The Poll for which track we COVER is up on Patreon!! Along with that Full Album Reaction for REVOLVER!!! The Options! 🔥⬇️ Limelight - Rush Won’t Get Fooled Again - The Who Gimme Shelter - The Rolling Stones The Chain - Fleetwood Mac! Thank you all for the support we will keep putting in the effort to give you guys the best reactions/content we can!!! Cheers guys hope you enjoy this STYX Reaction!!
"Give me a job, give me security, give me a chance to survive." Written during the Carter administration when inflation and unemployment were both high. Tommy Shaw was writing about the dignity of work. The dignity of making your own way. The dignity of taking care of your family- even when the work sucks. So tomorrow I'll get up at 3:30, walk the dog, clock in by 5:00, put in 9 hours before a three day weekend, wearing a knee brace and a COVID-19 mask in the worst Michigan heatwave in years. Dignity man. Taking care of the family.
Paul...thank you for being an honest American and living the dream. It's not all riches and the high life. Taking care of a family is the most rewarding and dignifying job one can have, right up there with motherhood.
Would you like me to be honest with you guys? I am a 55-year-old grandfather, and I think you guys are exceptional and do a hell of a job listening and appreciating the tunes that I grew up with my entire life. But if I am honest and I know I will be, the real reason you guys rock is because you do not constantly pause the rhythm. You guys, thank Christ, are NOT Pause Pirates.
I thought pausing on reaction videos was something required to not violate copyright. Am I wrong? I know @Jamel aka Jamal says he has to pause every song he does. I thought that's what he meant.
@@sallyphillips9175 I thought so too - and btw I'm curious what the Venn diagram of the A&A and J_aka_J audience looks like, it ought to be nearly a perfect circle :-) Also weird that they can do this here, but Rick Beato gets his videos taken down for using short clips in analyzing What Makes This Song Great? (like, why would anyone have any kind of problem having their stuff used in that context?). RU-vid's (and the record companies' IP bots') algorithms work in mysterious ways...
Agreed! Of all the music reaction channels on RU-vid, you guys offer the most insightful and interesting commentary. It’s a real pleasure hearing you become new fans of my favorite music.
Styx's "Foolin Yourself" has been a rock radio staple for decades with good reason. It will impress the hell out of you. SUCH a fantastic listen. Check it out, men!
Fooling Yourself , Renegade , The Grand Illusion , Miss America and Suite Madame Blue should also go on your list Stay in the 70’s with Styx for the time being
I know it was overplayed back in the day, but I like Come Sail Away also. But Fooling Yourself and Renegade are my faves on that album. Oh, Lady isn't a bad track either. A bit earlier.
Karen Kriske such a great song. It was a huge hit when it came out, too. I think the lyrics to “Grand Illusion” are fitting for the times we’re in, as well. “Deep inside we’re all the same.” ❤️
STYX ~ "Lorelei" Sweet Madam Blue" "Why Me" "I'm OK" "Snowblind" "Miss America" "Lights" "Love In The Midnight" "Queen Of Spades" "Fooling Yourself" "Light Up" "Best Of Times" "Babe" Rockin In Paradise" "Crystal Ball" "Lady"... Their playlist is Deep..!
Styx , Supertramp , Chicago , ELO , Boston , Journey , Earth Wind & Fire , Eagles , Alabama , Queen, Kansas are just a handful of great groups from this era
Y’all just HAVE to check out Suite Madam Blue/America by Styx. A great song for what we are living through currently but written many years ago during the bicentennial of our country. Prophetic.
Styx has always felt like a band that wants to tell the story of the human condition. This one is almost an ode to the young Blue Collar Man. Beautiful. Yet other songs cover other phases of life. Worthy subjects indeed.
This Old Man from Crystal Ball is another Styx song that is about the working man, from a son looking at his father and his "blue collar" life. It's a lesser known tune for sure.
#1. The song never stops #2. The crisp production on the voices, and the instruments.. #3. The clear vocals #4. The arrangements minimize bass when necessary. Listen to most other Styx songs. #5. The solo is a game changer. Very underrated.
In my top 20 all time and I have not listened much to it the past 20 years. IT has no weak songs and was a Huge piece of my musical awakening as a teen.
Probably one of the most memorable concerts I ever went to Paradise theater in the carrier dome in Syracuse New York The band is so talented Dennis DeYoung and keyboards and vocals he can hit those high notes then you got the Panozzo brothers on the rhythm section then Tommy Shaw on rhythm and lead guitar and lead vocals on the song and don’t forget JY young another person who could hit those high vocals and harmonies and a great guitarist very underrated
Paradise Theater was my first Styx show as well. Probably my 2nd favorite concert ever. Only better one was the Stones in Cleveland on July 4th weekend with Kansas opening....1977....
Styx broke in Canada with the song "Lady". Way before they did the in the US. Their first hit album in Canada was Equinox. Styx didn't break in the US until The Grand Illusion.
I haven’t even listened but I am already so excited for this reaction. Styx is such a wonderful band. you guys really need to listen to Crystal Ball. That song was Tommy Shaw’s intro to the band. He brought that song to the table. It is magnificent. So is Miss America, Sing for the Day, all of them.....I’m a fan.
Mark Giaquinto yes!!!! Grand Illusion is awesome. We saw Styx in December after a year of “bucket list” concerts. We saw Bob Seger, Bad Company, ZZ Top, Goo Goo Dolls, Train, Aerosmith, Queen and a few others. At the end of the year hubs and I decided to rate all of the shows we saw finishing with our “Best Overall” category. For me Styx came in at the end of the year and stole it from Aerosmith. It was seriously one of the best concerts I have ever seen and I am forever grateful for the opportunity.
Come Sail Away. Grand Illusion. Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man). Lady. Lorelei. Crystal Ball. Miss America. Suite Madam Blue/America. The Best of Times. And you can't skip Mr. Roboto, though it is VERY 80s (intentionally so). The list just keeps going on and on.
Mr. Roboto is a good Styx song musically (albeit weaker lyrically due to being so tightly tied to the story the album tells) that charted at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and thus ties for their 2nd biggest hit. It was also likely the first Styx song many GenX'ers were exposed to. Thus to simply skip it entirely would be to omit an important piece of Styx's oeuvre. (Ditto Don't Let It End.) Definitely listen to the others I listed, as they're all better songs, but don't outright skip Mr. Roboto unless you're one of those people who absolutely refuse to listen to anything recorded after 1979.
This song is very very relevant today! So many people need to hear this and take it to heart! Honor and pride should never be a thing of the past! A big lesson to be learned in this wonderful song! Thank you guys!
There's been a long time feud between Jann Wenner, one of the heads for the RRHOF, (& the Rolling Stone magazine); with the band. Because of the disrespect the press always seemed to show Styx in the 70's, their manager at the time, Derek Sutton; was refusing to allow the guys to do press conferences. Well Wenner didn't like it. He's hated and dissed the band ever since. As long as he's alive, I doubt Styx will ever be inducted. Unless maybe if enough fans intercede...
Blue collar man is Great, but "Fooling Yourself" is the best choice for the First Time Listener of Styx. Although Styx Connoisseurs have heard it like a MILLION TIMES! LOL!
When I was 21 years old (59 now) I had the privilege of seeing these guys live on their Mr. Roboto tour. One of the biggest thrills of my life - Tommy Shaw came down into the audience and stood on the chair behind me playing guitar. Thanks for bringing back the memory and for appreciating truly good rock.
"The Grand Illusion" the first album I ever bought with my own money. I've been a Styx fan ever since. I *highly* recommend The Grand Illusion, Fooling Yourself, and Come Sail Away off that album. I also recommend Suite Madame Blue, Lorelei, Crystal Ball, Rockin' The Paradise, and Lady.
The bass is there - everywhere. A groove section when the ride cymbal bell is on the upbeat alternating with snare and bass drum. The bass is playing 1 2 3e 4. Other places quarter notes. Other places "security ... through ... charity case" 1 &3 &1 &3&4e1(slight swing/bending there) then symmetry bringing you back down to 3& 4 1 2 3 4.
Witchwolf from the Serpent is Rising album blows Queen of Spades out the water. You should check it out if you'd like to listen to a different hard shredding Styx song :) Keep rocking my friend.
For those who haven't ventured too far into the Wooden Nickel Era here's a few suggestions to help navigate your dive in a few different directions. Jonas Psalter It's a story about a pirate captain of the same name and it's a must listen because Drums. A Day Slower, a bit trippy, kinda of a halfbaked Roundabout by Yes. Very different style than usual for Styx but pretty great overall and provides a unique listen. Golden Lark/Song for Suzzanne Not Rock, more like Prog Ballad. Slow, melancholic, beautiful amtmospheric transitions. Man of Miracles. Prog Metal. F#cking sick rift, awesome lyrics, has problems. Grove of Englatine. Freaking Amazing, if you can forgive them for intentionally writing bad lyrics to destroy the amazing music to back it. Vocals are top notch though. As Bad As This. Long version, specifically. It exists. Not great only throwing it out there for those who felt Grove of Englatine wasn't enough "WTF!? No. Seriously, WHY?" With those last two suggestions you'll either you'll either love me forever or hate me for the rest of your life. I'm prepared for what happens if you venture, are you? Let me know if anyone wants more suggestions.
Always dig the blatant open-mindedness you guys have before, during and after listening to a tune. I'm gonna suggest a slight variation on the classic rock you get into so well and open a new rabbit hole to go down: classic soul. Sly and the Family Stone's "Thank You for Letting Me be Mice Elf Again" or "(I Want to Take You) Higher," Stevie Wonder's "Superstition," The Temptation's "Papa Was A Rolling Stone," more Funkadelics, etc. Cheers....
Yes! So much this! Funk and Soul! And of course in that vein, an absolute _must_ is *"What Is Hip?"* by Oakland's own Tower of Power. "If you're really hip, the passing years will show."
@@Nutmegger7 I'm not sure about Strawberry Letter 23. I always liked the song, but I'm not sure it's what Alex & Andy are looking for. It's probably a little too on the pop side. Rare Earth is a great choice though, as I can see them really digging bands like Rare Earth and Grand Funk Railroad. Lots of good guitar and soulful vocals.
@@SG-js2qn truer words were never spoken. Motown, Stax and assorted others brought real feeling into what R&B and funk and soul were all about. A must. Cheers....
You did 3 Tommy Shaw vocals so far, now you should react to some Dennis DeYoung vocals. Suite Madame Blue, Castle Walls, Come Sail Away, Queen Of Spades. Crystal Ball is another cool track sung by Tommy. Also, Miss America is a James Young banger.
Your announcement of a full album review of Revolver is enough to lure me into Patreon. I always thought that, as ground-breaking Sgt Pepper was, it could never have been achieved without the foreshadowing Rubber Soul and Revolver as transitional pieces. When you give those a concentrated listen, you see how they lead directly into S.P.
I agree, and I also think that while the songs on Sgt. Pepper are good, overall, the songwriting on Rubber Soul and Revolver is even better. I hope that they listened to the English version of Revolver rather than the American version.
This song released in 1978. The industrial states bordering the Great Lakes were suffering loss of industry being sent to the South and West. Unemployment was on the rise and even now the industry that was in my home area along Lake Michigan has not return to those previous levels. More home town has many fewer residents and current conditions don't look good. I was there during that 70's period and remember it well. The work ethic reflected in this song was real, but the jobs weren't there.
Andy & Alex Glad to heat that - I’m NOT a CSN fan in general though I greatly respect their talent. Not trying to influence the reaction but that song is an S After , make sure to check out Wooden Ships
@@jerrypetrillo2903 The live version of Wooden Ships from the Daylight Again tour is fire. Chocolate Perry's bass work is epic and Stills shows why he's considered a great guitarist..
I worked for 8 years at our local electric power plant, dayshifts and nightshifts. For some reason, this song got a lot of play in the late afternoons on our local rock radio station. Each trip into work for the 12 hour nightshift that this showed up, the volume went up. I had many financial struggles when my family was young and finally landed a really good job. When this came on, I knew my night was going to be a good one and that I was doing the right thing.
This is the song that got me into music. This is the song that got my into Styx. This will forever be my all-time favorite song. I dont even care what song you guys listen to next, as long as you get some more Styx in the near future, thatll be amazing!
Glad you guys found your way back to Styx. From the Pieces of Eight album, this song, sung by the great Tommy Shaw, is so identifiable. Crystal Ball, Suite Madame Blue and of course Come Sail Away are great choices for next.
Thanks for the great reaction to Styx guys. It was a 10 month wait but worth it. The third song in the great Styx trilogy on the "Pieces of Eight" album, after Renegade and Blue Collar Man, is Queen of Spades. Dennis DeYoung on lead vocals, great classic Styx harmonies and of course a killer guitar solo not just in the middle of the song but also at the end! Epic banger. First band to have 4 triple platinum albums in a row.
So listening to Styx today which is one of my favorite bands. Lots of growing up to Styx. The Best of Times came on and boy if that isn’t the song for these times we are living in it should be
@@Deborahtunes There are a lot of cases where the writing credits for Styx are off. I think they tended to list who sang it rather than who wrote it. I've heard Tommy wrote Come Sail Away and Dennis wrote Fooling Yourself.
@@roberteltze4850 ~ If you look up *Snowblind* on Wikipedia, it mentions that Tommy wasn't given credit on the Lp for the songwriting. So this isn't something I've "heard". It's stated in the song's history. But I never heard what you were saying about "Fooling Yourself, or "Come Sail Away".. Also I still have my vinyls for Styx, and "most" of the songwriters for these tracks are listed on the inside sleeves...
@Independent Voter ~ Not necessarily. I heard an interview with JY who said that originally, he was supposed to sing lead for *"I'm Ok."* And Dennis was supposed to sing lead on *"Great White Hope."* But at the time, Dennis was going through some personal problems, and wanted to sing "I'm Ok", to let the rest of the band know he was going to be "fine". Except for *"I'm Ok,"* none of them have ever explained what their process is for who gets to sing lead on what songs. Unless you own their albums, you wouldn't know that several songs which DeYoung sings lead on, were written by DDY and JY, or Dennis and Tommy Shaw. Here is a small list of songs written by both Dennis/JY or DDY/Tommy: *"Best Thing"* (written by Dennis/JY) *"Born For Adventure"* (DDY/JY) *"Lorelei"* (JY/Dennis) *"Superstar"* (Tommy/DDY) *"I'm OK"* (Dennis/JY) *"Borrowed Time"* (DDY/Tommy) *"Rockin'The Paradise"* (Tommy/DDY) *"Snowblind"* (JY/DDY/TS) There are others, but these are the ones I remember off the top of my head, without looking at the album's...
Ol' School Styx is so awesome. And you're right. They had a way of creating "catchy" crank it up bangers!! Haha Lorelei, Grand Illusion or Crystal Ball ~ ....my fav catchy Styx. And Thankyou!!!
This is a really great song, awesome lyrics. "Suite Madam Blue" and "Miss America" have a relation to this song -- and also still appropriate today. A band in this same vein you should hear is REO Speedwagon, "Golden Country" speaks to this same theme. "Riding the Storm Out" is another great song by them.
This is the only channel I listen to that I first put on headphones before I hit play. A while back, can't remember exactly when, (old age creeping up) you asked us to rate your best reactions. After going thru your catalog I came up with mine... #3 Born on the bayou (CCR) #2 Blackwater (Doobie Brothers) Honorable mention Frankenstein (Edgar Winter) #1 20k Drunk reaction (Focus and George Thurogood) If anyone out there hasn't seen these Swampy Blues yet, might I suggest that you put on your headphones and just listen to the delight in the boys reactions!!
Such a staple band and sound during my college years...you couldn't go to a party without hearing a Styx LP back in the 70's...Styx, Boston, Steve Miller, Steely Dan, Kansas....so many great bands and sounds.
Oh my gosh, so much to explore today. My husband gets to listen to because I keep the Echo busy all day and he gets to remember too :) Today shall be Babe, Mr. Roboto, The Best of Times, Lady, and so many more. I may have to get into some Damn Yankees too. And Ha, that's where my wrinkles came from, I smiled too much while listening to all the great music of my time.
Also, Lady is one of the best songs ever written and Suite Madam Blue is epic!! You will be singing Lady to your girlfriend and she will love you for it!! Better yet, do a reaction to Lady with your girlfriend!! Trust me here!!! I’m the one that suggested 18 with sis.
Good call on the Jon Lord influence on the organ tone. Styx was always borderline prog and this is a prime example. Most rock organ players went for more of an R&B/Jazzy/Gospel tone where the prog guys where more like Run it through a distortion pedal, turn it up to 10 and let it eat! Next up - I vote for Grand Illusion or Come Sail Away,
A lot of songs from the 70s and early-mid 80s are about job struggles and the stuggle to find a good job. Some others off the top of my head are Working Man by Rush, The Stroke by Billy Squier, Allentown by Billy Joel, The River by Bruce Springsteen (a lot of Springsteen songs are about working class struggles), punk tunes like Career Opportunities by The Clash, not to mention all the country music songs about it and some R&B songs too. I forgot all about this Styx song.
I would really like to see A and A go outside the box and try a James Gang song. Guarantee they would love it. Funk # 48 or 49, The Bomber, Stop, Woman.... So many to choose from.
Michael Bochnia That would certainly be where to start. Owned the James Gang Rides Again album and listened to all his music! I just happened to listen to The Confessor yesterday and thought I’d make the suggestion.
@@lantose excellent suggestion. Hard to get these guys going on all those old greats, they just do not do many songs per week and there are soooooo many good ones to get to. Cheers!
Styx was always excellent. When Tommy Shaw joined they became Super Stars. Off Grand Illusion rocking banger Miss America. also Fooling Yourself and Man in the Wilderness will blow your socks off, great acoustic and electric mixed bangers
This track was released at a time (1978), when the unemployment rate was around 8% or 9% in the country. Because of the subject matter, it will forever be relevant. Tommy Shaw, the singer/songwriter for the track, is always straight forward in his lyrics. That's just his style of writing. There's no guess work involved. But his message is usually something most of us can relate to. Which is why he's probably one of my all time favorite lyricists. I call Tommy the *"King Of The Introspective lyrics."* I like that you suggest the younger ones to listen to this. It's exactly what is necessary for them to understand what they need to do, to succeed in life. Great message to send. By the way, those high notes in the harmonies, usually comes from Tommy himself. It's actually part of the reason he was hired in December of 1975, replacing Styx's former guitarist, John Curulewski. Very nice new set guys. And you built it yourselves? That's just so cool...🎸🔨🎶
Jimmy farter pulled a triple double in the late 70s. Double digit inflation, double digit unemployment and double digit interest rates. A freaking car loan was over 18%!
Thanks for picking one of my favorites! Blasted this many a morning on my way to my shitty job to get psyched up for the day. You guys are doing a great job. Keep it rolling!
And Song for America. I've been suggesting that gem since the beginning. There are SO many great Kansas songs... Perfect Lover, Portrait: He Knew, Play the Game Tonight... great harmonies.
@@amys7215 Same here with Miracles. As soon as they heard their first Kansas song, alot of people have suggested this song. You can't really go wrong with this band during the 70's. The first 6 albums are essential listening.
All good choices. I would add Hopelessly Human. When Andy and Alex reviewed Dust, they mentioned Hopelessly Human as a curious title. They would love it.
ELO and Styx were my first loves as bands. My friends told me when I was 9 or 10, I had to get the Grand Illusion … wore it out, I played it on the turntable so much. Even bought and right-track copy with money from my paper route. I waited and waited for “pieces of eight” and as soon as it was at the record store, I hit the mall to get my copy. I know I’m old, but going to the mall and staying in the record store for a few hours was heaven. Blue Collar Man never disappoints.
@@andyandalex I have to clear it with my superior but we have reached an agreement in principal! (Even though he doesnt know WTF patreon is, LMAO! Can we get a Crime Of the Century reaction too?! Its one of the ESSENTIAL prog albums!
They really do kill it live. I was going to see them because REO Speedwagon was opening for them that night. Styx made me a fan that night. They are so clean in concert, and Tommy's voice sounds exactly like this recording. It's hard to tell a difference.🔥👍🏼
Happy Canada Day! Love this song, but my favourite is actually from the same album. Try listening to Queen of Spades. I wore out several vinyls of this album in high school. Also, just celebrated 25 years on the assembly line building cars. Thanks for the kudos to working people. Though some of us are actually blue collar women. :)
First of all, I love the new setup!!! It has a nice summer, beachy vibe. Second of all, I can't remember the last Styx song I listened to, but I love this song!!! The ride cymbal gives it a groove and the lead singer has a good voice. I agree about the harmonies, I knew there was a guy singing higher than the other guys, and it blended in really well. I feel bad that I can hardly hear the bass in most songs I listen to, but overall, great song and great reaction video! Take care Andy and Alex!!!! :)
There was prominent bass in the "deh da deh da deh deh da deh" X2. Very high pitched. Sorry I know nothing about music so I cannot describe it better. You guys ROCK!!
