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Babe (Styx song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Babe'" is a song by the American rock band Styx. It was the lead single from the band's 1979 triple-platinum album 'Cornerstone'. The song was Styx's first, and only, US number-one single, spending two weeks at No. 1 in December 1979, serving as the penultimate number-one single of the 1970s. "Babe" also went to No. 9 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It additionally held the number-one spot for six weeks on the Canadian 'RPM' national singles chart, charting in December 1979 and becoming the opening chart-topper of the 1980s. It was also the band's only UK Top 40 hit, peaking at No. 6. It also reached No. 1 in South Africa.
Background and content
The song was written by member Dennis DeYoung as a birthday present for his wife Suzanne. The theme of the song is "the separation of two people." DeYoung stated of it that "If they've figured out what's more important than a relationship between two people, I don't know what it is. The finished track was recorded as a demo with just DeYoung and Styx members John Panozzo and Chuck Panozzo playing on the track, with DeYoung singing all of the harmonies himself.
The song was not originally intended to be a Styx track, but Styx members James "J.Y." Young and Tommy Shaw convinced DeYoung to put the song on 'Cornerstone'. As a result, DeYoung's demo was placed on 'Cornerstone' with Shaw overdubbing a guitar solo in the song's middle section.
Reception
'Cash Box' said it has "crystalline singing and airy electric piano leads" but that the "high harmonies are the highlight." 'Billboard' called it a "melodic pop number" that should break the band into adult contemporary playlists. Eric Hegedus of 'The Morning Call' considered it one of the best examples of Styx's "newfound mastery of the techniques needed to perform slow love songs" and highlighted the "deceptively simple lyrics." 'Rolling Stone' critic David Fricke described it as a lush ballad.
The track became a major hit, reaching No. 1 on the US 'Billboard' Hot 100, and was their only major UK hit single, reaching No. 6. The song also won a People's Choice Award as the best song in 1980.
In popular culture
In 1999, "Babe" was included in the soundtrack to the film 'Big Daddy', starring Adam Sandler, whose character is a huge fan of Styx.
Personnel
*Dennis DeYoung lead and backing vocals, Fender Rhodes electric piano, synthesizer
*Tommy Shaw lead guitar
*Chuck Panozzo bass
*John Panozzo drums
Chart history
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
All-time charts
Certifications
Caught in the Act version
In 1997 Dutch boy band Caught in the Act covered "Babe" on their album 'Vibe'. The song's success was modest.
Music video
In the music video, the band members play soldiers and perform the song both in a barracks and on patrol. They take a look at a waitress.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rzShYCMUdA Music video on Youtube.de]Track listing
'CD maxi'# "Babe" (Radio Mix) 4:28
# "Babe" (Cloud 9 Mix) 4:25
# "Babe" (Gee Extended Mix) 6:42
# "Don't Just Leave Me Now" (Radio Version) 4:46
Charts
References
Category:1979 songs
Category:1979 singles
Category:1997 singles
Category:Songs written by Dennis DeYoung
Category:Styx (band) songs
Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
Category:Cashbox number-one singles
Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles
Category:Number-one singles in South Africa
Category:A&M Records singles
Category:ZYX Music singles
Category:American soft rock songs
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