1980 - April: Styx “Cornerstone”

What the Riff?!?

Styx is approaching the height of their popularity and a bit of a turning point when they released their ninth studio album, Cornerstone. Keyboardist and vocalist Dennis DeYoung, and lead guitarist and vocalist Tommy Shaw take the lion's share of the songwriting duites, with one or both developing all tracks save one. The lead vocalist duties also alternate between DeYoung and Shaw, again with the sole exception being a song written and sung by guitarist James "JY" Young.

This album finds the group shifting from a more prog rock sound to a pop rock orientation. This transition would create a commercial success, with Cornerstone becoming the groups first top 5 album on the US charts - peaking at number 2. The album would produce the groups first and only number 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in the power ballad "Babe." It would also be a critical success, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group. Not bad for a self-produced album.

The successes, however would be tempered with the first fractures appearing between the group's primary singers and songwriters. Dennis DeYoung wanted to see the group move in a more pop direction, while Tommy Shaw preferred the rock orientation of previous albums. James Young sided with Shaw in this dispute. It would eventually cause a rift in the band in the mid-80's, with Shaw and DeYoung splitting up.

Friend of the show Steve Hardin presents this classic rock and pop sensation in today's podcast.

Borrowed Time
The third single from the album was the lead track to side 2. The song is a political one, portraying a United States in trouble, but oblivious to its decline. DeYoung and Shaw co-wrote this song, and Dennis DeYoung takes lead vocal duties on this high energy track.

Boat on the River
This more folk-oriented tune was a charting single in the UK and hit number 5 on the German charts, but was not released as a single in the US. Tommy Shaw wrote and sings lead on this track, as well as playing mandolin. It began as an experiment when Shaw first acquired a mandolin, but the band thought it sounded good enough to make it on the album.

Why Me
The second single was a compromise choice. Originally DeYoung wanted the power ballad "First Time" to be released as the second single, but when Tommy Shaw objected so strenuously to releasing two ballads in a row that he threated to leave the band over it, "Why Me" became the single. Also written and sung by DeYoung, it is about feeling depressed even in the midst of success.

Babe
The band's sole number 1 single is a ballad about having to leave the one you love for a period of time. Dennis DeYoung wrote it as a birthday present for his wife Suzanne. Despite its success, it was not originally intended to appear on the album. Tommy Shaw and James Young convinced DeYoung to put it on the album.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Rawhide by the Blues Brothers
The band performs behind a protective fence in a country bar in one scene, and this is the single song from the Country AND Western genre they can play.

STAFF PICKS:

Mystery Train by UFO
Wayne launches the staff picks with a cover of a song originally recorded by Junior Parker in 1953. UFO were an English rock band originally formed in 1968. This song is off their eighth studio album which was produced by George Martin of Beatles fame.

Love Stinks by the J. Geils Band
Lynch's staff pick is a description of a love triangle in which no one gets what they want. Lead Singer Peter Wolf was married to actress Faye Dunaway at the time, and was headed towards a divorce which may have inspired the lyrics. Many will remember this song from Adam Sandler's performance in "The Wedding Singer."

Even It Up by Heart
Rob brings us the first single from Heart's fifth studio album, "Bebe le Strange." It features the Tower of Power horn section in the instrumentation. The lyrics call for reciprocity in a relationship, and also a subtle rant against the obstacles women face in the rock world.

Run Like Hell by Pink Floyd
Steve Hardin wraps up the staff picks with a song written by David Gilmour and Roger Waters. The song is used in the film "The Wall" to depict rock anti-hero Pink as a fascist dictator turning the audience into a lynch mob.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Seduction by Giorgio Moroder
This instrumental love theme from the movie "American Gigolo" was on the charts at the time.

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