Babe - Styx (1979) 5/11/21

In 1979, as Styx was assembling their "Cornerstone" album, Dennis DeYoung took some time out to write a song he intended to be a birthday gift to his wife, Suzanne.

He recorded a simple demo of "Babe" using only two other band members: the Panozzo brothers: John (on drums) and Chuck (on bass)

When the other two members of Styx (guitarists J.Y. Young and Tommy Shaw) heard the track, they not only loved it, but insisted it should be included on the album. Shaw overdubbed a guitar solo, and the when everything was said and done, it was not only included on "Cornerstone," it was released as a single in late 1979.

Before the end of the year (and decade), the song was a Top 10 hit in 7 countries! In Canada, it went to #1 on both the Top 40 and Adult Contemporary Charts, and it also reached the top on Billboard's Hot 100, becoming their only #1 hit in US.

On top of that, "Babe" helped "Cornerstone" become a triple platinum juggernaut, selling more than 3 million copies!

No word on whether Suzanne liked the song. :-)

"Babe:" Not only a wonderful birthday gift, but a "Great Song of 1979!