Serving as the lead single from Styx's number-one 1981 concept album Paradise Theatre, "The Best of Times" is a quintessential rock power ballad written and performed by vocalist/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung. The song builds beautifully from a gentle keyboard introduction to a powerful, emotionally resonant chorus, embodying the band's signature blend of melodic rock and theatrical arrangement within the album's overarching narrative.

Released around January 19, 1981, "The Best of Times" became a major international rock hit for Styx, reaching the upper echelons of the charts worldwide. Driven by DeYoung's signature keyboard sound and heartfelt vocal delivery, the song struck a chord with its message of holding onto love during uncertain times, showcasing the band's mastery of the impactful rock ballad format in 1981.

SONG MEANING: "The Best of Times" is a reflective ballad about appreciating the moments spent with a loved one, especially when facing an uncertain future. Penned by Dennis DeYoung, the lyrics acknowledge potential sadness or difficulty ("I know you're feeling sad - I am too") but emphasize that the true "best of times" are found in that shared connection, offering hope and strength derived from love.

Featured on Styx's chart-topping 1981 concept album Paradise Theatre, "Too Much Time on My Hands" offered an upbeat, synth-heavy sound reflecting contemporary musical trends. Written and sung by guitarist Tommy Shaw, the song skillfully blends AOR catchiness with edgy new wave energy, all powered by its instantly recognizable, urgent synthesizer hook and a driving hard rock rhythm section.

Released as a highly successful single around March 01, 1981, "Too Much Time on My Hands" became a Top 10 hit for Styx, bolstered by its popular music video frequently aired on early MTV. This energetic fusion of AOR, new wave, and hard rock perfectly captured a sense of restless boredom, making it one of the band's most memorable hits from the Paradise Theatre era.

SONG MEANING: "Too Much Time on My Hands" explores the themes of boredom, unemployment, and the frustration of having nothing productive to do. Tommy Shaw reportedly wrote it after observing patrons drinking in a bar during the day. The lyrics describe aimlessly killing time ("Tickin' away"), the superficiality of idle socializing ("Is it any wonder I've got too much time on my hands"), and the underlying restlessness that comes with it.

Featured on Styx's 1978 platinum-selling concept album Pieces of Eight, "Renegade" delivered a potent dose of hard rock energy. Written and powerfully sung by guitarist Tommy Shaw, the song contrasts a stark, multitracked a cappella opening verse with a driving, guitar-heavy main section. This dynamic structure and compelling outlaw narrative made "Renegade" a standout and enduring track from the album.

Emerging from the album released around September 01, 1978, "Renegade" later became a successful single in early 1979 and one of Styx's most recognized hard rock hits. Its combination of Shaw's passionate vocals, a heavy guitar riff, and a dramatic storyline has made it a perennial concert favorite and a beloved anthem, notably adopted by Pittsburgh Steelers fans.

SONG MEANING: "Renegade" tells the story from the first-person perspective of an outlaw facing his imminent capture and execution by hanging. The lyrics are framed as a confession and lament to his mother ("Oh Mama, I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law"), acknowledging his crimes ("The jig is up, the news is out") and accepting his fate as a wanted man.

Serving as the explosive opening rock number on Styx's 1981 chart-topping concept album Paradise Theatre (following the intro "A.D. 1928"), "Rockin' the Paradise" immediately establishes an energetic atmosphere. Co-written by key band members, this quintessential arena rock song represents the excitement surrounding the fictional theater's grand opening, blending powerful guitars, dynamic keyboards, and anthemic vocals into a signature Styx sound.

Released as part of the Paradise Theatre album around January 19, 1981, "Rockin' the Paradise" became a defining concert opener and fan favorite, perfectly capturing the energy of Styx's live performances. Though not released as a commercial single, its driving rock rhythm, powerful instrumentation, and triumphant feel made it a key track within the album's story and a staple of rock radio.

SONG MEANING: Within the narrative framework of the Paradise Theatre concept album, "Rockin' the Paradise" depicts the excitement and energy of the fictional theater's grand opening night during its heyday. The lyrics convey a sense of making history and celebrating the power and thrill of a live rock and roll event ("We'll be rockin' in paradise"), setting a triumphant tone for the album's story arc.

Released in 1983 as the central narrative piece of Styx's ambitious concept album Kilroy Was Here, "Mr. Roboto" fully embraced a synth-pop and synth-rock direction. Penned by Dennis DeYoung, the song represented a significant sonic shift, prioritizing synthesizers, electronic drums, and theatrical production. It introduces the robot disguise adopted by the album's protagonist, Kilroy, setting the stage for the rock opera's plot.

Issued as the lead single around February 11, 1983, "Mr. Roboto" became a massive international synth-pop hit but also proved controversial among some fans due to its sharp departure from Styx's progressive/hard rock roots. Its distinctive use of vocoder for the "robot" voice and memorable Japanese phrases ("Domo arigato") made this 1983 synth-rock track instantly recognizable and a unique cultural touchstone.

SONG MEANING: Within the context of the Kilroy Was Here rock opera, "Mr. Roboto" is sung by the protagonist Kilroy, who is hiding inside a robot model (Roboto) to escape imprisonment by an anti-rock music regime. The lyrics reflect his dual identity – the robot facade ("I'm not a robot without emotions") and the human hiding within ("I'm Kilroy!"). It explores themes of dehumanization, secret identity, and rebellion.

Appearing on Styx's chart-topping 1981 concept album Paradise Theatre, "Snowblind" highlighted the band's harder rock capabilities. Co-written by James "J.Y." Young and Dennis DeYoung, the track prominently features Young's heavy guitar riffing and solo, offering a stark contrast to some of the album's more theatrical or pop-leaning moments. Its driving rock energy addresses the album's themes of societal decay.

Released within the Paradise Theatre album around January 19, 1981, "Snowblind" became infamous due to accusations that it contained hidden satanic messages through backmasking—claims the band strongly refuted and which contributed to moral panics of the era. Despite the controversy, this hard rock song is noted for its direct lyrics about addiction and powerful musical delivery, driven by James Young's guitar.

SONG MEANING: "Snowblind" is an explicit warning about the dangers and destructive nature of cocaine addiction. The lyrics describe the drug's insidious grip ("Mirror, mirror... / What's this I see? /.../ It's only snowblindness / That's got a hold on me"), portraying the struggle, denial, and devastating effects of substance abuse, fitting within the Paradise Theatre album's themes of societal issues.

Featured on Styx's second album, Styx II, released in 1973, "Lady" stands as the band's first truly iconic song and a cornerstone of their early progressive rock sound. Penned and passionately sung by keyboardist Dennis DeYoung, it masterfully blends delicate verses with powerful, multi-layered rock instrumentation and harmonies, showcasing the band's dynamic musical range early in their journey.

Although appearing on the album released around July 01, 1973, "Lady" was initially overlooked as a single. It wasn't until a re-release in late 1974 that the song gained traction, eventually becoming a major Top 10 hit in 1975. This progressive rock power ballad's delayed success finally brought Styx widespread recognition and established the song as an enduring rock classic.

SONG MEANING: "Lady" is a sincere and heartfelt love song written by Styx's Dennis DeYoung dedicated to his wife, Suzanne. The lyrics are a direct expression of his love, admiration, and the joy she brings into his life ("Lady, when you're with me, I'm smiling / Give me all your love"). It stands as a personal ode celebrating their relationship.

Released in 1977 on Styx's landmark album The Grand Illusion, "Come Sail Away" showcases the band's signature style. Penned by Dennis DeYoung, it exemplifies Progressive Pop with its thematic development and prominent keyboards, starting softly before dramatically shifting gears. The song then swells into powerful, guitar-driven Stadium Rock, complete with soaring vocals and anthemic energy popular in the late 70s rock scene.

The song's structure is iconic: a gentle piano introduction gives way to a driving rock section featuring powerful guitars, culminating in a futuristic synthesizer outro often interpreted as depicting otherworldly travel. This dynamic progression helped make "Come Sail Away" a major chart success in 1977. Its enduring appeal keeps it on classic rock radio and featured prominently in popular culture.

SONG MEANING: "Come Sail Away" lends itself to several interpretations. On one level, it's about nautical escapism, yearning to sail away and find adventure. However, the lyrics referencing "a gathering of angels" appearing "above my head" and boarding a "starship" lead many to interpret it metaphorically – possibly as achieving one's dreams ("climbing aboard" success), alien abduction, or even a spiritual journey towards enlightenment or the afterlife.