Released: June 5, 2001

Songwriter: Plinky Giglio Glen Burtnik

Producer: James Young Gary Loizzo

Love is the ritual
Hey, little sister, she's got a lot of time
She's got a lot of money
Don't you know that ain't enough?
Hey, pretty thing, all dressed up
For the main attraction
Like a baby doll looking for love

And she doesn't need a reason
She just hears a calling to the wild, hey, yeah

God gave man the breath of life
To grow up strong, to take a wife
To change the world and love is the ritual
You learn to walk and talk and laugh and cry
Work your fingers to the bone till the day you die
And above it all, love is the ritual (the ritual)

Hey, little man, beatin' his chest
And flexing his muscles
Gun for hire, he shoots for a star
Hey, like a handsome prince
Walkin' down the street in his shinin' armor
Romeo in search of his heart

There's a method to this madness
And a message callin' to the wild, hey, huhh

God gave man the breath of life
To grow up strong, to take a wife
To change the world and love is the ritual
You learn to walk and talk and laugh and cry
Give your heart and soul till the day you die
And above it all, love is the ritual (the ritual)

Come on dance, little sister
Little sister wants to dance
All night looking for true romance
When in a black leather jacket walks little brother
To rock her world, to be her lover

So, signal all the children
Send a message calling to the wild, hey
God gave man the breath of life
To grow up strong, to take a wife
To change the world and love is the ritual
So you walk and talk and laugh and cry
Work your fingers to the bone till the day you die
And above it all, love is the ritual (Love is the ritual)

Love is the ritual
(Love is the ritual)
Love is the ritual
(Love is the ritual)
Love is the ritual
(Love is the ritual)
Love is the ritual

Styx

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.)