Come Sail Away

Zoo Freaks, get ready to set sail with some cosmic vibes as we spin Come Sail Away by Styx from their legendary album The Grand Illusion! This track, released in 1977, is a six-minute journey that starts with dreamy piano and builds into a rock epic, complete with a sci-fi twist. Did you know Dennis DeYoung, Styx’s keyboardist and lead singer, wrote this song while battling depression? He was feeling down after the band’s albums Equinox and Crystal Ball didn’t hit as big as their earlier single Lady. In an interview on In the Studio with Redbeard, DeYoung shared that he was inspired by watching waves in Hawaii during a 1977 tour stop, dreaming of escaping to chase his ambitions. The song’s iconic shift from a sailing ship to a starship—yep, those “angels” turning out to be aliens—was suggested by guitarist James “JY” Young, who wanted to give it a galactic edge, as he revealed in a Styxworld exclusive. That intergalactic vibe hit home, especially since the song dropped just a month after Star Wars took over the world!

Here’s another wild tidbit for you Zoo Freaks: the lyrics about “a gathering of angels” singing a song of hope weren’t inspired by the Bible, despite what some think. DeYoung laughed off the idea in a Loudersound interview, saying he wouldn’t know Ezekiel from a pizza delivery guy! Instead, it’s a metaphor for chasing dreams and pushing through setbacks, something DeYoung was living as Styx struggled to break through as headliners. The song’s grandeur caught fire, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978 and becoming a staple in pop culture, popping up in shows like South Park and movies like Like Father. Fans on X still go wild for it, with posts like @allen_marple’s 2022 tweet calling it a top-three favorite from The Grand Illusion. And if you catch Styx live, Come Sail Away closes every main set with confetti cannons blasting, as noted on Styxworld—talk about a cosmic party!

Now, let’s rewind to how Styx got their start, Zoo Freaks. Hailing from Chicago, Styx began as a group of neighborhood kids in the early 1960s. Brothers Chuck and John Panozzo, on bass and drums, teamed up with Dennis DeYoung on keyboards and vocals, originally calling themselves The Tradewinds. They later became TW4, grinding through local gigs and college shows, as Chuck Panozzo details in his memoir, The Grand Illusion: Love, Lies, and My Life With Styx. By 1972, they signed with Wooden Nickel Records, changed their name to Styx (inspired by the mythical river), and released their debut album, Styx. Their early sound mixed prog-rock with hard rock, but it was the 1975 hit Lady that put them on the map. When guitarist Tommy Shaw joined in 1976, as noted on Wikipedia, the classic lineup was complete, leading to their 1977 breakthrough with The Grand Illusion. That album, with Come Sail Away as its lead single, launched them into the platinum stratosphere, selling over three million copies.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Styx and their ongoing mission to rock the universe through their official channels. Check out their latest tour dates and news on their official website. Connect with the band on Facebook, where they share live performance clips and fan shoutouts. Over on Instagram, you’ll find behind-the-scenes shots and throwback photos. And don’t miss their X account, where they post about anniversaries like The Grand Illusion’s 46th birthday in 2023, asking fans which track hits hardest. For you diehard Zoo Freaks, dive into fan communities like the Styx Fans Facebook group, where fans swap concert stories and vinyl finds. Or visit DDY Talk, a fan site dedicated to Dennis DeYoung’s work with Styx and beyond. So, crank up Come Sail Away, and let’s sail to the stars together!