Pathetic

[chowhall]

Styx, REO Speedwagon Co-Write Song About the Beatles
Posted by Evan Schlansky on March 1st, 2009
"Raise your hand if you love REO Speedwagon, or still listen to the mighty Styx.

Okay, now put your hand back down. People can see you.

To promote their upcoming joint tour, the two 80’s bands have teamed up to record a new single, “Can’t Stop Rockin’,” co-written by REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin and Styx’s Tommy Shaw. “Can’t Stop Rockin’” will make its radio debut this month, and will also be available for download.

The new song pays homage to “four boys from England.” Now who could that be?

Here’s a sample lyric:

The whole thing started 1963
Young girls screamin’
Black and white TV
I was so ready, for something to set me free
Those four boys from England, singin’ right to me

And:

When I was lost, they were there to hold my hand
When everyone said no, no, no, they said yeah, yeah, yeah

What the hell is this article? Those lyrics are from Can't Stop Rockin' off REO's Building The Bridge album. It was released in 1996.

It was www.americansongwriter.com and it looks like he's already fixed his mistake. He edited his article without the song reference.

[Monker]

A bit too early to pass judgement since I doubt any of us have heard this. I'm hopeful this will at least be better than "Just Be" which I never liked.

Point: I have *always* loved "Just Be." Just because it's mellow, doesn't mean it sucks. The melody is haunting, the harmonies are fantastic, and the message is poignant.

I much prefer that to say, "Waiting for Our Time" or even "Witness" for as far as Tommy efforts go. I like both those tunes, but "Just be" is much more powerful, for ME.

About time somebody stood up for that song here. I like both of the 'new' songs off of the CYO album. They are not the best songs ever written. but, they don't have to be either. They are solid songs and I wouldn't mind hearing more songs like them.

[pinkfloyd1973]

A bit too early to pass judgement since I doubt any of us have heard this. I'm hopeful this will at least be better than "Just Be" which I never liked.

Point: I have *always* loved "Just Be." Just because it's mellow, doesn't mean it sucks. The melody is haunting, the harmonies are fantastic, and the message is poignant.

I much prefer that to say, "Waiting for Our Time" or even "Witness" for as far as Tommy efforts go. I like both those tunes, but "Just be" is much more powerful, for ME.

About time somebody stood up for that song here. I like both of the 'new' songs off of the CYO album. They are not the best songs ever written. but, they don't have to be either. They are solid songs and I wouldn't mind hearing more songs like them.

Another guilty pleasure, I LOVE "Yes I Can" (running and ducking...this'll definitely get me kicked off the DDY board)



Robin

[StyxCollector]

About time somebody stood up for that song here. I like both of the 'new' songs off of the CYO album. They are not the best songs ever written. but, they don't have to be either. They are solid songs and I wouldn't mind hearing more songs like them.

No one said they had to be genius. At this point from either Styx or Dennis I'm not hoping for the redux of The Grand Illusion. Everything All The Time is the better of the two. As I said, to each his or her own. I go into all of this stuff with an open mind. Sometimes it's a pleasant surprise, other times it dissapoints.

[Monker]

Everything All The Time is the better of the two..

The above is what I mean...and why I feel these forums are no longer worth my time....or at least a very minute portion of it.

You state the above as a fact...a froy'ism, not as you opinion - which it really is. That is done too often for my taste nowadays and I no longer have the stubborness to deal with it.

Yes, you qualify it later in your post. However, the REAL fact is that saying one song is better then the other in such a way is an implied effort to diminish someone elses opinion...whether you intend to or not.

I'd rather like what I like and to Hell with insignificant froy'isms posted on forums like this.

I'd rather have an entire album of "Just Be" then another album like Kilroy or Edge. If that is where Tommy and Styx are at - then it is very fine by me. I have always believed that a band should be who they are rather then what people on forums like this say they should be. If people don't like it, so be it.

[Ehwmatt]

Everything All The Time is the better of the two..

The above is what I mean...and why I feel these forums are no longer worth my time....or at least a very minute portion of it.

You state the above as a fact...a froy'ism, not as you opinion - which it really is. That is done too often for my taste nowadays and I no longer have the stubborness to deal with it.

Yes, you qualify it later in your post. However, the REAL fact is that saying one song is better then the other in such a way is an implied effort to diminish someone elses opinion...whether you intend to or not.

I'd rather like what I like and to Hell with insignificant froy'isms posted on forums like this.

I'd rather have an entire album of "Just Be" then another album like Kilroy or Edge. If that is where Tommy and Styx are at - then it is very fine by me. I have always believed that a band should be who they are rather then what people on forums like this say they should be. If people don't like it, so be it.

I like Just Be more than EATT, but isn't it a given when he makes a statement of his own preference that it's an opinion? I don't think an "imo" is necessary before every single opinionated sentence one chooses to write.

[Zan]

To celebrate their upcoming trek together, STYX and REO Speedwagon teamed up to record a new single, “Can't Stop Rockin',” co-written by REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin and STYX's Tommy Shaw. “Can't Stop Rockin'” makes its radio debut in March and will be available for download


When we didn't think the current lineup could stoop to a lower level, they manage to surprise us once again... Now you have to team up with another band to record a new single? How pathetic is that? It is either a desperate attempt at some form of airplay, an indication that Styx is not talented enough to record a single by themselves, or a desperate cry for help...


(or maybe JY in his infantile ways, has to have something out there to "compete" with 100 years from now...)

McCartney and Stevie Wonder recorded a song together so I guess they're pathetic too, oh wait so did Mick Jagger and Bowie,
and so did Greenday and U2. I guess they're all pathetic.

Are you referring to "Ebony and Ivory"? That was one of the WORST songs that either of those guys ever did. Not a good comparison.

wait a minute! Hold the phone...How can you SAY that?? It was NUMBER ONE. It sold MILLIONS of records. It MUST BE genius. Just like "Babe," which was SO not pathetic.

[Monker]

Everything All The Time is the better of the two..

The above is what I mean...and why I feel these forums are no longer worth my time....or at least a very minute portion of it.

You state the above as a fact...a froy'ism, not as you opinion - which it really is. That is done too often for my taste nowadays and I no longer have the stubborness to deal with it.

Yes, you qualify it later in your post. However, the REAL fact is that saying one song is better then the other in such a way is an implied effort to diminish someone elses opinion...whether you intend to or not.

I'd rather like what I like and to Hell with insignificant froy'isms posted on forums like this.

I'd rather have an entire album of "Just Be" then another album like Kilroy or Edge. If that is where Tommy and Styx are at - then it is very fine by me. I have always believed that a band should be who they are rather then what people on forums like this say they should be. If people don't like it, so be it.

I like Just Be more than EATT, but isn't it a given when he makes a statement of his own preference that it's an opinion? I don't think an "imo" is necessary before every single opinionated sentence one chooses to write.

This is not an "opinionated" statement, "Everything All The Time is the better of the two." That is someone stating something as fact and then later qualifying it as an opinion.

But, continue on....

All I wanted to say is that, for me anyways, too much of the talk on these forums is more directed at dragging down others opinions then stating your own opinion of what you like...Not that it matters what I think....I just wanted to state it.

[Zan]

I like Just Be more than EATT, but isn't it a given when he makes a statement of his own preference that it's an opinion? I don't think an "imo" is necessary before every single opinionated sentence one chooses to write.

This is not an "opinionated" statement, "Everything All The Time is the better of the two." That is someone stating something as fact and then later qualifying it as an opinion.

But, continue on....

All I wanted to say is that, for me anyways, too much of the talk on these forums is more directed at dragging down others opinions then stating your own opinion of what you like...Not that it matters what I think....I just wanted to state it.

FWIW, I understand what you're saying, and I see it too. It does grow tiresome seeing it all the time, but I think the "accepted as fact" standard is due to the way so many people are ready to jump on the "co-sign everyone's bullshit" bandwagon. If enough people present it as fact, it starts to "become" fact to those people.

Then again, it doesn't matter at all. Just one of those quirky little oddities that separates Styx fans from normal people.

[Ehwmatt]

I like Just Be more than EATT, but isn't it a given when he makes a statement of his own preference that it's an opinion? I don't think an "imo" is necessary before every single opinionated sentence one chooses to write.

This is not an "opinionated" statement, "Everything All The Time is the better of the two." That is someone stating something as fact and then later qualifying it as an opinion.

But, continue on....

All I wanted to say is that, for me anyways, too much of the talk on these forums is more directed at dragging down others opinions then stating your own opinion of what you like...Not that it matters what I think....I just wanted to state it.

FWIW, I understand what you're saying, and I see it too. It does grow tiresome seeing it all the time, but I think the "accepted as fact" standard is due to the way so many people are ready to jump on the "co-sign everyone's bullshit" bandwagon. If enough people present it as fact, it starts to "become" fact to those people.

Then again, it doesn't matter at all. Just one of those quirky little oddities that separates Styx fans from normal people.

It's an opinion, no matter what the author of the statement believes. It should be treated as such.

[Toph]

Why is trying something different, co-writing, or collaborating "pathetic?" Seriously, I want to know.

There's only one thing about this thread that strikes me as pathetic, and it has nothing to do with Tommy Shaw or Kevin Cronin.

It not just co-writing. Its two groups reccording a song together. So, how is it going to be listed (Styx and REO Speedwagon? REO Speedwagon and Styx?) I don't think I've ever heard of two groups recording a single together. Two individual singers doing a duet, but two groups? The only one I can think of is the Beach Boys and the Fat Boys recording Wipeout - and we all know what a serious, critically acclaimed piece of music that one was..

All I am saying here, is that they shouldn't have to resort to silly gimmicks to sell a record or a tour. If you have new music, then record new music. Don't go in with REO and record a tune with the same title as your "tour" strictly to be able to have both bands come out for the encore and do the song in some contrived "let's play together for one last tune" type of thing. That is what I meant by pathetic. Record your own shit and don't record some gay "Can't stop rockin'!" song with another band. That is a cry for help. It's too over the top and it's just too stupid.

[chowhall]

Why is trying something different, co-writing, or collaborating "pathetic?" Seriously, I want to know.

There's only one thing about this thread that strikes me as pathetic, and it has nothing to do with Tommy Shaw or Kevin Cronin.

It not just co-writing. Its two groups reccording a song together. So, how is it going to be listed (Styx and REO Speedwagon? REO Speedwagon and Styx?) I don't think I've ever heard of two groups recording a single together. Two individual singers doing a duet, but two groups? The only one I can think of is the Beach Boys and the Fat Boys recording Wipeout - and we all know what a serious, critically acclaimed piece of music that one was..

All I am saying here, is that they shouldn't have to resort to silly gimmicks to sell a record or a tour. If you have new music, then record new music. Don't go in with REO and record a tune with the same title as your "tour" strictly to be able to have both bands come out for the encore and do the song in some contrived "let's play together for one last tune" type of thing. That is what I meant by pathetic. Record your own shit and don't record some gay "Can't stop rockin'!" song with another band. That is a cry for help. It's too over the top and it's just too stupid.

Since you haven't even heard the song yet, it's too early to condemn it. It may very well be lame and pathetic, but you at least have to hear it first. Who knows, a song with Tommy and Kevin might actually sound good. It worked pretty well with Tommy and Jack. Be skeptical sure, but at least listen to it before you trash it.

[kansas666]

I see it as nothing more than a simple marketing tactic.

They have been known to jam together at the end of the show and play together on each other's songs.

This just gives them another song to jam together on.

People get so excited about these things.

[yogi]

Tommy & Kevin did 'Straight Down The Line' on Tommy's Deadly Zens CD.

Tommy had already done it with Jack and I liked that version better, still he and Kevin do have a track record of recording together.

[Ehwmatt]

Why is trying something different, co-writing, or collaborating "pathetic?" Seriously, I want to know.

There's only one thing about this thread that strikes me as pathetic, and it has nothing to do with Tommy Shaw or Kevin Cronin.

It not just co-writing. Its two groups reccording a song together. So, how is it going to be listed (Styx and REO Speedwagon? REO Speedwagon and Styx?) I don't think I've ever heard of two groups recording a single together. Two individual singers doing a duet, but two groups? The only one I can think of is the Beach Boys and the Fat Boys recording Wipeout - and we all know what a serious, critically acclaimed piece of music that one was..

All I am saying here, is that they shouldn't have to resort to silly gimmicks to sell a record or a tour. If you have new music, then record new music. Don't go in with REO and record a tune with the same title as your "tour" strictly to be able to have both bands come out for the encore and do the song in some contrived "let's play together for one last tune" type of thing. That is what I meant by pathetic. Record your own shit and don't record some gay "Can't stop rockin'!" song with another band. That is a cry for help. It's too over the top and it's just too stupid.

REMINDER: We are talking about STYX here. Fucking Styx. They are universally considered too over the top and too stupid. The song might be good or it might be terrible, I'd just wait if I were you.

[brywool]

About time somebody stood up for that song here. I like both of the 'new' songs off of the CYO album. They are not the best songs ever written. but, they don't have to be either. They are solid songs and I wouldn't mind hearing more songs like them.

No one said they had to be genius. At this point from either Styx or Dennis I'm not hoping for the redux of The Grand Illusion. Everything All The Time is the better of the two. As I said, to each his or her own. I go into all of this stuff with an open mind. Sometimes it's a pleasant surprise, other times it dissapoints.

Everything all the Time rocks. I love that song. I like Just Be too.
On Yes I Can, I'm trying to do this in an acoustic duo. I think it'd be a great tune.

[brywool]

Tommy & Kevin did 'Straight Down The Line' on Tommy's Deadly Zens CD.

Tommy had already done it with Jack and I liked that version better, still he and Kevin do have a track record of recording together.

I really like SDTL on Zens. I hate Cronin, but I love that song.

[KWH17]

This song may just be an excuse for all of them to jam together at the end, but personally that's what I'm hoping for!

I like Everything All The Time as well, but I haven't heard Just Be yet so I can't pass judgment on it.

[Monker]

Why is trying something different, co-writing, or collaborating "pathetic?" Seriously, I want to know.

There's only one thing about this thread that strikes me as pathetic, and it has nothing to do with Tommy Shaw or Kevin Cronin.

It not just co-writing. Its two groups reccording a song together. So, how is it going to be listed (Styx and REO Speedwagon? REO Speedwagon and Styx?) I don't think I've ever heard of two groups recording a single together. Two individual singers doing a duet, but two groups? The only one I can think of is the Beach Boys and the Fat Boys recording Wipeout - and we all know what a serious, critically acclaimed piece of music that one was..

Aerosmith and Run DMC

[froy]

Tommy & Kevin did 'Straight Down The Line' on Tommy's Deadly Zens CD.

Tommy had already done it with Jack and I liked that version better, still he and Kevin do have a track record of recording together.

I really like SDTL on Zens. I hate Cronin, but I love that song.

The entire fukin cd is killer..

[StyxCollector]

Everything All The Time is the better of the two..

The above is what I mean...and why I feel these forums are no longer worth my time....or at least a very minute portion of it.

You state the above as a fact...a froy'ism, not as you opinion - which it really is. That is done too often for my taste nowadays and I no longer have the stubborness to deal with it.

Does every statement really need an IMO? Of course that's my opinion. It's implied. Are people around here really that impared not to understand that?

Yes, you qualify it later in your post. However, the REAL fact is that saying one song is better then the other in such a way is an implied effort to diminish someone elses opinion...whether you intend to or not.

I'd rather like what I like and to Hell with insignificant froy'isms posted on forums like this.

So what is your problem then? Grow a set. Get out your flak jacket on the Wild West otherwise known as the Internet. People have opinions! News at 11!

I'd rather have an entire album of "Just Be" then another album like Kilroy or Edge. If that is where Tommy and Styx are at - then it is very fine by me. I have always believed that a band should be who they are rather then what people on forums like this say they should be. If people don't like it, so be it.

Side two of Kilroy features some of the best Styx moments ("Haven't We Been Here Before", "Double Life", "Just Get Through This Night") ... oh, I'm sorry, in my opinion. Dennis has interesting things to say about KWH that I think will surprise people. But that's for another time.

Edge also has some great moments - especially "All In A Day's Work".

Neither album is "the best ever". We're not getting The Grand Illusion II. We're not getting Pieces of Eight II. Heck, we're not even getting Plexiglass Toilet lol (since people have a hard time interpreting, I'll just point out that one was sarcasm) We have an older Tommy, Dennis, JY, all of whom are still writing, recording, and playing. Anyone who expects them to be the same person and artist they were 10, 20, or 30+ years ago is really delusional.

And just for you, IMO, IME, and all that jazz.

EDIT: For the record, you'll notice a lot of people disagree with me on both "Everything All The Time" and "Just Be". I certainly don't expect anyone to agree with me on that point. If they do, fine. If not, I'm not losing sleep over it.