Styx lyrics

Well I feel like a deficient blogger cuz I haven't posted anything in awhile... but as I also have to get to sleep, this will be kind of quick.

I was introduced to Styx thanks to my high school marching band director when he chose a Styx field show for us in my sophomore year. Suffice it to say (for now) that I absolutely loved it. I later searched out an album (Greatest Hits) that has all 5 songs we marched to: Grand Illusion, Renegade, The Best of Times, Too Much Time On My Hands, and Come Sail Away. I ended up loving almost every other song on the album as well :D. The music is what I like most, but some of the lyrics have caught my attention too. Most songs I hear today don't have much of a message or an original subject, but a bunch of the Styx songs I know do. So, here are some that I like or find interesting, without additional comment:


Blue Collar Man
Give me a job, give me security
Give me a chance to survive
I'm just a poor soul in the unemployment line
My God, I'm hardly alive
My mother and father, my wife and my friends
I see them laugh in my face
But I've got the power, and I've got the will
I'm not a charity case
I'll take those long nights, impossible odds
Keeping my eye to the keyhole
If it takes all that to be just what I am
Well, I'm gonna be a blue collar man

Make me an offer that I can't refuse
Make me respectable, man
This is my last time in the unemployment line
So like it or not I'll take those

Long nights, impossible odds
Keeping my back to the wall
If it takes all that to be just what I am
Well, I'm gonna be a blue collar man

Keeping my mind on a better life
Where happiness is only a heartbeat away
Paradise, can it be all I heard it was
I close my eyes and maybe I'm already there

I'll take those long nights, impossible odds
Keeping my back to the wall
All that be just what I am
Well, I'm gonna be a blue collar man
You don't understand

I'll take those long nights, impossible odds
Keeping my eye to the keyhole
If it takes all that be just who I am
Well I vow to be a blue collar, gotta be a blue collar,
Gonna be a Blue collar man.

Believe it.


Too Much Time On My Hands
Sitting on this barstool talking like a damn fool
Got the twelve o'clock news blues
And I've given up hope on the afternoon soaps
And a bottle of cold brew
Is it any wonder I'm not crazy? Is it any wonder I'm sane at all
Well I'm so tired of losing- I got nothing to do and all day to do it
I go out cruisin' but I've no place to go and all night to get there
Is it any wonder I'm not a criminal?
Is it any wonder I'm not in jail?
Is it any wonder I've got

Too much time on my hands, it's ticking away with my sanity
I've got too much time on my hands, it's hard to believe such a calamity
I've got too much time on my hands and it's ticking away from me
Too much time on my hands, too much time on my hands
Too much time on my hands

Well, I'm a jet fuel genius - I can solve the world's problems
Without even trying
I have dozens of friends and the fun never ends
That is, as long as I'm buying
Is it any wonder I'm not the president
(He's not the president)
Is it any wonder I'm null and void?
Is it any wonder I've got

Too much time on my hands, it's ticking away at my sanity
I've got too much time on my hands, it's hard to believe such a calamity
I've got too much time on my hands and it's ticking away from me
Too much time on my hands, too much time on my hands
Too much time on my hands


Suite Madame Blue
Time after time I sit and I wait for your call
I know I'm a fool but why can I say
Whatever the price I'll pay for you, Madame Blue
Once long ago, a word from your lips and the world turned around
But somehow you've changed, you're so far away
I long for the past and dream of the days with you, Madame Blue

Suite Madame Blue, gaze in your looking glass
You're not a child anymore
Suite Madame Blue, the future is all but past
Dressed in your jewels, you made your own rules
You conquered the world and more ..............heaven's door

America....America...America..America..
America....America...America..America..
America....America...America..America..

Red white and blue, gaze in your looking glass
You're not a child anymore
Red, white, and blue, the future is all but past
So lift up your heart, make a new start
And lead us away from here


Crystal Ball
I used to like to walk the straight and narrow line
I used to think that everything was fine
Sometimes I'd like to sit and gaze for days through sleepless dreams
All alone and trapped in time
All alone and trapped in time

I wonder what tomorrow has in mind for me
Or am I even in it's mind at all
Perhaps I'll get a chance to look ahead and see
Soon as I find myself a crystal ball
Soon as I find myself a crystal ball

Tell me, tell me where I'm going
I don't know where I've been
Tell me, tell me, won't you tell me
And then tell me again
My heart is breaking, my body's aching
And I don't know where to go
Tell me, tell me, won't you tell me
I've just got to know

Crystal ball
There's so many things I need to know
Crystal ball
There's so many things I've got to know
Crystal ball


Miss America
You were the apple of the public's eye as you cut the ribbon at the local mall
A mirage for both you and us. How can it be real?
We love your body in that photograph, your home state sure must be proud
The queen of the United States, or have you lost your crown

Well aren't you Miss America
Don't you Miss America
Won't you Miss America
Our love

Well are you really who we think you are
Or does that smile seem to wear you down
This girl who you once were is screaming jump out
This dream that you must live - a disease for which there is no cure
This roller coaster ride you're on won't stop to let you off

Well aren't you Miss America
Don't you Miss America
Won't you Miss America
Our love

Miss America, Miss America
Miss America, Miss America

Well it's true just take a look - The cover sometimes makes the book
And the judges, do they ever ask to read between your lines
And in your cage at the human zoo, they all stop to look at you
Next year, what will you do when you have been forgotten

Well aren't you Miss America
Don't you Miss America
Won't you Miss America
Our love


Come Sail Away
I'm sailing away, set an open course for the virgin sea
I've got to be free, free to face the life that's ahead of me
On board, I'm the captain, so climb aboard
We'll search for tomorrow on every shore
And I'll try, oh Lord, I'll try to carry on

I look to the sea, reflections in the waves spark my memory
Some happy, some sad
I think of childhood friends and the dreams we had
We live happily forever, so the story goes
But somehow we missed out on that pot of gold
But we'll try best that we can to carry on

A gathering of angels appeared above my head
They sang to me this song of hope, and this is what they said
They said come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me
Come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me

I thought that they were angels, but to my surprise
They climbed aboard their starship and headed for the skies
Singing come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me
Come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me


The Best Of Times
Tonight's the night we'll make history, honey, you and I
And I'll take any risk to tie back the hands of time
And stay with you here tonight
I know you feel these are the worst of times
I do believe it's true
When people lock their doors and hide inside
Rumor has it it's the end of Paradise
But I know, if the world just passed us by
Baby I know, you wouldn't have to cry

The best of times are when I'm alone with you
Some rain some shine, we'll make this a world for two
Our memories of yesterday will last a lifetime
We'll take the best, forget the rest
And someday we'll find these are the best of times
These are the best of times

The headlines read 'these are the worst of times'
I do believe it's true
I feel so helpless like a boat against the tide
I wish the summer winds could bring back Paradise
But I know, if the world turned upside down
Baby, I know you'd always be around

The best of times are when I'm alone with you
Some rain some shine, we'll make this a world for two
Our memories of yesterday will last a lifetime
We'll take the best, forget the rest
And someday we'll find these are the best of times
These are the best of times

And so my friends we'll say goodnight
For time has claimed it's prize
But tonight will always last
As long as we keep alive memories of Paradise...


The Grand Illusion
Welcome to the Grand illusion
Come on in and see what's happening
Pay the price, get your tickets for the show
The stage is set, the band starts playing
Suddenly your heart is pounding
Wishing secretly you were a star.

But don't be fooled by the radio
The TV or the magazines
They show you photographs of how your life should be
But they're just someone else's fantasy
So if you think your life is complete confusion
Because you never win the game
Just remember that it's a Grand illusion
And deep inside we're all the same.
We're all the same...

So if you think your life is complete confusion
Because your neighbors got it made
Just remember that it's a Grand illusion
And deep inside we're all the same.
We're all the same...

America spells competition, join us in our blind ambition
Get yourself a brand new motor car
Someday soon we'll stop to ponder what on Earth's this spell we're under
We made the grade and still we wonder who the hell we are


Mr. Roboto
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto,
Mata ah-oo hima de
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto,
Himitsu wo shiri tai

You're wondering who I am-machine or mannequin
With parts made in Japan, I am the modren man

I've got a secret I've been hiding under my skin
My heart is human, my blood is boiling, my brain I.B.M.
So if you see me acting strangely, don't be surprised
I'm just a man who needed someone, and somewhere to hide
To keep me alive-just keep me alive
Somewhere to hide to keep me alive

I'm not a robot without emotions-I'm not what you see
I've come to help you with your problems, so we can be free
I'm not a hero, I'm not a saviour, forget what you know
I'm just a man whose circumstances went beyond his control
Beyond my control-we all need control
I need control-we all need control

I am the modren man, who hides behind a mask
So no one else can see my true identity

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, domo...domo
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, domo...domo
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, domo...domo
Thank you very much, Mr. Roboto
For doing the jobs that nobody wants to
And thank you very much, Mr. Roboto
For helping me escape just when I needed to
Thank you-thank you, thank you
I want to thank you, please, thank you

The problem's plain to see: too much technology
Machines to save our lives. Machines dehumanize.

The time has come at last
To throw away this mask
So everyone can see
My true identity...
I'm Kilroy! Kilroy! Kilroy! Kilroy!



(All lyrics from Lyrics On Demand ... always credit your sources, haha.)

Intro and Today

So I've kind of decided to start a blog. Often I've found myself thinking about things in life, and kind of wanting to record them because I reached an interesting conclusion (or maybe didn't reach one at all and am still trying to figure it out) and I wonder what other people might think. Also, a friend once told me he didn't really know much about who I really am because he could only describe me at the surface level - that I like to play Stepmania and Egyptian Ratscrew, specifically. So maybe, if I post my thoughts and observations about occurrences in my life or any other ideas I have, some people can get to really know me if they have interest. I (want to..?) think that my friends like me for who I really am, so if nothing else I shouldn't be afraid to share what's going on in my mind, and perhaps I can initiate closer connections with people :). (Ironically the song I was just listening to was "True Colors", haha...)

That's probably enough formality, so now I'll just dive right in...

Today has been a pretty good day so far. I spent the morning sleeping (haha) because for some reason I managed to stay up till after 6am due to laundry and trying to get somewhere on the 277 final project with Carlin... I planned to get up no later than 12, so at least I wouldn't lose too much of the day, but of course even by then I hadn't gotten enough sleep and I got back in bed after shutting off my alarms :P. I woke up again around 1pm when Grace called to ask if I wanted to get food, so I said "sure, if you don't mind waiting for me to get dressed..." lol. We went to brunch at Commons and talked, which was nice because we don't get to talk much these days (lunches don't coincide anymore). Then we headed downstairs to Starbucks where I worked on reading for Perception (got 1 chapter done) and Grace, of course, worked on drawing. I waited for a shorter line so I could get a mocha frappucino (newfound love, as of yesterday...so good!!) but every time I turned around, the line was still long, so I actually never got it, lol.

Tonight was nice too. I met Rebecca at Cosi where we had a nice dinner. My flatbread chicken caesar sandwich was amazing and so was the Oreo Arctic Mocha...filled me up though and I couldn't finish either one. Then we took the trolley to Center City, walked around for a little--I felt like such a tourist, looking around at everything because I hardly ever leave campus, so Philadelphia doesn't feel familiar at all. There were these plaque things in one sidewalk with a bunch of musicians' names, and I was excited to recognize some jazz musicians' names...so much that I took a picture of the ones for Daryl Hall and John Oates (I know "Hall and Oates" from listening to CD101.9 so much...thought they meant "Haulin' Oats" for the longest time though, hahaha.) Anyway, then we headed over to Chris's Jazz Cafe and it felt like first semester last year again for a moment, when I had to go there several times both for my Jazz Style and History class and my writing seminar on jazz. Rebecca knew the vocalist, Karrin Allyson, through her father and was really excited and said we had to go see her. I liked her within the first few songs. She sang some Brazilian pieces and some other songs that perhaps I should have known if I was a little bit more into "real" jazz (as opposed to "smooth jazz", with which I am, or maybe was?, very familiar with, from listening to 101.9 so much, back home). I liked her style; it was eclectic, and she was...spunky? That's not quite the right word, but whatever. I loved her guitarist and drummer too...

It was warm in the cafe, and I was tired, so I was semi-falling-asleep a few times. Maybe for those reasons, or because of some of the mellow songs she sang, I got into this kind of relaxed/happy/tired mood, and I half wonder if that's what I'd feel like after a few drinks...? I don't know, but I suppose someday maybe I'll find out... Anyway, it was nice. Some of her songs were about love, and I really liked them and got into the stories they were telling, but at the same time other thoughts were going through my head...those can wait for another post, though.

I really enjoyed the night out, and surprisingly I was able to forget about worrying about all my work, which definitely felt good. And usually I'm a dress-down, go-to-Commons or get-Chinese-takeout kind of person; I don't really do much out of an ordinary routine. So it was kind of nice to be served for dinner and dessert, to dress up a bit, to go into Center City, to enjoy jazz with a friend... It kind of seems high-class when I word it that way, but I don't mean it to sound stuck up-- I just enjoyed having a nice night out with someone :).

Interestingly, I just got back from spending some time in John's room after he asked if I'd walk with him to get some food. I just leaned back against the bed, stretched out my legs, listened to his music (really good...80s mix, I think), and drifted in and out of naps. Felt really "chill" or something (I put it in quotes because it doesn't sound like my kind of word, but I like it, for this context); very relaxing. Kind of reminds me of yoga in high school gym class, except this was less directed, more spontaneous...mmmmm. So nice to let go of some stress for awhile tonight. And that seems like a good way to end the post.