As a follow up to the triple platinum selling The Grand Illusion, Styx released Pieces of Eight on this day in 1978.
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".
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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6) Blue Collar Man (Long Nights) - The first single released from the album and was available 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. Some printings of the single were also issued in a translucent blue vinyl, which are now highly sought after collectors items. The song was composed by Tommy Shaw after hearing the sound of his motor boat engine when it failed to start. He said it sounded like a good riff to a song. The song reached #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
It was also featured on the TV show WKRP in Cincinnati on the episodes "Fish Story" and "Johnny Comes Back". A re-recorded version has been released as downloadable content for the Rock Band video game. In other words, the song is a freaking classic.
It was also featured on the TV show WKRP in Cincinnati on the episodes "Fish Story" and "Johnny Comes Back". A re-recorded version has been released as downloadable content for the Rock Band video game. In other words, the song is a freaking classic.
Give me a job, give me security
Give me a chance to survive
I'm just a poor soul in the unemployment line
My God, I'm hardly alive
My mother and father, my wife and my friends
I see them laugh in my face
But I've got the power, and I've got the will
I'm not a charity case
I'll take those long nights, impossible odds
Keeping my eye to the keyhole
If it takes all that to be just what I am
Well, I'm gonna be a blue collar man
Make me an offer that I can't refuse
Make me respectable, man
This is my last time in the unemployment line
So like it or not I'll take those
Long nights, impossible odds
Keeping my back to the wall
If it takes all that to be just what I am
Well, I'm gonna be a blue collar man
Keeping my mind on a better life
Where happiness is only a heartbeat away
Paradise, can it be all I heard it was
I close my eyes and maybe I'm already there
I'll take those long nights, impossible odds
Keeping my back to the wall
All that be just what I am
Well, I'm gonna be a blue collar man
You don't understand
I'll take those long nights, impossible odds
Keeping my eye to the keyhole
If it takes all that be just who I am
Well I vow to be a blue collar, gotta be a blue collar,
Gonna be a Blue collar man.
Believe it.
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7) Queen of Spades - Now here's something you don't hear me say often, but this song is a rocker by Dennis DeYoung. Yes, I said DDY. Think along the lines of maybe "Suite Madame Blue" and you get the idea. I always thought he should have done more songs like this before losing his mind in the "Barry Manilow territory". Oh well, enjoy it while you can.
Day into night she's with me
How sweet is her warm embrace
Safe in the scent of jasmine
So safe in her gold and lace
Mornings I find, she's left me
So cold so alone, but aware
I try to escape, she finds me
Oh run though I may, she's there, there, there, there, there...
Luck is a lady whose smile is as cold as a stone
She'll bring you things, many things you might never have known
But when your die is cast she'll have the final laugh at you
She'll lock you in a duel, where you come out the fool
Beware of the Queen of Spades
Her black widow's curse might find you yet
Beware of a love that you will regret
Her love means only your death
Day into night she's with me
Turn of a card, she's there
The first time is free, you know
But from now on, pay me, me, me, me, me...
Beware of the Queen of Spades
Her black widow's curse might find you yet
Beware of a love that you will regret
Her love means only your death
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8) Renegade - Seriously, the most bad-ass song Tommy has ever wrote. It lulls you in with those opening vocals, then kicks you right in the teeth. It was the third (!) single released from the album and reached #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. Some pressings of the single were made with translucent, red vinyl. Years after its release it remains a staple on classic rock radio playlists, and is usually the final song Styx plays at its concerts.
The song is a first-person narrative of an outlaw, captured for a bounty, who recognizes that he is about to be executed for his criminal activities. The execution will be by hanging, as the outlaw laments, "Hangman is coming down from the gallows and I don't have very long."
Since 2001, the song has become a de facto theme song for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. The song is frequently played on the Heinz Field jumbotron, accompanied by a video featuring members of the defense. According to lore, during the 2008 season that saw the Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII, the defense was able to keep the opposing team from scoring nine times out of the ten times the song was played. On Sunday, January 11, 2009 Styx performed the national anthem and sang the introduction to "Renegade" before the Steelers-San Diego Chargers playoff game. They also performed the song in between the 2nd and 3rd period of the 2011 Winter Classic.
The song is a first-person narrative of an outlaw, captured for a bounty, who recognizes that he is about to be executed for his criminal activities. The execution will be by hanging, as the outlaw laments, "Hangman is coming down from the gallows and I don't have very long."
Since 2001, the song has become a de facto theme song for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. The song is frequently played on the Heinz Field jumbotron, accompanied by a video featuring members of the defense. According to lore, during the 2008 season that saw the Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII, the defense was able to keep the opposing team from scoring nine times out of the ten times the song was played. On Sunday, January 11, 2009 Styx performed the national anthem and sang the introduction to "Renegade" before the Steelers-San Diego Chargers playoff game. They also performed the song in between the 2nd and 3rd period of the 2011 Winter Classic.
Oh, Mama, I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law
Law man has put an end to my running and I'm so far from my home
Oh, Mama I can hear you a-cryin', you're so scared and all alone
Hangman is comin' down from the gallows and I don't have very long
The jig is up, the noose is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Never more to go astray
This will be the end today of the wanted man
Oh, Mama, I've been years on the lam and had a high price on my head
Lawman said, 'Get him dead or alive.' Now it's for sure he'll see me dead
Dear Mama, I can hear you cryin', you're so scared and all alone
Hangman is comin' down from the gallows and I don't have very long
The jig is up, the noose is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Never more to go astray
The judge will have revenge today on the wanted man
Oh, Mama, I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law
Hangman is comin' down from the gallows and I don't have very long
The jig is up, the noose is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Never more to go astray
This will be the end today of the wanted man
The wanted man
And I don't wanna go, oh, no
Oh, Mama, don't let them take me
No, no, no, I can't go
Hey, hey
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9) Pieces of Eight - Title track obviously with DDY singing on piano. This is a great song and almost like the "Come Sail Away" of this album from the song structure. Never released as a single, but I always felt it was one of the better songs on the album.
It's six o'clock
Good morning sounds are everywhere
The warmth of spring, a gentle breeze blows through my hair
I hurry through my life never stopping to see
How beautiful it was meant to be
I'm just a prisoner in a king's disguise
Broken dreams as we shuffle by
It's six o'clock it's quitting time I'm done for the day
Out on the streets I overheard a lady say
We now have everything or so people say
But now this emptiness haunts me every day
We seek the lion's share never knowing why
Come alive spread your wings and fly
Pieces of eight
The search for the money tree
Don't cash your freedoms in for gold
Pieces of eight
Can't buy you everything
Don't let it turn your heart to stone
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10) Aku-Aku - This is a mostly instrumental piece, which serves as a postlude for the previous song. Most of the videos I found had the last two songs combined. The only lyrics are the words "aku aku" whispered at certain times and it leaves you with an eerie feeling as the album closes.
Aku-Aku: the Secret of Easter Island is a 1958 book by Thor Heyerdahl, which describes an archaeological expedition's investigations of Polynesian history and culture at Easter Island, Pitcairn Island, and Tahiti. By far the greatest part of the book tells of the work on Easter Island, where the expedition investigated the giant stone statues (moai), and the quarries at Rano Raraku and Puna Pau. The book and a follow-up film of the same name made a major contribution to general public awareness of both the island and the statues.
This explains the title of the last track, along with the images used on the album cover.
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Pieces of Eight reached #6 on the Billboard Pop Album chart, and had three hit singles (all sung by Tommy Shaw I might add). It was the band's second consecutive triple platinum selling album.
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