When people think of Styx, they usually remember the arena anthems like “Come Sail Away” or the high-octane rock of “Renegade,” but the band’s very first breakthrough came earlier. Neither of these were Styx first hit song. The track that put Styx on the national stage was “Lady.” Released in 1973 on their album Styx II, “Lady” initially flew under the radar—just another solid track tucked away on the record. But something about Dennis DeYoung’s deeply emotive vocals, paired with the atmospheric keyboards and the band’s gentle rock undercurrent, made it stand out. It took a local Chicago radio station giving “Lady” some steady spins for fans to realize they were listening to something special. Word spread, charts beckoned, and suddenly Styx found itself enjoying its first taste of mainstream success. “Lady” offered a glimpse of the musical world that Styx would continue to explore: a blend of powerful melodies, dramatic flair, and rock ‘n’ roll heart that would define their sound for years to come.
Styx didn’t experience overnight superstardom from “Lady” alone—it was a slow burn. As radio play spread and people began requesting the track across various markets, Styx realized they had something special. The band had been experimenting with rock, progressive elements, and intricate vocal harmonies, and “Lady” showed off their flair for weaving heartfelt emotion into a polished composition. Soon enough, the song cracked the national charts, marking the band’s first taste of commercial success. Even after multiple albums, Styx kept that creative spark alive. They weren’t content to rest on the laurels of one hit, and each record saw them branching out with a bigger, bolder sound that mixed theatrical rock with an accessible pop-rock edge.
Though “Lady” put Styx in the national spotlight, it wasn’t until 1979 that they’d land their first No. 1 single, “Babe.” Taken from their album Cornerstone, “Babe” was a softer, more personal track written by Dennis DeYoung—originally intended as a birthday gift for his wife, if you can believe it. The band recognized its hit potential, polished it up, and released it as a single. Audiences fell hard for its tender lyrics and warm melody, sending “Babe” straight to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. This success proved Styx wasn’t just a one-trick pony that thrived on epic keyboard solos and dramatic rock structures; they could also tug at your heartstrings with a power ballad. From then on, the band’s versatility became their hallmark, and they rode the success of “Babe” to even greater heights, solidifying their place as one of the most versatile and enduring acts in rock history.
“Babe” was first released in 1979 as part of Styx’s album Cornerstone and quickly became a significant milestone in the band’s career. Written by Dennis DeYoung as a birthday gift for his wife, Suzanne, the heartfelt ballad was never initially intended for commercial release. However, once the band recognized its potential, “Babe” was polished up and included on the album, ultimately securing Styx their first-ever No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. The track’s gentle piano melody and earnest vocals showcased the group’s softer side, contrasting with the harder rock elements that Styx was already known for. “Babe” not only cemented their place in late ’70s and early ’80s pop-rock but also demonstrated the band’s versatility, proving that they could captivate listeners with both arena-ready anthems and tender, intimate ballads.
Rock on… softly!
Sam
Not everyone appreciates a T-Shirts for Valentines Day, but if it’s more complicated and casual than anything, they may appreciate these Love Tees
Happy Birthday, Pat Monahan! The soulful conductor of Train turns 56 today! Discover why he made Train a household name.
The best review I ever read about this album was, “I didn’t need to smoke weed 🌿 to have that album kick my ass.” It’s that good.
