- Song: Sing for the Day
- Album: Pieces of Eight (1978)
- Number of Streams: 1,634,760
"Sing for the Day" by Styx, from their 1978 album Pieces of Eight, showcases the band's blend of progressive rock and pop. Written by Tommy Shaw, the song features intricate guitar work and uplifting lyrics celebrating youthful exuberance. Its unique blend of acoustic and electric elements, along with Shaw's distinctive vocals, helped it stand out. The album itself marked a shift towards more personal and introspective themes and saw great commercial success. The song's catchy melody and positive message helped make it one of the more memorable tracks from the album.
- Song: Miss America
- Album: The Grand Illusion (1977)
- Number of Streams: 4,671,374
"Miss America" by Styx, from their 1977 album The Grand Illusion, stands out for its hard rock edge and biting lyrics. Written by guitarist James "J.Y." Young, the song critiques the superficiality of beauty pageants and the fleeting nature of fame. The song features powerful guitar riffs and dynamic vocals. "Miss America" remains a fan favorite at concerts for its raw energy and thought-provoking message.
- Song: Rockin' the Paradise
- Album: Paradise Theatre (1981)
- Number of Streams: 4,689,134
"Rockin' the Paradise" by Styx is a standout track from their 1981 concept album Paradise Theatre. The song captures the band's signature blend of rock and theatrical elements, reflecting the album's theme of the rise and fall of a fictional theater. Written by Dennis DeYoung, James Young, and Tommy Shaw, it features energetic guitar riffs and powerful vocals. The album was a commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
- Song: Man In The Wilderness
- Album: The Grand Illusion (1977)
- Number of Streams: 5,162,509
"Man in the Wilderness" by Styx, from their 1977 album The Grand Illusion, is a reflective rock ballad written by guitarist Tommy Shaw. The song explores themes of existential searching and personal struggle. Shaw drew inspiration from his own feelings of isolation and the pressures of fame. The track has a haunting melody and powerful vocal delivery. The album itself was a breakthrough for Styx, solidifying their place in rock history with its blend of progressive rock and arena-ready anthems.
- Song: Don't Let It End
- Album: Kilroy Was Here (1983)
- Number of Streams: 6,751,121
"Don't Let It End" is a power ballad by Styx from their 1983 concept album Kilroy Was Here. Written by Dennis DeYoung, the song reflects the album's futuristic, dystopian theme. It reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, showcasing the band's knack for blending rock with theatrical elements. The music video, featuring a mix of live-action and animation, added to its appeal. Kilroy Was Here was notable for its ambitious storyline, addressing censorship and the role of technology in society.
- Song: Lorelei
- Album: Equinox (1975)
- Number of Streams: 7,058,933
"Lorelei," released in 1975 by Styx, is a standout track from their album Equinox. The song showcases the band's signature blend of progressive rock and pop elements, featuring catchy melodies and harmonized vocals. Written by Dennis DeYoung and James Young, "Lorelei" tells the story of a captivating woman, drawing inspiration from German folklore. The track's infectious keyboard riff and energetic guitar work helped it become a staple in Styx's live performances. Its success marked a turning point for the band, setting the stage for their later mainstream achievements.
- Song: Suite Madame Blue
- Album: Equinox (1975)
- Number of Streams: 7,263,840
"Suite Madame Blue," from Styx's 1975 album Equinox, is a progressive rock epic that reflects on America's bicentennial and critiques the nation's state. Written by Dennis DeYoung, the song features a blend of orchestral arrangements and hard rock elements, showcasing the band's versatility. The song's title cleverly plays on "Sweet Madame Blue". "Suite Madame Blue" helped establish Styx's reputation for combining thought-provoking themes with complex musical compositions.
- Song: Crystal Ball
- Album: Crystal Ball (1976)
- Number of Streams: 7,793,962
"Crystal Ball," released in 1976, is a standout track by Styx from their album of the same name. Written by guitarist Tommy Shaw, who had just joined the band, the song marked his first major contribution. Its introspective lyrics and acoustic guitar intro set it apart from the band's earlier, more hard-rock-oriented work. The song's blend of progressive rock and melodic elements showcase Shaw's influence on the band's evolving sound. "Crystal Ball" remains a fan favorite, often highlighted for its emotional depth and Shaw's distinctive vocal performance.
- Song: Grand Illusion
- Album: The Grand Illusion (1977)
- Number of Streams: 9,994,949
"The Grand Illusion," released in 1977, is the title track of Styx's breakthrough album. Written by Dennis DeYoung, the song explores themes of self-delusion and the superficial nature of fame. Its progressive rock style, characterized by intricate keyboard and guitar work, set it apart from mainstream rock of the time. The album's success catapulted Styx to stardom, largely due to its thought-provoking lyrics and polished production.
- Song: Show Me the Way
- Album: Edge of the Century (1990)
- Number of Streams: 11,830,673
"Show Me the Way" by Styx, from their 1990 album Edge of the Century, became a significant hit during the Gulf War. Written by Dennis DeYoung, the song's heartfelt plea for guidance resonated with many Americans during a time of uncertainty. Its popularity surged as it was adopted by radio stations and TV networks, often accompanied by images of troops and their families. The song's melodic rock style, combined with its poignant lyrics, helped it reach No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. This track marked a successful comeback for Styx in the early 1990s.
- Song: Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
- Album: The Grand Illusion (1977)
- Number of Streams: 12,281,542
"Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)" is a standout track from Styx's 1977 album The Grand Illusion. Written by guitarist Tommy Shaw, the song addresses self-doubt and the struggle to overcome personal obstacles. Its progressive rock style features complex time signatures and synthesizer-driven melodies, which were innovative for the era. The track showcases the band's musical versatility with an uplifting message and catchy hook.
- Song: Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
- Album: Pieces of Eight (1978)
- Number of Streams: 27,386,229
"Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)" by Styx, from their 1978 album Pieces of Eight, is a hard rock anthem that resonated with the working class. Written by Tommy Shaw, the song was inspired by a friend’s struggle with unemployment. Its driving rhythm and relatable lyrics struck a chord during a time of economic uncertainty. The track features a memorable keyboard riff by Dennis DeYoung and showcases Shaw's powerful vocals. Its blend of rock and progressive elements helped it become a staple on rock radio, solidifying Styx's place in the late '70s rock scene.
- Song: The Best of Times
- Album: Paradise Theatre (1981)
- Number of Streams: 28,522,583
"The Best of Times" by Styx, from their 1981 album Paradise Theatre, is a standout track that blends rock with theatrical elements. Written by Dennis DeYoung, the song reflects on nostalgia and optimism during challenging times. It became one of the band's biggest hits, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Paradise Theatre is a concept album, using the metaphor of a decaying theater to comment on societal changes.
- Song: Boat on the River
- Album: Cornerstone (1979)
- Number of Streams: 30,469,104
"Boat on the River" by Styx, from their 1979 album Cornerstone, stands out for its folk-inspired sound, a departure from the band's usual rock style. The song features Tommy Shaw on lead vocals and mandolin which adds a unique texture. Despite not being a major hit in the U.S., it gained significant popularity in Europe, especially in Germany. Its success abroad helped solidify Styx's international fan base, proving that the experimental musical shift could earn them new fans while not alienating older ones.
- Song: Lady
- Album: Styx II (1973)
- Number of Streams: 30,750,615
"Lady" by Styx, released in 1973 on their album Styx II, became the band's first major hit. Written by Dennis DeYoung, the song showcases a blend of progressive rock and power ballad elements. Initially, it received little attention until a DJ in Chicago started playing it, leading to its rise in popularity. The song's heartfelt lyrics and DeYoung's powerful vocals made the song a staple of 1970s rock. Its success helped propel Styx into mainstream recognition, setting the stage for their future hits.
- Song: Too Much Time on My Hands
- Album: Paradise Theatre (1981)
- Number of Streams: 45,224,949
"Too Much Time on My Hands" by Styx, from their 1981 album Paradise Theatre, became a standout track due to its catchy melody and relatable lyrics about boredom and disillusionment. Written by Tommy Shaw, the song features a distinctive synthesizer riff and a driving rock beat, capturing the essence of early '80s rock. Its success was bolstered by the band's theatrical live performances and the song's timely reflection on societal issues. The track reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it one of Styx's most memorable hits.
- Song: Mr. Roboto
- Album: Kilroy Was Here (1979)
- Number of Streams: 71,840,458
"Mr. Roboto" by Styx, from their 1983 album Kilroy Was Here, is a rock song that blends elements of synth-pop and progressive rock. The song tells the story of a man named Kilroy who escapes from a futuristic prison with the help of a robot. Its catchy chorus, "Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto," became a cultural catchphrase. The song's innovative use of synthesizers and its futuristic theme is emblematic of '80s synth-ladden music. The music video and live performances featured elaborate costumes and theatrics, enhancing its appeal.
- Song: Babe
- Album: Cornerstone (1979)
- Number of Streams: 108,970,285
"Babe," a hit single from Styx's 1979 album Cornerstone, was written by Dennis DeYoung as a birthday gift for his wife. Initially not intended for release, the song's heartfelt lyrics and smooth, piano-driven melody became popular with listeners, propelling it to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Babe" marked a departure from Styx's rock-oriented sound, showcasing a softer, more ballad-like style. Its success helped Cornerstone achieve multi-platinum sales status.
- Song: Come Sail Away
- Album: The Grand Illusion (1977)
- Number of Streams: 164,667,102
"Come Sail Away" by Styx, from their 1977 album The Grand Illusion, is a rock anthem blending progressive rock and power ballad elements. Written by Dennis DeYoung, the song tells a story of self-discovery and hope, using sailing as a metaphor. Its dynamic structure, starting with a soft piano intro and building to a powerful rock crescendo, captivated listeners. The song's universal themes and memorable melody have made it a classic of '70s rock radio. "Come Sail Away" is also a perfect example of Styx's signature harmonies.
- Song: Renegade
- Album: Pieces of Eight (1978)
- Number of Streams: 190,081,533
"Renegade," a hit from Styx's 1978 album Pieces of Eight, is known for its dramatic storytelling and powerful harmonies. Written by Tommy Shaw, the song tells the tale of an outlaw facing execution. Its haunting a cappella intro and driving rock rhythm have made it one of Styx's most popular songs. The song's suspenseful narrative and energetic guitar riffs contributed to its popularity, making it a staple at Styx concerts. "Renegade" also gained renewed attention when it was featured in the TV show Freaks and Geeks and the Adam Sandler film Billy Madison.
