Superstars
by Styx

Album: The Grand Illusion (1977)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this song, Styx offer a taste of what it feels like to be on stage: like they're superstars. By this time, they weren't exactly superstars but they were playing arenas and getting lots of radio play. The song is from their seventh album, The Grand Illusion, which includes the hits "Come Sail Away" and "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)."
  • Styx guitarist Tommy Shaw does the lead vocal on the track, but at the end of the song, their keyboard player Dennis DeYoung plays the part of a narrator throwing cold water on the concept of fame:

    We want your dreams
    The offer's simple, momentary immortality


    This kind of theatrical flourish was typical of Styx' music at the time and followed a loose theme on the album of illusion.
  • Styx guitarist James Young (JY) wrote this song with Tommy Shaw and Dennis DeYoung. The three combined vocally on the rich harmonies in the song, something Styx is known for. Young told Songfacts: "It's another one where you get the big three-part harmonies and it's a little different rhythm. I think Tommy wrote the verses on that. But it's the big harmony choruses. We used to have fun playing that song and the harmonies work hugely on that song."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Intentionally Atrocious

Intentionally AtrociousSong Writing

A selection of songs made to be terrible - some clearly achieved that goal.

00s Music Quiz 1

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

John Waite

John WaiteSongwriter Interviews

"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.