxic and combative. To the rest of the band's frustration, work began on the album Kilroy Was Here, which was some sort of half-baked concept album that even Dennis DeYoung couldn't explain. It was completely bizarre, and was conceived to be presented as a Broadway-style stage show. What was shown to the public to generate interest for the show was a series of truly goofy videos on the fledgling MTV. It didn't work, so naturally fingers were pointed in every direction. Eventually, DeYoung decided that he didn't need to argue with people too dumb to share his vision, and left the band for a solo career. Naturally, management and record label support followed him out the door. After all, the last time Styx had done anything right, it was Dennis DeYoung who did it. You may recall that Styx's appeal was based on the balance between the three songwriters. Without Tommy Shaw and James Young providing contrast, DeYoung's solo albums and solo career tanked. Without any support (and without DeYoung, the band's most recognizable singer), Styx's subsequent career tanked. Cut to today. Styx without Dennis DeYoung is still touring nonstop on the Oldies Circuit, playing to an audience which is slowly shrinking due to their original fans getting older, then deader. Dennis DeYoung isn't even doing as well as that. And the great band that Styx was is no more. American Tragedy strikes again.
Clair de lune Ballerina on this album has a mind blowingly awesome guitar solo. All of their 70s albums are magical. Even their new stuff is good. I think the Cyclorama album is a modern classic. My favorite album of theirs is The Serpent is Rising. A heavy and haunting album to me.
Tommy Shaw sings and plays the lead guitar in this song. When Tommy Shaw joined the band they were a good rock and roll band. As the years went by they started doing silly songs like Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto. That was due to Dennis DeYoung, the keyboard player. He wanted to take the band in a different direction and Tommy Shaw was not happy with that. So in other words as the years went by they started to suck
A decent tune for me, didn't really get into this one as much as a few of their other tunes...a little too mellow for me. Hoping to see you do Miss america soon!! We all make choices and for the most part I believe the choices we make are the best ones for each of us at any given moment in time. Sometimes those choices may be regretted in the future but we won't know until we reach that point in time. I would LOVE to be able to go back to when I was 10 and start over....RETAINING my current memories. But the butterfly effect might have quite devastating circumstances if that choice was taken. However, the unknown will always be that...unknown.
Another interesting song that will surprise you and has a very deep meaning is "after forever" by black sabbath. Check it out, you will be in awe of the message of the song.
Tommy bleepin Shaw!!! He wrote this when he was sixteen. I tend to like the Tommy Shaw songs the best. Great singer, fantastic guitar player, great lyricist. When he joined the band in 75-76 they shot to stardom quickly!!!
a girl named Jennifer which is a cut from this lp I use to either sing it to her or played for on the cd now that you put it that way could I go back in time to change. Jennifer was a girl I worked with but she was a minor and had major crush on me she was 17 I was 30 so I tried every thing to convince her to find someone her own age, I was dating another girl my age at another job who use to pass me notes at work. So one night after work I had to drive Jennifer home, I had the note in my car where she could see it we both in the car I made an excuse to go back inside for a minute, it worked she found and read the note, and that was how it ended. But sometimes I wished I played slow with her till she it 18 then date her. I think I missed out on someone who really was in love with me, for someone where the relationship was one of convenience that ended shortly after that.
I'd recommend Snowblind, from the Paradise Theater album. That album is kind of a concept album, I guess. But Snowblind is an odd song out on that one. I think I probably played Crystal Ball a hundred times on jukeboxes, though. Fun song. :)
Styx actually had several changes, and this album marks the first that Tommy Shaw contributed to, as he joined them as guitarist and singer. Not many bands have pipes like Tommy Shaw AND Dennis DeYoung singing for them. Imagine have Dennis DeYoung as your backup singer providing amazing harmonies, such are as in this...or vice-versa. Another that comes to mind (other than the Beatles) would be Triumph. They deserve a listen if you like great harmonies. Rik Emmett and Gil Moore of Triumph get it done! Check out Lay It on the Line, Fight the Good Fight, Hold On, World of Fantasy, or Blinding Light Show. I definitely want to go back and time and tell my younger self not to be such a twit! :P
I've seen a vintage Twilight Zone episode where a man, living in present day, can transport back in time and he does so, warning authorities about the assassination of President Lincoln and then he goes back to WWII in Germany and attempts to kill Hitler with a rifle...all in the reason to avoid terrible things that happened in the past that affected the futures of history.......that seams more effective than to go into the future and try to tell politicians what will happen, and they must do things to avoid whatever problems will happen.....if you get my point...but it's a great question: Do you want to go ahead in time, or go back? I would go back at least for a few days in Imperial Rome or Greece.....England 16th century .....stuff like that.
Styx the story behind it is Tommy Shaw was living on the street.. not sure what he was going to do with his life.. And ( Styx) picked him up and the rest is history.. saw a interview.. have been listening to this band for over 45 years..
Dennis DeYoung seemed to have that desire to look into the future, and to know the future of America, and the world, which in my opinion, is beginning to look pretty dark.
Hello Daniel, Perhaps To much time on my hands, a good one IMO. You might not be able to change it, and, you may not want to know. It would eliminate the element of surprise. Good song and reaction. Best, C.
Suite Madame Blue trust me.
Harmony on suite madam blue is killer 😍👍👍👍👍👍
We were so blessed in the 70's and 80's with good music. Raw, genuine talent. Many choices!
Lorelei and Miss America (JY sings this one) are a couple not yet mentioned. They have so many great tunes!
My FAVOURITE Styx song.....💙💙💙
After more than 40 years... they are still rocking and touring (at least until the pandemic shut things down). Tommy Shaw (the lead singer on this one and Renegade... they change lead singers depending on the song) is awesome, and he contributed a LOT to the band after he joined in the 70's. Another really cool thing they're involved with is the Contemporary Youth Orchestra. They've collaborated with them several times over the years. There are videos of their concerts they've done with CYO backing them up, and it's obvious both the band and the orchestra (full of really talented, energetic kids) have an absolute blast when they're performing classic Styx songs together. Look up Styx with CYO, and/or Tommy Shaw with CYO! So much fun! Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man), Too Much Time on My Hands, Suite Madame Blue, and Blue Collar Man are all fantastic classic songs of theirs (beside the ones you've already reacted to).
I absolutely love this song
“Man in the Wilderness” is the follow up/sequel to “Crystal Ball” lyrically/thematically but rocks harder and is just as good. “Queen of Spades” is about gambling addiction that starts subtly and then absolutely rips...a total banger with Dennis DeYoung on vocals. “Snowblind” is about another addiction, specifically cocaine and is an incredible bluesy rocker duet with Tommy Shaw and James Young on vocals. “Rockin’ The Paradise” is a commentary on the human condition and America specifically with the Paradise Theatre as the metaphor, sung by Dennis...all great choices.
Love your reactions, they’re very much like mine were when I first discovered STYX.
It's awesome 😍👍 👍 man in the wilderness 😁
This was their 6th album, the first one with guitarist Tommy Shaw who sings lead on this song (he was also the lead singer on Renegade, while Dennis DeYoung sang lead on Come Sail Away). Tommy Shaw replaced founding guitarist John Curulewski. My favorite JC lead vocal is the title track from the album The Serpent Is Rising. That song has heavy prog elements in it, I think you'd dig it. Suite Madame Blue, from the Equinox album is another great song with DDY on vocals. Founding guitarist James Young also sings some of their songs, Miss America is a great example of a JY fronted rocker. Styx has many great songs. Enjoy the journey.
P.S. Castle Walls from The Grand Illusion album is a must hear. Most Styx fans would agree, one of their best.
Yes, Castle Walls, agreed. Epic!
Dennis at 73 just released a new album and it's really good
Thank youfor being patient and not stopping the song every 2 seconds...ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVES! Nice reaction
Tommy Shaw once said that he started writing this song in the bowling alley his band was playing in when he got a call from Styx to join them and finished it in the back of a limo on the way to a concert.
Kansas- Steve Walsh
Styx- Dennis DeYoung/Tommy Shaw
Boston- Brad Delp
All world class rock vocalists.
Queen Freddy Mercury
Journey Steve Perry
A plug for Rik Emmett of Triumph and Paul Rodgers of BadCo
Rik Emmet
Burton Cummings
Bob Seger
Steve Perry
@@ms.chuckfu1088 All mentioned in the replies are legendary, I just mentioned those 4 because I've been discussing the Kansas/Styx/Boston rabbit hole Daniel's at least partially entered over the last few days. No other reason.
@@georgewodicka4839 😊 and I replied for no other reason than I was just listening to these 4 on a long drive back home. Damn I wish I could sing.
Their theatricality came to a literal head with 1981's "Paradise Theatre", but 1983's "Killroy Was Here" was where most of me and my peers moved on from Styx. We just couldn't take it anymore. We turned our attention to the new King Crimson, old Genesis, Yes, The Police, etc.
I saw the Paradise Theatre tour back in the day. Good times. I also moved on from Styx after that. Same thing happened for me with ELO. I saw the Out of the Blue tour in 1978, which was probably their peak. I moved on when Discovery came out.
This song ........ Renegade, Blue Collar Man & Snowblind ...... ALL are my favorite Styx song
This was the first Styx record with Tommy Shaw, who sings this song as well as Renegade. We all wish that we could go back and see the future.
"Grand Illusion" is another good one.
Glad you’re liking them. Here’s good ones:
Suite Madame Blue
Too Much Time on My Hands
Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
What is it with all the parentheses, lol?
Styx had talented musicians and vocalists and they had an interesting take on life. You can't go wrong with that. One of my favorite bands from my youth. Crystal Ball is one of my all time favorites. This song so captures my teenage years. Great band! Plenty to love.
And, I like your format. Your opening is a lot of fun!
I saw them in concert in '76 or 77. Tommy Shaw had just come into the group. They were amazing.
I remember hearing Tommy Shaw perform an early version of this song back in the local bars in Montgomery, Alabama while he was with Harvest. He was amazing even then.
Tommy Shaw lead singer most times since Dennis DeYoung departed years ago! Tommy writes a lot of the songs ,plays lead guitar, acoustic Guitar and mandolin! Check out Boat on the river,etc!
The followup to this song is "Man in the Wilderness" - another Tommy Shaw masterpiece.
Hard to believe this album came out 46 years ago! Saw them live a couple of months ago and they still play it flawlessly!
Tommy's launch across the bow when he joined the band, and I still think his best.
I fell in love with Styx in 1989 - I know i was late to the party. I was a junior in highschool and it was all about iron maiden, Metallica, guns n Roses, and Ozzy for me back then. I met my (then) best friend Corey (wherever you wound up Corey I hope you're good). His family adopted me as a second son if you will, and Corey and I used to just sit and hang out - we were D&D geeks, computers and video games, and comic books. He puts on the cassette tape one day as we're hanging out it was Grand Illusion - which I knew nothing about. Suddenly i didn't pay attention to anything going on - just the music. I was hooked. He went on vacation the next day and I asked to borrow his tape which I played a dozen times over the weekend. Man in the Wilderness captured my psyche immediately as I listened to the lyrics as a 17 year old not sure about the future and lost for my own identity, and awkward in school. Suddenly that song became an anthem for me. I suddenly wanted more Styx and soaked it up. To this day they are still my heart's favorite - their music is so uplifting and inspirational. Then Corey opened me to a lot of other bands he loved: Night Ranger, Asia, SuperTramp, Yes, Journey. And my musical horizons widened and evolved from just headbanging this more melodic rock.
I was watching a lot of reaction channels of other popular bands, and suddenly I wanted to see if anyone reacts to Styx. I was surprised to see someone so young - who actually genuinely likes the music. And bud, you remind me of Corey a lot. I instantly subscribed, and I am enjoying your reactions and channel. I especially applaud your music tastes. Suite Madam Blue, Crystal Ball and Man in the Wilderness are my top three favs but truthfully hard to pick as so many great.
I like your story. It's funny because I remember when I became a styx fan. I can't remember when I became a fan of other bands but styx is one that I can remember. I enjoyed other bands but there is no band that I got into the music, lyrics and everything about them like I did with styx.
Early stuff. "Best thing". Solid rocker.
Saw them live at 15 in 78.One of my favorite shows and i saw many.still goosebumps.Please do suite madame blue.
Styx late 70s was just a great kick ass band that delivered every time . Yes there was ups and downs but looking back those albums will be played for ever it’s our job to past it on to some of these rap dudes to show them this is what great music sounds like
I'm 61 ...still so powerful ❤😂😂🎉
70's Styx was just amazing!
They were such talented musicians and their arrangements were great along with dramatic vocals and evocative lyrics, they could do it live too. Great reaction.
Their early Tommy Shaw stuff (1976 - 1979) was my favorite period for this band.
"Pieces Of Eight, treasures filled with emptiness, don't let it turn your Heart to Stone" We knew it was all Corporate Rock back then, but even contrived truth, is truth! This bit from the title track
of Pieces Of Eight, is a typical statement for so many artists, but they all make millions, I can only hope they follow their own advice.
I always liked never say never , and the song grand illusion and superstars castle walls, and man in the wilderness.
Prelude 12 followed by Suite Madam Blue is a must!!!
Thanks for your Styx reaction.
You can feel comfortable with not pausing Styx they have very strong feelings towards sharing music in general and would just be happy that they are being shared.
For more Styx suggestions...
Father OSA, Man in the Wilderness, and Unfinshed Song all definitely have that personal struggle theme with different musical approaches.
Queen of Spades and Witchwolf are some heavy shredding songs for fun.
Lady, Babe, and Lorelei are kickass ballads.
Grand Illusion, Miss America,
Prelude 12/Suite Madam Blue,
Half Penny Two Penny/A.D. 1958 are all heavy rocking songs with lyrics that have great subtext concerning the political, social, and economical state of the United States that still matter today.
Also make sure you listen to the version of the song that has the "/" that indicates either an intro or outro for the song and you won't get the full experience if you only listen to a version that doesn't have the "/" and the weird number.
Im glad you appreciate the 70s era of rock band like styx, Boston, journey with steve perry singing and gregg rollie, they were my three favorite bands of the end of the 70s and 80s
Crystal ball was from 1976 it was Tommy Shaw's first studio album with them he joined them in 75
Suite madam blue is another great Styx song
I had forgotten how much this song actually rocked, seems I remembered it as a slower song. Styx certainly had their moments; I think what most people are talking about when they say Styx "went bad" is upon the release of "Mr. Roboto". People hated it, though these days they'll bop their heads whenever it comes on and sing along. I second Castle Walls/Angry Young Man as a good one to react to, but anything off of Grand Illusion or Pieces of Eight albums would likely be enjoyable. Tommy Shaw did a thing with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra not that long ago and it was awesome seeing the kids enjoy performing songs along with him; the best was when they did "Sing for the Day", but of course I can't seem to find a link to a good version of it right now.
Agree about Mr Roboto.
styx was so awesome
An earlier album than the Grand Illusion (Come Sail Away) and Pieces of Eight (Renegade). Yes, the vocals is what attracted me to this band when I was ummmmm 16. Like most bands at that time it was the harmonies that got me. Then I heard Rush, and well. that was different. I saw "Miss America" was coming up. That's a another good one by Styx. At my age going back is a more attractive option, then seeing in the future. The future....if you saw something you didn't like then you could be focused to not go that direction (paranoid). If you saw something you liked, you'd want to make sure you didn't mess it up. (more paranoid)
Love Styx❤😂😢😅🎉😊😅😮😢🎉😂❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
isn't that an amazing song. always,
been my favorite styx song. lots of love friend
Miss America is a great song
The Crystal Ball album is the first album produced with Tommy Shaw. Equinox (before Shaw) was their breakout album.
First off, great to see the younger generations checking out these bands. A lot of today's music is just a celebrity and a producer with a laptop.
Bands from this era had to actually be able to play, sing, write, and perform their songs. Their record deal was not the start of their career, they had already put in time honing their craft in order to GET the record deal.
I am the live FOH engineer of this band and except for COVID, these guys still play 80-90 shows a year.. You should hear their live versions to see how much (or little) the arrangements have changed over 40 years but they still bring it every show.
I love how much you love Styx!
BTW - I think this song was about Tommy’s brother coming back from Vietnam.
I love this song
This is such a great album the last song on the album ballerina?? Is so fucking good it still gives me chills
Love Styx, how bout some ELO? Living Thing is a great start.
This is the song that Tommy Shaw wrote that got him into the band. That’s a fact. This is the one that he whipped out and blew their minds and catapulted him into the band.
Crystal Ball seen them in concert for this tour Canton Ohio
Doesn’t anyone remember “Madam Blue”? You guys know he would really dig the guitar riffs.
What strikes me about this is the addictive nature of crystal balls. Early on he's like "I wonder..." and "perhaps" but as you said, he becomes more desperate for answers as the song goes on. This reminds me both of the crystal balls in Lord of the Rings, and also of another book I love (dated as it may be) -The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin. It has a line about how foretelling exhibits "the utter uselessness of knowing the answer to the wrong question." The idea being that if we could peek into the future, what we would ask to see is unlikely to satisfy us. So it is our *not* knowing the future that allows us to fully live in the present. Anyway, great song and nice to hear Tommy Shaw's voice!
No comments?..........Well then....Welcome to my generation young man. Thanx and enjoy!
You've done several sad, storytelling songs the last couple of days, if you want something totally uplifting, I HIGHLY recommend Fooling Yourself/Angry Young Man (one song). It's my favorite Styx song by a large margin, for many reasons.
^this^
100% agreed.
Fooling Yourself is an amazing emotionally and spiritually uplifting song that needs to be heard and felt.
I was listening to Styx when i was in high school in the late 70s, and to us it was just good old rock n roll, but now, 45 years later, im beginning to see that their music had a much deeper meaning about America, and its future, that we are now living in, which in my opinion, is beginning to look pretty dark.
Seen this tour in 76 . They had just added Tommy Shaw recently. Great show. Suite Madame Blue is another great. It’s off of Equinox.
Ha, This song reminds me of some old 60s song .........but then turns into a Killer beautiful awesome song
Tommy Shaw on lead vocal for this one.
thegorn68 Tommy could play that guitar too. Wow.
@@Hartlor_Tayley He was such a great addition to the band back in the day.
Fantastic! You've gotta check out Prelude 12 followed by SUITE MADAME BLUE from my favorite Styx album Equinox. Suite Madame Blue IMO is Styx at their absolute best. The Prelude leads into the song. Thanks for the GREAT channel.
"Castle Walls" is another song by them in this vein. The theme is destiny.
Great band early work
Styx really never changed much musically. They were always in tension between the rock music that Tommy Shaw and James Young favored vs. the more theatrical and quirky music Dennis De Yong envisioned. It's what broke the band up initially and then finally forced Dennis out. You friggin' love Styx. That's a testament to their writing and performing timeless music. I was a teen in their heyday. (late 70's early eighties) Their old enough to be your granddad, and the music transcends generations to effect you the same as it did kids of that time. - Good stuff.
subscribed with notifications on
"Shooz" off this same album is a banger for sure. As great as Tommy, James and Dennis were, brothers (now deceased) John (bass) and Chuck (drums) Panozzo really gave this band legs to run on. Their contribution to the overall sound cannot be overstated in my opinion. Such a strong power rythym section.
Chuck Panozzo is (as of this writing) NOT deceased and plays bass, not drums, fool!
Their very best song.
Nice one. Try Pieces of Eight (more social commentary/ avoid materialism)
Tommy Shaw's debut with the band and he really was the missing ingredient they never knew they needed up to that point, it's no coincidence that they soon became mega-successful headliners, when they could stand each other he and DeYoung made for the perfect combination. Of course if they'd had a crystal ball they would have known that, and that it couldn't last, but they had a good run. The Grand Illusion would be my vote for the next Styx track you hit, since you asked (what, you didn't? Oh).
Check out Suite Madam Blue. It really rocks.
Poor James Young never gets any love, but his songs are great too - just different.
James Young is a badass!🤘🤘
One of the greatest bands of the 70's ..check out (Bad Company) ..
I encourage you to take a listen to JY's *"Miss America."* He's the third singer/songwriter in Styx. Very different than Tommy and Dennis.
Tommy wrote this before joining Styx. The original version is still here on RUclips if you want to take a listen to it. By a band called "Harvest".
The music was changed, and a verse was deleted for this version here.
And don't worry, they didn't take it down...
One of the only bands I can say their live versions are better than studio. No auto tune needed
The massive change to Styx's music you've heard about was directly attributable to the song "Babe". It's a "you're my entire universe and I love you so much that I couldn't possibly live another day without you" ballad so cloyingly sweet that hearing it is roughly analogous to eating a big bowl of marshmallows covered in maple syrup. Teeth could rot, and diabetes was a real concern. It was written and sung by Dennis DeYoung, who was its only champion. The rest of the band hated it, and didn't even want to record it. Management liked its commercial appeal though, so it was released as a single.
When it came out, BECAUSE it was so shamelessly sweet, it appealed like candy to overly-romantic teenage girls everywhere. Catering as usual to the teenage girl demographic, radio picked up the ball and ran for the goalposts. It was Styx's first and only single to reach number one on the charts, and was completely impossible to avoid. Styx was at last enjoying the success they'd been working toward with over ten years of nonstop touring.
Success bore the seeds of destruction for Styx. One of their greatest strengths had always been that they weren't locked into any particular style or genre, and having three very different singer/songwriters in the band meant that their music would not be limited to a single aesthetic or a narrow vision. Every member had his own opportunity to shine, and their albums were both eclectic and balanced, and always creative and interesting as a result.
And then came "Babe". As you know, there's a widespread school of thought that "if something works once, you should do the same thing over and over again until you run it into the ground". Seeing the profits and success of "Babe", Dennis DeYoung decided that HIS songs were the only thing the band needed, to the exclusion of anything else. Also seeing the profits and success, Styx's management and record label threw all their support behind DeYoung, and essentially told the other two songwriters that they weren't at all interested in their songs or their opinions.
Now, what do you suppose happened to relations within the band? Correct, they became toxic and combative. To the rest of the band's frustration, work began on the album Kilroy Was Here, which was some sort of half-baked concept album that even Dennis DeYoung couldn't explain. It was completely bizarre, and was conceived to be presented as a Broadway-style stage show. What was shown to the public to generate interest for the show was a series of truly goofy videos on the fledgling MTV. It didn't work, so naturally fingers were pointed in every direction.
Eventually, DeYoung decided that he didn't need to argue with people too dumb to share his vision, and left the band for a solo career. Naturally, management and record label support followed him out the door. After all, the last time Styx had done anything right, it was Dennis DeYoung who did it.
You may recall that Styx's appeal was based on the balance between the three songwriters. Without Tommy Shaw and James Young providing contrast, DeYoung's solo albums and solo career tanked. Without any support (and without DeYoung, the band's most recognizable singer), Styx's subsequent career tanked.
Cut to today. Styx without Dennis DeYoung is still touring nonstop on the Oldies Circuit, playing to an audience which is slowly shrinking due to their original fans getting older, then deader. Dennis DeYoung isn't even doing as well as that. And the great band that Styx was is no more. American Tragedy strikes again.
Clair de lune Ballerina on this album has a mind blowingly awesome guitar solo. All of their 70s albums are magical. Even their new stuff is good. I think the Cyclorama album is a modern classic. My favorite album of theirs is The Serpent is Rising. A heavy and haunting album to me.
Tommy Shaw sings and plays the lead guitar in this song. When Tommy Shaw joined the band they were a good rock and roll band. As the years went by they started doing silly songs like Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto. That was due to Dennis DeYoung, the keyboard player. He wanted to take the band in a different direction and Tommy Shaw was not happy with that. So in other words as the years went by they started to suck
A decent tune for me, didn't really get into this one as much as a few of their other tunes...a little too mellow for me. Hoping to see you do Miss america soon!!
We all make choices and for the most part I believe the choices we make are the best ones for each of us at any given moment in time. Sometimes those choices may be regretted in the future but we won't know until we reach that point in time. I would LOVE to be able to go back to when I was 10 and start over....RETAINING my current memories. But the butterfly effect might have quite devastating circumstances if that choice was taken. However, the unknown will always be that...unknown.
Another interesting song that will surprise you and has a very deep meaning is "after forever" by black sabbath. Check it out, you will be in awe of the message of the song.
Tommy bleepin Shaw!!! He wrote this when he was sixteen. I tend to like the Tommy Shaw songs the best. Great singer, fantastic guitar player, great lyricist. When he joined the band in 75-76 they shot to stardom quickly!!!
Tommy shaw singing all lead vocals
a girl named Jennifer which is a cut from this lp I use to either sing it to her or played for on the cd now that you put it that way could I go back in time to change. Jennifer was a girl I worked with but she was a minor and had major crush on me she was 17 I was 30 so I tried every thing to convince her to find someone her own age, I was dating another girl my age at another job who use to pass me notes at work. So one night after work I had to drive Jennifer home, I had the note in my car where she could see it we both in the car I made an excuse to go back inside for a minute, it worked she found and read the note, and that was how it ended. But sometimes I wished I played slow with her till she it 18 then date her. I think I missed out on someone who really was in love with me, for someone where the relationship was one of convenience that ended shortly after that.
I'd recommend Snowblind, from the Paradise Theater album. That album is kind of a concept album, I guess. But Snowblind is an odd song out on that one. I think I probably played Crystal Ball a hundred times on jukeboxes, though. Fun song. :)
Styx, "Babe." ✌
Styx actually had several changes, and this album marks the first that Tommy Shaw contributed to, as he joined them as guitarist and singer. Not many bands have pipes like Tommy Shaw AND Dennis DeYoung singing for them. Imagine have Dennis DeYoung as your backup singer providing amazing harmonies, such are as in this...or vice-versa. Another that comes to mind (other than the Beatles) would be Triumph. They deserve a listen if you like great harmonies. Rik Emmett and Gil Moore of Triumph get it done! Check out Lay It on the Line, Fight the Good Fight, Hold On, World of Fantasy, or Blinding Light Show.
I definitely want to go back and time and tell my younger self not to be such a twit! :P
This is Tommy Shaw singing, not Dennis DeYoung.
I've seen a vintage Twilight Zone episode where a man, living in present day, can transport back in time and he does so, warning authorities about the assassination of President Lincoln and then he goes back to WWII in Germany and attempts to kill Hitler with a rifle...all in the reason to avoid terrible things that happened in the past that affected the futures of history.......that seams more effective than to go into the future and try to tell politicians what will happen, and they must do things to avoid whatever problems will happen.....if you get my point...but it's a great question: Do you want to go ahead in time, or go back? I would go back at least for a few days in Imperial Rome or Greece.....England 16th century .....stuff like that.
I'm telling yea check out Firefall, Strange Way and Livin ain't Livin
Please check out the LIVE version (1977) of this. I think you might like it.
As you have noticed I'm into Old Dogs doing new trix, listen to "Heavy Metal Poisining"
Styx the story behind it is Tommy Shaw was living on the street.. not sure what he was going to do with his life.. And ( Styx) picked him up and the rest is history.. saw a interview.. have been listening to this band for over 45 years..
Dennis DeYoung seemed to have that desire to look into the future, and to know the future of America, and the world, which in my opinion, is beginning to look pretty dark.
Oh look! Miss America is queued up and ready to go... :)
Styx snowblind
Please check out Suite Madame Blue the live version.
Hello Daniel, Perhaps To much time on my hands, a good one IMO. You might not be able to change it, and, you may not want to know. It would eliminate the element of surprise. Good song and reaction. Best, C.
Styx? Loreli!
Dicon, do you ever say to yourself, "man, I was born 30 years too late?" when listening to all of this amazing music from the distant past.
I say "what the hell are artists thinking?":)
Good tune, but I always thought of it as the poor man's "Come Sail Away".