Why Me (Styx song)
"Why Me" is a song from Styx's 1979 triple-platinum album Cornerstone. Released as the album's second single, it reached #26 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in February 1980.[1] The song also reached number 10 on the Canada RPM Top 100 Singles chart on the week of February 23, 1980.
"Why Me" | ||||
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Single by Styx | ||||
from the album Cornerstone | ||||
Released | December 1979 | |||
Genre | Pop rock | |||
Length | 3:54 | |||
Label | A&M | |||
Songwriter(s) | Dennis DeYoung | |||
Styx singles chronology | ||||
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Background
The song was an unexpected single. The original plan was for the ballad "First Time" to be released as the second single following the #1 single "Babe." In fact some radio stations in the U.S. were starting to play "First Time". However, guitarist Tommy Shaw did not want to release a second ballad right after "Babe". This disagreement resulted in DeYoung being fired briefly from the band in early 1980. DeYoung reluctantly agreed, and "Why Me" was chosen by A&M Records to be the second single.
Billboard Magazine compared to "Why Me" to songs by Queen and Supertramp, describing it as a "high gloss, multi layered midtempo rocker with its fresh harmonies and thoughtlul lyrics" and also praised the saxophone and guitar solo.[2]
Personnel
- Dennis DeYoung - lead vocals, keyboards
- James Young - lead guitar, backing vocals
- Tommy Shaw - rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Chuck Panozzo - bass guitar
- John Panozzo - drums
- Additional musicians
- Steve Eisen - saxophone
References
- Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: 8th Edition. Record Research. p. 611.
- "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. December 8, 1979. p. 66. Retrieved 2020-07-07.