Styx

Released: January 19, 1981

Songwriter: Dennis DeYoung

Producer: James Young John Panozzo Tommy Shaw Chuck Panozzo Dennis DeYoung

[Intro: Apartment Resident]
Hey , hey out there knock it off will ya?
Hey give it a rest will ya? I'm tryin' to get some sleep!
Want me to call the cops?
I tell ya Erma I can't till next week when they start to tear that damn old theatre down

[Verse 1]
The rain was hot, the streets were empty
As downtown closed her eyes
The movie house stood in silence as I said my last good-byes
Her silver screen was stained with memories
As Cagney shot them down
And as I watched I was that hero
In dreamlands lost and found

[Verse 2]
Oh my god, well we both are empty
Paradise and me
Do you believe I'm still chasing rainbows
When everywhere I see

[Hook]
Lonely people, lonely people
Up above these ghetto streets
In penthouse suites they sit and stare
Lonely people, lonely people
They smile and say they're fine
But behind their eyes they just don't care
Lonely people
They just don't care
Lonely people, lonely people

[Outro]
Lonely people, lonely people
Beneath these neon streets in subway seats they crowd for air
Lonely people, lonely people
So close and yet so far they share the secrets of despair
Lonely people, lonely people (repeat and fade...)

Styx is a rock band from Chicago formed in 1970. They enjoyed great success with pop rock and hard rock songs, and became famous for their power ballads and album releases of the mid 1970s and early 80s.

The band has gone through some famously nasty internal struggles, drug problems, illnesses and deaths, but continues to perform today (with a significantly altered line-up). Tommy Shaw, from Montgomery, AL, left but returned to the band. Drummer John Panozzo developed a debilitating drinking problem and ultimately died. Dennis DeYoung developed an acute case of photosensitivity, and he left the band. They fought among themselves for control of the band name. Glen Burtnik also left and returned, this time on bass, to replace Chuck Panozzo (John’s brother), who had also left the band. (whew.)

more tracks from the album

Paradise Theatre

From the album

Paradise Theatre (1981)

Styx popular songs

Lonely PeopleStyx

Styx

Paradise Theatre