STYX The Grand Illusion Reaction and Analysis of the Lyrics of Dennis DeYoung

[@psychologyofrock]

What is your favorite STYX song? Let me know what you'd like me to analyze next! - Nena

[@FixNewsPlease]

Crime of the Century was my favourite.

[@NoSmokingDogs]

Heavy Metal Poisoning. But there are plenty of other contenders like Suite Madame Blue.

[@timbaker7238]

Crystal Ball for me, but there's many songs contending for the number one spot...they had so many great songs!

[@ronaldmccomb8301]

Lady and Lorelei.

[@allengray5748]

From the album Equinox,,,, SUITE MADAME BLUE ☮️

[@bishdizzle67]

Deyoung is one of my favorite singer/songwriters and all around good guy. Not many rockstars have been married over 50 years to the same woman.

[@psychologyofrock]

Very true! He is just so likable, too. Very down to earth.

[@Nick_the_Gold_Bach]

Yeah - I heard the introduction to the live version of Lady - I checked up, all the facts are right. Awesome guy Dennis, full respect to you Bro : The member of Styx who wrote "Lady" is *Dennis DeYoung* . He composed the song as a tribute to his wife, Suzanne, and it became a significant hit for the band, initially released in 1973 and gaining popularity in 1975. As for his marital status, Dennis DeYoung is still married to his first wife, Suzanne Feusi. *They have been together since 1965* , and their enduring relationship has often been highlighted in discussions about the inspiration behind "Lady."

[@davidrose8842]

Dennis DeYoung is a musical GENIUS. The Best of Times off of Paradise Theatre is both a love song and a social commentary on our disintegrating society. How many song writers could do that?

[@psychologyofrock]

I think only Dennis! I completely agree that he is a musical genius! Thanks so much for watching 😊

[@ohTHATaaronbrown]

Called it! It truly is crazy how relevant this remains today, if not *moreso.*

[@psychologyofrock]

Yes, you did! And I completely agree. Social media makes it even more relevant!

[@Blackhalo1]

Well it looks like you just got a thumbs up from DDY himself. Bravo. So thanks to him for bringing me to your page, this was pretty awesome. ❤

[@psychologyofrock]

Please give him my thanks for sharing it! It’s a huge honor! And warmest welcome to the channel - very happy you enjoyed the video! Let me know if you have any other requests 😊

[@timbaker7238]

Great analysis Nena! I loved Styx mostly for the reason that their music was not only well written, but also about issues like society and mental health. Thanks!

[@psychologyofrock]

Yes! They were ahead of the curve for sure! 😊🤘🏻

[@philipmaravilla]

Spot on, Nena! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Such an amazing album with some truly meaningful songs. Man In The Wilderness remains an all time fave. Regards from Germany, keep it up!

[@psychologyofrock]

Yes!!!! They have an incredible body of work! Thanks so much for watching! 😊🤘🏻

[@ronaldmccomb8301]

Great analysis as always, Miss Nena. Such an underrated song, even by myself. Thank you for giving me a chance to re-evaluate it. Have a good Halloween week, Miss Nena.

[@psychologyofrock]

Thank you so much, Ronald! Yes, I was so glad the song came on the radio because I think I have always underappreciated it as well! Glad you enjoyed the analysis! 😊🤘🏻

[@cecidrums2194]

Styx was my first concert.....81 or 82. It was a fantastic show.

[@psychologyofrock]

Wow!!! That’s amazing, Cici! 😊🤘🏻

[@ThisUsernameIsAlreadyInUse]

This is an interesting analysis. Very prophetic! And it is a complementary topic to "Consume" and KMF as a whole. Great work! 🤟

[@psychologyofrock]

You are right! Great observation! Happy you enjoyed the video 😊🤘🏻

[@castlew4162]

I'm a huge Styx fan (since 1977). Yes, do more of the songs from this album, or do the whole album - it's great. Two deep cuts (but fan favorites) are "Man In The WIlderness" and "Castle Walls". Those 2 songs have deep meanings for their writers Tommy Shaw and Dennis DeYoung. The loose theme of the album is(IMO) "Your future can be bright, don't get discouraged by others, and join me on this journey of hope and fulfillment - you can overcome doubts in yourself and obstacles thrown in your way". Can I suggest that you play the audio of the song, and then go back and analyze the lyrics and music.

[@psychologyofrock]

I agree that the album is a masterpiece that was ahead of its time. A lot to unpack in these tracks! 😊🤘🏻

[@elgonwilliams7624]

My favorite song is “Lady”, a short and sweet power ballad (one of the first of that genre). I saw them perform it live in the fall of 1974. It wasn’t a sold out show. Maybe there was a few hundred there. The song had received some airplay on AM radio (yeah that was still a thing back then) on WLS in Chicago. I was dating a girl at the time (the one that got away). “Lady” was her favorite song. She was from Northern Indiana and had seen Styx many, many times playing at small venues and even at her high school for Homecoming. It’s crazy to think that the band had two albums out (on Wooden Nickel Records, a local label) and a third album about to be released, but they were just getting national recognition - and clearly the word wasn’t out far and wide, even in Indiana, which should be home ground for them. As for the girl, I saw her from time to time after we broke up. She wanted to part as friends, and though we were on friendly terms, you never really part as friends. Still, I think of her from time to time and wonder how her life turned out, even if she is still alive. I mean I have several friends from high school who have passed on. You never know. But whenever I think of her, I play “Lady”. SO, I probably have generated a few thousand streams for Styx on Spotify. LOL

[@psychologyofrock]

I love this story! Thank you so much for sharing! I agree it is an incredible song! 😊

[@DenisDolisy]

Hey Nena ! Perfect analysis as always ! Thank you for sharing yet another great song that needs to be heard by more people ! I agree, this song is more relevant than ever in our (des)illusional society where everything is just fake. I have some hope though that it will/could change as some people start promoting being real and authentic, notably in the self-help world. The Warning are a great example that there can be a change in the music industry too as they're being so authentic and willingly showing that they're normal humans who aren't perfect (which is one of the many reasons I love them so much), and they seem to be very succesful with that. I remember vividly their lockdown concert live stream which they did in their basement in just comfy clothes and in socks, which probably was one of their best concerts despite limited sound and video quality. And even on social media I see more people being authentic and showing their real lives instead of fancy dinners and expensive cars and themselves without filters and makeup. This impression may be due to the heavily intuitive darkarts echochamber I'm in, but it still gives me hope. Let's hope for a better and more real and authentic world 🍀🍀

[@psychologyofrock]

Hey Denis! Thank you so much, and I agree with your comment! Yes, I think if we want to be truly happy, we need to see through the programming and see what's genuinely important to us personally. I agree it is always fantastic to see artists like the Warning sharing this message! Hope you are having a great week so far!

[@DenisDolisy]

@@psychologyofrock Hey Nena ! You're very welcome ! I totally agree. And this is what will help us find the people who are a match to us and make genuine deep connections with them. I have, thank you 😊🤗🤗 I hope you're having a great week so far too ! Have a wonderful day 🤗🤗

[@psychologyofrock]

Thank you, Denis!

[@DenisDolisy]

@@psychologyofrock You're very welcome 🤗🤗🖤

[@me734]

This tune to me is letting the world know that we are wall watching a movie. The entire STYX catalog is such a great body of work. This tune is one of those I wake to that ebbs and flows with my brainwaves all day long.

[@psychologyofrock]

Yes! It had been so long since I had heard it! Now I’ve been listening to their music nonstop all week lol

[@me734]

@@psychologyofrock Infectious music has that effect on our musical brains, I do believe.

[@psychologyofrock]

Yes, it is a proven fact! 😊🤘🏻

[@NoSmokingDogs]

@@psychologyofrock If you go all the back to their 1973 release The Serpent is Rising, you'll find one of my favorites tracks, As Bad As This. Just beware that on Spotify it's track 4 and there's a hidden song tacked onto the end of it, starting at 3:44.

[@psychologyofrock]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[@Nick_the_Gold_Bach]

Hi Nena, I'm impressed you've chosen Styx - one of the unsung rock heroes of the 70s (now that's a great pun). I learned to love Styx because my younger brother tried to play them to death, waking me up so many weekends in a row on Saturday mornings with Paradise Theatre). He didn't succeed - I went on and got their 4 best albums too. I'll have to go through their track listings, but the favourite tracks that come to mind are Lady I'm OK Blue Collar Man Thanks for your wonderful channel, great interpretations on landmark songs. I'll be a regular commenter 🙏🎶🌟👏🎤✨😊💬❤🎵👍🙌

[@psychologyofrock]

I'm glad you enjoy the channel! I'm so happy to be sharing my passion for music 😊Nice to meet another Styx fan!

[@Nick_the_Gold_Bach]

​@@psychologyofrock It's my absolute pleasure to be here. It's strange that Styx remain unsung and undervalued (your chosen adjective I think). Styx and I go back further than the other greats (PF, LZ, LS, St and recently Cp and TW). They are still touring next year, a full 53 years after their first album was released. Styx has announced a summer tour in 2025 called the "Brotherhood of Rock" tour, co-headlined with Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon. The tour will kick off on May 28, 2025, in Greenville, South Carolina, and will run through August 24, 2025, concluding in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The tour will also feature Don Felder, former guitarist of the Eagles, as a special guest at all dates. If you are anywhere near to SC, FL, TX, CO, UT or WI next summer, please try see them live.

[@Nick_the_Gold_Bach]

@@psychologyofrock undervalued> Styx has not yet been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, despite being eligible since 1998. The band's co-lead singer, Tommy Shaw, expressed frustration over their lack of nominations, stating that they feel "powerless" in the selection process and have no influence over the decision-making. He emphasized that while they appreciate the recognition given to other artists, they remain hopeful that their time will come.

[@timcarder2170]

And then there's those out thete that ironically and consistently call Styx a *"corporate"* band. (Almost every arena filling band got called that at one point or another. )

[@psychologyofrock]

Hey Tim! Yes, some people can find a way to criticize anything, even when it is great. :)

[@francisseidel8014]

Dennis still has it. After the other members of Styx kicked Dennis out of the band because he was sick and couldn't tour, he put out some music that shows he was the musical genius behind Styx. Check out his song 100 Years From Now to see/hear what a Styx hit would have been like in the 2000s. The lyrics show that 100 Years From Now by Dennis DeYoung is a brilliant song.

[@psychologyofrock]

Yes, well said! I completely agree! He is a genius!

[@gill2105]

Very cool Nena ! Your breakdown and analysis reminds me of a hypothesis I read deemed “ the quantum mind “ where consciousness is thought to be generated by quantum fields generated by the brain. It’s much more complicated than my statement but it a decades long study. Which could mean everything is truly a “Grand Illusion “

[@psychologyofrock]

Interesting!!! Thanks so much for sharing! 😊🤘🏻

[@YAMISOOLD2009]

I have long loved this song for the very reasons you elucidated. It has helped ground me more than once when I have gotten caught up with keeping up with someone else's stuff or career or status. When I was younger I had people I liked give me the eyeroll for saying the same things you are saying. I guess some people just don't want to realize that we are all the same. It's important for some fragile egos to believe that they really are better or different. But for most of us I think its actually a needed tonic to stop and remember that most everything we see and take in from every form of media is manufactured to varying degrees. I do believe it is at least a partial explanation for the anger and dissatisfaction so many have evidenced. The want what they perceive others have even though most of what other's have is either not what it appears to be or is not making them nearly as happy as it appears. Its all a Grand Illusion. Thanks for this great dissection!

[@psychologyofrock]

Very well said! :)

[@YAMISOOLD2009]

@psychologyofrock thank you👏🫶

[@psychologyofrock]

😊

[@FixNewsPlease]

Good call. Once again you squeeze the juice out of epic works. Another oldie that perfectly meets the day and more specifically the next 8 days is Lunatic Fringe by Red Rider. Maybe you can break down the connections?

[@psychologyofrock]

I’m not familiar with that song, thanks for the recommendation! I will definitely check it out :-)

[@briancoburn9556]

Wonderful job, Nena. I've nothing to add, you said it all. How about analyzing The Warning's Apologize. That should be interesting 😊

[@psychologyofrock]

Hey Brian! I will definitely get to that song! The next one will actually be Consume 😊🤘🏻⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@briancoburn9556]

@@psychologyofrock That should be really interesting!

[@psychologyofrock]

It’s such a great song!

[@danielcole4123]

Nothing to add. You nailed it. The whole album is spectacular. If you aren't familiar with their next album Pieces of Eight check out the title song Pieces of Eight. Has a similar theme as Grand Illusion

[@psychologyofrock]

Thanks so much, Daniel! I agree the entire album is a masterpiece. 😊🤘🏻

[@williamjones6031]

Grand Illusion was the first STYX album I bought and have been a lifelong fan. I saw them 3 times. Twice with the original line-up (including John😇) Most recently at Harrah's Lake Tahoe. They still KILL even without Dennis DeYoung.

[@psychologyofrock]

Wow! That's incredible you were able to see them with the original lineup!

[@williamjones6031]

@@psychologyofrock The shows were incredible. The incredible part about ME getting to see them, is the tickets didn't cost "your first born". The "STYX-Caught in the act" concert in 1984 set me back only $40.😁

[@psychologyofrock]

😊🤘🏻

[@allengray5748]

Great album!! I still have the vinyl but someone stole my 8-Track tape. Darn, I wish you played the guitar 🎸 solo 😭 Great pick Ms Lavone! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎🤟🏼🎸

[@psychologyofrock]

So glad you enjoyed it, Allen! Such an incredible song! 😊🤘🏻

[@rdhudon7469]

I bought this album in '77 and I still have it . I also saw them tour it in '78 . I think the ticket cost $8.00 lol

[@psychologyofrock]

That is incredible! Thank you so much for sharing! 😊🤘🏻

[@benderbender1233]

🤘😘🤘

[@psychologyofrock]

😊🤘🏻

[@Teslafyguy]

Man In The Wilderness by Tommy Shaw really hits home for me philosophically.

[@tombaeten70]

Show me the way

[@psychologyofrock]

😊🤘🏻

[@allengray5748]

Part II 😁 Don't know if you've seen any interviews with Dennis, there are some good ones by the Professor Of Rock! ☮️

[@psychologyofrock]

😊🤘🏻

[@jacintofragoso1211]

They annoy me as much as kiss does