Some consider the album to be Styx' second concept album, The Serpent Is Rising arguably being the first. And it does have a darker, "grungier" feel to it at times. The theme of the album, as Dennis DeYoung explained was about "not giving up your dreams just for the pursuit of money and material possessions".
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1) Great White Hope - The album starts of with a James Young rocker. It is about a boxer that is the "great white hope" from the city of Chicago. It sets you up for the rest of the album which is the "main event".
When I was a young man, I had to kick and scratch and claw
Now it's like top gun in the Old West, everybody wants me to draw
If I had known it would be like this I might have given it a second thought
But if someone had told me to give it up, it's a line that I wouldn't have bought
Look at me, I'm the great white hope
Can't you see I'm up against the ropes
Don't you know It's so hard to cope
When you feel like the great white hope
Now you've paid your money you're sitting in your ringside seat
And I know that some of you out there, might wanna see the champ get beat
If I had known it would be like this I might have given it a second thought
But real life sure isn't like school, there's some lessons that just can't be taught
Look at me. I'm the great white hope
Can't you see I'm up against the ropes
Don't you know It's so hard to cope
When you feel like the great white hope
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2) I'm O.K. - Another introspective song again, but this one by Dennis DeYoung. It takes you back to younger days of "Father O.S.A." with the church organ from St. James Cathedral used throughout.
Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey, Eight, Skate, Seven on the Rotate!
If I could stand beside myself
Would I see me or maybe someone else
'Cause it's hard to please most everyone
When your spirit's got you on the run, on the run
They say do your best but don't cause a fuss
Don't make waves be like the rest of us
But I can feel the tide is turning fast
'Cause deep inside I know that I can't last another day
Not another day!
'Cause I'm O.K.
I finally found the person I've been searching for
I'm alright
I'm feeling good about myself and that's for sure
'Cause I believed them when they said I must do things their way,
They tried to cast me in their mold but I just had to say,
That I'm O.K.
I'm O.K. this way yes I'm O.K. Yes I'm OK!
I'm O.K.
I finally found the person I've been searching for (everybody sing now!)
I'm alright
I'm feeling good about myself and that's for sure (whoo!)
I'm O.K.
I finally found the person I've been searching for (yahoo!)
I'm alright
I'm feeling good about myself and that's for sure
I'm O.K.
I'm feeling good about myself and that's for sure
I'm alright
I'm O.K. this way yes I'm OK!
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3) Sing for the Day - This is the second single released from the album. Yet another great Tommy Shaw song, it peaked at #41 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart. Personally, I think this is one of the most under-rated songs Styx has ever done. Any dad with a daughter will understand what I mean. I almost named my second daughter Hannah because of this song (We went with Lorelei instead). The B-side was "Superstars" from the previous album The Grand Illusion.
Sing for the day sing for the moment
Sing for the time of your life
Come for an hour stay for a moment
Stay for the rest of your life
Hannah you're with me in spirit wherever I go
To the ends of the earth and all points between high and low
Each night by the stage you appear as you are
The ever intangible child
Ageless and timeless as Dorian Grey
Oh Hannah I know that it's you and you're leading me on
Hannah you're my inspiration my fountain of youth
And as your surrogate leader I'm bound in your searach for the truth
And yes how the truth rushes out
When it's become honestly clear
I see your anxious and curious eyes
But Hannah I need you as much as you think you need me
Come to your window tonight and we'll fly to your dreams
And we'll
Sing for the day sing for the moment
Sing for the time of your life
Come for an hour stay for a moment
Stay for the rest of your life
Hannah don't fail me I need you like never before
Father time's at my back on my heels
Behind every door (and he says)
Son when the youth has but gone from your face
Will she let you grow older with grace?
Or will she give you up for one younger than you?
Oh Hannah please tell me the things that he says are untrue
Hannah I'm honestly hoping you'll always be there
Sing for the day sing for the moment
Sing for the time of your life
Come for an hour stay for a moment
Stay for the rest of your life
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4) The Message - This is a DDY synthesizer piece that is used as the intro for the next song.
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5) Lords of the Ring - JY sings this medieval sounding song that does feel like it belongs way back on The Serpent is Rising. And no, it's not about the book, or the movies.
All hail to the Lords of the Ring
To the magic and mystery they bring
To the music in their story
All hail to the Lords of the Ring
To the magic and mystery they bring
To the lands of ancient glory
In the year of the Lords
The message came from above
The heavens opened with their mighty sound
that shook the people in the town
And so we came from everywhere
The young and old the rich and poor
To hear the legend of the magic ring
and of the powers it could bring, they sing
All hail to the Lords of the Ring
To the magic and mystery they bring
To the music in their story
All hail to the Lords of the Ring
To the magic and mystery it brings
May we someday wear its glory
And now the message is clear
For I became a Lord this year
And though the legend was pure fantasy
We still need the hope it brings, so let's sing
All hail to the Lords of the Ring
To believe is a wonderous thing
May we always sing their glory
All hail to the Lords of the Ring
To the magic and mystery they bring
To the promise of their story
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The album has a gatefold cover, done by Hipgnosis, that when opened up looks like this. Obvious Easter Island references with the moai statues in the background, as well as the earrings of the lady in different stages of her life. DeYoung stated in a 1991 interview that he initially hated the cover but grew to like it as he got older.
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