Styx

Released: January 19, 1981

Songwriter: Dennis DeYoung

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

[Verse 1]
What'cha gonna do when the sun goes down tonight
You'll hit the same old clubs, rap that same old trash
That's right
You've got them real silk shirts and them baggy pants
Dago shoes in the colors that match
But the girls are acting bored
And you're feeling like you're going to lose
You've got the g.q. blues

[Verse 2]
You get up every morning and you go to work each day
(you go to work, you go to work, you go to work)
Been doing the same damn job for ten long years this may
(you've got to work, you've got to work, you've got to work)
You've been working and saving for your jamaican dream
Paradise is waiting across the sea
But when your plane lands montego turns to monsoon
You've got the island blues

[Hook]
Cause, nothing ever goes as planned
It's a hell of a notion
Even pharaohs turn to sand
Like a drop in the ocean
You're so together and you act so civilized
But every time that things go wrong you're still surprised
You've done your duty, you've paid a fortune in dues
Still got those mother nature's blues

[Bridge]
I strut around the stage like a little king tonight
They'll scream for every word and every note, that's right
But when the show is over and I'm all alone
Can't reach my baby on the telephone
And everywhere I look mr. loneliness is in the news
I've got the big star blues

[Hook]
Boy, nothing ever goes as planned
It's a hell of a notion
Even pharaohs turn to sand
Like a drop in the ocean
I'm so together and I act so civilized
But every time that things go wrong
I'm still surprised
I've done my duty and paid a fortune in dues
Still got them mother nature's blues

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)

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Nothing Ever Goes as PlannedStyx

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Paradise Theatre