Steve Walsh was so Incredible on this song - lead vocals, organ, congas. RIP Robby Steinhardt (July 2021). Will miss your beautiful sound on violin and tambourine! And Epic hair and beard!! Timeless Classic!!
My senior yr HS, 68 Chrysler 300, 440 engine, had my 8 track player under my driver seat and would slide in a tape of this and other current day bands......what memories.......
I bought his album when it was released (I was 14). When I finally have kids (hopefully next year) and if I get to see them in their mid-teens (I'll be in my mid-70s by then), I hope they will listen to my music like this and enjoy them as much as you do - I envy your father. You're one cool kid and I love your reactions!
Theres a reason this song is almost always listed in the Top 5 Rock songs of all time. And it was an afterthought. the album was mostly finished, and at the last minute Kerry Livgren walked into the studio with the basic pieces of this and it was obvious to everybody that heard it that it was something special. Lyrically its a song about spiritual discovery, Livgren was in the process of searching for the answer to life and lots of the stuff he wrote at the time was about that. The Wall is a must hear song, very similar thematically to Carry On. Carry on is actually the third part of a trilogy of songs that started with Mysteries and Mayhem and The Pinnacle from the previous record Masque. I highly reccommend listening to all the 3 tracks in succession. Powerful stuff
Epic. That's the long and short of it. And, like I said before, the attention they paid to album covers back then was extraordinary. It was almost as important as the music itself.
This song became kind of an ode to returning Vietnam Veterans. It was an unpopular war as the Draft was in effect. Many were killed way too young, and many that came back were broken in spirit since the returned to a hostile country where they were shunned by their peers. It was also featured in the movie, “Heroes,” about the same subject. One of the best songs ever recorded, in my opinion.
Widdermaker , that was the first time I heard this song! Wow, it had a big impact on me, as I started my nursing training at the Veterans Hospital in Philadelphia. Heartbreaking, but it made me so compassionate and empathetic toward all the Vets! Whew.. Thanks for that comment! From Dee 🍃💗🍃
I remember seeing the movie “Heroes” in 1977 and loving it. That moment at the end when Henry Winkler’s character finally seems at peace with all that came before as a result of his PTSD….a few moments of silence, and then…”Carry on, my wayward son…” Total goosebump moment! When it came out on VHS, it was one of the first movies I ever rented. I got it home, popped in the tape, and watched the whole film, leading up to that wonderful moment, and then…the song wasn’t there. They’d replaced it on the soundtrack with a really bad piece of music which tried to emulate the feel of “Carry On…” but failed miserably. What a letdown! I learned years later that Universal had failed to secure the rights to use the song beyond theatrical release, and didn’t want to pay for it for the video release. Completely destroyed the ending of what was a pretty decent movie.
I remember carrying around a portable radio as a teen in Brooklyn and listening to this song. Kansas is a strange band, one of the few successful _American_ prog rock '70's bands. One of their main instruments was a violin, which they featured on a lot of their songs. That guy could _play!_
Basically the series theme song to my fave show, Supernatural, ha! Sam and Dean Winchester forever!! Of course I knew the song from the old days when it was new, but once they started using it on Supernatural the song will forever be linked in my mind to the show. Supernatural is about 2 brothers whose mother was killed by a demon when Sam was 6 months old and Dean was 4 years old. Their dad became a demon hunter trying to find and destroy the demon who killed his wife, and both boys were raised to be hunters of ghosts, demons, and other beasties. The 2 brothers go through unbelievable suffering and evils and basically have only each other to get through their trials, so this song really speaks to the rough lives they've had and the people they've lost and their soul weariness and wish to find peace once they are done fighting evil. The show has 15 seasons!
Every time I hear this song start, first my mind goes back to when I was a child, then I think of the back end of Sam and Dean's car and "The Road So Far...."
I have always love this song And was very happy when it would come on the radio. Then it became the unofficial theme song for supernatural and I was in heaven. If you're a supernatural fan then you know how the series ended. For those not familiar with supernatural it was the longest running show on the CW and the longest running show of it's genre 15 Seasons and 327 episodes. At the end a group called neoni who do an acoustic version of carry on wayward son that I still cannot listen to Because I get so upset.
Of course I knew this song as a teenager, but now it will be forever linked in my mind to the show "Supernatural". It was a running theme throughout the series, usually played at the beginning recap of the first episode each season, and was played at the end of the series finale. Very emotional.
Fairly new sub here, I really enjoy your insight and comments. Excellent choice here. I look forward to more reactions. I love Kansas and it was really nice to not listen to it alone. Great job and much love.
When my first husband died (suicide), his younger teenaged sisters and I dedicated this song to him. I had purchased the cassette of Kansas for him months before as a gift I knew he wanted. He was a troubled young man. Trusted and loved everyone. We were all very young. I was 5 mos. pregnant with our daughter when he took his life. The words "Carry on Our Wayward Son, There'll be Peace when you are done, Lay your Weary Head to Rest, Don't You Cry No more." Is on his head stone.
for your own edification, watch the video of this song with the large orange hair and beard on it. It's a live version and to watch Kansas' mastery of their instruments, including voice, is amazing to watch
1976 -77 WITH A NEW D.L. I WAS DRIVING AROUND A SMALL TOWN IN WEST TN. JAMMING TO THIS . I COULDNT HAVE BEEN MUCH LUCKIER WITH THE TIME FRAME OF MY TEENAGE YEARS .
Daniel, the passion you show here as a 16 year-old has been segued into passion plus a touch of sophistication as an 18 year-old. And much wiser. You have hinted at times recently everything may not be 100% in certain areas of life. As fellow Christians, obstacles can dealt with at least in part through faith. It's not the end-all, but it can't hurt. If you see this, I wish the best for you. Merry Christmas.
First album I ever physically bought when I was 12. Top 20 classic jam in Rock history. In my opinion. Everything works perfect from the catchy riff to the lyrics and great instrumental play.
Thanks for the classic Kansas! Now that you've seen Rage Against The Machine, how about a great live performance featuring Tom Morello as guest with Bruce Springsteen - "The Ghost of Tom Joad". Trust me, it's a banger (the one with 3.8M views) Thanks!!
ds9 Cool progressive rock song, great reaction. I remember when this came out when I was a kid, maybe 1974 or so. I just now realized the guitarist(s) pretty much captured that very elusive guitar timbre by Boston. A terrific example of the application of advanced music theory, through and through, and in a compact format. Enjoyed your reaction.
"I was soaring ever higher, but I flew too high..." Icarus and the waxwings?? | "Teach thy tongue to say 'I do not know' and thou shalt progress" Maimonides
The guitar player Kerry Livgren became Christian and this is the result. I saw them in Germany 1981 at the 4th Golden Summernight Concert Series featuring : MORE(SelfTitled), Motorhead(Ace Of Spades), Blackfoot(Marader), 38 Special(Wild Eyed ), Iron Maiden(Killers), Kansas(Audio Visions), BOC(Fire of unknown) and Foreigner(4)
I was P.D. of a mid-western radio station in the early 70's when I was visited one day by the manager of a group I had never heard of called Kansas. Had a nice chat and he left me with a promo disc titled "Lonely Wind". I gave it a listen, decided it didn't fit our format and thought no more about it until many years later. I don't know what happened to the demo but I sure wish I had it today. I'd probably be a rich man.
Story goes that Kansas was opening for Queen in a show in America in the 70's , Kansas was on first , and when Freddie Mercury heard Them playing he ran to the stage with Brian May (Queen's guitarist) and listened to half the set..he remarked afterward ..something to effect of Bloody hell these guys are Brilliant " Coming from someone undoubtedly a genius , that was one hell of a compliment . If you get a chance and want to watch a documentary that is as much about America , and the culture of the 70's music scene as much as it is about Kansas. Then watch the Kansas Documentary called " Miracles out of Nowhere"
Great tune and reaction! The one and only dance I ever attended in Jr. High had a live band. being quite younger and more naive then my current state of confusion I had no clue about how bands and radio worked. When the band at the dance played this song I freaked thinking it was the band that played the song I had heard on the radio. I asked my friend about it and he just laughed at me and called me an idiot before explaining things. Yeah, it's a good embarrassing story I am willing to share for laughs!
I'll share my embarrassing story so you won't feel alone. I only listened to AM radio until I was about 16, so I didn't know what the other kids were listening to. As a high school freshman I heard a few people talking about the Doors, and asked - in a crowded hallway - if that was short for the Commodores. 😹
My Favorite Song in the mid 70's. Heard it when it was new, and fresh the guitars and Vocals along with the Spiritual Lyrics. Just made it the classic it always has been. KANSAS, "CARRY ON MY WAYWARD SON".... LEFT OVERTURE ALBUM ALSO IS CLASSIC BY ITSELF.
Couldn't see everything you viewed until subscribed. Song had a pretty good impact to my early life; wanting to hear it frequently. Didn't have enough money to buy much music at the time. Had to just let the cassette player record the radio on blank tapes and afterwards compose another tape from the original recordings. Use to do lots of splicing, not true mixing but had lots of fun with that pause/record button method. I would record the TV also and later from cheap records. Glad you enjoyed the song.
Before the Supernatural fandom came? That was 15 years ago....... at the time I thought it was a cool song, but being young didn’t really think about it. But now I see no matter what heartache comes your way, and there will be heartache, you need to carry on, there will only be peace when we are done with life.
especially recommend A.D.’s “No Standing” from “Reconstructions” album ... Kerry Livgren’s Christian response to his “Dust in the Wind” ... also lots of great violin ... beautiful Kansas-ish song
I interpret this song relating to life on earth (ignorance) and death (all knowledge). He has a near death experience (he flies above the noise and confusion of life on earth), but is told to go back and “carry-on”. “There will be peace when you are done (with life).” Rest and don’t cry no more. That’s what’s awesome about art, it can be interpreted and appreciated differently by the listener/viewer.
Really appreciate your approach to reacting ... thoughtful and musically informed ... especially for one so young (I know that sounds condescending, but 30 years from now, you’ll get it) ... thanks Oh! Check out Kansas’ “Miracles Out of Nowhere” from Leftoverture
After three modestly successful albums without a solid radio hit, Kansas started to work on Leftoverture but Steve Walsh, one of their two principal composers, had writer's block leaving Kerry Livgren to do almost every bit of the writing on this album. The result was a masterpiece of spiritually though-provoking songs and one of the greatest rock albums of the 70s. This song is outstanding but so is 'The Wall' and my favorite, 'Miracles out of Nowhere'. This entire album is well worth examining. Kerry is a superb composer, arranger, guitarist, keyboardist, and lyricist and currently an adult Sunday School Teacher at Topeka Bible Church in Topeka, KS.
Daniel, even though this was their first big hit, it was a good place to start both musically and lyrically. The line about claiming to be a wise man comes from the teachings of Socrates. And the wayward son is similar to the prodigal son. Many of Kerry Livgren's songs have a religious connotation. MIRACLES OUT OF NOWHERE, CHILD OF INNOCENCE, THE WALL, QUESTIONS OF MY CHILDHOOD, ALL THE WORLD and THE PINNACLE are only a few songs that the music and lyrics will get to you. The whole Leftoverture(1976) and Point of Know Return(1977) albums are great from start to finish. First 6 albums all classic.
A few more "essential" bands from the 70's & 80's are Journey, Foreigner, 38 Special, Bad Company, Genesis (also Phil Collins' amazing solo career after he left the band) and Chicago. You've already discovered Styx, Kansas, and Boston but there is a lot more great music from those, too!
I forget how good Steve Walsh is on vocals compared to leads on many bands. He's definitely Top10. His vocal range reminds me of Roland Orzabal with Tears for Fears. Operatic range.
Man, I miss a good organ solo! You just don’t hear them much anymore. I’m so glad you hadn’t heard the riff - I thought for sure you would have with knowing the intro vocals. That riff is probably one of the most iconic of all time in rock. Definitely check out Dust in the Wind next, and then immediately download the tab. You will have to learn this one - it will give your right hand a workout. It’s all acoustic guitar with a small violin part in the middle. A lot of the music I play these days is fingerstyle, so I warm up with this almost every time I pick up the guitar. It’s a really beautiful, yet sad piece. There’s definitely other good Kansas to explore, but this one and Dust were their most popular. Cheers!
Try some Original Uriah Heep from 69-74 The Organ Work is spectacular, UH were one of the First true Progressive Bands, and their early stuff was unparalleled .
Actually that sums up the last episode of Supernatural ..that show meant the world to me it truly reflected my life without the supernatural part of course...well..to some extent..It was the perfect song for the Winchesters. Seriously great show
To me it's a song about knowing there's a more to life & starting a spiritual quest. However, the more you learn, the more questions appear. The spiritual journey never ends, there's always more to learn & experience, so to claim wisdom & understanding, or arrival, is an expression of true ignorance.
Daniel, Paul Lane is absolutely right. Your journey will not be complete without listening to The Wall, but it is a concept album and needs to be taken as a whole. It is such an incredible story, I know you will really enjoy dissecting it. And then there’s the movie to watch. Man, it is just one of the best composed pieces of music in rock ever.
@@matthewhoag2609 I wrote out a comment related to Pink Floyd heheh, not realizing this was Kansas and The Wall is a song by them:) I will likely get to the Wall soon.
Jeff Schielka duh, I’m an idiot. I completely forgot that song. I thought a Floyd fan was song-bombing a Kansas post. I was talking about Floyd, of course, lol. I played the Kansas song and remembered it right away.
Another EXCELLENT song on Leftoverture is "The Wall" which you should really dig the Christian theme to those lyrics indeed. "Miracles Out Of Nowhere" follows the same path. Kerry Livgren, guitarist and songwriter, was really coming to grips with his conversion to Christianity during this album . A sad song about the plight of Native Americans is explored in "Cheyenne Anthem". Lots of great tracks on this album. I was a Kansas FREAK when I was your age!!! The album after this one, Point Of No Return, is just as tasty! It has their biggest hit on it "Dust In The Wind".
I'm 62 years old, and I have loved Kansas since 1974 when their first album was released. Kerry Livgren became a Christian (like you & me) in July 1979. The only other member who became a Christian was bassist Dave Hope, who several years later became an Anglican priest. Also listen to Kansas' The Pinnacle, Miracles out of Nowhere, Song for America, Hopelessly Human, Hold On, Crossfire, Relentless, and anything else written by Kerry Livgren. They don't call him "the Maestro" for nothing!!! Best prog rock group ever...
Cool that you are a Christian! Praise the Lord so am I! Always been a fan of Kansas, and carry on wayward son and dust in the wind are 2 of my favorites!
Kansas is the best! All 6 of the members were amazing musicians. Particularly Kerry Livgren, lead guitarist, synths, pianist, but most importantly, the composer of their best progressive pieces. They don't call him "the Maestro" for nothing!
If you haven’t seen Supernatural, you would like it. Especially since you are getting into horror. Two brothers, riding cross country in a sweet 1967 Impala, listening to classic rock, and battling vampires, werewolves, and demons. Good stuff.
You were wondering if Kansas had other hits. This song and Dust In The Wind were the biggest, but they also had later hits with Play The Game Tonight, Fight Fire With Fire, All I Wanted, and Stand Beside Me. The last two were power ballads that their record company pressured them to do. If you like songs that tell a story, try Closet Chronicles, Rainmaker or Icarus 2 (different song than Icarus). Kansas has a great catalogue to listen to!
to me this song is about a prodigal son who knows the truth but wants to keep wanting what the world offers and its fortune but he knows in his heart he'll never be happy until he faces and lives the truth
Kansas was "Christian Friendly" no question about it. Saw them live here in Cincinnati and still have the ticket in my safe. BTW, my favorite band is RUSH.
Awesome! You get it! The lyrics are the musings of a person who was lost spiritually. But then found his answers to life are in the person Jesus Christ!
Pinnacle is a very good choice also. Kerry Livgren eventually left band to follow his Christianity search. Bass player Dave Hope also left for same reason. However I would be hesitant to characterize them as Christian rock.
I have another overlooked great band of the early 70's. Budgie! Influenced dozens of famous bands that covered Budgie time and time again. The first 7 albums are incredibly HEAVY, hard and epic. Some of the hardest riffs in rock. Black Sabbath, Mountain in power and originality. Go to the first album if I could suggest. Start from the first track! Guts! Shit kicks ass. Then a song in my top 10 heavy rock songs ALL Time! Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman! Try it..... you will like it!
Similar combination of vocal and instrumental virtuosity can be found in the Scottish prog-rockers " Gentle Giant " .... if you like this ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8N8ck4nV2zg.html check out the entire concert ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UM-yGcpaY_4.html
Getting to this VERY late, but I know you'll see it at some point. I cannot more highly recommend two songs off of POINT OF KNOW RETURN, that I have not seen anyone do a reaction to; THE SPIDER/PORTRAIT, HE KNEW. They ARE two different songs, but The Spider leads straight into Portrait without a break, and so they should be played together, in my opinion. The Spider is an instrumental, and is, for me, the most incredible mini-masterpiece in prog rock history. Check it out, you can thank me later.
Eventually you will react to a song that you've heard but didn't recognized the name. I can't speak for others but as long as you aren't super familiar, I'll still enjoy your take on it.
Understanding that Kerry Livgren, the writer of this song, has been writing Christian songs for decades, it is easy to understand the meaning. Find Mask of the Great Deceiver and check that out.
