I have played drums for 30yrs. Trying to get back into it. God they were an amazing band. Seen them in the 70's when I was in high school. So many great songs. Suite Madame Blue.
You heard it right. Long night, impossible odds. I'm a proud daughter of a Blue Collar Man. My dad worked for John Deere for 35 years. Thanks Dad for all your hard work, double shifts, long commutes in blizzards to support us. Love and miss you. RIP🙏💪
those same words could have flown out of me. My dad worked 20 years AirForce as a mechanic on the C-141s on graves, and then put in 6 hours a day in a local garage fixing transmissions for people so that my mom didn't have to work and she could be in the home taking care of us three. Thank you dad. Miss the heck out of you! Cheers to our dads, jojo. Gone but certainly not forgotten!!
@@jojospeechy4848 I worked for Rockwell Automation and did training at the John Deere Ottumwa, Davenport, and mostly Waterloo locations. I did do some training in Dubuque and probably had a few Deere employees over the years.
@@feldspar3858 , Tommy Shaw's voice is amazing, and it still as strong as ever. Both he and JY are fantastic guitar players. You don't think so though, huh?
This is a song about that moment when you decide to be responsible for your own situation rather than whining about how hard life is. This is my last time in the unemployment line, my God I'm hardly alive. I'm not a charity case. I'll take those long nights and impossible odds, but I'll keep my eye out for opportunities to move up (the keyhole). Such powerful, positive lyrics about self empowerment. Got to see them in concert this past June (2022) and they still rock on!
In general, no matter what band it is, the first time you listen to a song, it's usually best to hear the studio version as the artist intended it. Live shows, the vocals can get cut short in places, or sometimes it just doesn't sound quite as good as the original. I understand with UA-cam, sometimes to get around the copyright they might HAVE to listen to the live version though...
@@paulstewart6203 Good point. Chicago's 25 or 6 to 4 & Lynyrd Skynyrd Free Bird studio versions put them on the charts. Live at Tanglewood & Oakland Coliseum Stadium, respectively, is icing on the cake.
Yes, “impossible odds.” That is what he’s saying. They’re good, down to earth guys. Tommy Shaw is an Alabama boy. The rest of the band were based in the Chicago area.
When I saw you reacting to a live show I got a little worried about how good it would be. Then I remembered this is Styx and they have always been incredible live.
Styx is an awesome band. I’ve been waiting for this song to make the review rounds. In the very early 80’s I would play this song before I went to try and get a job. At the time over 50% of the working men in the state of ID were unemployed. It’s humiliating and dignity destroying to go around begging for a minimum wage job. I made my way through this life and every time I hear this song I salute myself for being a badass in super hard times.
Back in 1977 I was 18 and playing Keyboards in the first backup band that played with Styx at memorial hall in Wisconsin to 5k people and it was Awesome 😁🎹🎼
From 1977 to 1981, Styx released four consecutive albums that have been certified Multi-Platinum, for at least 2 million units sold apiece, by the RIAA: The Grand Illusion (1977), Pieces of Eight (1978), Cornerstone (1979) and Paradise Theatre (1981). A great collection. For the James Young experience you need to here Midnight Ride from the Equinox album.
Grew up with Styx in the 70’s and still pit them on to rock out. Please check out Fooling yourself With Tommy Shaw and the Contemporary Youth Orchestra. Exceptional!
Love Styx! Saw them 3 times live in the 80's...great energy on stage! One of my favorites is Suite Madam Blue. It's such an excellent song & I hardly ever seen anyone react to it.
Not gonna lie...If this song came on the radio while you were driving to some job you didn't like at some ridiculous hour of the day, it really did lift your spirits...
They are still an amazing band ! Saw them last night in Massachusetts! Incredible show . Styx is incredible, They have stood the test of time and continue to put on amazing live shows . Timeless music , Bands like this just do not exist anymore . Of you get a chance go see them live on this tour ! Tommy Shaw never ages ! Great review guys ! Styx rocks !
Styx is one of my favorite bands....really great music and lyrics, always....very intellectual group! This is from their 1978 "Pieces Of eight" album...which was the first album I ever bought!
Saw them in concert in Baton Rouge back in late 70's... Amazingly great musicians and performances! The best thing about being old today is to have been young then, witnessing all of these great iconic bands first hand! 😍✌
Nice to see Styx getting some play. Try Miss America for a hard hitting epic song. Or Castle Walls, not a big hit like so many others just two wonderful hidden gems on this album.
This one, "Mr. Roboto" "Lady" "Babe" "Come Sail Away" "Too Much Time On My Hands" "Renegade" are my favorites from them. They are energetic live. Got to have a Styx "fix" sometimes.
those are good songs for sure. But they are the radio faves. Try some of their not-so popular that sound freaking amazing: Crystal Ball, Man in the Wilderness, Suite Madam Blue, Snowblind
4:26: Asia & BJ, you got it right, the lyrics are "Long nights, impossible odds" Dennis DeYoung usually handled lead vocals, but Tommie Shaw had an incredible voice. Another great up tempo song from these guys is "Lorelei".
Awesome reaction! Tommy Shaw on vocals and lead guitar is the total package! Doesn't read music, plays by ear. He is an amazing singer songwriter, and come on, look at those dimples. This is my favorite concert to watch on YT and just relax and jam to. When you get time, could you react to Show Me The Way from this concert. It was done as a tribute song for their drummer, John Panozzo, that had passed away. Beautiful song!
Thank you for doing the live version from the Return to Paradise concert. ! This whole DVD is outstanding. Hope you review more from it. Try the song Come Sail Away next .
Tommy Shaw has such a BIG powerful voice coming out of his small 5'5" body. I fell in love hearing the music first, because back when this came out, it was over the radio, and you wouldn't know what the band looked like unless you bought their albums.
Lead singer on this song is Tommy Shaw. Check out his recent work with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra, What a treat is is for these kids to perform with such a legend.
One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite bands. Styx was a very popular band in the 70's and 80's and they have a very large following. Babe, Madame Blue, Renegade, Best of Times, Lady, Too Much Time On My Hands, Grand Illusion are just a few of my other favorites. Please do more reactions to them! :)
At that time, it was truly a surprise for Styx fans to see them reunite with Tommy Shaw. This is the first time with him back in the group since 1983's Kilroy Was Here. That album/tour broke up the band. They did reform in 1990 and asked Shaw to join, but he was busy with Damn Yankees at the time. Styx then hired Glen Burtnik for vocals/guitar on their 1990 album Edge of the Century. This was amazing to see them all together again (sans founding drummer John Panozzo, who died that year). You can see how much talent and hard work they put into their music and performance. They did end up writing a new album released in 1999 called Brave New World, but as they were about to tour for the album, vocalist/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung said he couldn't, due to a light sensitivity he had at the time. They decided to go ahead and tour without DeYoung, replacing him with vocalist/keyboardist Lawrence Gowan, who remains with the band to this day. DeYoung and Styx have never reconciled and with each passing year it gets less likely he'll ever rejoin them, even if for a one-off.
I never had an opportunity to see Styx live unfortunately, but longtime fan going back to late 70's. I did see Tommy Shaw with Damn Yankees around 90-91. They rocked a few Styx songs and they rocked them good! If I may request Come Again from Damn Yankees I believe you'll both love it!
You have to understand, this was recorded in 1978, when unemployment was close to 10%. I remember people were being laid off all over the place back then. Interest rates were around 22-23%. And inflation was about 13%. It was a terrible time for America's economy. As it is right now. The lyrics are: "Long nights, impossible odds". Styx has been recording since 1972. Styx is my favorite band. Personally, Tommy Shaw {the writer, lead vocalist/guitarist here}, was the reason I became a fan of the band. And "Blue Collar Man" is my favorite Styx song of all time. They have always had at least 3 singer/songwriters, (at one time 4). You should give James (JY) Young's song "Miss America" (studio version) a listen. It's very different than this...
Per Songfacts This song tells the story of a man who is sick of being mocked for being jobless. He tries to get a job and when he is denied, he tries to persuade people into hiring him. Styx guitarist Tommy Shaw wrote this song and sang the lead vocals. It's a good example of his songwriting philosophy, which is to write songs people can relate to and enjoy. This is one of the song Styx plays at just about every concert. On their 2011 tour, it was their opening number, as with unemployment in the United States over 9%, the song was more relevant than ever.
James Young is one of the greatest rock stars of all time. This band was the soundtrack to my youth. They inspired me to begin my music career by age eleven, that still continues to this day. The seventies was musically special.
For a couple years I never knew the lyrics for sure...finally saw the lyrics Somewhere, the whole "impossible odds" deal...only made me like the song even more.
Styx great Chicago band. Saw them play in a little local college in Chicago on a Tuesday afternoon around 1972 for free, I was 15. The song Lady had just come out, Tommy Shaw wasnt in the band yet.
It's funny, last night my 19 year old son asked me what kind of music his dad listened to ( hubby passed away last year). Of course Styx was right up there as my husband and I were teens of the 80's. Which led me to your video, and to me buying Styx/Reo/Loverboy ticket for my 2 kids and myself for next month in Bridgeport, CT....haven't seen Styx in 20 years!! Thanks for reacting!!
It is long, nights...impossible odds. You should check out the studio version. I love them live but sometimes you can't understand all the lyrics and these lyrics are just solid, honest and so relatable. That's Tommy Shaw...incredible vocals and guitarist. They still tour so if ever get the chance to see them, you should. Dennis isn't part of the band anymore but they still put on a great show.
The guy singing is Tommy Shaw who has a super Group with the singer for Night Ranger and Ted Nugent !!! Great music 🎶!!! Damn Yankees “Can You Take Me High Enough “ “Come Again “ !!!!
Some of the best Vocals and Lyrics of any song in Rock History: I'll take those long nights, impossible odds Keeping my back to the wall All that to be just what I am Well, I'm gonna be a blue collar man. Styx is underrated!!!
Y'all need to watch him and somebody sticks when they're older but watching him the lead singer there playing with an orchestra and a choir singing that particular song and a bunch of other ones they are freaking amazing watching the kids singing along with him it's just awesome they're still out there kicking it even sound better than they did when they were younger I watched these guys and listen to them when I was growing up well I was already grown up already been through the early 50s and 60s and 70s but they come along and I was cruising with my top down and still listening to music they're still rocking and rolling now that's awesome thanks for putting it out there guys
I saw them on this tour in 96 in California. Total, I've seen them live 8 times - but this tour was the best of the all. Metallica puts on the most badass shows ever. Pink Floyd puts on the most amazing epic shows. Iron Maiden or Marilyn Manson puts on the wildest shows. But NO ONE is more fun to see live than Styx. Sure there are others as fun, but none can top the pure vibing feel good fun entertainment. Their music ALWAYS lifts you up. They're shows are like a religious experience - you just can't help swinging like a deacon and smiling like a Cheshire cat throughout the show. If you're going to check out more Styx, you can't go wrong with live performances - they are so energetic and fun to watch live. The singer is Tommy Shaw. Other Styx songs you've done "Come Sail Away" and "Babe" was a different singer - Dennis DeYoung who you saw on the keyboards and spoke to the audience at the end of the video. The other (taller) blond guitarist also sings some of the songs - so they have three different singers each with their own style and sound.
To answer your question... Listen to the Entire album from start to finish. In this case Styx - Paradise Theater It tells a story, but you have to figure it out from the music, the lyrics, the order of the songs, the vibe (this case inner city downtown) and the art of the album cover front & back. This is all we had back in the 70's and 80's. The music had to speak to something in you to connect. And sometimes, it could not be fully expressed in just one song... Listen to the whole album, and you will understand. (Read along with the lyrics) It's Opera... Rock Opera!
I was fortunate enough to have seen them when they played inside Diamond Head Crater, Honolulu, Hawaii when I was stationed there ?78or 79? BTW, Heart opened up for them.
I've always loved this song. I've been working at the same factory for the last 16 years, my dad was a plant supervisor at a different place, and my grandfather was a trucker and a loading dock guy. The song runs deep with the family. What I'm trying to say is we're all bunch of boneheads lol. Stay in school kids.
What a great song. But I do think you can hear it better on the studio album and then you could view the words. I think it would be worth it for you. Great song. Great band. I think they’re soft side and their hard side worked well together but they had differences in which direction to go because of those differences. Anyway, I loved their music.
Tommy Shaw on lead vocals and guitar, he's always looked 17 years old and has an abundance of talent.
And he sounds nearly the same today, which is amazing. Tommy Shaw is a legit rock star.
Yep, still looks like he did back in H.S. @ Robert E. Lee in the 334.✌
Right? And he's 68!!!!
@@cjr1324 I think he sounds even better.
I have played drums for 30yrs. Trying to get back into it. God they were an amazing band. Seen them in the 70's when I was in high school. So many great songs. Suite Madame Blue.
They're still out there doing their thing
*Suite Madam Blue* Is a stunningly beautiful song by them.
Second that one.
Also "Man in the Wilderness" if they haven't already reacted to it.
Also Boat on the River, hauntingly beautiful
Loreila
Agreed
You heard it right. Long night, impossible odds. I'm a proud daughter of a Blue Collar Man. My dad worked for John Deere for 35 years. Thanks Dad for all your hard work, double shifts, long commutes in blizzards to support us. Love and miss you. RIP🙏💪
those same words could have flown out of me. My dad worked 20 years AirForce as a mechanic on the C-141s on graves, and then put in 6 hours a day in a local garage fixing transmissions for people so that my mom didn't have to work and she could be in the home taking care of us three. Thank you dad. Miss the heck out of you!
Cheers to our dads, jojo. Gone but certainly not forgotten!!
Which John Deere plant did he work at?
@@Coowallsky Dubuque. Do u or have u worked for John Deere?
@@Frostrazor Amen! Blessed to have had our hard working good fathers. Not too common these days. 🙏
@@jojospeechy4848 I worked for Rockwell Automation and did training at the John Deere Ottumwa, Davenport, and mostly Waterloo locations. I did do some training in Dubuque and probably had a few Deere employees over the years.
Tommy Shaw's voice is incredible. Shaw and James Young on guitar are a match made in heaven. James Young is actually an outstanding guitarist.
Your kidding right?
@@feldspar3858 Listen to "Queen of Spades" and you'll be reminded how outstanding JY is.
@@Vaelsung1 - I’m not impressed. He’s the whiniest, self congratulatory prick in music. His position against DDY is so ignorant and childish.
@@feldspar3858 , Tommy Shaw's voice is amazing, and it still as strong as ever. Both he and JY are fantastic guitar players. You don't think so though, huh?
This is always one of the STYX tunes everyone is waiting for, along with Renegade and probably 12 or 13 other songs. I've been to about 10 STYX shows.
This is a song about that moment when you decide to be responsible for your own situation rather than whining about how hard life is. This is my last time in the unemployment line, my God I'm hardly alive. I'm not a charity case. I'll take those long nights and impossible odds, but I'll keep my eye out for opportunities to move up (the keyhole). Such powerful, positive lyrics about self empowerment. Got to see them in concert this past June (2022) and they still rock on!
You can click on my icon to view this full concert upload, This 1 of 2 of my favorite bands growing up. Great music.
seen this tour when Dennis DeYoung reunited with the band around '96. Also Kansas opened up for them. AWESOME!!!
For the first time listener, the studio version, usually, is a must.
This isn't the first time they've reacted to Styx. Besides, Styx was one of the best live shows going.
In general, no matter what band it is, the first time you listen to a song, it's usually best to hear the studio version as the artist intended it. Live shows, the vocals can get cut short in places, or sometimes it just doesn't sound quite as good as the original.
I understand with UA-cam, sometimes to get around the copyright they might HAVE to listen to the live version though...
@@RaymondBCrisp I was referring to the song itself, after all, the studio versions are usually the ones that made them(all the greats) famous.👍
@@paulstewart6203 Good point. Chicago's 25 or 6 to 4 & Lynyrd Skynyrd Free Bird studio versions put them on the charts. Live at Tanglewood & Oakland Coliseum Stadium, respectively, is icing on the cake.
You may have a point there. But being a long time fan of them. Their live versions are every bit as good as the studio!
Singer Tommy Shaw is amazing. Check out him, Jack Blades from Night Ranger and Ted Nugent in their Super Group Damn Yankees
I've seen Styx about a dozen times. They NEVER disappoint. "Lady" was their breakout hit in 1973.
Ten times for me; I used my vacation one year in the early 80's to follow them all over Florida!!!
I probably heard that around 78ish, and I still get chills when I hear it
Yes, “impossible odds.” That is what he’s saying. They’re good, down to earth guys. Tommy Shaw is an Alabama boy. The rest of the band were based in the Chicago area.
When I saw you reacting to a live show I got a little worried about how good it would be. Then I remembered this is Styx and they have always been incredible live.
Styx is an awesome band. I’ve been waiting for this song to make the review rounds. In the very early 80’s I would play this song before I went to try and get a job. At the time over 50% of the working men in the state of ID were unemployed. It’s humiliating and dignity destroying to go around begging for a minimum wage job.
I made my way through this life and every time I hear this song I salute myself for being a badass in super hard times.
Back in 1977 I was 18 and playing Keyboards in the first backup band that played with Styx at memorial hall in Wisconsin to 5k people and it was Awesome 😁🎹🎼
From 1977 to 1981, Styx released four consecutive albums that have been certified Multi-Platinum, for at least 2 million units sold apiece, by the RIAA: The Grand Illusion (1977), Pieces of Eight (1978), Cornerstone (1979) and Paradise Theatre (1981). A great collection. For the James Young experience you need to here Midnight Ride from the Equinox album.
One of the best bands ever! They need to get in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame!
Grew up with Styx in the 70’s and still pit them on to rock out. Please check out Fooling yourself With Tommy Shaw and the Contemporary Youth Orchestra. Exceptional!
You can click on my icon to see this full concert, This is one of my favorites groups growing up. This is why I have my upload.
This is a rock classic! Styx is an amazing band. Especially their early stuff like this song. Check out Renegade and miss America.
Love Styx! Saw them 3 times live in the 80's...great energy on stage!
One of my favorites is Suite Madam Blue. It's such an excellent song & I hardly ever seen anyone react to it.
I've saw Styx in concert back in the early 80's...they were awesome!! One of my favorite bands.
Not gonna lie...If this song came on the radio while you were driving to some job you didn't like at some ridiculous hour of the day, it really did lift your spirits...
They are still an amazing band ! Saw them last night in Massachusetts! Incredible show . Styx is incredible, They have stood the test of time and continue to put on amazing live shows . Timeless music , Bands like this just do not exist anymore . Of you get a chance go see them live on this tour ! Tommy Shaw never ages ! Great review guys ! Styx rocks !
Styx is one of my favorite bands....really great music and lyrics, always....very intellectual group!
This is from their 1978 "Pieces Of eight" album...which was the first album I ever bought!
Tommy Shaw is such an underrated musician and performer.
Saw them in concert in Baton Rouge back in late 70's... Amazingly great musicians and performances! The best thing about being old today is to have been young then, witnessing all of these great iconic bands first hand! 😍✌
Nice to see Styx getting some play. Try Miss America for a hard hitting epic song. Or Castle Walls, not a big hit like so many others just two wonderful hidden gems on this album.
This one, "Mr. Roboto" "Lady" "Babe" "Come Sail Away" "Too Much Time On My Hands" "Renegade" are my favorites from them. They are energetic live. Got to have a Styx "fix" sometimes.
those are good songs for sure.
But they are the radio faves. Try some of their not-so popular that sound freaking amazing:
Crystal Ball, Man in the Wilderness, Suite Madam Blue, Snowblind
more styx, more Rush, and some Triumph would be good !
2 more outstanding classics are "Man in the Wilderness" and "Castle Walls" if you haven't already reacted to them.
Tommy Shaw is incredibly talented! His vocals, songwriting, & mad guitar skills are just awesome!!
4:26: Asia & BJ, you got it right, the lyrics are "Long nights, impossible odds"
Dennis DeYoung usually handled lead vocals, but Tommie Shaw had an incredible voice. Another great up tempo song from these guys is "Lorelei".
Crystal Ball and Suite Madaam Blue are another couple of bangers by Styx ✌🏼🤘🏻🤘🏻
Awesome reaction! Tommy Shaw on vocals and lead guitar is the total package! Doesn't read music, plays by ear. He is an amazing singer songwriter, and come on, look at those dimples. This is my favorite concert to watch on YT and just relax and jam to. When you get time, could you react to Show Me The Way from this concert. It was done as a tribute song for their drummer, John Panozzo, that had passed away. Beautiful song!
Thank you for doing the live version from the Return to Paradise concert. ! This whole DVD is outstanding. Hope you review more from it. Try the song Come Sail Away next .
Crystal ball with orchestra live. Great performance.
Styx has so many Great hits. Like 75 to 79, Great Albums
Tommy Shaw has such a BIG powerful voice coming out of his small 5'5" body. I fell in love hearing the music first, because back when this came out, it was over the radio, and you wouldn't know what the band looked like unless you bought their albums.
I saw this concert in Houston in 96. It was awesome. They were with Kansas & they were great too.
The band members don’t exist to fans without the music. You like the music first and then the band members. Cheers 🍻
Lead singer on this song is Tommy Shaw. Check out his recent work with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra, What a treat is is for these kids to perform with such a legend.
I love Styx! I saw them in concert back in the 70's!
One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite bands. Styx was a very popular band in the 70's and 80's and they have a very large following. Babe, Madame Blue, Renegade, Best of Times, Lady, Too Much Time On My Hands, Grand Illusion are just a few of my other favorites. Please do more reactions to them! :)
One of the Best Singers Ever!!! And Still Can Sing at that Level!!!
At that time, it was truly a surprise for Styx fans to see them reunite with Tommy Shaw. This is the first time with him back in the group since 1983's Kilroy Was Here. That album/tour broke up the band.
They did reform in 1990 and asked Shaw to join, but he was busy with Damn Yankees at the time. Styx then hired Glen Burtnik for vocals/guitar on their 1990 album Edge of the Century.
This was amazing to see them all together again (sans founding drummer John Panozzo, who died that year). You can see how much talent and hard work they put into their music and performance.
They did end up writing a new album released in 1999 called Brave New World, but as they were about to tour for the album, vocalist/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung said he couldn't, due to a light sensitivity he had at the time. They decided to go ahead and tour without DeYoung, replacing him with vocalist/keyboardist Lawrence Gowan, who remains with the band to this day.
DeYoung and Styx have never reconciled and with each passing year it gets less likely he'll ever rejoin them, even if for a one-off.
I never had an opportunity to see Styx live unfortunately, but longtime fan going back to late 70's. I did see Tommy Shaw with Damn Yankees around 90-91. They rocked a few Styx songs and they rocked them good! If I may request Come Again from Damn Yankees I believe you'll both love it!
You have to understand, this was recorded in 1978, when unemployment was close to 10%. I remember people were being laid off all over the place back then. Interest rates were around 22-23%. And inflation was about 13%. It was a terrible time for America's economy. As it is right now.
The lyrics are:
"Long nights, impossible odds".
Styx has been recording since 1972.
Styx is my favorite band. Personally, Tommy Shaw {the writer, lead vocalist/guitarist here}, was the reason I became a fan of the band. And "Blue Collar Man" is my favorite Styx song of all time.
They have always had at least 3 singer/songwriters, (at one time 4). You should give James (JY) Young's song "Miss America" (studio version) a listen. It's very different than this...
My very first Rock concert when I was 14 was this tour. Yep it's high energy.
Per Songfacts This song tells the story of a man who is sick of being mocked for being jobless. He tries to get a job and when he is denied, he tries to persuade people into hiring him.
Styx guitarist Tommy Shaw wrote this song and sang the lead vocals. It's a good example of his songwriting philosophy, which is to write songs people can relate to and enjoy.
This is one of the song Styx plays at just about every concert. On their 2011 tour, it was their opening number, as with unemployment in the United States over 9%, the song was more relevant than ever.
Hell yeah
I just wish I could have attended one of their concerts
Yes now you have to check out Tommy Shaw : Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) this is golden..
You really need to react to Miss America! It features the third singer of the band, James Young, and it rocks!
James Young is one of the greatest rock stars of all time. This band was the soundtrack to my youth. They inspired me to begin my music career by age eleven, that still continues to this day. The seventies was musically special.
Their concert with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra & Chorus was GREAT!!!
It was just Tommy with them. Absolutely fantastic!!!
@@abc456f the whole band did a concert with them also.
@@tamarasimpson9378 Cool, I'll check it out, thanks.
For a couple years I never knew the lyrics for sure...finally saw the lyrics Somewhere, the whole "impossible odds" deal...only made me like the song even more.
Tommy Shaw, so underrated..,saw them 1981. Awesome!
Omg u guys have to do ALL of Styx! Saw them in 81...one
Of the best ever,
Amazing song! The country needs more people with this mentality
Styx great Chicago band. Saw them play in a little local college in Chicago on a Tuesday afternoon around 1972 for free, I was 15. The song Lady had just come out, Tommy Shaw wasnt in the band yet.
you have to hear man in the wilderness and castle walls live. this is a great band. been listening since 78
Great reaction. I was lucky enough to see Styx 4 times with this lineup. Incredible shows. Thanks!
Kick ass performance by a kick-ass band.....I saw them live in the late 90s as well with Foreigner
Saw the same line up in the 90's, you're are right, both bands were killer!
@@betseyr.9081 Hell yeah...right on, seen them in Nashville at the Starwood Amphitheater.
@@SIXX2772 Caught them at PNC Arts Center, NJ - That summer also caught at PNC, The Who, Journey (with Steve), Kansas, Boston, Moody Blues and CSN.
@@betseyr.9081 Oooooh NICE!!!!
It's funny, last night my 19 year old son asked me what kind of music his dad listened to ( hubby passed away last year). Of course Styx was right up there as my husband and I were teens of the 80's. Which led me to your video, and to me buying Styx/Reo/Loverboy ticket for my 2 kids and myself for next month in Bridgeport, CT....haven't seen Styx in 20 years!! Thanks for reacting!!
Great band and cool live performance of the song
I have several Styx "favorites" but a couple that come to mind are "Lorelei" and "Too Much Time On My Hands".
For me it is always the music first and then if I hear that they are good live I would go see a concert to enjoy that live feeling,👍🏻🎹❤️☮️🎤🎸
It is long, nights...impossible odds. You should check out the studio version. I love them live but sometimes you can't understand all the lyrics and these lyrics are just solid, honest and so relatable. That's Tommy Shaw...incredible vocals and guitarist. They still tour so if ever get the chance to see them, you should. Dennis isn't part of the band anymore but they still put on a great show.
My favorite of theirs. First heard it on my big brother's record player. 💙
My high school days and one of my favorite bands, now and then!
The guy singing is Tommy Shaw who has a super Group with the singer for Night Ranger and Ted Nugent !!! Great music 🎶!!! Damn Yankees “Can You Take Me High Enough “ “Come Again “ !!!!
Some of the best Vocals and Lyrics of any song in Rock History:
I'll take those long nights, impossible odds
Keeping my back to the wall
All that to be just what I am
Well, I'm gonna be a blue collar man.
Styx is underrated!!!
Y'all need to watch him and somebody sticks when they're older but watching him the lead singer there playing with an orchestra and a choir singing that particular song and a bunch of other ones they are freaking amazing watching the kids singing along with him it's just awesome they're still out there kicking it even sound better than they did when they were younger I watched these guys and listen to them when I was growing up well I was already grown up already been through the early 50s and 60s and 70s but they come along and I was cruising with my top down and still listening to music they're still rocking and rolling now that's awesome thanks for putting it out there guys
Styx played High School dances around Chicago. I know people who saw them in High School. Same with Cheap Trick and REO Speedwagon. 😁
Talented band. The vocals sound great because they had talented people on sound, but those guys could all REALLY sang.
I saw them on this tour in 96 in California. Total, I've seen them live 8 times - but this tour was the best of the all.
Metallica puts on the most badass shows ever.
Pink Floyd puts on the most amazing epic shows.
Iron Maiden or Marilyn Manson puts on the wildest shows.
But NO ONE is more fun to see live than Styx. Sure there are others as fun, but none can top the pure vibing feel good fun entertainment. Their music ALWAYS lifts you up. They're shows are like a religious experience - you just can't help swinging like a deacon and smiling like a Cheshire cat throughout the show.
If you're going to check out more Styx, you can't go wrong with live performances - they are so energetic and fun to watch live.
The singer is Tommy Shaw. Other Styx songs you've done "Come Sail Away" and "Babe" was a different singer - Dennis DeYoung who you saw on the keyboards and spoke to the audience at the end of the video. The other (taller) blond guitarist also sings some of the songs - so they have three different singers each with their own style and sound.
It is the music. I grew up with the radio. I didn't even know what many artists and bands looked like.
Just saw Styx in El paso Texas last month, they were killer! they just keep getting better!
This performance is in Chicago, where the band was originally formed.
Wow! This one is a straight banger!!
Love from the Central Valley California ❤
Tommy Shaw also sings with Damn Yankees
To answer your question...
Listen to the Entire album from start to finish. In this case Styx - Paradise Theater
It tells a story, but you have to figure it out from the music, the lyrics, the order of the songs, the vibe (this case inner city downtown) and the art of the album cover front & back.
This is all we had back in the 70's and 80's.
The music had to speak to something in you to connect.
And sometimes, it could not be fully expressed in just one song...
Listen to the whole album, and you will understand. (Read along with the lyrics)
It's Opera... Rock Opera!
Do you EVEN. Realize that solo?!? Short, but ABSOLUTELY INSANE!!😍
Here are the Lyrics to the song:
Give me a job, give me security
Give me a chance to survive
I'm just a poor soul in the unemployment line
My God, I'm hardly alive
My mother and father, my wife and my friends
You see them laugh in my face
But I've got the power and I've got the will
I'm not a charity case
I'll take the long night, impossible odds
Keepin' my eye to the keyhole
If it takes all that to be just what I am
Well I'm gonna be a blue collar man
Make me an offer that I can't refuse
Make me respectable, man
This is my last time in the unemployment line
So like it or not, I'll take the
Long nights, impossible odds
Keepin' my back to the wall
If it takes all night to be just what I am
Well, I'm gonna be a blue collar man
Keepin' my mind on a better life
Where happiness is only a heartbeat away
Paradise can it be all I heard it was
I close my eyes and maybe I'm already there
I'll take those long nights, impossible odds
Keepin' my eye to the keyhole
All that to be just what I am
Well I'm gonna be a blue collar man
Do do do do do do do do
(You don't understand)
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
I'll take those long nights, impossible odds
Keepin' my eye to the keyhole
If it takes all night to be just what I am
I'm gonna be a blue collar
Got to be a blue collar
Gonna be a blue collar man
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Tommy Shaw
Blue Collar Man (Long Nights) lyrics © Almo Music
Such a great 70s band!
I was fortunate enough to have seen them when they played inside Diamond Head Crater, Honolulu, Hawaii when I was stationed there ?78or 79? BTW, Heart opened up for them.
I've always loved this song. I've been working at the same factory for the last 16 years, my dad was a plant supervisor at a different place, and my grandfather was a trucker and a loading dock guy. The song runs deep with the family. What I'm trying to say is we're all bunch of boneheads lol. Stay in school kids.
Asia smiles like the Sun was only meant to shine on her! I love it!
I saw STYX in April. They still got it, and Tommy Shaw hasn’t lost a step.
TODD SUCHERRMANN IS A BEAST!
What a great song. But I do think you can hear it better on the studio album and then you could view the words. I think it would be worth it for you. Great song. Great band. I think they’re soft side and their hard side worked well together but they had differences in which direction to go because of those differences. Anyway, I loved their music.
Seeing this clip makes me very sorry that I never saw Styx live.
Same here.
Another great Tommy Shaw composition with him on lead.
I highly recommend Tommy shaw's concert with the Cleveland youth orchestra. Its amazing.
My favorite Styx song!
🤘🏼🎶🤘🏼
"Sweet Madame Blue". Hit that!
This song came out in late 70's early 80's at the height of inflation and layoffs and steel plant closings.
Long nights, impossible odds. Tommy Shaw singing and lead guitar
Tommy is such a great songwriter