Styx 20 biggest impact songs

[Toph]

Styx 20 biggest impact songs
Thought I’d do this one. This is not to be confused with best songs or most artistic songs or whatever. These are the 20 songs that made the biggest impact from Styx. Impact = it's effect on the masses. So without further adieu…

20. Love At First Sight – I know, WTF, right? No it has not met the test of time, but makes the list because it will go down in history as the very last Styx song to crack the Billboard Pop Top 40 (#25 in 1991). Styx never had (and never will) have a song that is one of the Top40 in the land again. So because of that fact alone, it gets special mention.

19. Miss America – Really, really wanted to leave JY off this list due to his being a genuine a-hole, but in trying to make this as legit as possible have to include the fourth song off their biggest album. Less airplay than other rock tracks, but its JY’s moment to shine in concert and imagine it will always be part of the setlist as long as he’s living and breathing. Do note that it’s not so big that DDY considers it a must play in his concerts.

18. Lorelei – Went to #27 pop, the first charting single on A&M records and the first single release off the Equinox album. Played by both groups today in concert, although garners less classic rock airplay than other songs. Still a great pop rocker.

17. Desert Moon – technically a DDY solo song, but was slated to be on the 1985 Styx album that never happened and was the only solo Styx song to break through into the top 10. Top rated video as well as a nostalgic piece that has been given new life by the Dennis DeYoung band’s inclusion into set lists.

16. Boat On The River - while not released as a single in the US, Styx biggest international hit - hitting top 10 on multiple European charts as well as a being a huge hit in Japan. Should have been released in the US.

15. AD 1928/Rockin The Paradise – The first track of The Paradise Theater, great concert video, classic rock staple, and one of the first videos ever played on MTV. Its strength is shown by the fact that both touring groups ensure this song plays a big role in their concerts.

14. Crystal Ball – Hot damn! Tommy Shaw! The first big impact song from the guitarist who joined in ’75, Crystal Ball was the title track of his debut album with the band. While not heard as often on classic rock radio as some of the others on this list, still showcased a huge shift in sound by the band and is often part of the concert set.

13. Suite Madame Blue – Breakthrough song in Canada as well as a consistent classic rock staple in the USA. The longest song on the list as it clocks in at just under 7 minutes. A true opus.

12. Don’t Let It End – Has there ever been a top 10 single that has gotten less love? Recall, this went all the way to #6 and was the 60th biggest song for all of 1983. Yet, it was never played in concert after 1983 until being resurrected by DDY in 1999. A shame as it is a solid ballad, but has been forgotten over the years.

11. Foolin’ Yourself – The second single off the Grand Illusion and a full glimpse of the Stygian mix of acoustic guitar combined with the Oberheim synth. Continues to garner airplay on classic rock stations and is played by both touring versions of Styx. My personal favorite Tommy song.

10. Blue Collar Man – While most people believe that Renegade was the lead single off this album, it was Blue Collar Man which became a concert and compilation staple. Which version is your favorite? – there’s a lot to choose from. That being said, it starts the top 10 due to its staying the test of time as a classic rock staple

9. The Grand Illusion – Title track off the band’s biggest album and concert staple as well as mainstay on classic rock radio. The fact that the current band keeps this DeYoung song in its setlist showcases the power of this track.

8. Show Me The Way – The song that launched a small 1990s comeback. Went all the way to #3 and became the anthem of the Gulf War. Lots of veterans still get teary eyed when this song comes on. But as the gulf war ended, so did this song’s impact. As underrated as a song that charted that high can be.

7. Too Much Time On My Hands – Let’s hear it for the Paradise Theater and this song which is Tommy Shaw’s first top 10 single (#9). Song continues to endure, is played on both classic rock and 80s stations alike, and is a concert and fan staple.

6. The Best Of Times – Like Show Me The Way, for a song that went all the way to #3, didn’t really stand the test of time as well as it should have. But as the lead single off the band’s only #1 album, its impact is unquestionable. Like SMTW, kept alive by the DDY band’s tours.

5. Lady – Arguably this could be #1 because if Lady doesn’t hit then nothing on this list ever happens. The one that broke it open and “got the whole train a’rollin’”

4. Renegade – The highest impact song that didn’t go top 10 (#16) in this list. Has had a bigger impact after it was popular than when it was initially released. Little known fact – it was the “B” side to Sing For The Day. After SFTD stiffed at #41, it was then discovered and released in its own right. A classic rock staple, a concert highlight, and of course, the theme of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

3. Mr. Roboto – Domo Ariagoto – a cultural phenomenon. For many cursory music fans, the one song associated with Styx. Went to either #2 or #3 depending on what chart you are using. Lots of people don’t like it (including me), but you can’t doubt its impact.

2. Babe – Created a new genre of Styx fans – their only #1 single. Along with Roboto, the most polarizing song on this list, but made a huge impact and brought in a brand new set of fans as well as a People’s Choice Award and being named the most popular group in the US in 1980.

1. Come Sail Away – The lead single off the biggest album. The consummate Styx song – went top 10 and today is the song most closely associated with the group. The song with undoubtedly the biggest impact.

Honorable Mention - Light Up, Borrowed Time, Why Me, Mademoiselle, Snowblind, Haven’t We Been Here Before, First Time, Sing For The Day, Best Thing

Agree or disagree?

[yogi]

Damn Poth I am glad you didnt exit as promised after this 'Assembly Line'. I actually agree 89.1%. I'd have Lady@ #2, Babe #3, Renegade @ #4, and Roboto @ 5. I would also flip flop Suite Madame Blue and Dont Let It End. Other than that your chart is PERFECT.

In your honorable mention, I would also give Roseland some love. To me that along with Paradise both would have been top 10 had they been released back in the day. Born For Adventure,GREATEST Styx prog song of all time. and Love In The Midnight is an underrated hidden gem.

GREAT topic and great list with some inside info that I didnt know( Desert Moon was suppose to be a Styx song??)

No Music Time??? that drudge did chart at #40

[Boomchild]

Interesting statement about Desert Moon. I don't think I ever heard Dennis mention that is was actually slated for a Styx album. I always thought that was written for and at the time of his first solo album. I remember Dennis commenting that if it was released as a Styx song he felt it would have been another #1 hit for Styx. Also Music Time should be number 1. That song Rocks!!!

[cittadeeno23]

Dennis' exact words in concert last year were "Dessert Moon should have been a Styx song."

I'm not sure if that means he wrote it for a Styx album or not. I don't know if it was written before or after Tommy bailed out on the rest of the guys after Kilroy.

[Everett]

You don't like roboto topher?

I agree with most of the list. Although just because love at first
sight was the last official "hit" doesn't really mean it had to be
included in a list of "carreer defining" songs.

[cittadeeno23]

Love at First Sight should have gone top 10. Right before it was released a whole bunch of top 40 stations changed format. Grunge was really kicking in and F*cking up everything for everybody else. Show me the Way got in just under the wire.
Nirvana and Stone Temple Pilots still piss me off to this day, those bastards!

[Toph]

Love at First Sight should have gone top 10. Right before it was released a whole bunch of top 40 stations changed format. Grunge was really kicking in and F*cking up everything for everybody else. Show me the Way got in just under the wire.
Nirvana and Stone Temple Pilots still piss me off to this day, those bastards!

It started a domino effect.

The Top 40 stations switch to grunge. LAFS is released. Does a respectable but not overwhelming peak at #25 - mid chart hit. Then A&M, seeing writing on wall, dumps plans to release 4th single off Edge (rumor was that it was going to be All In A Day's Work) and drops Styx altogether off label. Styx, hoping Edge would provide leverage, now out in the cold with NO deal. Can you imagine if LAFS went top 10, AIADW released and goes top 20 and maybe top 10. Then maybe try again with a rock track like the title track or Not Dead Yet -all of a sudden, Edge becomes a pretty big album and Styx gets resigned. I know this is a total ifs and buts were candy and nuts type of thought pattern, but it is interesting to see the negative effect that grunge had on Styx and literally affected its future. But then again, if Styx signs a multi-album deal with A&M, you don't have the 96 reunion with Shaw.

[yogi]

Damn Poth you must religiously be drinking your ounce of sense coupled with 2 ounces of intelligence daily.
Your posts have been SPOT on!! BEST 'Assembly Line' in a year and you are the author of it. Congrats!!!! I agree 100% with the songs on there with only a slight variation in order.

Pat yourself on the back!!