Why Me (Styx song)

"Why Me" is a song from Styx's 1979 triple-platinum album Cornerstone. Released as the album's second single, it reached #26 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in February 1980.[1] The song also reached number 10 on the Canada RPM Top 100 Singles chart on the week of February 23, 1980.

See also: Why Me?
"Why Me"
Single by Styx
from the album Cornerstone
ReleasedDecember 1979
GenrePop rock
Length3:54
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)Dennis DeYoung
Styx singles chronology
"Babe"
(1979)		 "Why Me"
(1979)		 "Boat on the River"
(1980)

Background

The song was an unexpected single. The original plan was for the ballad "First Time" to be released as the second single following the #1 single "Babe." In fact some radio stations in the U.S. were starting to play "First Time". However, guitarist Tommy Shaw did not want to release a second ballad right after "Babe". This disagreement resulted in DeYoung being fired briefly from the band in early 1980. DeYoung reluctantly agreed, and "Why Me" was chosen by A&M Records to be the second single.

Billboard Magazine compared to "Why Me" to songs by Queen and Supertramp, describing it as a "high gloss, multi layered midtempo rocker with its fresh harmonies and thoughtlul lyrics" and also praised the saxophone and guitar solo.[2] Cash Box called it "an intriguing blend of regal electronic arrangements and bubbly keyboard phrases."[3]

Personnel
Additional musicians
  • Steve Eisen - saxophone

References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: 8th Edition. Record Research. p. 611.
  2. "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. December 8, 1979. p. 66. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
  3. "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. December 8, 1979. p. 18. Retrieved 2022-01-01.


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