Styx Greatest Hits
Encyclopedia
Styx - Greatest Hits is a compilation album
by the American rock
band Styx
. It was released by A&M Records
on August 22, 1995.
This album essentially replaced Styx's previous greatest hits album, Styx - Classics, Volume 15, which was released by A&M in 1987. That previous album had excluded the hit song "Lady" because the song was originally recorded for and released through Wooden Nickel Records
(which also had a distribution arrangement with RCA Records
). Because A&M/Polygram had been unable to secure distribution rights to the song, most of the classic lineup of Styx (Dennis DeYoung
, Tommy Shaw
, Chuck Panozzo
, and James "J.Y." Young
) reunited to re-record the track at Dennis' home studio, The White Room. They were joined by uncredited session drummer Todd Suchermann, who filled in for John Panozzo due to Panozzo's failing health; Suchermann joined the band permanently in 1997. The track, which is very similar to the original, was titled "Lady '95".
With the exception of "Lady '95", Styx - Greatest Hits features the original album versions of all the other songs included in the compilation. "Come Sail Away
" is presented here in its full 6:05 version and "Miss America" is here in its original studio version (despite the CD's packaging showing incorrect time listings for both tracks).
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
by the American rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Styx
Styx (band)
Styx is an American rock band that became famous for its albums from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Chicago band is known for melding the style of prog-rock with the power of hard rock guitar, strong ballads, and elements of American musical theater....
. It was released by A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
on August 22, 1995.
This album essentially replaced Styx's previous greatest hits album, Styx - Classics, Volume 15, which was released by A&M in 1987. That previous album had excluded the hit song "Lady" because the song was originally recorded for and released through Wooden Nickel Records
Wooden Nickel Records
Wooden Nickel Records was an American independent record label started in 1971 by Bill Traut, Jim Golden and Jerry Weintraub as a successor to Dunwich Records. Most of Wooden Nickel's releases were by acts based in the Chicago area, including the Siegel-Schwall Band, Megan McDonough and Styx. The...
(which also had a distribution arrangement with RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
). Because A&M/Polygram had been unable to secure distribution rights to the song, most of the classic lineup of Styx (Dennis DeYoung
Dennis DeYoung
Dennis DeYoung is an American singer, songwriter, musician and producer best known for being a founding member of the rock band Styx, a tenure that lasted from 1970 to 1999.-Early life:...
, Tommy Shaw
Tommy Shaw
Tommy Roland Shaw is an American guitarist, best known for his work with the rock band Styx. In between his stints with Styx, he has played with the supergroup Damn Yankees and Shaw Blades, and has released several solo albums....
, Chuck Panozzo
Chuck Panozzo
Charles Salvatore "Chuck" Panozzo is an American musician best known as the bass player for the rock band Styx. A longtime member of Styx, he founded the group with his fraternal twin brother, drummer John Panozzo, who died in July 1996, and singer Dennis DeYoung...
, and James "J.Y." Young
James Young (American musician)
James "J.Y." Young is a guitarist, singer and songwriter, and member of the rock band, Styx. Young began playing keyboard and piano at the age of five. He attended Calumet High in Chicago and learned to play clarinet and guitar during those years.J.Y...
) reunited to re-record the track at Dennis' home studio, The White Room. They were joined by uncredited session drummer Todd Suchermann, who filled in for John Panozzo due to Panozzo's failing health; Suchermann joined the band permanently in 1997. The track, which is very similar to the original, was titled "Lady '95".
With the exception of "Lady '95", Styx - Greatest Hits features the original album versions of all the other songs included in the compilation. "Come Sail Away
Come Sail Away
"Come Sail Away" is a song by American progressive rock group Styx, featured on the band's seventh album The Grand Illusion . Upon its release as the lead single from the album, "Come Sail Away" charted at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, and helped The Grand Illusion achieve multi-platinum...
" is presented here in its full 6:05 version and "Miss America" is here in its original studio version (despite the CD's packaging showing incorrect time listings for both tracks).
Track listing
- "Lady '95" (Dennis DeYoungDennis DeYoungDennis DeYoung is an American singer, songwriter, musician and producer best known for being a founding member of the rock band Styx, a tenure that lasted from 1970 to 1999.-Early life:...
) – 3:05 Re-recorded for the compilation. Originally from Styx IIStyx IIStyx II is the second album by Styx, and was released in 1973 . After Styx moved to A&M Records and achieved national success in the United States, the album was reissued in 1980 by their prior label, Wooden Nickel, under the title Lady with new artwork—which is not to be confused with a Styx...
. - "The Best of TimesThe Best of Times (song)"The Best of Times" is the first single release from Styx's 1981 triple-platinum album Paradise Theater. It reached #1 in Canada on the RPM national singles chart, their second #1 in that country, and #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100....
" (DeYoung) – 4:18 From Paradise Theater. - "LoreleiLorelei (Styx song)"Lorelei" was the 1976 single released from rock band Styx's album Equinox. The song peaked at #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the band's second top 40 hit single....
" (DeYoung, James YoungJames Young (American musician)James "J.Y." Young is a guitarist, singer and songwriter, and member of the rock band, Styx. Young began playing keyboard and piano at the age of five. He attended Calumet High in Chicago and learned to play clarinet and guitar during those years.J.Y...
) – 3:22 From Equinox. - "Too Much Time on My HandsToo Much Time on My Hands"Too Much Time on My Hands" is the second single release from Styx's 1981 triple-platinum album Paradise Theatre and reached #9 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and #2 on the Top Rock Tracks chart for one week...
" (Tommy ShawTommy ShawTommy Roland Shaw is an American guitarist, best known for his work with the rock band Styx. In between his stints with Styx, he has played with the supergroup Damn Yankees and Shaw Blades, and has released several solo albums....
) – 4:33 From Paradise Theater. - "Babe" (DeYoung) – 4:24 From Cornerstone.
- "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)"Fooling Yourself" is the second single released from Styx's The Grand Illusion album. On the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart in the U.S., the single peaked at number 29.The song was written by guitarist Tommy Shaw...
" (Shaw) – 5:28 From The Grand IllusionThe Grand Illusion (album)The Grand Illusion is the seventh studio album by Styx, released on July 7, 1977 . It became the band's first Triple Platinum album, and spawned the Top 10 hit "Come Sail Away" and the Top 30 hit "Fooling Yourself"....
. - "Show Me the WayShow Me the Way (Styx song)"Show Me the Way" is the second single released from Edge of the Century by Styx.Lead vocalist/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung, a devout Roman Catholic, originally wrote the song for his son, Matthew, as a pseudo-hymn about the struggle to keep the faith in a "world so filled with hatred"...
" (DeYoung) – 4:36 From Edge of the CenturyEdge of the CenturyEdge of the Century is the twelfth studio album by Styx, released in 1990. It was the first Styx album featuring A&M solo artist Glen Burtnik, the only album to feature the Dennis DeYoung/James Young/Glen Burtnik/Chuck Panozzo/John Panozzo lineup, and the last album to feature John Panozzo on drums...
. - "Renegade" (Shaw) – 4:14 From Pieces of Eight.
- "Come Sail AwayCome Sail Away"Come Sail Away" is a song by American progressive rock group Styx, featured on the band's seventh album The Grand Illusion . Upon its release as the lead single from the album, "Come Sail Away" charted at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, and helped The Grand Illusion achieve multi-platinum...
" (DeYoung) – 6:05 From The Grand IllusionThe Grand Illusion (album)The Grand Illusion is the seventh studio album by Styx, released on July 7, 1977 . It became the band's first Triple Platinum album, and spawned the Top 10 hit "Come Sail Away" and the Top 30 hit "Fooling Yourself"....
. - "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)Blue Collar Man"Blue Collar Man " is the first single that Styx released from the Pieces of Eight album. The single was released in two 7" vinyl formats, one with the b-side "Superstars", a track from The Grand Illusion, and a second single with the instrumental album track "Aku-Aku" as the b-side...
" (Shaw) – 4:06 From Pieces of Eight. - "The Grand Illusion" (DeYoung) – 4:35 From The Grand IllusionThe Grand Illusion (album)The Grand Illusion is the seventh studio album by Styx, released on July 7, 1977 . It became the band's first Triple Platinum album, and spawned the Top 10 hit "Come Sail Away" and the Top 30 hit "Fooling Yourself"....
. - "Crystal BallCrystal Ball (Styx song)"Crystal Ball" is the title track and second single released from Styx's Crystal Ball album. It was written by guitarist Tommy Shaw who had just recently joined the band....
" (Shaw) – 4:32 From Crystal BallCrystal Ball (Styx album)Crystal Ball is the sixth album by Styx, released in 1976.This album marked the recording debut of new guitarist Tommy Shaw. The track "Mademoiselle" was Tommy Shaw's vocal debut and the album's Top 40 hit....
. - "Suite Madame Blue" (DeYoung) – 6:33 From Equinox.
- "Miss America" (Young) – 4:59 From The Grand IllusionThe Grand Illusion (album)The Grand Illusion is the seventh studio album by Styx, released on July 7, 1977 . It became the band's first Triple Platinum album, and spawned the Top 10 hit "Come Sail Away" and the Top 30 hit "Fooling Yourself"....
. - "Mr. RobotoMr. Roboto"Mr. Roboto" is a song written by Dennis DeYoung and performed by the band Styx on their 1983 concept album Kilroy Was Here. In Canada, where they were always more popular than in their native U.S., it went to #1 on the RPM national singles chart, becoming their third single to top the charts in...
" (DeYoung) – 5:30 From Kilroy Was HereKilroy Was Here (album)Kilroy Was Here is the eleventh album, a rock opera/concept album by the rock band Styx, released on February 28, 1983. The title comes from a famous World War II graffiti "Kilroy was here".-Background:...
. - "Don't Let It EndDon't Let It End"Don't Let It End" is the third track on the 1983 album Kilroy Was Here, by Styx.The song was written and sung by Dennis DeYoung. The track is a mid-tempo ballad about one who breaks up with a lover and pleads to get the person back...
" (DeYoung) – 4:54 From Kilroy Was HereKilroy Was Here (album)Kilroy Was Here is the eleventh album, a rock opera/concept album by the rock band Styx, released on February 28, 1983. The title comes from a famous World War II graffiti "Kilroy was here".-Background:...
.
Personnel
- Dennis DeYoungDennis DeYoungDennis DeYoung is an American singer, songwriter, musician and producer best known for being a founding member of the rock band Styx, a tenure that lasted from 1970 to 1999.-Early life:...
- synthesizer, keyboards, vocals - Chuck PanozzoChuck PanozzoCharles Salvatore "Chuck" Panozzo is an American musician best known as the bass player for the rock band Styx. A longtime member of Styx, he founded the group with his fraternal twin brother, drummer John Panozzo, who died in July 1996, and singer Dennis DeYoung...
- bass, vocals - John PanozzoJohn PanozzoJohn Anthony Panozzo was an American drummer best known for his work with rock band Styx.Panozzo grew up in the Roseland neighborhood, the south side of Chicago, Illinois, with his fraternal twin brother, Chuck . At age 7, the twins took musical lessons from their uncle in which John took an...
- percussion, drums, vocals - James YoungJames Young (American musician)James "J.Y." Young is a guitarist, singer and songwriter, and member of the rock band, Styx. Young began playing keyboard and piano at the age of five. He attended Calumet High in Chicago and learned to play clarinet and guitar during those years.J.Y...
- guitar, vocals - Tommy ShawTommy ShawTommy Roland Shaw is an American guitarist, best known for his work with the rock band Styx. In between his stints with Styx, he has played with the supergroup Damn Yankees and Shaw Blades, and has released several solo albums....
- acoustic guitar, guitar, electric guitar, vocals - Todd SuchermanTodd SuchermanTodd Sucherman is a drummer who is best known for playing with Styx since 1996.Sucherman grew up in a musical family and followed in his father's footsteps by playing the drums. His father, Arnold J. Sucherman, was a doctor by day and a drummer by night, playing in the house band at the famed Chez...
- drums on "Lady '95" (uncredited)