I feel so vindicated in thinking this song was epic when I was a teen. 40 something years later and people are still enjoying this and seeing it for the 🔥 it is.
Did you ever have the Killroy album? It's pretty cheesy but has some good moments. I like the song Heavy Metal Poisoning. But as a kid I assumed by the title it was a metal song lol
I had this tape - and could give a song by song review. Cheesy moments is a fair assessment. People forget how good the ballad "Don't Let It End" was. Underrated songs include "Just Get Through This Night" (put the headphones on to listen to this), and "Haven't We Been Here Before" which was supposed to be a single, but eventually wasn't (even though a video was shot for it).
Renegade, Too Much Time On My Hands and Blue Collar Man gents are more musical bangers from Styx. They were huge in the late 70s and 80s. In Blue Collar Man and Renegade, Styx really changes it up like they do in Mr Roboto. Thanks for this great reaction gentlemen!
Golden voiced Dennis DeYoung. Styx' long time fans didn't much care for this new sound compared to their more clsssic rock or prog sound but their younger fans ate it up. This was a huge hit.
@klipkultur3680 Totally agree. On another note, I thought the smaller blonde guy shown at the beginning and end was the singer? Sorry, I don't know their names. I believed this because I saw a live reaction of Renegade, the blonde dude was singing his tale off
My grandpa always laughed at this because it reminded him of some of the better times from WWII. The troops were always trying to be the first to get to different places and a lot of the US and English troops would draw the cartoon picture and put it over “Kilroy Was Here “ for the other troops to see.
This song is pretty iconic in US music history, but as it turns out, this song/album/tour was the final straw in the band breaking up as the lineup was at the time. Dennis DeYoung was the driving force for where the band was going (he wanted to be more artistic and theatrical), but Tommy Shaw and JY Young wanted no part of it (they just wanted to rock out).
This was the first album I'd purchased because if my mama knew I was listening to groups like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, I would've got whooped a goodun' Songs? They have a good catalog but "Lady" has always held a special place in my heart and I still get emotional from hearing it forty plus years later
Great one, guys! If you liked this and that New Wave techno style- you MUST react to the KING of that style: Gary Neumann and his monster hit “ CARS”!!!! ❤❤❤
This is definitely one of my top 20 songs of the 80s. I was SO in to this. I can get with your comparison to Queen. Great comment. Great reaction. I subscribed tonight. Lots of good Styx songs. This is a song that lots of long time Styx fans didn't like. For me, this was the first Styx song I heard (where I knew it was Styx). So it's awesome to me.
Kilroy was here was a message and a symbol with Half of a face and 2 hands looking over a wall. After the US army took Certain German territories they would write that on the walls... That was a bad ass dis back in that day
Great song. Unfortunately it kind of spelled the end for Styx because lead singer Dennis DeYoung wanted to move into a more theatrical type direction musically, as in this song, while others in the band wanted to stay with the rock sound Styx was known for. After Styx broke up, Dennis had a pretty decent solo hit called “Desert Moon.” The video was shown a lot on MTV at the time.
I think it was this song that was the end for Styx, The guitarist Tommy Shaw wanted a harder rock vision and Dennis DeYoung was moving into a more Broadway type direction with the group.
Yup. As much as I love this song, for all the personal good memories it brings me, it also reminds me of the big blow-up it caused within the band and among the fans.😢
Also, Tommy was dealing with a heroin addiction (referenced in "Snowblind" on the previous album) and needed time to rehab. The rest of the band wanted to replace him because they had been offered an opportunity to do a big stadium tour such as Journey had done for MTV the year before, and they wouldn't need new music, as they were due for a "Greatest Hits" package. But Dennis said they should wait for Tommy, which didn't work so well as Tommy chose to form Damn Yankees (with Ted Nugent and Jack Blades) instead. It took a decade for Tommy to come back, and then it only lasted two albums before a permanent split. Nowadays, Tommy and JY perform as Styx (with a new rhythm section and new keyboard player) and Dennis performs as :"Dennis DeYoung and the music of Styx" with a different band of his own.. Sad, but so it goes.
Mr Roboto is a very interesting song. It is weird and strange, makes you think "WTF is this?", but it is *good*. It's the unhinged, uninhibited creative expression of a very talented musician.
I Loved your reaction. The lead singer on this one is Dennis DeYoung, he's also the keyboardist. - If you're serious about checking more Styx out, please give a listen to Crystal Ball. It is a favorite of mine. Guitarist Tommy Shaw sings Crystal Ball. Much love.
Fellas, Styx have great music that u guys have to react like Blue Collar Man; Lady; Show Me The Way; Fooling Yourself N u guys have to react to the live version of Fooling Yourself cuz they R playing with a bunch of kids playing Violins, Clarinets, Flutes, Sax; Cello; Drums; Percussions; Horns; Trumbone; Tuba; Harp n many more instruments. Just seeing the kids perform is bad ass. Styx is an American rock band from Chicago (my hometown) that formed in 1972 and is best known for melding hard rock guitar balanced with acoustic guitar, synthesizers mixed with acoustic piano, upbeat tracks with power ballads, and incorporating elements of international musical theatre. The band established itself with a progressive rock sound in the 1970s, and began to incorporate pop rock and soft rock elements in the 1980s. Tommy Shaw is the lead singer of this song n he is playing the guitar. Tommy Shaw has great music that u guys also have to react like 1)Lonely School; 2)Dangerous Game!!!
This song was a part of their rock opera album "Kilroy Was Here", and to understand it you need some background about the story. In concert they played a short movie to introduce the audience to the story. "Mr. Roboto" is not usual Styx song style although they have a wide variety of song styles. Dennis Deyoung sang lead(and wrote) on this one, and is the guy in purple; and Tommy Shaw also sings lead(and writes) other Styx hits. James "JY" Young also writes and sings lead on a few of their songs. More usual fair are songs "Come Sail Away" (NOT OFFICIAL VIDEO), "Blue Collar Man", "Prelude 12/Suite Madam Blue", "Fooling Yourself", "Lady", "Man In The WIlderness", "Castle Walls", "Crystal Ball", "Queen Of Spades", "Renegade".
paradise theatre from styx was their original concept album and its a masterpiece.."renegade", come sail away", "foolin yourself","babe" "lady" are among their biggest hits and theres a big library of music fromthem
My two favorite Styx songs are Miss America and Eddie. Eddie was written for Ted Kennedy when he was thinking of running for President. Both of these songs seem to be forgotten. I think you guys would like Grand Illusion also. By the way, the drumming in Eddie makes the song for me.
This is an iconic band and good though controversial song between band members. They have dozens of memorable if not legendary tunes like Come Sail Away, Suite Madame Blue,Blue Collar Man, Fooling Yourself, Renegade! The album and song is like their version of a rock opera like The WHO did more than a decade before, just not at that level. Dennis was ahead of the time as he perceived that machines were about to take control of our world. This was more than a decade before cell phones!Domo arigato means Thank You!I saw them perform the rock opera live at The Paladium in New York City. Overall they had more hit songs than Queen!
Try "Renegade", "Suite Madame Blue", "Blue Collar Man", "Fooling Yourself", "Come Sail Away", "Too Much Time On My Hands", "Crystal Ball" (it's one of their older songs).
They r such an amazing, expressive group of talent. So fun to see live. "Come Sail Away" is prob my fav. Just a beautiful combo of musical talent. Thanx so much for the memories, take care, Peace
This was a time when Rock & Roll was changing. There had been a big rift between Rock & Roll and Disco/Dance music. As Rock & Roll was declining and New Wave was dominating MTV, several Rock groups were "selling out" as hard core Rock fans would say like Starship, Rod Stewart, Rolling Stones, Queen, and others. With this song, Styx joined that list. Most of these "sell out" albums were big pop hits as was this album for Styx. Despite this song and album being very successful, this was still too much for some Styx band members who were Rock & Rollers and not dance/pop music players and the band began to fall apart. It would be like a Hip Hop group doing a collaboration w Sam Smith or something like that. This happened to a number of Rock bands in 80s who tried to change with the times as Rock was changing and many found it hard to adapt and it was breaking up Rock bands.
That drummer was rated as the fastest one on the planet when I was a kid, the singer, Dennis DeYoung is still touring and playing these songs still to this day! He was here in Halifax, Canada a year before covid times. Great singer that man, he can play piano, just awesome talent with that band.
This Song was composed by the Lead Singer Dennis DeYoung and it nearly destroyed STYX as a Band. They were known as a Rock band and some of the members thought this was to "theatrical" . However this Song came out in the early 80s and technology was advancing so rapidly so the Lyrics were almost a Warning as to what can happen if it becomes a dominant force. Want to see a "Mr. Roboto" today? Look at every kid glued to their devices.
I saw these guys the second time, the 1st was in '78, on this tour 40 years ago when this album, "Kilroy Was Here", came out. Tommy Shaw, guitarist and singer, didn't really like this record. He thought an album about robots taking over was stupid. Dennis DeYoung, who wrote this, wanted a concept sci-fi theme to the record. Kilroy is the hero who saves humanity
This song/album is literally what broke Styx up as we knew them, forever. Dennis DeYoung, the guy singing, wrote this album and songs as a rock opera concept album. The rest of the band hated it and bitter DeYoung from the band. They have a new singer (not as good imo) and still write and tour. Up until a few years ago, the band refused to play this song live on tour. Fans demanding it finally convinced them to add it to set lists. Such a great song.
Styx - Kilroy Was Here was my very first concert. I was like five feet from the stage, and it was freakin' awesome. You guys should do more Styx. They have a pretty sizeable library and tons of great songs.
If you're looking for more Styx, don't limit yourself. All of them can sing, as you may have figured out but, as for songs, here ya go: 1. The Grand Illusion 2. Miss America 3. Babe 4. The Best Of Times 5. Crystal Ball 6. Too Much Time On My Hands 7. Blue Collar Man 8. Come Sail Away 9. Fooling Yourself And, if that's not enough, try Show Me The Way and Suite Madame Blue. I'm sure you'll be happy. However, try looking for their music videos, or live 2nd. This is one group of musicians that are amazing, no matter when or how you hear them. Always, great, always polished, but their visuals are great.
Band dressed up in spray painted cardboard boxes on stage for ROBOTO, Denise DeYoung’s idea of “Theatrical”. Fans walked out in droves! Denise DeROBOTO killed Styx. They ROCKED for the most part, still a huge fan.
Styx has always been a three-headed monster (Greek mythology joke), so you have a variety of options. This is Dennis DeYoung, the keyboard player and the man behind their progressive rock/high-concept songs. (Hence your noting the resemblance to Queen.) Others in this vein include "Suite Madame Blue", "The Grand Illusion", "Come Sail Away", and "The Best of Times". Dennis also wrote the band's love songs (he and high school sweetheart Suzanne Feusi will celebrate their 54th anniversary in January…yes, he loved her so much he got married in JANUARY, in CHICAGO!) including "Lady" (which got them out of their first contract with a tiny local label that was pretty worthless), "Lorelei" and their only #1 hit, "Babe". (Ironically, although Tommy Shaw is thought of as a singles artist, it is Dennis who had all of the band's biggest hits.) Tommy Shaw (the small guitarist) writes songs about going through tough times, but in a straight-ahead rocking singles style. Examples include "Crystal Ball", "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)", "Renegade", and "Too Much Time on My Hands" James Young (tall guitarist) writes snarky songs with an aggressive hard-rock edge. Examples include "Midnight Ride", "Miss America" and "The Great White Hope". One of his best songs, "Half-Penny Two-Penny" is basically the climax of the band's previous concept piece ("Paradise Theater") and in live performances, they would slide right from that into Dennis's closing theme, "A.D. 1958" (Dennis still uses that to close his shows) and it was very effective. Additionally, while the band was still fighting to find its feet on their first four albums (on tiny Wooden Nickel Records in Chicago), there are a lot of hidden gems there. For example, the first albums is largely cover versions of unknown songs (because the label didn't trust them to write on their own), but between Dennis arranging the instruments and JY rocking hard on the vocals, they really work. Try "Quick is the Beat of My Heart", which was the show opener for years. The 2nd album features Dennis being witheringly sarcastic in "Father O.S.A." and John Curulewski (the other original guitarist; Tommy is a replacement) with the exquisite "A Day". Tensions between Dennis and John C. made recording the third album a chore, to the point where Dennis refuses to play "The Grove of Eglantine" live…which is a pity because it's awesome. (James Young rocks a number of songs, such as "Young Man" as well.) And then there's "Golden Lark", IMO the best of the fourth album. (I went in such detail for these because they won't pop up on Spotify [there's reason you never heard of Wooden Nickel Records, after all], but they are really worth digging into, as well.) Enjoy the ride!
Styx Rabbit Hole you say? Their first hit was Lady (and some credit to being the very first Power Ballad). Come Sail Away (not the live/single version - but the album version) is worth a listen. Show Me The Way (Gulf War version). Boat On a River (a big hit in Germany of all places). Fight of Our LIves from their most recent album (since you mentioned Flash Gordon - which recalls the Queen song of the same name).
Styx has many great songs but I hate that this was your first. I can't recall another song by them that is similar. I don't want you to be disappointed.
So that was Dennis DeYoung that sang this song and he wkas the original singer. They added Tommy Shaw after a few albums and they had a little tug of war with Dennis and Tommy. Tommy wanted more rock music and Dennis wanted more theatrical and the rest of the band sided with Tommy and Dennis decided to leave the band. Tommy Shaw is a great singer also so try listening to Blue Collar man, Renegade
Hey guys, maybe you would like to check out Depeche Mode? ( People are People, Everything count, World in my eyes, Never let me down live at the Rosebowl....)
Dennis DeYoung is awesome! He wrote and sang the top songs for Styx. He was one of the cofounders. Unfortunately, he is not in the band. Tommy and JY have their own hysterical stories stating Dennis’ departure. Don’t believe what you hear.🙄
change. Bought a best of Styx for a buck. I forgot how many songs they have and they really could sing. Two lead singers. It was said at the time they jumped the shark with Mr Roboto. Still better than today's tripe.
This song is considered by many older Styx fans from the 70's to have ruined the group and ended their run as one of the huge groups from the 70's. I remember when it came out and thought it was a huge departure from what they normally played. I personally love Renegade.
Sounds like Japanese and Italian lol ,,, but by 1983 tech was so far advanced and the question of how much of it do we need really is hitting home now .. Styx Songs ,,BABE ,, Too Much Time on My Hands official video ,,,, The Grand Illusion ,,,...
14:12 To give you guys just a little background about Styx. They have been together for 52 years now and have a Ton of content. Most recently an album they did 3 years ago called Crash of the Crown. They have been touring for decades now as well and we make sure to see them whenever they perform near us. They are fantastic live. Please enjoy more of their content. From ballads to rock and roll.
"My brain IBM", IBM is not Japanese. But Japan is leading in technology so it makes sense to have the Japanese lyrics in there. I turned 11 in '83 and was really into this song. Had the cassette but the other songs were pretty cheesy. Later I got into punk, and Styx seemed lame from a punk perspective. There's an interview where Joey Ramone was asked to mention a name of a modern band that sucked and he said Styx lol. I like Ramones, Talking Heads, the Clash, Minutemen, Dead Kennedys, Plasmatics, Crass, Conflict, Poison Girls, Slits...
You gotta do Renegade. Dennis doesn’t sing on it, Tommy Shaw does. He’s the young looking guy in the Mr Roboto video but he’s also got a great voice. And he can play the hell out of the guitar.
LOVE Styx but not this one!!! Renegade, Sweet Madame Blue, Lorelei, Too Much Time On My Hands ALL are better than Mr Roboto! Saw Tommy Shaw of Styx open for Daryl Hall & John Oates years. Two awesome concerts in one!
this song and the album drove the band to breakup. Tommy Shaw complained that it was too theatrical and not what the band stood. he basically wanted to rock instead of playing a broadway musical. i do agree with Tommy. it was a huge departure from tgeir previous albums. check out some of tommy shaw's solo work. Girls With Guns and also the music from damn Yankees.
Back then I would change the radio station or just turn the sound off for about 4 minutes when this crap was played. And it has not gotten any better over time.
This song blows chunks! Styx did some good stuff this wasn't it even most of the band hates this song. Horrible. Lol. To much time on my hands good tune.
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I feel so vindicated in thinking this song was epic when I was a teen. 40 something years later and people are still enjoying this and seeing it for the 🔥 it is.
Did you ever have the Killroy album? It's pretty cheesy but has some good moments. I like the song Heavy Metal Poisoning. But as a kid I assumed by the title it was a metal song lol
I had this tape - and could give a song by song review. Cheesy moments is a fair assessment. People forget how good the ballad "Don't Let It End" was. Underrated songs include "Just Get Through This Night" (put the headphones on to listen to this), and "Haven't We Been Here Before" which was supposed to be a single, but eventually wasn't (even though a video was shot for it).
This song has always been epic. People who don't like it just have no taste.
Renegade, Too Much Time On My Hands and Blue Collar Man gents are more musical bangers from Styx. They were huge in the late 70s and 80s. In Blue Collar Man and Renegade, Styx really changes it up like they do in Mr Roboto. Thanks for this great reaction gentlemen!
Thanks for the info
@@thisisitreactions thanks for your time and efforts in entertaining us gentlemen! Happy to contribute.
More Styx...Too Much Time On My Hands, Blue Collar Man, Come Sail Away & Fooling Yourself. You will really enjoy all of those.
If they do "Too Much Time on My Hands," then they should follow it up with Jimmy Fallon's version. 😂
I'd add The Grand Illusion, Miss America, Babe, The Best Of Times, Crystal Ball, Show Me The Way and Suite Madame Blue
Golden voiced Dennis DeYoung. Styx' long time fans didn't much care for this new sound compared to their more clsssic rock or prog sound but their younger fans ate it up. This was a huge hit.
People would think this is gimmicky, it's simply epic...
@klipkultur3680 Totally agree. On another note, I thought the smaller blonde guy shown at the beginning and end was the singer? Sorry, I don't know their names. I believed this because I saw a live reaction of Renegade, the blonde dude was singing his tale off
@@stephaniewade2973Both singers of Styx are top tier.
@@allisterfiend_2112 There are three vocalists really. James Young also sings and writes.
I got to see Styx twice in the 80's, they are one of the greatest live acts of all time.
They are good as I have seen them twice live though not even close to bands like YES, The WHO, Jethro Tull!
Saw Tommy Shaw of Styx open for Hall & Oates years ago and that was an epic! More like two awesome concerts in one!
My grandpa always laughed at this because it reminded him of some of the better times from WWII. The troops were always trying to be the first to get to different places and a lot of the US and English troops would draw the cartoon picture and put it over “Kilroy Was Here “ for the other troops to see.
Renegade and Don't Let it End by Styx are also worth looking into. Thanks for another awesome upload 😎👍❤️❤️❤️🎄❄️⛄
One of the greatest bands of all time.
This song is pretty iconic in US music history, but as it turns out, this song/album/tour was the final straw in the band breaking up as the lineup was at the time. Dennis DeYoung was the driving force for where the band was going (he wanted to be more artistic and theatrical), but Tommy Shaw and JY Young wanted no part of it (they just wanted to rock out).
I 😮 stopped buying their albums.. didn't like the new sound they were headed toward by Dennis...
Bullshit. Thats the story they tell now, but it’s not accurate.
This was the first album I'd purchased because if my mama knew I was listening to groups like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, I would've got whooped a goodun'
Songs? They have a good catalog but "Lady" has always held a special place in my heart and I still get emotional from hearing it forty plus years later
Man in the wilderness and Suite Madame Blue. Two more great songs. Styxx has a huge catalog of great songs.
Renegade, Come Sail Away, To Much Time On My Hands...there is a ton of good songs. A magnificent rabbit hole to dive into!
Great one, guys! If you liked this and that New Wave techno style- you MUST react to the KING of that style: Gary Neumann and his monster hit “ CARS”!!!! ❤❤❤
Renegade is my favorite song by Styx saw Dennis deyoung in concert a couple of years ago. He still got it
Must do Renegade!!! ❤❤❤❤❤. Styx is an amazing band!!!
This is definitely one of my top 20 songs of the 80s. I was SO in to this. I can get with your comparison to Queen. Great comment. Great reaction. I subscribed tonight. Lots of good Styx songs. This is a song that lots of long time Styx fans didn't like. For me, this was the first Styx song I heard (where I knew it was Styx). So it's awesome to me.
Kilroy was here was a message and a symbol with Half of a face and 2 hands looking over a wall. After the US army took Certain German territories they would write that on the walls... That was a bad ass dis back in that day
Great song. Unfortunately it kind of spelled the end for Styx because lead singer Dennis DeYoung wanted to move into a more theatrical type direction musically, as in this song, while others in the band wanted to stay with the rock sound Styx was known for. After Styx broke up, Dennis had a pretty decent solo hit called “Desert Moon.” The video was shown a lot on MTV at the time.
Come Sail Away in 1977 from Styx is true opera! Watch the studio version because it is best with effects
I think it was this song that was the end for Styx, The guitarist Tommy Shaw wanted a harder rock vision and Dennis DeYoung was moving into a more Broadway type direction with the group.
Yup. As much as I love this song, for all the personal good memories it brings me, it also reminds me of the big blow-up it caused within the band and among the fans.😢
Also, Tommy was dealing with a heroin addiction (referenced in "Snowblind" on the previous album) and needed time to rehab. The rest of the band wanted to replace him because they had been offered an opportunity to do a big stadium tour such as Journey had done for MTV the year before, and they wouldn't need new music, as they were due for a "Greatest Hits" package. But Dennis said they should wait for Tommy, which didn't work so well as Tommy chose to form Damn Yankees (with Ted Nugent and Jack Blades) instead. It took a decade for Tommy to come back, and then it only lasted two albums before a permanent split.
Nowadays, Tommy and JY perform as Styx (with a new rhythm section and new keyboard player) and Dennis performs as :"Dennis DeYoung and the music of Styx" with a different band of his own.. Sad, but so it goes.
dudes i jammed to this waiting on mom at the dentist , so crazy how memories stick in your brain.
Mr Roboto is a very interesting song.
It is weird and strange, makes you think "WTF is this?", but it is *good*. It's the unhinged, uninhibited creative expression of a very talented musician.
I Loved your reaction. The lead singer on this one is Dennis DeYoung, he's also the keyboardist. - If you're serious about checking more Styx out, please give a listen to Crystal Ball. It is a favorite of mine. Guitarist Tommy Shaw sings Crystal Ball. Much love.
Fellas, Styx have great music that u guys have to react like Blue Collar Man; Lady; Show Me The Way; Fooling Yourself N u guys have to react to the live version of Fooling Yourself cuz they R playing with a bunch of kids playing Violins, Clarinets, Flutes, Sax; Cello; Drums; Percussions; Horns; Trumbone; Tuba; Harp n many more instruments. Just seeing the kids perform is bad ass. Styx is an American rock band from Chicago (my hometown) that formed in 1972 and is best known for melding hard rock guitar balanced with acoustic guitar, synthesizers mixed with acoustic piano, upbeat tracks with power ballads, and incorporating elements of international musical theatre. The band established itself with a progressive rock sound in the 1970s, and began to incorporate pop rock and soft rock elements in the 1980s. Tommy Shaw is the lead singer of this song n he is playing the guitar. Tommy Shaw has great music that u guys also have to react like 1)Lonely School; 2)Dangerous Game!!!
This song was a part of their rock opera album "Kilroy Was Here", and to understand it you need some background about the story. In concert they played a short movie to introduce the audience to the story.
"Mr. Roboto" is not usual Styx song style although they have a wide variety of song styles.
Dennis Deyoung sang lead(and wrote) on this one, and is the guy in purple; and Tommy Shaw also sings lead(and writes) other Styx hits. James "JY" Young also writes and sings lead on a few of their songs.
More usual fair are songs "Come Sail Away" (NOT OFFICIAL VIDEO), "Blue Collar Man", "Prelude 12/Suite Madam Blue", "Fooling Yourself", "Lady", "Man In The WIlderness", "Castle Walls", "Crystal Ball", "Queen Of Spades", "Renegade".
paradise theatre from styx was their original concept album and its a masterpiece.."renegade", come sail away", "foolin yourself","babe" "lady" are among their biggest hits and theres a big library of music fromthem
welcome to the grand illusion, come on in and see what's happening.
I still love that album so much. LoL, I wore my 8-track of it out.
Styx - ‘Renegade’ is a banger
Great reaction to a great song
My two favorite Styx songs are Miss America and Eddie. Eddie was written for Ted Kennedy when he was thinking of running for President. Both of these songs seem to be forgotten. I think you guys would like Grand Illusion also. By the way, the drumming in Eddie makes the song for me.
Listen to come sail away...but many other great songs also
This is an iconic band and good though controversial song between band members. They have dozens of memorable if not legendary tunes like Come Sail Away, Suite Madame Blue,Blue Collar Man, Fooling Yourself, Renegade! The album and song is like their version of a rock opera like The WHO did more than a decade before, just not at that level. Dennis was ahead of the time as he perceived that machines were about to take control of our world. This was more than a decade before cell phones!Domo arigato means Thank You!I saw them perform the rock opera live at The Paladium in New York City. Overall they had more hit songs than Queen!
I really dig watching you guys on the web.....
Try "Renegade", "Suite Madame Blue", "Blue Collar Man", "Fooling Yourself", "Come Sail Away", "Too Much Time On My Hands", "Crystal Ball" (it's one of their older songs).
The Grand Illusion and Foolin Yourself are super Styx tunes.
They r such an amazing, expressive group of talent. So fun to see live. "Come Sail Away" is prob my fav. Just a beautiful combo of musical talent. Thanx so much for the memories, take care, Peace
This was a time when Rock & Roll was changing. There had been a big rift between Rock & Roll and Disco/Dance music. As Rock & Roll was declining and New Wave was dominating MTV, several Rock groups were "selling out" as hard core Rock fans would say like Starship, Rod Stewart, Rolling Stones, Queen, and others. With this song, Styx joined that list. Most of these "sell out" albums were big pop hits as was this album for Styx. Despite this song and album being very successful, this was still too much for some Styx band members who were Rock & Rollers and not dance/pop music players and the band began to fall apart. It would be like a Hip Hop group doing a collaboration w Sam Smith or something like that. This happened to a number of Rock bands in 80s who tried to change with the times as Rock was changing and many found it hard to adapt and it was breaking up Rock bands.
Saw them at the Texas jam Dallas cotton bowl 1978 and 3 other times
That drummer was rated as the fastest one on the planet when I was a kid, the singer, Dennis DeYoung is still touring and playing these songs still to this day! He was here in Halifax, Canada a year before covid times. Great singer that man, he can play piano, just awesome talent with that band.
Sweet madam blue or crystal ball
This Song was composed by the Lead Singer Dennis DeYoung and it nearly destroyed STYX as a Band. They were known as a Rock band and some of the members thought this was to "theatrical" . However this Song came out in the early 80s and technology was advancing so rapidly so the Lyrics were almost a Warning as to what can happen if it becomes a dominant force. Want to see a "Mr. Roboto" today? Look at every kid glued to their devices.
I saw these guys the second time, the 1st was in '78, on this tour 40 years ago when this album, "Kilroy Was Here", came out.
Tommy Shaw, guitarist and singer, didn't really like this record. He thought an album about robots taking over was stupid. Dennis DeYoung, who wrote this, wanted a concept sci-fi theme to the record. Kilroy is the hero who saves humanity
This did hurt Styx at that period in time with the loyal fans ..It was not seen as the Styx they knew ..
Tommy Shaw played along but thought "I'm here to play guitar" (it was Dennis's concept)...but wow!...I'm sure it got to a point...
This song/album is literally what broke Styx up as we knew them, forever. Dennis DeYoung, the guy singing, wrote this album and songs as a rock opera concept album. The rest of the band hated it and bitter DeYoung from the band. They have a new singer (not as good imo) and still write and tour. Up until a few years ago, the band refused to play this song live on tour. Fans demanding it finally convinced them to add it to set lists. Such a great song.
Styx - Kilroy Was Here was my very first concert. I was like five feet from the stage, and it was freakin' awesome. You guys should do more Styx. They have a pretty sizeable library and tons of great songs.
Very cool!
One of the greatest songs to sing too!!
Thanks for the ear worm I will being singing this all day
Come sail away is another great one! It's about alien contact !
Also check out Desert Moon it was a Dennis DeYoung solo tune.
Suite Madam Blue !
If you're looking for more Styx, don't limit yourself. All of them can sing, as you may have figured out but, as for songs, here ya go:
1. The Grand Illusion
2. Miss America
3. Babe
4. The Best Of Times
5. Crystal Ball
6. Too Much Time On My Hands
7. Blue Collar Man
8. Come Sail Away
9. Fooling Yourself
And, if that's not enough, try Show Me The Way and Suite Madame Blue. I'm sure you'll be happy. However, try looking for their music videos, or live 2nd. This is one group of musicians that are amazing, no matter when or how you hear them. Always, great, always polished, but their visuals are great.
Band dressed up in spray painted cardboard boxes on stage for ROBOTO, Denise DeYoung’s idea of “Theatrical”. Fans walked out in droves! Denise DeROBOTO killed Styx. They ROCKED for the most part, still a huge fan.
Styx- Suite Madam Blue , Crystal Ball. Less known but really good.
Styx has always been a three-headed monster (Greek mythology joke), so you have a variety of options.
This is Dennis DeYoung, the keyboard player and the man behind their progressive rock/high-concept songs. (Hence your noting the resemblance to Queen.) Others in this vein include "Suite Madame Blue", "The Grand Illusion", "Come Sail Away", and "The Best of Times". Dennis also wrote the band's love songs (he and high school sweetheart Suzanne Feusi will celebrate their 54th anniversary in January…yes, he loved her so much he got married in JANUARY, in CHICAGO!) including "Lady" (which got them out of their first contract with a tiny local label that was pretty worthless), "Lorelei" and their only #1 hit, "Babe".
(Ironically, although Tommy Shaw is thought of as a singles artist, it is Dennis who had all of the band's biggest hits.)
Tommy Shaw (the small guitarist) writes songs about going through tough times, but in a straight-ahead rocking singles style. Examples include "Crystal Ball", "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)", "Renegade", and "Too Much Time on My Hands"
James Young (tall guitarist) writes snarky songs with an aggressive hard-rock edge. Examples include "Midnight Ride", "Miss America" and "The Great White Hope". One of his best songs, "Half-Penny Two-Penny" is basically the climax of the band's previous concept piece ("Paradise Theater") and in live performances, they would slide right from that into Dennis's closing theme, "A.D. 1958" (Dennis still uses that to close his shows) and it was very effective.
Additionally, while the band was still fighting to find its feet on their first four albums (on tiny Wooden Nickel Records in Chicago), there are a lot of hidden gems there. For example, the first albums is largely cover versions of unknown songs (because the label didn't trust them to write on their own), but between Dennis arranging the instruments and JY rocking hard on the vocals, they really work. Try "Quick is the Beat of My Heart", which was the show opener for years. The 2nd album features Dennis being witheringly sarcastic in "Father O.S.A." and John Curulewski (the other original guitarist; Tommy is a replacement) with the exquisite "A Day".
Tensions between Dennis and John C. made recording the third album a chore, to the point where Dennis refuses to play "The Grove of Eglantine" live…which is a pity because it's awesome. (James Young rocks a number of songs, such as "Young Man" as well.) And then there's "Golden Lark", IMO the best of the fourth album.
(I went in such detail for these because they won't pop up on Spotify [there's reason you never heard of Wooden Nickel Records, after all], but they are really worth digging into, as well.)
Enjoy the ride!
Yes Cory. You hit it head on. Although this song has all of the classic 80s sounds, it was actually a little before it's time. I've always love it.
checkin in...
Too Much Time on My Hands...Styx
domo arigato (thank you very much)
Styx Rabbit Hole you say? Their first hit was Lady (and some credit to being the very first Power Ballad). Come Sail Away (not the live/single version - but the album version) is worth a listen. Show Me The Way (Gulf War version). Boat On a River (a big hit in Germany of all places). Fight of Our LIves from their most recent album (since you mentioned Flash Gordon - which recalls the Queen song of the same name).
Styx has many great songs but I hate that this was your first. I can't recall another song by them that is similar. I don't want you to be disappointed.
So that was Dennis DeYoung that sang this song and he wkas the original singer. They added Tommy Shaw after a few albums and they had a little tug of war with Dennis and Tommy. Tommy wanted more rock music and Dennis wanted more theatrical and the rest of the band sided with Tommy and Dennis decided to leave the band. Tommy Shaw is a great singer also so try listening to Blue Collar man, Renegade
Hey guys, maybe you would like to check out Depeche Mode? ( People are People, Everything count, World in my eyes, Never let me down live at the Rosebowl....)
Other classic rock bands to react to: The Who, Boston, Heart, Foreigner, and Bad Company.
Good vid fellas, as usual. Check out Styx's "Come Sail Away." It's a great track.
Dennis DeYoung is awesome! He wrote and sang the top songs for Styx. He was one of the cofounders. Unfortunately, he is not in the band. Tommy and JY have their own hysterical stories stating Dennis’ departure. Don’t believe what you hear.🙄
Too much technology…they sure called it!!!
change. Bought a best of Styx for a buck. I forgot how many songs they have and they really could sing. Two lead singers.
It was said at the time they jumped the shark with Mr Roboto. Still better than today's tripe.
Try Duran Duran WILD BOYS, similar theme, very expensive, produced by Stephen Spielberg instead. You'll love it ❤
This song is considered by many older Styx fans from the 70's to have ruined the group and ended their run as one of the huge groups from the 70's. I remember when it came out and thought it was a huge departure from what they normally played. I personally love Renegade.
We have seen that a alot in the comments! We are definitely going to dive into their 70s catalog!
Flaash aaah aaaaa. Protector of the universe. Aaaah😂 that fn movie lolz
Kilroy goes back to WW2. The GI's would draw a character and write Kilroy was here
You need to listen to come sail away. too much Time on My hands. renegade.
Renegade #1It's gotta be next
👍
This song was inspired by a news report about robots taking over jobs/replacing humans in Japan.
Sounds like Japanese and Italian lol ,,, but by 1983 tech was so far advanced and the question of how much of it do we need really is hitting home now .. Styx Songs ,,BABE ,, Too Much Time on My Hands official video ,,,, The Grand Illusion ,,,...
Not big on Styx but dig Too Much Time On My Hands. Also see Cartman sing Styx- Come Sail Away on South Park lol hilarious
don't take the chip...don't comply!!!!!
14:12 To give you guys just a little background about Styx. They have been together for 52 years now and have a Ton of content. Most recently an album they did 3 years ago called Crash of the Crown.
They have been touring for decades now as well and we make sure to see them whenever they perform near us. They are fantastic live.
Please enjoy more of their content. From ballads to rock and roll.
The song that basically split up the band.
"My brain IBM", IBM is not Japanese. But Japan is leading in technology so it makes sense to have the Japanese lyrics in there. I turned 11 in '83 and was really into this song. Had the cassette but the other songs were pretty cheesy. Later I got into punk, and Styx seemed lame from a punk perspective. There's an interview where Joey Ramone was asked to mention a name of a modern band that sucked and he said Styx lol. I like Ramones, Talking Heads, the Clash, Minutemen, Dead Kennedys, Plasmatics, Crass, Conflict, Poison Girls, Slits...
Please do the songs im too sexy and Rico suave
You gotta do Renegade. Dennis doesn’t sing on it, Tommy Shaw does. He’s the young looking guy in the Mr Roboto video but he’s also got a great voice. And he can play the hell out of the guitar.
LOVE Styx but not this one!!! Renegade, Sweet Madame Blue, Lorelei, Too Much Time On My Hands ALL are better than Mr Roboto!
Saw Tommy Shaw of Styx open for Daryl Hall & John Oates years. Two awesome concerts in one!
I dunno where you guys get your suggestions but you definitely pick a lot of wack songs to react to. This is basically a novelty hit.
this song and the album drove the band to breakup. Tommy Shaw complained that it was too theatrical and not what the band stood. he basically wanted to rock instead of playing a broadway musical.
i do agree with Tommy. it was a huge departure from tgeir previous albums.
check out some of tommy shaw's solo work. Girls With Guns and also the music from damn Yankees.
The 80s served up the best cheese.
This song broke up the band now its their encore😎
I liked a few Styx songs but this always embarrassed me for some reason
Huge fan hate this song
Least liked song of theirs.😣
Back then I would change the radio station or just turn the sound off for about 4 minutes when this crap was played. And it has not gotten any better over time.
This song blows chunks! Styx did some good stuff this wasn't it even most of the band hates this song. Horrible. Lol. To much time on my hands good tune.