"Snowblind" by Styx

Explore Styx's controversial 1981 hard rock track, "Snowblind." Featured on the album Paradise Theatre, this song tackles the dark theme of addiction with heavy guitars and intense energy. Known for its powerful sound and the unfounded backmasking accusations it sparked, "Snowblind" remains a potent Styx rock anthem.

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.