This was a concept album, telling a fictionalized story about Chicago’s Paradise Theatre. It was built in 1928 and closed in the 50’s, then ultimately demolished. They used it as a metaphor for the changes that were happening from the 70’s into the 80’s, but instead of lamenting about them they sang about hope.
This is a mid-tempo love song by Dennis DeYoung with another good/uplifting message of no matter how bad the times are, you can still have a happy life with those your love. Note that this song was used in the movie "Big Daddy" (along with other Styx songs and references). A number of Styx songs have good messages and an possitive character, and even those that are not so upbeat have a message of hope. I mentioned a few songs off the same album on your reaction to "The Grand Illusion", and "Fooling Yourself" has such a good message(and it is the song that got me into Styx back in 1977). Check out the album version, or a live version with the CYO. Journey has a consistant beat to most of their songs(like a car steadily running down a straight road), where this and other Styx songs tend to have dynamic pacing and progressive elements. It seems to me like you've taken an unusual winding path through the Styx catalog, and IMO have just touched on a couple of their best songs. Yes, they have a wide variety of song styles; but while "Babe" and "Mr. Roboto" might be well known they are somewhat outliers in the usual Styx fare; and "The Grand Illusion" was an album title track it was more of a "Welcome to the album" introduction track. You can check out my suggestions for more Styx in my comments on your reaction to "Mr. Roboto" a year ago.
I love this song. STYX has many good songs. It always makes me think of the toddler years of raising my son and being tired and spent but realizing it was the absolute pinnacle of life. The best of times.
Great choice! Thats my favorite Styx album. Not just the songs (check out Snowblind and Half Penny Two Penny with James Young on vocals. But the cover art was beautiful. The B side of the vinyl was laser etched with the album cover (a technological marvel at the time). And I agree with the comment about Desert Moon…beautiful song.
One thing you wouldn't know about this period of time is that in basically this whole era of Styx, it was also the prime era of fantasy fiction, including the revival of older works like "The Lord of the Rings." We don't really have bookstores or stores filled with posters anymore, at least not like we used to, but if the previous decade had been for classic science fiction, this decade was for sword and sorcery type fantasies. And then cyberpunk started kicking in on the scifi side. Those are rough generalizations, but generally so, and you would see it reflected in films.
I've had the pleasure of seeing them 3 times. Twice with the original lineup and once with the new one, Unfortunately, this was the final album they put out with the original group. Dennis DeYoung wanted to go showy and JY and Tommy wanted to keep rocking. Lawrence McGowin is good but he's no Dennis DeYoung. They're still touring to this day.
this really is a concept album and you should listen to the whole album...theres stand out tracks but the story really makes it great...rocking the paradise..snowblind..too much time on my hands..
Dennis DeYoung who sang lead here had a big hit when he went solo after leaving Styx. The song is called Desert Moon. I'm sure you will enjoy it!
This was a concept album, telling a fictionalized story about Chicago’s Paradise Theatre. It was built in 1928 and closed in the 50’s, then ultimately demolished. They used it as a metaphor for the changes that were happening from the 70’s into the 80’s, but instead of lamenting about them they sang about hope.
I was fortunate to see them on their Cornerstone tour in 1979 as a 13 year old. Great concert.
This is a mid-tempo love song by Dennis DeYoung with another good/uplifting message of no matter how bad the times are, you can still have a happy life with those your love. Note that this song was used in the movie "Big Daddy" (along with other Styx songs and references).
A number of Styx songs have good messages and an possitive character, and even those that are not so upbeat have a message of hope. I mentioned a few songs off the same album on your reaction to "The Grand Illusion", and "Fooling Yourself" has such a good message(and it is the song that got me into Styx back in 1977). Check out the album version, or a live version with the CYO.
Journey has a consistant beat to most of their songs(like a car steadily running down a straight road), where this and other Styx songs tend to have dynamic pacing and progressive elements.
It seems to me like you've taken an unusual winding path through the Styx catalog, and IMO have just touched on a couple of their best songs. Yes, they have a wide variety of song styles; but while "Babe" and "Mr. Roboto" might be well known they are somewhat outliers in the usual Styx fare; and "The Grand Illusion" was an album title track it was more of a "Welcome to the album" introduction track.
You can check out my suggestions for more Styx in my comments on your reaction to "Mr. Roboto" a year ago.
I love this song. STYX has many good songs. It always makes me think of the toddler years of raising my son and being tired and spent but realizing it was the absolute pinnacle of life. The best of times.
The title track of this album "Rockin' the Paradise" was amazing
Great choice! Thats my favorite Styx album. Not just the songs (check out Snowblind and Half Penny Two Penny with James Young on vocals. But the cover art was beautiful. The B side of the vinyl was laser etched with the album cover (a technological marvel at the time).
And I agree with the comment about Desert Moon…beautiful song.
Yes, and I have this album it is one of my treasures from that time!
Listen to Rocking in Paradise from the same album...off the chain good.
Please react to their song “ Lady”, if you haven’t already. Fantastic song as well. 💜🙂✌️👍
I prefer STYX over Journey, but the guitar tone and parts of the song do remind me of Journey's song, "Who's Crying Now".
One thing you wouldn't know about this period of time is that in basically this whole era of Styx, it was also the prime era of fantasy fiction, including the revival of older works like "The Lord of the Rings." We don't really have bookstores or stores filled with posters anymore, at least not like we used to, but if the previous decade had been for classic science fiction, this decade was for sword and sorcery type fantasies. And then cyberpunk started kicking in on the scifi side. Those are rough generalizations, but generally so, and you would see it reflected in films.
Zager and Evens " In the year 2525" 1969 in the year 2525 if man is still alive, if women can survive! Future is predicted in 1969.
I've had the pleasure of seeing them 3 times. Twice with the original lineup and once with the new one,
Unfortunately, this was the final album they put out with the original group. Dennis DeYoung wanted to
go showy and JY and Tommy wanted to keep rocking. Lawrence McGowin is good but he's no Dennis DeYoung.
They're still touring to this day.
Snowblind
Absolutely 💯 🔥
Gotta do Dennis DeYoung’s solo song (with the extremely cheesy 80s video), called Desert Moon. It’s such a great 80s song. I think 1984 or so.
"Crystal Ball"
Styx 💯💯😚😚
this really is a concept album and you should listen to the whole album...theres stand out tracks but the story really makes it great...rocking the paradise..snowblind..too much time on my hands..
Snowblind from the same album
Agreed. Get to discover what a surprisingly great voice James Young (aka JY) has on this one.
No more reasons to pretend, here comes that same old feeling again... I've got it easily in my top 20 all time great rock songs