Friday, May 31, 2019

A Window Above: Come Sail Away

Title: "Come Sail Away"
Writer: Dennis DeYoung
Original Release: July 7, 1977
Band: Styx
Album: The Grand Illusion



Dennis DeYoung wrote "Come Sail Away" while depressed about the fact that Styx's previous two albums had sold below expectations.  This "song of hope" alludes to the book of Ezekiel 1:1-28 (read here).  To me, there's no question that it's the band's best song and one of the masterpieces of prog rock.  I have fond memories of air guitaring this one with middle school students. 

"Come Sail Away" has had several notable television cameos.  My favorites:

South Park - It's the sincerity that sells it:



Freaks and Geeks:


Want to hear all of the songs I have featured in a convenient playlist?

Enjoy: A Window Above

What are you listening to these days?

12 comments:

  1. Awesome post! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I guess this song has never made much of an impression on me.
    But looking, now, at the clothes and hair, that is! Man, the 70s were weird.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely weird. But, on the other hand, looking back on other more recent eras... The '90s, for instance, are rather dull in comparison. Perhaps the world could use a little more groovy at this point.

      Delete
  3. I like this song but always think first , that this band had lived through some very hard times. Not sure that is true.
    parsnip

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't say I really know the Styx story. My daughter looooves them, especially "Renegade."

      Delete
  4. I am curious as to the relationship to Ezekiel 1... is there more on this available anywhere?

    www.thepulpitandthepen.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. From Mitchell Jay's Behind the Song blog:

      This contains an allusion to the Bible verse of Ezekiel chapter 1:1-28 where a large wheel/cloud (depending on text) appears to Ezekiel and gives him instructions from God: "A gathering of angels appeared above my head. They sang to me this song of hope, and this is what they said... (later in song)... I thought that they were angels, but to my surprise, they climbed aboard their starship and headed for the skies." Some people believe the figure Ezekiel saw was not a messenger sent from God but an alien space craft or a time machine from the future.

      Delete
  5. I have never listened to it, thanks for sharing, definitely something to try. I am following, have a lovely week☺

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nice post. I think It's classic & easy listening music. I followed your blog now. Thx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by. I am following you now, too!

      Delete