So here it goes again, from my favorite song list, I  added an omission and it's "Sing for a Day". If you don't like any of my list, you have the other option.

 

Please explain why.

 

My vote goes again to the fantastic "Lights" due to the excellent vocal work, allso keep Fooling yourself as a close second.

 

Please, the syetem doesn't allow votes to be added so I will have to allow multiple votes so the ones who voted can do it again, PLEASE VOTE ONCE

 

Iván

 

Like the man said...along with 'Castle Walls' and the live version of 'Suite Madame Blue' from Caught In The Act....

 

Styx put out about 3 pretty good psuedo proggy albums in the mid 70s but rapidly deteroirated into a slick AOR pop machine after that, with many releases and songs fluffy enough to make Phil Collins look like Marilyn Manson.

 

 I really like the instrumental break a lot. I thought this might be this last prog song they did.

 

My all-time fave Styx track is 'Castle Walls'.

 

         Kind regards.

 

 

Equinox was the first record I went totally Gaga over.

Everything was downhill from there IMHO.Though Crystal Ball (the song) is fantastic.

Over the years I just like Wooden Nickle albums more,when things were more raw and adventurous.

Serpent is my favorite album ,of that era.

Of the songs listed Fanfare is my pick.

Suite madame blue is sensational,as the rest of that album.

Love that first album from when it all began.

And meant to say,,

'A day' from Styx 2,is probably my favorite song of theirs all together.

So two votes then,from me.

Iván

 

 

 

Missed that course on 20th century American history, huh?

 

  "Red, white, and blue..." that's a clear reference; the big deal was American supported militias in South America and the Dirty Wars around the time Suite Madame Blue was written.

 

 

not to mention a little debacle called Vietnam.......

 

Umm...I don't know what South American and Dirty Wars you would be referenicing other than Vietnam (Which by the way was started by the French in 1938 when they nullified a treaty to try and gain back imperial control). Styx - Equinox was released in 1975. That was the year American pulled out of Vietnam. It wasn't until Ronald Reagan was in office that America was involved in a South American war in Panama and other military excersizes to combat drug flow.

 

Imperialism implys colonization. If you are talking about Guam and Puerto Rico you may be right. Japan, Germany and Kuwait are hardly anything resembeling a colony. Afganistan and Iraq have a military presence now but will also not become American colonies when those confilcts are finally resolved.

 

America might not get this "Imperial" label if conflicts like Bosnia, Kuwait, ect were able to be handled by countries in those regions to settle the conflicts. The fact is, that if America were to pull back and take the pre-World War I stance of isolationism it would leave most of the western world undefended. Just remember next time there is a large scale natural disaster who will be there and be expected to donate the most money and equipment to the recovery, it'll be those American "imperialists".

 

 

leave it to a conservative to rewrite history and conveniently leave out facts. Yes, the French were the last imperialistic government to try to retain control in Vietnam before the US. The Vietnamese kicked their ass in 1954, and of course instead of learning a lesson, the US stepped right in and we proceeded to screw that up for the next 20 years, failing miserably even after promising free elections but rigging to to put a puppet dictator up when it  was clear that Ho Chi Minh was going to win the election easily. And we just didn't pull out of Vietnam, we were basically kicked out because we were getting our hats handed to us and Nixon promised to get us out, in 1968, and it only took him 6 years.

 

Your Rush Limbaugh education obviously seems to have some gaps, because the US has supported right wing dictatorships of the worst kind all over South and Central America for years, as well as in Africa, the Middle East (anyone remember the Shah of Iran?) and the Phillipines, just to name a few. By and large, the governments America supported were corrupt, undemocratic (and some were blatant dictatorships) and practiced inhumane cruelties of the worst kind on their own citizens. But the US supported them becuase they bought our guns and weapons. Reagan's support of corrupt governments in Nicaragua and El Salvador, which led to trading arms for hostages, was only the tip of the iceberg of decades of imperial control over Central America, all designed for MILITARY reasons and the Panama Canal (not to combat drugs---LMAO).

 

The song Suite Madame Blue was not just a song about what was going on in 1975---get a clue. The song was about the US involvement all over the world, generally on the wrong side of the fence when it came to human rights, for the purposes of fighting communism, or the Cold War, and to increase the military-industrial complex which even Eisenhower warned us about in the late 50s. The song is a statement about Vietnam and ALL the places the US was on the wrong side of the fence, supporting puppet dictators in exchange for the sale of arms and military presence (ie see the Phillipines). There is a huge difference between helping out in the name of freedom and humanitarianism like in Bosnia, where there is clear wrong going on, and maintaining corrupt puppet dictatorships for the purposes of controlling an economy and selling our guns and weapons for our pure greed, or controlling foreign oil fields for our pure greed.

 

I sure wish conservatives would take a few history courses once in a while instead of embarrassing themselves by spouting off like that---then we would have to spend much less time correcting their mistatements.

 

You make me laugh good sir. You reiterate my point of the French starting conflict in Vietnam and then say I'm rewriting history. Too Funny. I don't think anyone is disputing America's bungled involvement after the French left. 

 

Now getting back to the topic of Imperialism, this is where you may not only need a few history lessons yourself but maybe a few english lessons as well. Supporting a regime or dictatorship is not colonization. America even supported Suddam Hussein during the Iran/Iraq war. That doesn't mean that Iraq at that time was some type of American colony. It only means that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend". America chose a side in the conflict, that's all. Now it's far cry to declare support for corrupt regimes as imperialistic in comparison to Soviet domination and military control of Eastern Block countries in Europe and Cuba after World War II which in many cases is why America made some of the strange bed fellows you mentioned.

 

I think everyone can pretty much attest that America's relationships with oil producing countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, Oman and Kuwait have had no bearing on oil prices at the pump.  If America really went to war for oil  then we wouldn't be paying $4 a gallon right now.

 

Now here's the real funny part. America has made it's share of mistakes. America isnt perfect but when the Cold War ended and the Berlin wall fell did you happen to notice which side of the wall people came flooding across?  They came across to the western side where freedom is championed. They wanted to escape the imperial control of the Soviet Union. That's the fact!    It gets even better, you'll like this part. Even Russia itself adopted a more capitolist mindframe. That doesn't make Russia a colony either now does it.

 

America isn't imperialist. America just happens to have been the most successful country economically and militarily since World War II. Even being the most militarily successful for over 60 years it hasn't gained any additional territories since then. America has also given more foreign aid than any other country.

 

1.	the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies.

2.	advocacy of imperial interests.

3.	an imperial system of government.

4.	imperial government.

 

The Dictionary is your friend.

 

 

You make me laugh good sir. You reiterate my point of the French starting conflict in Vietnam and then say I'm rewriting history. Too Funny. I don't think anyone is disputing America's bungled involvement after the French left. 

 

 

Now getting back to the topic of Imperialism, this is where you may not only need a few history lessons yourself but maybe a few english lessons as well. Supporting a regime or dictatorship is not colonization.

 

 

 

America even supported Suddam Hussein during the Iran/Iraq war. That doesn't mean that Iraq at that time was some type of American colony. It only means that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend". America chose a side in the conflict, that's all. Now it's far cry to declare support for corrupt regimes as imperialistic in comparison to Soviet domination and military control of Eastern Block countries in Europe and Cuba after World War II which in many cases is why America made some of the strange bed fellows you mentioned.

 

 

 

I think everyone can pretty much attest that America's relationships with oil producing countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, Oman and Kuwait have had no bearing on oil prices at the pump.  If America really went to war for oil  then we wouldn't be paying $4 a gallon right now.

 

 

. My God, you have to be kidding with that statement. Our relationship with oil producing countries has no bearing on oil prices? surely you can't be this naive and vacuous? Do you realize what oil would cost if we didn't have countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in our hip pockets?

 

 

Now here's the real funny part. America has made it's share of mistakes. America isnt perfect but when the Cold War ended and the Berlin wall fell did you happen to notice which side of the wall people came flooding across?  They came across to the western side where freedom is championed. They wanted to escape the imperial control of the Soviet Union. That's the fact!    It gets even better, you'll like this part. Even Russia itself adopted a more capitolist mindframe. That doesn't make Russia a colony either now does it.

 

America isn't imperialist. America just happens to have been the most successful country economically and militarily since World War II. Even being the most militarily successful for over 60 years it hasn't gained any additional territories since then. America has also given more foreign aid than any other country.

 

 

1.	the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies.

2.	advocacy of imperial interests.

3.	an imperial system of government.

4.	imperial government.

 

The Dictionary is your friend.

 

 

I would suggest you read the bolded parts of that definiton, very slowly and carefully.

 

 

 

 

 

I agree, they had the potential for greater stuff. Why they didn't follow more of a Kansas career path is a little disappointing. Kansas captured the proggy aspects of Yes and Genesis in their music along with a hard rock sound much better imo. Styx could have been more Yes like, but when DeYoung had the huge hit with the ballad of Lady, it was too easy to slide into the soft rock ballad territory, because they knew that's where the bucks were. Of course then you had the conflict btw Shaw and DeYoung because of that. Having said that, its kind of funny that DeYoung tried to do a mini prog opera with Mr Roboto which of course failed miserably.

 

the response being that it sold well, and was a big hit, so obviously the record company is going to push for more of that kind of material. Plus, DeYoung at heart sees himself as a piano man crooner, a showtune kind of guy, as you can see from his solo career projects. People around here crucify Phil Collins for one tenth of the kind of commercial sins that people like Dennis DeYoung have committed over the years.

 

 

My vote for Sing for the Day is in the other category, because I either didn't see that option or it was added after the hack.

 

While I'm all for crucifying DeYoung, Phil has sinned much more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All in all, my all-time fave STYX song is an introspective one: 'Castle Walls'. It sets the ultimate connection between STYX' American essence and Britisn prog - much Yes and PF influence in this track, yet remaining true to the spirit of the band's signature sound.

 

  

 

 

 

very well said, Ivan....

 

just what I have been thinking...there are a few 'contributors' to this thread who frankly ought to re-evaluate their PA priorities...

 

earlier on in this thread, I was going to compliment people on what a refreshing change it has been to have positive, constructive discussion on Styx appreciation, as in the past, Styx particularly have come in for quite a bit of unnecessary bashing on this forum....

 

but of course, it doesn't ever seam to be able to stay like that, does it?  someone just has to start bashing America, or intruduce controvertial global political/ religious issues which have absolutely nothing to do with the original subject, and only serve to leave a bad taste in the mouth...

 

...I don't know how the rest of you feel, but I for one am getting a bit fed up of it all....

 

 

 

I understand that the interpretation of Suite Madam Blues can lead to that, but the problem is that instantly the people who want to bash USA (I hate to say America, because I still believe America is a Continent) jump into the thread and with equal reason the people who feel offended by this statements jump in and we start talking about anything except what the original, harmless issue was, I know you personally, and I know you're not anti-USA.

 

But it's not only your valid interptretation, Phil Collins also ended in this thread.  He has absolutely nothing to do in a STYX poll, for God's sake, not even Kansas, being that the guys from Topeka created a 100% Prog band and STYX is mostly great Rock, just because they are both coetaneous and rom USA misleads the analysis of both bands.

 

If we want to debate about USA and their external policy, there is the General Discussion section and if we want to debate about Phil Collins, there are at least four open threads about him.

 

Let's try to keep this in focus, that's all.

 

Iván

 

 

if you followed the thread and actually read the posts, no one just started up and "bashing America". Cesar made a very accurate and well thought out statement that Suite Madame Blue by STYX is a song about America's imperialistic policies and the Vietnam War, which in fact he is dead on right about. For that he was bashed and criticized unfairly, and then people started spouting off with blatant right wing falsities and absurdities as a result. That is what the song is about. Deal with it. If it pains people to know that some songs out there actually dare to criticize the U, S of A, and you don't want to hear about it, I would suggest you stop listening to music with any kind of intelligence associated with it, and listen to Miley Cyrus records, who is unlikely to sing about anything controversial. Do you actually expect people to ignore the meaning of songs and not discuss their meaning? Are people that vacuous?

 

 Suite Madame Blue is a lot of people's favorite Styx song exactly because is one of the few Styx songs they ever did which actually had some meat and substance to it. The meaning of the Styx song had everything to do with the thread, and people should be allowed to freely post their opinions on what the song means and why its an important song.  People have every right to discuss its meaning and the reasons why it is their favorite song and why its important. I would suggest that if discussing the meaning of songs and the implications behind those songs are just too disconcerting for you, don't post about them, don't start threads about them, and don't read posts about them, and ignore posts which dare to criticize the USA, which by the way, is the very foundation and cornerstone of living in a a democratic free society like America, and what fighting for the flag in fact means.

 

I also find it ironic that the statement was made earlier in the thread to feel free to talk about anything you like without restrictions, and now all the whiners want to come out and control what people think and write simply because the meaning of a clearly political statement song was being discussed. Amazing.

 

also, the Phil Collins reference was made in direct comparison to the pop fluff factor that Styx had and their move to commercialism, again, in direct reference to the songs being discussed, and for comparison purposes. I would suggest that some people quit trying to control and micromanage other people's opinions and relax and deal with diversity of thought and freedom of expression. I also find it ironic that its the right wing that always wants to clamp down on freedom of thought and expression.

 

How dare you Dennis DeYoung, you commie radical American hating hippie!

 

 

very good analysis. At least someone has a clue about what the song is about.

 

I don't quite understand how you can come up with this comment while criticizing DeYoung for "going commercial", and even name-dropping Phil Collins.  It's almost as if it's okay for him to write a protest song, becuase YOU agree with it, and anyone opposed to the meaning is a right-wing extremist...while at the same time, he CAN'T write hit singles because apparently you don't like them.  Please correct me if I'm wrong, because this is the impression in my mind.

 

 

 

 

these were my feelings exactly...its a truly beautiful section....

 

Yeah, I remember I declared my eternal love to a girlfriend (well really 2 months love) with that song back in the early 80's.

 

But still I believe it's a weak song for the band.

 

Iván

 

That was my second choice.  It is a great song. I was suprised that only my vote for anything of Pieces off Eight.  I Thought that was a pretty good album.

 

Edit:

OOPs I saw a vote for Renegade too. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DOMO ARIGATO MICKY ROBOTO  ........DOMO  You were shot already  a long time ago, according to the legend

 

It's not plagiarism Yorkie, both are adaptations of "Fanfare for the Common Man",  Aaron Copland's best known concert opener.

 

In the same way Fireballet made a version of Mussorgsky works (After ELP did Pictures) or the German band "The Pink Mice did an adaptation of Peer Gynt after Wakeman included a section of In the Hall of the Mountain King, in "Journey to the Centre of the Earth".

 

Iván

 

 

 

Never been too familiar with USA Modern Classical composers, so I was also surprised with the similarities.

 

I missed a lot of great songs in this list, sh!t, STYX was a very prolific band.

 

Iván

 

Styx

Styx II

The Serpent is Rising

Man of Miracles

 

Recently remastered in a 2 disc inclusive set - check 'em out !

Not a bad band, Styx and awesome when they play live (saw them in Holland a few years ago) !

I like it because it was just a mysterious song.

 

Its about a guy lost at sea.

Its a very enjoyable track.

Also a abit proggy.

 

You are correct.

Serpent is my favorite of the first 4 albums.

Grove of Eglantine,is my favorite from that album.

Jonas is up there too.