Top 10 Kansas Songs
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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Top 10s and lists
Forum Description: List all your favourites here
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=90328
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Topic: Top 10 Kansas Songs
Posted By: Throw Sand
Subject: Top 10 Kansas Songs
Date Posted: October 27 2012 at 23:27
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I hate to keep talking about Kansas, but this is about the only place where I can converse with other true Kansas fans. Anyway, here's my list of Kansas's top 10 songs. 1. Song For America 2. Hopelessly Human 3. Mysteries and Mayhem/The Pinnacle (originally penned as one song; they MUST be listened to in sequence) 4. No One Together 5. Magnum Opus 6. Apercu 7. Miracles out of Nowhere 8. Journey From Mariabronn 9. Icarus (Borne on Wings of Steel) 10. Cheyenne Anthem BONUS: Top 5 Kansas songs with the best instrumental sections/interludes 1. Miracles Out of Nowhere 2. Magnum Opus 3. No One Together 4. All the World 5. Journey From Mariabronn |
Replies:
Posted By: Eria Tarka
Date Posted: October 28 2012 at 00:58
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1. Carry on Wayward Sun 2. Dust in the Wind 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.  |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: October 28 2012 at 02:21
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1. Carry on Wayward Sun 2. Dust in the Wind 3. The Point of Know Return 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: October 28 2012 at 04:04
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I could have swore this had been done but couldn't find anything using search option. So
1 Death Of Mother Nature Suite
2 Song For America
3 Incomudro- Hymn To The Atman
4 Can I tell you
5 Apercu
6 Lamplight Symphony
7 The Spider
8 Carry On Wayward Son
9 Icarus II
10 Dust In The Wind
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Posted By: Throw Sand
Date Posted: October 28 2012 at 09:42
No |
bytor2112 wrote:Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: October 28 2012 at 09:48
I disagree- I think "The Pinnacle" stands on its own, and I think "Mysteries and Mayhem" complement it best as the penultimate track. Amazing lead in. ------------- https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays |
Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: October 28 2012 at 09:52
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In chronological order (not order of preference): Journey from Mariabronn Apercu Song for America Lamplight Symphony The Pinnacle Miracles Out of Nowhere Hopelessly Human Icarus II Myriad Distant Vision Excellent to see "No One Together" getting some attention. What a brilliant piece of songwriting. ------------- https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays |
Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: October 28 2012 at 10:43
Iván
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Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: October 28 2012 at 10:51
Made a Kansas Poll some tiome ago
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[5.56%]Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: October 28 2012 at 19:52
A great and under-appreciated song, even when it was released. it was http://www.danlnet.com/music/reviews/kl_note.txt" rel="nofollow - originally recorded for 'Monolith' and Livgren says it ended up on 'Audio-Visions' because it wouldn't fit on the vinyl version of 'Monolith', but that's not really accurate and a more plausible reason it the lyrical content and Walsh's objection, and possibly because Walsh (and maybe the rest of the band) felt there was already enough Livgren material on that album. And yes, this thread http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=77332&KW=kansas" rel="nofollow - has been done before , but it's always nice to see a little appreciation for Kansas in the forums... ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: TheLionOfPrague
Date Posted: October 28 2012 at 20:31
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1-Dust In The Wind 2-Rainmaker 3-Magnum Opus 4-The Pinnacle 5-Carry On My Wayward Son 6-Portrait (He Knew) 7-Song For America 8-The Wall 9-Ghosts 10-Hopelessly Human ------------- I shook my head and smiled a whisper knowing all about the place |
Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: October 28 2012 at 22:48
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I just know CARRY ON WAYWARD SON and DUST IN THE WIND. I like both tracks, but I haven't been inspired enough to explore KANSAS further. Maybe some day, but for now consider me Wayward to this forum. ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: October 29 2012 at 15:42
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Posted By: ajcmixer
Date Posted: October 29 2012 at 18:04
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Just registered, I must be in the right place because I see a discussion of the most inspirational band of my lifetime so ok then, not in any particular order: Hopelessly Human Journey From Mariabronn On The Other Side Icarus II The Pinnacle Song For America Crossfire Peaceful and Warm When The World Was Young I only listed nine because it would have been way too tough to have sorted out a tenth song out of the multiple choices left by their vast and deep catalog. Of course, this list is subject to change based on the day and time that I'm asked or need to think about it. So sending caution to the wind, I will pick a tenth song and today it is End of the Age which I consider to be the last great Livgren-penned song from what would end up being the swan-song album of the Livgren-era (and, unfortunately, what happened to be one of their worst albums ever, Drastic Measures indeed, with few redeeming qualities, the song picked being one of the few IMHO). Peace, Alex |
Posted By: Jbird
Date Posted: October 30 2012 at 07:31
I still think Song For America is their magnum opus  What do you guys think is the best Morse-era song? My vote would go to "Bells Of Saint James".
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Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: October 30 2012 at 07:34
Ask that in a different thread where that question is relevant.
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Posted By: progbethyname
Date Posted: October 30 2012 at 07:48
 ------------- Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣 |
Posted By: prog4evr
Date Posted: October 31 2012 at 01:10
I like the first 8 on your list, but then I substitute two that Epignosis mentioned for #9 & #10: Journey from Mariabronn, and The Pinnacle...
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Posted By: Ye Bobbum Man
Date Posted: October 31 2012 at 21:59
Whichever 10 of their songs are the shortest (mercifully)  .In all seriousness I've only ever heard their classic rock radio staples and have NOT been impressed, however they seem to be getting a lot of love here on PA so I may use these top ten lists as a starting point. |
Posted By: Cthulhu42
Date Posted: November 01 2012 at 14:40
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1. Carry on Wayward Son 2. Song for America 3. Journey from Mariabronn 4. The Pinnacle 5. Dust in the Wind 6. Miracles out of Nowhere 7. Apercu 8. Incomudro - Hymn to the Atman 9. Icarus - Borne on Wings of Steel 10. Closet Chronicles |
Posted By: Throw Sand
Date Posted: November 02 2012 at 05:41
Kansas's radio hits are the equivalent of Yes's "Owner of a Lonely Heart" - they are out of character for the band and do not do justice to their music as a whole. |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 04:02
I quite like the radio hits. Dust In The Wind and Carry On Wayward Son are classics in my eyes. Owner Of Lonely Heart is okay but never considered it 'classic'
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Posted By: sltheory
Date Posted: December 11 2012 at 09:18
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Impossible to choose only 10 top songs. There are at least 5-6 top songs of mine on each of their albums.. HUGELY underestimated band mostly because of "Dust In The Wind"'s radio success
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Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: December 11 2012 at 10:59
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To those not very familiar with the band, two advices:
1. don't get fooled by the radio hits, Kansas made a lot of great prog too, rocking symphonic we could call it, but similar to ELP putting some controversial track in most of their albums, Kansas included some very american rocker tracks here and there which may put down some people, I guess especially non-US people. Here in Europe I know people who are a bit put down by these.
2. my advice as ideal starter to better know the band would be the excellent double live Two For The Show but you should get either the original double LP or the 2008 edition with a bonus disc, because the original CD edition eliminated Closet Cronicles which IMO is one of the highlights of the original LP. While having the obvious limitations of a live album in terms of sound perfection, the tracklists contains many of their best songs and shows the high quality and energy of the musicians.
Like many other bands they went through a rather weak period, stick to the most highly rated albums.
And now to my list, in no particular order
Magnus Opus
The Wall
Closet Cronicles
Icarus
Icarus II
The Spider
Portrait
Lamplight Symphony
Cheyenne Anthem
Song For America
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Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: December 11 2012 at 11:07
| Ah, and the fact that Livgren could switch between guitar and keyboards (skillful at both) and the ability of Steve Walsh to play also keyboards gave them a versatility in their sound, especially live of course, that other bands couldn't have. |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: December 11 2012 at 11:09
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Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: December 11 2012 at 11:13
I personally like Ghosts, it's not what you would call a prog masterpiece but for some reason it's hooky.
Bells Of Saint James is also good, the rest of the album is decent but far from great.
Somewhere To Elsewhere was a very decent return to form, a bit underrated I think.
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Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: December 11 2012 at 11:21
 Did I have to write in full that many other bands coudn't have ?
btw I guess you referred to Adrian Belew? never saw Fripp himself playing keyboards (although I wouldn't doubt that he can play them, I'm asking just out of curiosity).
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Posted By: Mr. Maestro
Date Posted: December 11 2012 at 11:36
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1. The Pinnacle 2. Song for America 3. Journey from Mariabronn 4. Icarus - Borne on Wings of Steel 5. Point of Know Return 6. Incomudro - Hymn to the Atman 7. Magnum Opus 8. The Wall 9. Closet Chronicles 10. Icarus II ------------- "I am the one who crossed through space...or stayed where I was...or didn't exist in the first place...." |
Posted By: ProgMetaller2112
Date Posted: April 04 2013 at 21:44
Geddy Lee ------------- “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” ― George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four "Ignorance and Prejudice and Fear walk Hand in Hand"- Neil Peart |
Posted By: Biff Tannen
Date Posted: April 07 2013 at 11:38
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The lack of Cheyenne Anthem in some of these lists makes me sad. For a top 10, I'll go with: Cheyenne Anthem The Pinnacle Miracles out of Nowhere Icarus - Borne on Wings of Steel Song for America Closet Chronicles Magnum Opus The Wall Journey from Mariabronn A Glimpse of Home ------------- "What are you looking at, butthead?" |
Posted By: efoman2
Date Posted: July 06 2013 at 11:39
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I'm surprised Kansas doesn't get more consideration as one of the top progressive bands. They have great talent, spirit, and energy. I guess maybe they spent too much time as a Pop Rock band and it makes them seem like a hybrid. Anyway... 10. Point of Know Return 9. People of the South Wind 8. Cheyenne Anthem 7. Carry On Wayward Son 6. The Wall 5. Song for America 4. Hopelessly Human 3. Nobody's Home 2. Journey from Mariabronn 1. Dust in the Wind (I know it's cliche...it's just so beautiful.) |
Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: July 06 2013 at 12:08
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I always loved Miracles Out of Nowhere, but when I saw them in 1978, this one impressed me: -------------
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Posted By: Mr. Mustard
Date Posted: July 06 2013 at 13:46
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Haven't listened to Kansas in a long time, but: 1. Song For America 2. Opus Insert 3. Cheyenne Anthem 4. Magnum Opus 5. The Wall 6. Carry On My Wayward Son 7. Miracles Out of Nowwhere 8. Incomudro - Hymn to the Atman 9. Lamplight Symphony 10. Paradox ------------- 
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Posted By: The.Crimson.King
Date Posted: July 06 2013 at 23:28
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Not a big Kansas fan but love these: 1) Mysteries and Mayhem/The Pinnacle 2) Incommudro - Hymn to the Atman 3) Icarus - Borne on Wings of Steel ------------- https://wytchcrypt.wixsite.com/mutiny-in-jonestown" rel="nofollow - Mutiny in Jonestown : Progressive Rock Since 1987 |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: July 07 2013 at 13:14
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1. The Pinnacle
2. Lonely Wind 3. The Wall 4. Song For America 5. Carry On My Wayward Son 6. Mysteries And Mayhem 7. Magnum Opus 8. Lamplight Symphony 9. Closet Chronicles 10.Icarus - Borne On Wings Of Steel |
Posted By: Phidias
Date Posted: August 21 2013 at 08:38
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Ah! Kansas! Great prog band! A lot of MPsongs! 1/ Mysteries and Mayhem/The Pinnacle 2/Aperçu 3/Incomudro 4/Hopelessly human 5/ The death of mother nature suite 6/Magnum opus 7/Journey from mariabronn 8/Miracles out of nowhere 9/Song for America 10/ The spider (amazing experimentation!) Carry on my wayward son is'nt bad but to mercantile for me. I never liked Dust in the wind :) THE BIGEST CLICHE OF KANSAS!!! |
Posted By: The.Crimson.King
Date Posted: August 22 2013 at 00:03
Fripp handled the live mellotron and electric piano duties following Ian MacDonald's departure. In the '73/'74 band David Cross also had a tron. Guess they figured having 2 on stage meant at least one would always be working ------------- https://wytchcrypt.wixsite.com/mutiny-in-jonestown" rel="nofollow - Mutiny in Jonestown : Progressive Rock Since 1987 |
Posted By: Foxtrot92
Date Posted: August 25 2013 at 20:33
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1. Icarus (borne on wings of steel) 2. Miracles out of nowhere 3. Point of know return 4. The Pinnacle 5. On the other side 6. Song for America 7. No one together 8. Child of innocence 9. Icarus II 10. The Wall (Two for the show version) That was too difficult. It might change :)
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Posted By: JocBT
Date Posted: October 07 2013 at 15:25
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This was way too hard but these are the first 10 from my top 25 list 1. Magnum Opus 2. Mysteries And Mayhem / The Pinnacle 3. Icarus (Born on Wings of Steel) 4. Song For America 5. Death Of Mother Nature Suite 6. Journey From Mariabronn 7. Incomudro (Hymn To The Atman) 8. Lamplight Symhpony 9. Angels Have Fallen 10. The Wall |
Posted By: Jabez7
Date Posted: January 21 2014 at 22:22
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Order changes naturally: 1. Carry On Wayward Son 2. Song For America 3. Miracles Out Of Nowhere 4. Journey From Mariabronn 5. Point Of Know Return 6. Opus Insert7. What's On My Mind
8. The Devils Game
9. Paradox
10. The Wall
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Posted By: Svetonio
Date Posted: January 21 2014 at 22:54
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Death of Mother Nature Suite Journey from Mariabronn Incamudro - Hymn to the Atman Child of Inoccence Song for America Icarus ( Borne on Wings of Steel) Point of Know Return Lamplight Symphony Hopelessly Human Cheyenne Athem |
Posted By: john6960
Date Posted: November 03 2016 at 23:41
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1. Miracles Out of Nowhere - Instrumentally unmatched, shows deep spiritual searching 2. Hopelessly Human - Instrumentally second only to Miracles 3. Crossfire - A genius song instrumentally and spiritually 4. Distant Vision - Beautiful in sound and imagery 5. Play On - Kansas' anthem of glory 6. Not Man Big - Amazing songwriting, a change of pace 7. All the World - Fun and gorgeous 8. Point of Know Return - a staple with perfect instrumentals 9. Andi - amazing harmony and hope 10. Visibility Zero - insightful, unique, and intriguing (11. On the Other Side) (12. Cheyenne Anthem) (13. Song for America) |
Posted By: Kingsnake
Date Posted: November 04 2016 at 07:14
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Let's see if I can remember the titles, 1. The Pinnacle (maybe the best violin solo of Robbie)2. Incomudro - Hymn for the Atman (great synthsolo's and even a drumsolo) 3. Song for America 4. Magnum Opus 5. Lamplight Symphony 6. How My Soul Cries Out For You (greatest metal song they did, again a drumsolo) 7. Child of Innocens (another heavy metal track) 8. Black Fathom 4 9. Musicatto (great instrumental) 10. Play the Game Tonight (should have been a huge hit)
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Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: November 04 2016 at 07:16
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I have to mention one song that hasn't made a single list in this thread; Lightning's Hand Being that this is a prog site, I get it, but I'm more of a prog/hard rock/metal guy, and this song covers all the bases for me; Great guitar riff and licks, heavy, and fast paced; I love all the other stuff mentioned here too, but this has always been my favorite Kansas song.
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Posted By: Kingsnake
Date Posted: November 04 2016 at 07:23
Than you must at least like Child of Innocence and How My Soul Cries Out For You.
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Posted By: Darious
Date Posted: November 04 2016 at 07:58
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One of my most favourite Kansas pieces, which I would even put on par with the marvellous Cheyenne Anthem (why the heck the Cheyenne Anthem is so underrated in this topic?), and I am kind of shocked that apparently only one inputter mentioned this piece so far, but this only proves how very special my musical taste is, would be... Nobody's Home. Yep, Nobody's Home. It's not only one of Kansas' best, it's one of the best pieces of all progressive rock works. Hough. ------------- Writing about truth is a little bit like getting your dick out in public and hoping no one laughs (Steve Hogarth) |
Posted By: Jeffro
Date Posted: November 04 2016 at 08:22
I'm surprised that not one person had Belexes on their list.
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