🎵 Styx - The Grand Illusion REACTION

[@Cadinho93]

"Deep inside, we're all the same." Styx has never really gotten the respect they deserve for great lyrics and the hard rocking lead guitar work that is a part of almost every song. Anyone with a brain can hear STYX rocks!

[@LordEagle]

But what about,,,,,,The Chosenites??? 🤔🤔🤔

[@markburnham7512]

For sure. Miss America is openly sarchastic, which I love. One of my Styx faves.

[@Brandi6666]

@@LordEagle i was thinking jeff dahmer😂

[@SouthTexasRocker1]

FACTS

[@willhorting5317]

@@LordEagle what the heck are The Chosenites?

[@sourisvoleur4854]

My teenage years, I absorbed all my philosophy of life from rock lyrics. This was an important song to me.

[@wiliamwidlacki7459]

I've never stopped getting life's philosophy from rock lyrics!!! I'm 61 and believe just about every human emotion or thought has been captured in a lyric somewhere!!! Rock on

[@jeffrogers2180]

Dennis DeYoung wrote theatrical lyrics, but I wouldn't consider them all that deep. The words are okay, but they're written for the way they sound, not what they mean. "Get yourself a brand new motor car"? He's an american, we don't even talk like that. But it sounds cool in a song.

[@vinman5432]

Now we know why you are amazing.

[@silverscorpion6487]

Ditto, the entire album. Castle walls one of my favorite

[@nelliejewell2665]

@@silverscorpion6487 Yes, that song speaks to me too.

[@Vaelsung1]

"The Grand Illusion", the 7th studio album by Styx released on 7/7/77. It's the album that took them into the stratosphere and generally considered their best album (along with "Pieces of Eight"). "Miss America", "Man In The Wilderness" and "Castle Walls" are all EPIC songs from "The Grand Illusion" that would be great songs to react to. Great, meaningful music with a great message that will continue to be enjoyed for many decades to come.

[@neilmccomsey9550]

Fooling Yourself is a good one too. Castle Walls is so underrated!

[@Eowyn187]

@@neilmccomsey9550 oh Castle Walls is freaking great. My fave on that album. Along with Man in the Wilderness.

[@Vaelsung1]

@@neilmccomsey9550 "Fooling Yourself" has had a decent amount of reactions on YT compared to the three I mentioned....but yes, I'd love to hear Brad & Lex react to "Fooling Yourself" as well! 👍

[@raymo6795]

also "Cornerstone"....I think they took a wrong turn after that

[@Vaelsung1]

@@raymo6795 Cornerstone has some great songs on it though.

[@jennyjenny4501]

Rest In Peace, Loretta Lynn. Another legend! ☮️

[@willhorting5317]

Yes, just heard that news myself.😢 She was my late mother's favorite singer.

[@bethshadid2087]

OMG didn't know. RIP Loretta...coal miners daughter done awesome 🙏🕊️💗

[@badkitty4922]

@@bethshadid2087 and You Ain't Woman Enough To Take My Man, one of my favorites of Miss Lynn's. May she RIP.😢😢🙏🙏

[@BIGBLOCK5022006]

I enjoyed her collaborations with Conway Twitty.

[@bradsouthers7476]

Blue Collar Man is another one of those in-your-face musical numbers that has a very deep, introspective lyric.

[@Vaelsung1]

They've already reacted to it. Check it out 👍

[@Joshuadgog]

yes

[@laurakali6522]

Miss America is another good one by them. When they toured with this album, I think the majority of my junior high school was at the show.

[@brianlamb7937]

Paradise Theater was the big one for us when i was in HS

[@laurakali6522]

@@brianlamb7937 1981 was another great year for music. That album was great too.

[@lauriekling8625]

1 of the best live shows , saw them at the Cow Palace for the Grand Illusion tour

[@jamielandis4308]

Another song from this album, “Fooling Yourself,” is my favorite Styx song. “Come Sail Away” is on this album as well (I know you liked that one!) Styx, ELO, Kansas, Alan Parsons, Yes and Moody Blues. They will never steer you wrong!

[@brianlamb7937]

well said

[@peterwalsh2470]

agree with "fooling yourself".

[@TonyM1961]

You forgot Super Tramp, but we can forgive the oversight. There were SO many great bands in this time period. Rush, Kansas, Seger, The Eagles, man... the list just goes on and on. We all were so fortunate to have been young and alive during the heyday of rock n roll. Eh?

[@scottmacdonald1826]

I haven't heard this song in a couple of decades. I had forgotten how heavy that first solo is.

[@rubroken]

Seeing them live was such a treat, they sound better live, than in their studio albums.....not many groups can do that

[@sourisvoleur4854]

They were my first rock concert, circa 1977/78. Just fabulous.

[@patrickorourke2369]

@@sourisvoleur4854 Me too! But mine was for the Paradise Theater album in '81. Live is much better.

[@smithmark2773]

Rush

[@Mr.wilson949]

I saw them live and they sucked,sorry.

[@Mr.wilson949]

@@smithmark2773 Rush is/was much better!

[@joepimentel306]

Styx always had a great vibe

[@brobinson7978]

Such a great song and album. Almost theatrical. Really cemented their career and spot in rock history.

[@SirManfly]

And this song has a definite 70’s sound to it !!

[@Glasher1]

Back in '77 I believe, outside Rapid City SD, I went to an open air concert and playing was Styx, Steppenwolf and Babys. It was held at a dirt race track.

[@frankensteinlives5451]

Great band. Great album. Great song. One of my favorite albums. Miss America is another great one from the same album. I was just entering high school when this came out. My friends and I listened to these guys exclusively for a while. Many of their songs from this time period had moral lessons to them as did this song.Hope you can check out more of the album. Peace!

[@kriskammeraad3955]

One of my favorite albums

[@surlechapeau]

Brad & Lex, you'll love their "Too Much Time On My Hands" !!

[@vernhoke7730]

Saw them do this live at a small concert venue in Asbury Park, NJ in 1978.

[@Jessica_Roth]

This is the centerpiece and title track to the album and shows Dennis DeYoung's interest in affirmative "songs of hope" (as he puts it in "Come Sail Away"). Another such song, from the next album ("Pieces of Eight") is "I'm Okay". Beware though; if Brad still can't take too much of Dennis banging on that organ, he does an entire organ solo in that one. And not a little commercial organ, either; he went to a church and used one of those giant pipe jobs. (I love the song, though. I guess I'm more organ-ic than Brad?) By then, Dennis is even bringing the organ to the songs guitarist Tommy Shaw writes and sings, besides Dennis's own work. You've done "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)" from that same album, so you've heard that already. (I do agree with those who'd like to see you do "Miss America", though, because you haven't done any of guitarist James Young's work yet [just Dennis and Tommy Shaw's] and there are three voices in the group. Let JY have his acerbic say as well.)

[@sherdelune]

Suite Madame Blue would be a good one, along with Lorelei.

[@peterz4427]

1978 and I'm an 18 year old freshman and my college roommate talked me into seeing Styx, a band I never heard of before. They opened with this and I was completely blown away after the show! They were simply excellent.

[@shinob1968]

I use to have this album wen it came out

[@kellyhilton2330]

Yeah,my favorite Styx 😁❤️🤗 thanks 👍

[@Eowyn187]

This whole album was sooo freaking great. Positive messages, progressive rock sound, with his amazing vocals!

[@ronparsons8786]

Styx were huge but still IMO underrated. Love The operatic and theatrical in their music

[@richard_n]

Styx Greatest Hits album is a must have for any decent music library. So many great songs.

[@michaelmartin9128]

Loved the comment about Rush.🥁. This whole Album Is EPIC. 😁❤🤘

[@danwilliams5867]

Another great one by Styx is "Crystal Ball" huge amount of meaning in it

[@sherdelune]

"Boat on the River" and "Sing For The Day" are also great. Tommy Shaw sings lea on those.

[@GunnerSG]

I finally saw/understood Brad for the first time when they were talking about the lyrics afterwards - good stuff !!! You guys should also check out " Man in the Wilderness " on this same album as well !!!

[@CB-gr1uk]

Yes, I have been waiting and asking for this reaction! Great song and group!

[@concernedcitizen-1958]

Hey Brad & Lex!! You two have so many great qualities and such a positive attitude and a genuine appreciation of what you have and where you came from. Always be yourselves, love each other and stay humble!! ✌️ ☮️ ❤️🇱🇷🎵🎶🎸

[@SingOnStreet]

Great voice and musicianship❤🎶🙌👍

[@srt8rocketship241]

They have a good amount of uplifting songs.

[@robertfindley921]

I recall they opened their concert with this song. Very appropriate. They put on a great show in 1977.

[@playbassken]

One of their best songs ever and I was super excited to see y'all react to this. Awesome!

[@auralfixxation6702]

Man In The Wilderness is another good song from this album.

[@ddwchamp]

This might have been the first Styx song I heard back in 77/78. I went to their concerts and they were awesome!

[@steveyoung2317]

Poignant lyrics. Whole album is genius

[@Booderman]

More STYX !

[@kesleycottrell1416]

Their sound was always just huge.

[@artierosesmithie9191]

Awww yes- Grand Illusion 1977, I remember sitting on an old mattress on the floor in my apartment, nothing else. I would have my old boombox and jam out to this song while munching on buttery pasta after blazing a jay and washing it down with a cold brew- Styx are awesome. Good times- good times. Listen to Styx quite often.

[@BillEFabian]

I saw Styx on the “Grand Illusion” tour in Jacksonville, Florida, 1977-1978 when I was stationed at Ft Stewart GA. Great live show.

[@davemcbroom695]

I've heard this a thousand times, but never read the lyrics. Some pretty good poetry.

[@rachaddle6581]

Absolutely LOVE The Styx!!!!! Been listening for over 40yrs!!! You definitely need to listen to more of Styx. Their music is absolutely great!! Grew up on it & my parents also loved them!!

[@jamescorcoran2273]

Enjoy how Lex gets so into these songs. Enjoy it, I grew up with all this music.

[@StephenCaudillPhoto]

Three words: Queen. Of. Spades. ❤

[@Vaelsung1]

Amen! Perhaps their best song!

[@nadzee7101]

Beware!

[@dennisr.4918DennyDesigns]

I remember your first Styx reaction to Mr. Roboto and it is so good you are getting into some of the real sound of his band. They were great in concert!

[@chuckwhite3176]

Such a good song, and so many songs to choose from with this band! Popping the myth about keeping up with your neighbors.

[@raulcastro7633]

I believe you got the meaning of the song exactly right. Stay safe you two.

[@rick1439]

To Much Time on My Hands is a great song by STYX!

[@ericsmith6615]

Wife here..This is one of my favorites songs by them..Saw these guys in the early 2000's SIMPLY AMAZING MUSCICIAN'S!!..Hey Lex.. This absolutely sounds like a track from a Movie!!!...And Brad.., Alot to take in for sure..Thanks for the insightful reaction!!

[@mickeyd6444]

Tommy Shaw and James Young play so well together.

[@mitchelperkins6723]

I grew up about 2 blocks away from Tommy Shaw. I believe this was his first album after joining Styx. While all the other kids in the area were playing street football, He was playing guitar. He played in a band in the local bowling Alley 's bar. Kegler's Kove was the club. Also, a local talk show host that has been here now for 18 years, was the publicist and sometimes road manager for Styx. When they come to Alabama to play we always go to see them. They are a classic rock band with great musical talent and writing great songs.

[@allenwhitmer8192]

Boat on the River is a great song by them, different, but great

[@cmel714]

Saw them the first time in a small auditorium in Chicago around 1972 the song Lady just came out Tommy Shaw wasnt in the band yet. Great old classic song.

[@michaellambert5223]

Everybody that had this album back in the day wore them out! It was a way better time to be a teen than these days FR! Music used to be so good!

[@markwilliams6394]

Saw this tour in January of 78 and this was the opening song. This was my first concert, I was still 12 by one month. Legs Diamond was the opening band. You should check out Legs Diamond's song Woman. Its a good song.

[@richarddoyle3420]

Happy. Great song. Styx best. Love it dearly.

[@squidly2112]

Another great album (was a really good concert tour) is Paradise Theater .. they had a phenomenal stage act for their tour show.

[@ugaais]

I’m 52 love that Styx and Foreigner never stop touring never saw them in their prime but have seen each 5 times since 2006

[@stephenhelmes8106]

You said it perfectly! Happiness doesn't come from money. Happiness comes from inside you. Now, it's true that money can buy away some things that cause unhappiness, such as financial stress, but this song is plainly saying that even though they are big stars, they are just like us. They have money, but they or loaded down with other kinds of stress. How often do they get to go home and enjoy their fortune? They are always on a plane, a bus, or in a hotel room. They can't go out in public because they are swamped by fans. We make our happiness, finding the right companion that loves us enough to stick with us through the thick and thin, and building our lives from the ground up, one brick at a time. Then when you step back and look at all you've accomplished, it's something to be very proud of, and share with that companion. Be thankful for what you have and remember that there are lots of other folks who would love to be as high as you on that ladder of life. You are their GRAND ILLUSION. Whoe! I'm glad I got that off my chest! LOL

[@squidly2112]

This is an old time favorite of mine. Listened to this way back in my Jr. High days .. back in the late 70's

[@jerrykeck1494]

Styx has been huge part of music even influencing South Park. Eric Cartman does hilarious rendition 😆😝😅😂

[@jamessomers8808]

Foolin yourself is a good option. When I was seven years old, I watched my moms friends band in the studio play that song. And this song very killer.

[@tomroome4118]

Happy is not your possessions, happy is in your heart. You two are VERY happy!

[@ralphfiligenzi6180]

A cool deep cut track from Styx to check out would be "Queen Of Spades".

[@ssRocker-nn3tp]

One of their best. Pieces of eight, is awesome. Aku, Aku, is a little weak. Compared to the high standard of the rest of the album. It,s not bad. Though. The Grand Illusion and Pieces of eight, are their best albums.

[@ralphfiligenzi6180]

@@ssRocker-nn3tp I totally agree.

[@alrivers2297]

Love the lyrics to this one

[@williamredwine6000]

I agree with several comments, Man in the wilderness is a must listen. you won't be disappointed. Even has great Guitars, and Lyrics for Brad.

[@Pixelologist]

This whole album was Styx' crowning achievement, Every track bangs.

[@aaronarnold7653]

Aloha guys, saw this tour 1978, very underrated band...Spot on reaction... Mahalo for this one...a hui hou

[@tedtosterone2262]

Dedication and representation to this country, and world

[@pewpewpewAK47]

I saw their "Paradise Theatre" and "Grand Illusion" tours back in the day. They have a lot of great songs to react to...

[@CardiacCat]

Money can buy "stuff" that makes fun times, but it always fades away fast. I feel like the most satisfying things in life are the simple things you share with those around you and those you love. I would take sitting around a campfire and having a beer with friends and loved ones any night over going out partying

[@michaelasay8587]

oh do so much more of them, so many great songs!

[@amandawade6148]

Styx were a very unique band!! In the 70’s we absolutely related to them!!❤

[@andreadeamon6419]

I see them everytime they're near. Great guys. Watch renegade and too much time on my hands with them and with cyo (Cleveland youth orchestra) they're at the place I've seen them most - blossom music center. So much fun

[@williamweiss6128]

Saw this tour and, yeah, it was amazing.

[@jamesnewell7686]

one of my all time favorite bands growing up in the late 70's and early 80's. they have so many great songs and Tommy Show is very underrated on guitar

[@jakerazmataz852]

There songs are like a play. This was my first concert at maybe 16.

[@richardfeldkamp1707]

Great flashback. I saw Styx in 1977 in Halifax. Show was in a high school gym but still sounded great. It was on the Grand Illusion Tour. No money for a t-shirt though

[@Crazywater1976]

Having not listened to the lyrics very closely for years it really relates closely to social media and how everyone pretends how great their life is but it’s all really just a Grand Illusion.

[@thedave2429]

That chat you two had was really cool.

[@NOLAgenX]

I had this song, Fooling Yourself and Come Sail Away completely memorized when I was in Junior High, playing the album daily. The lyrics are pretty meaningful.

[@tedszweb5268]

Through the Seventy’s into the Eighties we saw them every time they toured in LA. A special show was when Cars jumped into the scene & opened for them !😀

[@brockbeckstedt6483]

Arena rocks! Smiling and grooven are in abundance, for sure with these well mastered musicians!

[@jeffreyflint6286]

The first album with Tommy Shaw. 1977. Check out man in the wilderness.

[@danr4137]

Actually this was the second album with Tommy. They released an album a year earlier called Crystal Ball that was Tommy's debut with the band. Agreed Man in the Wilderness is a good one to check out.

[@jeffreyflint6286]

@@danr4137 this is true. I forgot about that. Thank you.

[@neillenet291]

I was thinking the same thing, man in the wilderness and castle walls

[@nealm6764]

@@danr4137 Yep. Tommy came in for the "Equinox" Tour, after the guitarist quit, but Crystal ball was the first album he was on.

[@erikstrohl286]

Miss America

[@jwine4145]

This song was the intro song of the entire concept album. It has that grand entrance feel

[@TonyM1961]

YAY! Thank you! I have been asking you to play this for a year now. So glad you caught the gist of the lyrics and enjoyed the song. And yes, all of the instruments together ARE a bit much, but it definitely grabs your attention

[@davidboivin7996]

This album and Pieces of Eight my favorites by Styx.

[@BobbyGeneric145]

The lead singer sang all his hits with a local high school orchestra. Breathtaking.

[@timothybush9633]

Hi Brad & Lex, I played as a backup band in 1976 when they were a newer band and we played to 5000 plus concert goers and I got goose bumps when they clapped for us😁

[@silverscorpion6487]

You're right Brad, it was in your face. You should have saw them live I did when I was 12 1977 the Grand illusion tour. The show was life altering, for myself anyway. the best presentation I had ever seen, because it was the first I have ever seen, it was my first concert , boy did it blow me away. I was hooked, instant STYX fan. It was my indoctrination into rock and roll. Played this album constantly in through my teen years. It tells the most amazing story from beginning to end. STYX , is one of those bands you got to listen to their album from beginning to end , instead of picking out individual songs from their playlist. Like Pink Floyd did. Anyway new subscriber. Enjoy you and lex reaction videos. They've been right up my alley, as to say. Cheers. 🦂

[@neilmccomsey9550]

One of my favorite albums. Good songs throughout. Individually and as a compilation.

[@jimgeorge9476]

Styx had some good theme albums (Grand Illusion being one) where the songs not only told their individual story but an overall story. I mostly listen to songs on random play now because technology but some albums I like listening to the entire album for the story.

[@timfrazier7589]

Lex reaction makes me want to both laugh and cry at The same time 😂

[@nancyloomis3046]

I’ve been listening to a lot of Styx (and many other big name bands and vocalists from back in the day…I’m 66 so there’s a lot,) w/Dennis DeYoung and his band & during his years with Styx and Tommy Shaw and now TS with the “official” Styx band. (You have to go back & read the break-up history.) Anyway, I’m sort of rediscovering the great bands of my youth and Dennis DeYoung was exceptionally gifted and wrote most of the big Styx hits. Tommy Shaw is also incredibly talented and, wow, they’re both still working. 😅I only listened to the biggest hits on the radio bc that was pre-internet and that was all I had.I was never too big on MTV lip syncing vids…they were too fakey for me. Thanks!

[@HansMcGruber]

Love this album, every single track is good

[@floridamike2930]

gotta love the gritty guitar

[@markbaker3013]

Thank you for sharing this with me 😊 This is one of my first albums I bought in 1976

[@joebarrera9741]

Thanks for STYX ...AMAZING this band is a GRAND ILLUSION....LITERALLY RNJOY THEIR MUSIC

[@robertanderson6929]

This was the first album I purchased when Wal-Mart opened in the suburb where we lived. It had to be between 1978 and 1980. Prior to that I had to go into the city to a Peaches Record Store to purchase music. And being before I was able to drive that wasn't very often.

[@GaryArmstrongmacgh]

It's interesting watching people who didn't grow up with this music talk about what they think. You guys are very thoughtful.

[@glennkirchens7970]

Love when my favs get reviewed. Midwest blue collar work ethic in this band from Chicago. Check of a James Young lead song like Miss America or Snowblind.