Why Me (Styx song)

"Why Me" is a song from Styx's 1979 triple-platinum album Cornerstone. Released as the album's second single, it reached number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.^[1] The song also reached number 10 on the Canada RPM Top 100 Singles chart on the week of February 23rd, 1980. The song was an unexpected single. The original plan was for the ballad "First Time" to be released as the second single following the #1 single "Babe." In fact many radio stations in the U.S. were already playing "First Time" and it was receiving top 5 single airplay in many major U.S. markets. However, guitarist Tommy Shaw did not want to release a second ballad straight ballad after "Babe," fearing that it would damage Styx's "rock credibility." Shaw threatened to quit the band unless the single was shelved and this disagreement culminated in DeYoung briefly being fired from the band in early 1980. DeYoung agreed to not pursue releasing "First Time" as a single and returned to the band. "Why Me" was then reluctantly chosen by A&M Records to be the second single. The incident caused Styx from achieving 2 top 10 singles off one album (Cornerstone), which would have to wait until the next LP, Paradise Theater.

Personnel

• Dennis DeYoung-Keyboards, Lead Vocals
• James Young-Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
• Tommy Shaw-Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
• Chuck Panozzo-Bass
• John Panozzo-Drums

Additional musicians

• Steve Eisen-saxophone solo
• Ed Tossing-horn arrangements

References

1. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 611.