Music Monday (Styx/Crystal Ball, Side Two)

The first side of Crystal Ball was covered previously here. It had all three singles released from the album, but the flip side has some great music on it as well.

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5) Shooz - Definitely a bluesy rocker here and the first "collaboration" between Tommy and JY. I think the dynamic between these two was a major factor leading the band forward, as well as being the glue that holds the band together today.

Well it's Friday nite and the streets are full of the weekends with their green

Soldier boys looking left and right at all the sights there to be seen

Well you can be there's a loaner who'd love to see you be so sweet

That's why I'm telling you to get on your shooz and get out there on the street

And get your rockin'

Rock n'Roll Shooz

Up and down around they go with their heads turning all around

Way down there on the corner there's a Cadillac that's easy to be found

Way down there in Chicago, down along Division street

The boys are just looking for a girl like you to make their stay in town a treat

So get your rockin'

Rock n'Roll Shooz

They all love it baby, they keep

comin' back for more

Rock n'Roll Shooz

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6) This Old Man - Dennis DeYoung song here. Sometimes I think some of his best songs are the more personal ones. This makes me think of "Father O.S.A" from Styx II in a way, or maybe "Christopher, Mr Christopher" from Man of Miracles. It's that type of song.

This Old Man

He worked for thirty years with

Two strong hands, in the factory light his

Lunch box held all his needs with

Coffee sandwiches and dreams

For Me

This Old Man

He taught me many times

To understand, that showing love is simply

Nothing you should have to hide

Don't keep your feelings locked inside

He said

When I was young

I dreamed a young man's dreams

I saw in you eyes

The things I'd never seen

But now I grow old

But I don't really mind

Cause can't you see with my family

We'll share these timeless memories

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7) Clair de Lune/Ballerina - Another DDY "art piece" with an intro consisting of classical music which leads into an extended song. This time the album actually lists them as one track instead of separate. Also, we now understand why there is a ballerina inside the crystal ball on the front cover. All that aside, this is a fantastic composition and easily the best song on side two.

It seems you finally had to choose

I guess there was no other way

Between my love and satin shoes

I knew the words you'd have to say

It all began so long ago

That the memory's hardly clear

But when I seen you dance I know

Half your love I'll always share

Ballerina when you dance there's music

Colored lights illuminate your movement

Crowded halls anticipate your gentle smile

Ballerina from the first I knew that

You would always have to dance I knew that

There would surely come a day when you would go

Baby I know...

Dance for me, I beg of you, dance for me

Dance for me, ballerina, dance for me

Ballerina when you dance there's music

Colored lights illuminate your movement

Crowded halls anticipate your gentle smile

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Crystal Ball only reached #66 on the Billboard album charts, but would eventually go platinum in 1978.