I think of childhood friends and the dreams we had

[Tiresias]

When I hear these lyrics in the song "Come Sail Away", especially with the latest concert version, I wonder about the origins of that particular lyric. Could it be childhood friends as in the Panazzo brothers when the Panozzo twins and DDY met as teenagers jamming togethjer in a basement or garage and perhaps dreaming of one day becoming famous like the Beatles, a performance that they no doubt watched on the Ed Sullivan Show back in February of 1964. If I remember my Styx history correctly, this is around the time Dennis met John & Chuck Panozzo and within a couple of years they formed the Tradewinds 4 and then TW4. Thank God they eventually changed their name to Styx. Please share your thoughts!

Edited June 24, 2006 by Tiresias

[Ron]

I think that line (and the rest of the verse) look back at those early days--maybe not all the way back to the initial forming of what would become Styx, but the "Okay we have a record deal now we're going to be big" phase. At the time it (Come Sail Away) was written, they had some success with Lady, and only minor success since then in the US. They were working on their 7th album and the superstardom had yet to materalize, even with all of the hard work and effort they had put in over the years.

Looking back to childhood and dreams is also a look back at simpler times: We all have done the "What if..." type dream, and how easy everything looks. But when you take the steps to achieve that dream, and work your tail off, but yet still aren't there and wonder if you'll ever make it, you yearn for the simpler days when it was easier just to dream.

[mrstromboli]

When I hear these lyrics in the song "Come Sail Away", especially with the latest concert version, I wonder about the origins of that particular lyric. Could it be childhood friends as in the Panazzo brothers when the Panozzo twins and DDY met as teenagers jamming togethjer in a basement or garage and perhaps dreaming of one day becoming famous like the Beatles, a performance that they no doubt watched on the Ed Sullivan Show back in February of 1964. If I remember my Styx history correctly, this is around the time Dennis met John & Chuck Panozzo and within a couple of years they formed the Tradewinds 4 and then TW4. Thank God they eventually changed their name to Styx. Please share your thoughts!

 

 

I think in part it is a reference to himself and the Panozzos. Dennis has said in the pre TGI days of Styx he would stand with Johnny P. off stage watching the headlining band they had opened for saying "some day that's going to be us up there". I think you can also expand that lyrical thought to Dennis and his non music friends as well coming out of a working class factory filled neighborhood such as Roseland.

 

 

Shawn

[Tiresias]

I think in part it is a reference to himself and the Panozzos. Dennis has said in the pre TGI days of Styx he would stand with Johnny P. off stage watching the headlining band they had opened for saying "some day that's going to be us up there". I think you can also expand that lyrical thought to Dennis and his non music friends as well coming out of a working class factory filled neighborhood such as Roseland.

Shawn

 

Ron & Shawn,

 

Great input thus far. I have noticed that there are recurring references to Roseland in DDY's work (Beneath the Moon), which is quite natural. Where and when we were brought up is essentially who we are to some extent and of course we never forget. There is little doubt that these guys worked their butts off for years to achieve success and that's why it is so disheartening to read the recent JY comments. It makes me wonder if the DDY departure would have occurred in 1999 if John Panozzo would have been alive and well. Sorry to get off task here. But I still love the lyrics (childhood friends and the dreams we had) because I think that everyone can relate to it, which is why DDY's music is so great. I can't wait until August 18th in San Diego to see another great live performance.

[ladybugking]

I always see these lyrics in their relation to Dennis' love of home and family and all the things that kept him grounded when he was young. One of his best depictions of his youth and his childhood spent with his friends is in Earl of Roseland.

 

I always picture him thinking of all the dreams he did have and probably sharing those on warm summer nights outside with his buddies, when he wrote those lyrics in Come Sail Away.

 

I think my favorite reference to this theme is in the lines from Desert Moon. "Those summer nights, when we were young, we bragged of things we'd never done. We were dreamers. Only dreamers...." He does capture much feeling and meaning in those few lyrics! But then he has always been one to say a whole lot in a few words.

[mrstromboli]

 

 

>>>It makes me wonder if the DDY departure would have occurred in 1999 if John Panozzo would have been alive and well.<<<

 

Sadly, we'll never know.

 

Kathy is so right when she says Dennis is about what's kept him grounded; family, friends, remembering from where he came.

 

 

 

 

Shawn

[Aakriti]

On 6/24/2006 at 6:41 AM, Ron said:

I think that line (and the rest of the verse) look back at those early days--maybe not all the way back to the initial forming of what would become Styx, but the "Okay we have a record deal now we're going to be big" phase. At the time it (Come Sail Away) was written, they had some success with Lady, and only minor success since then in the US. They were working on their 7th album and the superstardom had yet to materalize, even with all of the hard work and effort they had put in over the years.

Looking back to childhood and dreams is also a look back at simpler times: We all have done the "What if..." type dream, and how easy everything looks. But when you take the steps to achieve that dream, and work your tail off, but yet still aren't there and wonder if you'll ever make it, you yearn for the simpler days when it was easier just to dream.

Hi sir

The words brilliantly convey the longing for simpler times as well as the determination required to pursue aspirations. Many people can identify to this attitude, which reminds us of the difficulties of the path.Gb Whatsapp Apk

 

 

Edited October 14 by Aakriti