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Renegade (Styx song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Renegade'" is a 1979 hit song recorded by the American rock band Styx on their 'Pieces of Eight' album. Although songwriter Tommy Shaw and fellow Styx guitarist James Young usually played lead guitar on their own compositions, Shaw asked Young if he could take the solo on "Renegade". Young agreed, and Young later returned the favor by allowing Shaw to play lead on his "Half-Penny, Two-Penny" on the 'Paradise Theatre' album. When performed live from 1978 to 1983, drummer John Panozzo increased the tempo of the drum pattern during the guitar solo sections. Also, the track would serve as the drum solo spot for Panozzo during that time frame.
Background
The song is a first-person narrative of an outlaw, captured for a bounty, who recognizes that he is about to be executed for his criminal activities. The execution will be by hanging, as the outlaw laments, "Hangman is coming down from the gallows and I don't have very long." Some pressings of the single were made with translucent, red vinyl. Years after its release it remains a staple on classic rock radio playlists, and is usually the final song Styx plays at its concerts.
Reception
'Cash Box' said it "opens with delicate a cappella singing which suddenly breaks into powerful drum beat and rhythm guitar work."
'Classic Rock' critic Malcolm Dome rated "Renegade" as Styx 2nd best song, particularly praising Young's guitar solo.
Personnel
*Tommy Shaw - lead vocals, rhythm guitar
*Dennis DeYoung - keyboards, backing vocals
*James "JY" Young - lead guitar, backing vocals
*Chuck Panozzo - bass guitar
*John Panozzo - drums
Chart history
"Renegade" reached #16 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 in June 1979.
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
In popular culture
The song is often used in media:
*'Freaks and Geeks',[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582679/soundtrack?ref_=tt_trv_snd IMDB], "Freaks and Geeks" Pilot, (TV Episode 1999) - Soundtracks. to evoke a '70s aesthetic
*S2Ep12 of 'Supernatural',[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0942145/soundtrack?ref_=tt_ql_trv_7 IMDB], "Supernatural" Nightshifter (TV Episode 2007) - Soundtracks when Sam and Dean escape capture by the FBI
*1995 movie 'Billy Madison'[Taltos. Billy Madison (1995) Soundtrack - Complete List of Songs: WhatSong. What, www.what-song.com/Movies/Soundtrack/50/Billy-Madison.]
*'Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned', on Liberty Rock Radio
*S2Ep4 of 'The Umbrella Academy'
*Pittsburgh Steelers, between the 3rd and 4th quarters, especially during close games (started by the Hard Rock Cafe in Pittsburgh)
*Milwaukee Brewers, for closer Josh Hader's run-in music
*Pittsburgh Pirates, for closer David Bednars run-in music
*S4Ep13 of 'Ozark'
*Narcos (Season 2 trailer)
*'NHL on ESPN' (2021-present)
References
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