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Renegade (Styx song)

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"Renegade"
Single by Styx
from the album Pieces of Eight
B-side"Sing for the Day"
ReleasedMarch 1979 (US) [1]
Recorded1978
GenreRock
Length4:15
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)Tommy Shaw
Producer(s)Styx
Styx singles chronology
"Sing for the Day"
(1979) 		"Renegade"
(1979) 		"Babe"
(1979)
Red vinyl pressing
Limited edition release

"Renegade" is a 1979 hit song recorded by the American rock band Styx on their eighth studio album, Pieces of Eight.

Written and sung by singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw, "Renegade" is an uptempo hard rock song from the perspective of a wanted criminal who knows his choices will lead to his death. "Renegade" was a hit on both Canadian and American sales charts, and is often regarded as one of the band's best songs.

Background

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The song is a first-person narrative of an outlaw, captured for a bounty, who recognizes that he is about to be executed for his criminal activities. The execution will be by hanging, as the outlaw laments "Hangman is coming down from the gallows, and I don't have very long." Some pressings of the single were made with translucent red vinyl. Years after its release, it remains a staple on classic rock radio playlists, and is usually the final song Styx plays at its concerts.

Although songwriter Tommy Shaw and fellow Styx guitarist James Young usually played lead guitar on their own compositions, Shaw asked Young if he, Young, could take the solo on "Renegade". Young agreed, and Young later returned the favor by allowing Shaw to play lead on his "Half-Penny, Two-Penny" on the Paradise Theatre album. When performed live from 1978 to 1983, drummer John Panozzo increased the tempo of the drum pattern during the guitar solo sections. Also, the track would serve as the drum solo spot for Panozzo during that time frame.

Reception

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Cash Box said it "opens with delicate a cappella singing which suddenly breaks into powerful drum beat and rhythm guitar work."[2] Record World called it a "story ballad with high harmony vocals and a strong rock track" and said that it had to be released as a single due to heavy AOR play.[3]

Classic Rock critic Malcolm Dome rated "Renegade" as Styx 2nd best song, particularly praising Young's guitar solo.[4]

Personnel

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Charts

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The song is often used in media:

References

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  1. ^ "Styx singles".
  2. ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. March 17, 1979. p. 15. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  3. ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. March 10, 1979. p. 1. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  4. ^ Dome, Malcolm (February 18, 2022). "The 10 best Styx songs". Classic Rock. Louder Music. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  5. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 4553a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  6. ^ "Styx Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  7. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6855a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  8. ^ Musicoutfitters.com
  9. ^ IMDB, "Freaks and Geeks" Pilot, (TV Episode 1999) - Soundtracks.
  10. ^ Billy Madison Soundtrack (1995) | List of Songs | WhatSong
  11. ^ Stepnick, John (November 19, 2008). "The Pittsburgh Steelers' "Renegade": a Brief History". Bleacher Report. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  12. ^ Gorman, Kevin (July 28, 2023). "'First domino': After Carlos Santana trade, Pirates enter trade deadline with trepidation". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  13. ^ "Heinz Field great host for Winter Classic". Steelers.com. January 3, 2011. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  14. ^ Nightengale, Bob. "Josh Hader: Brewers lefty, 'coolest guy out there,' brings heat as MLB's ultimate weapon". USA TODAY. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
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