The Band, "Beatlemania"
Written by Alan
To the tune of Man in the Wilderness, written by Tommy Shaw
Another fan has passed us by
'Cause there's only me and J.Y.
Left from the days when we were young.
All of the years I've spent in search of the top,
And I'm still looking up
'Cause I - can't fill a stadium alone.
Sometimes I feel like the band, "Beatlemania",
Singing like the Fab Four without flaw.
Sure, we've got a guy
Singing just like D.D.Y.!
Damn it, though, I'm REALLY Tommy Shaw!
Whoa -oa- oa- oa- oa!
I am Tommy Shaw!
Ten thousand fans all scream my name
But they know that the band isn't real!
From all those hits, where are the guys?
So we rock hard and now we've got R.E.O.
To sweeten the pot,
'Cause we - can't fill a stadium alone!
Sometimes I feel like the band, "Beatlemania."
It's a bit confusing for us all.
Glen forgets, you see,
Whether he's Chuck or he's me!
I remind him, "I am Tommy Shaw!"
("I'm a star!")
I wouldn't have to go through all the motions
(Won't - I go far?)
If I could have just had a big hit with "Ocean"!
(I'm a star!)
Sometimes I feel - like the band, "Beatlemania",
Likely headed for a court of law!
'Cause of this whole feud,
Soon we'll get our asses sued!
Somehow, I must stay calm!
Might have to move to Guam!
And all 'cause I am Tom - my Shaw!
Aw-aw-aw-aw-aw!
I am Tommy Shaw!
Oh,woe!
Me, Shawwwwwwwwwwwwwww!
Don't you be mean to Tommy Shaw!
Yeey-ah-ahh!
Can't get a hit alone!
Oh-oh-oh!
Interpretation
It all started with the release of Brave New World. Tommy Shaw and James Young wanted to release the album in the summer of 1999 and immediately tour to support the album. Dennis DeYoung was suffering from a mysterious illness that baffled doctors and left him unable to tour. He also wanted more time to finish the album. The album was released that summer over Dennis' objections, and the band went on the road with Lawrence Gowan filling in for Dennis and Glen Burtnik returning to fill in for Chuck Panozzo, who had previously decided to retire. Rumors started surfacing on the Internet, interviews and on-line chats with band members revealed conflicting and changing stories. Flame wars erupted on the various Styx e-mail lists as the fans polarized over the band's internal issues. Meanwhile, the Styx tour continued without Dennis, whose health improved enough to begin a highly-acclaimed solo tour with a 50-piece orchestra. This parody is told from Tommy's point of view, but if Tommy really said these things it would definitely qualify as self-deprecating humor. The main theme of the song is that so many members of Styx have been replaced that it's like "Beatlemania," a show that toured in the 1970s as a tribute to the Beatles. Ironically, Glen Burtnik toured in the West Coast version of "Beatlemania" in the role of Paul McCartney, and this song would suggest that now he's touring in "Styxmania" in the role of Chuck Panozzo. The "guy singing just like DDY" is Lawrence Gowan. Interestingly, there is no mention of Todd Sucherman playing the role of John Panozzo or Tommy Shaw playing the role of John Curelewski. Really, JY is the only original member of Styx left (ignoring the frequent cameo appearances by Chuck Panozzo), so maybe the song should have been from his perspective. :)
Notice: This is an unofficial web site. Many lyrics have been transcribed by ear and may contain inaccuracies. All lyrics are the sole property of the indicated authors and are included here simply to enhance the enjoyment of the music for both old and new fans and as a forum for discussion of the meaning of the songs. Any attempts to use these lyrics for any non-educational purpose is both unethical and illegal. If you like a song, buy the album. If you want to record or perform a song, contact the author of the song for permission and to arrange appropriate royalties.